“Harry,” Robert spoke calmly. He put his hands out towards Harry, warding him off. “Remain calm and let me explain.”
“Is Alyssum Scarlet?” Harry said quietly.
Alyssum stood frozen, unable to move as she saw how furious Harry was.
“Yes,” Robert answered. “But please let me explain.”
“No,” Harry said in a deadly voice and stepped forward.
Robert turned and ran for the window with Harry chasing after him.
Robert yanked the window open and dove out, straight into the hedges surrounding the house. He rolled off the hedge and onto the drive, his boots kicking up dirt as he ran. He heard Alyssum’s shout then heard Harry chasing after him.
“Jackson!” Alyssum screamed as she ran out of the office, holding the bodice of her dress for the back wasn’t buttoned and it was falling down.
“I had nothing to do with Harry’s appearance,” Jackson defended himself quickly from where he stood in the foyer.
“Help me,” she ordered.
“I’m staying out of this one.”
Alyssum paused at the door to turn and give Jackson the same murderous look Harry had given Robert.
“All right.” Jackson sighed and moved forward.
They ran down the front steps and around to the side of the house.
They both paused as they saw Robert and Harry running around a small hedge. Harry changed directions and Robert skidded to a halt then ran the other way.
Alyssum ran forward with a chuckling Jackson behind her. Before Alyssum could stop them, Harry dove over the waist-high hedge and tackled Robert to the grass.
“Stop it,” Alyssum shouted as Harry punched Robert.
As they rolled on the grass Harry hit Robert again before Robert managed to shove Harry off him. But before Robert could make a run for it, Harry grasped his boot and tripped him.
“Harry, enough,” Alyssum shouted.
Robert hit the grass with a whoosh of breath and Harry scrambled over and threw another punch. This punch landed solidly between Robert’s legs.
Robert howled in pain and curled onto his side, cupping himself and cursing profoundly. Alyssum panted for breath as she reached them. Harry stood to his feet and ignored Alyssum as she smacked his arm.
Jackson reached them too and looked down at Robert. But when Alyssum moved forward for Robert, Harry grabbed her arm and held her back.
“Let go,” she ordered.
“You’re coming home with me,” he said angrily. “Now.”
“No.”
“Alyssum, now is not the time,” he growled furiously. “Now move it.” As he spoke, he took off his coat and drew it around Alyssum.
Alyssum slipped into it silently. She looked over to Jackson, who nodded and waved her away. Robert groaned and rolled to his knees.
“Haven’t had enough, huh?” Harry moved towards him and Alyssum jumped in front of him.
“Stop it,” she yelled.
“It’s all right, Alyssum,” Robert groaned.
“You don’t talk to her.” Harry pointed a warning finger at him while stepping before Alyssum again. “Ever. You don’t come near her, or my family. Understand?”
“No.” Robert refused to cower. He raised his chin, defying Harry while kneeling on the grass and cupping his injured manhood.
Harry pulled back his arm and punched Robert again. Alyssum squealed and covered her eyes as Robert hit the grass unconscious. Harry shook his pained hand then turned to Alyssum.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm.
Alyssum pulled against his hold as she looked at Robert lying still on the grass. She went to argue but saw Jackson shaking his head at her with a stern expression. She sighed deeply then allowed Harry to pull her away.
“Upstairs. Now,” Harry ordered as he slammed the front door shut behind them.
“Stop ordering me around.” Alyssum pulled her arm free.
“Go change out of that dress.”
“No.”
“Now, Alyssum. Then I want to talk to you. You’ll meet me in my office…” He stopped, anger crossing his face as he obviously remembered walking in on Robert and his sister in an office. “Meet me in the front parlor.”
“You didn’t have to hurt him.”
“Alyssum, please. Go. Change.”
“Oh my,” her mother exclaimed as she walked into the foyer and ran her gaze over Alyssum, taking in her rumpled appearance, scarlet dress and Harry’s coat. “Oh my, my, my.” She shook her head.
Alyssum turned bright red and pulled Harry’s coat tighter around her. Violet stepped into the foyer beside their mother. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at Alyssum. Alyssum then moved willingly up the stairs and to her bedroom to change.
Once inside her bedroom, she dropped Harry’s coat then her dress to the floor. She stepped over the material and walked to the wash area. She stood behind the screen and poured water into the light blue basin. She paused after wetting the washcloth to look down at the small splotch of blood on her inner thigh. She slowly wiped the blood away then cleaned between her legs. Her cheeks burned as she felt tender and sore, the evidence of her ruin and the most pleasurable experience of her life.
After washing, she took a purple day dress from her wardrobe and drew it on. Her hands began to shake as she buttoned the back. She had never seen Harry so mad. Before she left her room, she wondered if Robert was all right.
Jackson raised his palm then let it fly. It met Robert’s cheek with a resounding crack.
Robert woke with a startle. He looked around lost then blinked up at Jackson through his black eye.
“Morning, governor.” Jackson smiled.
Robert looked around him and found he was lying on the foyer floor. “Where is she?”
“Harry dragged her home.”
Robert sat up with a groan. His body ached.
“Harry throws a decent punch,” Jackson muttered as he inspected Robert’s bruised face.
“I know,” Robert growled and dragged himself to his feet.
Jackson steadied him with a hand to his shoulder. He let go when Robert nodded.
“How did you know she was here?” Robert asked.
“The whole house knew she was here. Or should I say heard?” Jackson grinned broadly.
“I have to go talk to Harry.” Robert sighed.
“You might want to dress first.”
Robert looked down to his dirt-and-grass-stained shirt. He grumbled, nodded and then walked upstairs on wobbly legs to change for round two with Harry.
“Robert and I are none of your concern,” Alyssum snapped as she stood before Harry in the front parlor.
“None of my concern?” Harry shouted and Alyssum glared. “It is my concern when my best friend deflowers my sister in his office.”
“It was my choice. I chose to be with him.”
Harry growled and spun on his heel. He took a deep breath before turning back to Alyssum.
“What was your first time like?” Alyssum asked him abruptly, catching him off-guard.
“What?” Harry sputtered.
“Who was she? Did you love her? You didn’t marry her, we all know that.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
Harry sputtered for an answer. “It just is,” he finally said. “And what were you thinking, purchasing a dress like that? Where did you get it? Why? Ladies do not wear gowns like that,” Harry shouted.
“I’ll wear whatever I want,” Alyssum yelled back.
“Not while you’re in my house.”
Robert walked through the front door and entered the foyer. He paused as he saw Violet and Caroline with their ears pressed to the parlor door. Then he heard Harry and Alyssum shouting.
His riding boots clicked on the hard floor and caused Violet and Caroline to turn towards the noise. Violet stared at his bruised face while Caroline stepped away from the door and placed her hands on her hips. Robert took a deep breath and stepped
up to her.
“Are you going to let me see her?” he asked.
“Are you going to marry her?”
Robert smiled. “If she’ll let me.”
Caroline gave a curt, satisfied nod then stepped aside. “You should treat those bruises,” she advised before he opened the parlor doors and stepped in.
Alyssum and Harry turned to see who had entered the room. Alyssum’s heart jumped at the sight of Robert and his bruises.
“Are you going to let me explain now?” Robert asked as he moved towards them.
“No,” Harry replied, then threw his fist.
Alyssum gasped in shock as Harry’s fist connected with Robert’s jaw. She stepped forward and shoved Harry hard. “Stop hitting him,” she screamed.
Robert touched his jaw then flexed it. “That was your last one,” he told Harry firmly.
Alyssum exhaled deeply as she found she was exhausted from yelling at Harry. The man was a stubborn as she.
Robert tugged on his coat, straightening it.
“Are you all right?” Alyssum turned and asked him gently.
“I’ve been worse off.” He grinned at her.
“You don’t speak to her,” Harry snapped and he nudged Alyssum away from Robert.
“I think I just did. Oh look, I’m going to do it again.” He turned his body to face her. “You left most of your clothes at my house.”
Alyssum eyes widened at his audacity then Robert disappeared from her sight as Harry tackled him to the ground. She threw her hands up in surrender and stepped around them as they scuffled and rolled over the carpet. She was making her way to the door when their voices stopped her.
“You ruined my sister!”
“I love your sister!”
Alyssum turned quickly and looked down to see Harry pinning Robert to the ground by his coats lapels.
“You love her?” Harry scoffed. “You ruin the women you love?”
“I’ve only ever loved one woman.”
“Phft, one huh? Have you forgotten how to count, Robert?”
Robert growled and shoved Harry off him. They both got to their feet quickly.
“You loved Scarlet.”
“She is Scarlet,” Robert yelled.
“You didn’t know that,” Harry argued. “Scarlet was a wager you won.”
“What?” Alyssum asked quietly.
Both breathing heavily, Harry and Robert turned to her as she spoke.
“He didn’t tell you that part?” Harry asked. “That kissing you on the balcony was for money. Oh, and your garter.”
Alyssum turned her stunned gazed to Robert. He shook his head at her with a guilty look in his eyes.
“You kissed me for money?” Alyssum asked numbly.
Robert raked a hand through his already messed hair. “I—”
“He made a wager with the men, as he does every year. What did you do last year, Robert?” Harry asked. “Stole a lady’s shoe?”
“No one got hurt.”
“Well, this time someone did. You got your hundred pounds while Alyssum lost her virtue. Congratulations.”
Alyssum turned to leave.
“Alyssum,” Robert called out but she had left the room.
She looked to Violet then her mother who stood just outside the door. She hadn’t missed the way they had jumped away from the door when she’d opened it.
“Excuse me.” She walked passed them and climbed the stairs.
Staring at the closed door, Robert then slowly turned to Harry. They stared silently at each other for a moment then Robert turned and moved to leave the room.
“Just stay away from her, Robert.”
Robert swung around and walked back to Harry. “I’ve been in love with that girl for ten years. Not you nor anyone else is going to stop me now.”
Harry eyes narrowed with surprise and shock. “If you’ve loved her for ten years why haven’t you done anything before now?”
“For this exact reason.” Robert waved his arms around, indicating to their anger, their bruised faces. “You’re like my brother, Harry,” he snapped then stormed back to the door. He paused before he opened it, took a deep breath and turned and walked back to Harry.
“Forgot something,” he muttered in a harsh voice before letting his arm swing hard. His fist connected solidly with Harry’s jaw. Harry grunted under the blow then watched Robert leave the room.
Robert stormed back inside his house, the front door banging shut behind him. He marched back into his office and around his desk.
“Didn’t go to well?” Jackson asked as he stood in the doorway.
“No,” Robert clipped out.
“Did you see Alyssum?”
“Yes.” He remembered seeing the flash of hurt in her eyes as she found out about the wager. He was not losing her. Not over a stupid wager. Not when the wager had helped bring them together.
Robert dug into the bottom drawer and pulled out a black velvet purse. He opened it, pulled a wad of notes out, counted some and then shoved them into the inside pocket of his coat. He placed the rest of the money back in the purse then dropped it back in to the drawer. He walked over to the chaise, picked his coat off the floor, reached inside and pulled out a black garter.
“Going out again?” Jackson asked.
“Yes.” Robert placed the garter with the money then walked passed Jackson, into the foyer and out through the front door.
After escaping the confines of her bedroom, Alyssum paced over the lawn at the side of the house. She couldn’t handle her mother and Violet’s curious, watchful gazes.
Now in the fresh air, she slowly walked back and forth, staring at the grass beneath her walking boots. When she heard the sound of approaching footsteps, she sighed at the intrusion. She wanted to be alone. Turning around, she was about to tell whoever it was to leave her be. She paused when she saw it was Robert. His strides were quick as he walked towards her. She spotted Jackson a few steps behind him.
Robert said nothing when he reached her, but caught her face in his hands and fused their mouth together. She gasped in surprise and held onto his shoulders as he kissed her desperately. Slanting his mouth over hers, he stole her breath, over and over again.
He slowly released her mouth and let his hands slide away, but she pulled him back. Robert sighed into her mouth as she kissed him. His hands came back and cupped her face.
Jackson cleared his throat and Alyssum stopped the kiss and laid her forehead on Robert’s. She kept her eyes closed and rested her hands on his chest.
Her eyes opened as he pulled away. Looking up at him, Alyssum raised her hand and touched his bruised cheekbone softly. Her hand dropped as he reached into his coat. She watched with a frown as he pulled out money and a black garter.
Alyssum shook her head, but Robert took her hand and placed the money and her garter in her hand.
“I don’t want them if I can’t have you,” he told her quietly.
Alyssum stared at the money in her hand. “I don’t want it.” She looked up to him. “I want you.”
A smiled spread over Robert’s lips.
“What am I suppose to do with it?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Give it Lilly for her help in your ruin.”
Alyssum tried to glare disapprovingly but found herself smiling.
“Ah-hem, and what about me?” Violet asked.
Robert and Alyssum turned their gazes and found Violet standing beside Jackson. And beside Violet stood their mother and Harry, and by the looks on their faces, they had been standing there for a while.
Robert watched Harry carefully, waiting for any sudden attacks.
“I was an excellent secret keeper,” Violet said.
“So was I,” Jackson put in.
“Here.” Alyssum offered Violet the money. “Take it.”
Violet scooted forward and took the money, but slipped Alyssum the garter back.
“Violet,” Harry said disapprovingly.
“It was a gift,” Vi
olet replied and looked through the notes. “You can’t give back a gift.” She smiled up at Harry while shoving the notes inside her skirt pocket.
Robert chuckled then turned his gaze back to Alyssum. Her eyes met his and he squeezed her hand. “I may have kissed Scarlet for a wager, but I fell in love with her because she was you.”
Robert’s chest expanded as he took a deep breath then asked, “Will you marry me?”
Alyssum gasped in shock while her mother squealed with excitement.
“You want to marry me?” Alyssum asked.
“He better,” Harry muttered and their mother smacked his arm.
“Yes, I want to marry you,” Robert answered and shifted his gaze to their audience.
“Why?”
“What?” Robert looked back to her confused.
“Why do you want to marry me?” she spoke quietly.
“I think you heard me in the parlor while Harry was pummeling me.”
“You told Harry, not me.”
Robert exhaled. “I love you,” he whispered to her.
“What was that?” Jackson called out.
Robert glared at him before looking back to a smiling Alyssum. “Happy?”
Alyssum shook her head.
“What now?” he asked. “You want me to get down on my knees and beg?”
“Yes.” Alyssum smiled. With a groan, Robert lowered to his knees. He ignored Violet’s giggle and looked up to Alyssum from the ground.
“Alyssum Rosewood?”
“Yes?” she asked sweetly.
“Will you marry me and make me the happiest man? Please.”
Alyssum tilted head and hummed in thought.
“Say yes,” Violet advised.
“Hurry up,” Jackson called out.
“You better marry that boy, Alyssum Rosewood,” her mother’s voice chided her.
Alyssum laughed and nodded. Robert raised his brows in question.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she answered.
Scarlet Kisses Page 17
