Throughout dinner, as the servers brought out course after course of the chef’s most succulent dishes, the atmosphere remained jovial. Her brothers made it a point to include her in the conversation, and for perhaps the first time, Rory and Gavin treated her like a young lady rather than as just another one of the boys. She felt special, and she had to admit that she liked it. She remained fairly quiet throughout the meal however, content for the most part to simply watch and listen. She could tell that her brothers, Colin and Conner especially, were very pleased with her behavior. Hopefully, if all went well during the course of the duke’s visit she would prove to them that she didn’t need Briarwood. It seemed rather ironic that the man whom she’d once considered an adversary, might now prove to be her ally, albeit an unwitting ally. Be that as it may, if her plan worked she would be eternally grateful nonetheless.
As the evening progressed, Scarlett found herself eyeing Alec Weston with increasing frequency. His rapport with her brothers was friendly and easygoing, not at all pompous or reserved as she might have expected from someone with such a lofty title, and when he and Colin began to reminisce about their days at school it became clear that he had a spirited sense of humor as well. He laughed often, and she found the warm, pleasant sound almost as appealing as his smile.
Alec noticed Scarlett’s eyes upon him repeatedly throughout the meal, though he did his best to ignore her lingering glances. It was unnerving. Though he had long ago grown accustomed to admiring glances from members of the opposite sex, Scarlett was scarcely more than a child. It seemed much more likely that she was sizing him up for another attack, as opposed to finding him attractive. Having witnessed her earlier display of temper, he wasn’t deceived for an instant by the feminine attire she now wore, nor by the polite manners she currently displayed, and he definitely planned to keep his guard up.
“Poor sod. I hear they plan to announce the engagement next week.”
Colin’s comment drew Alec’s attention back to the conversation at hand, their friend Lucas Devereaux’s impending nuptials. Poor sod was right. Alicia Barton, his intended, was about as attractive as a fence post and had a personality to match. Her father was enormously wealthy however, and thanks to a series of bad investments by his father, Lucas’s family was in dire need of Alicia’s substantial dowry.
“Leg-shackled within the year, he has my sympathies.”
“You’d best be careful, Alec, or before long it will be me offering my sympathies to you,” Colin teased.
“Not bloody likely,” Alec replied in exaggerated horror.
“With every eligible young lady in London chasing after you, you’re bound to get caught eventually.”
“Bite your tongue,” he said, grimacing at the thought. After witnessing firsthand the debacle of his parent’s marriage, getting married himself wasn’t something he was looking forward to. In fact, he intended to put it off for as long as possible. But unfortunately, what Colin had said was true. Much to his friend’s continued amusement; he was a prime target for the marriage-minded females of his class, but “getting caught” was something he intended to avoid until well into the distant future.
Once the final course had been cleared, Colin announced that the men would be heading into the nearby village for some amusement. What kind of amusement, he didn’t say, but Alec was certain that it would involve liquor and women, and he was more than willing to partake.
Moments later, watching as Scarlett bid all of her brothers a good night, Alec merely smiled politely when the little vixen turned and bid him the same, relieved to have made it through the evening meal unscathed.
The next morning, Scarlett once again donned a dress. It was a tad small, similar to the one she’d worn last night, and just as uncomfortable. But for her plan to succeed, comfort was a sacrifice she was willing to make, at least for the time being. Knowing that her brothers would still be abed as she went downstairs, she was surprised to find Lord Weston already seated in the breakfast room and dressed for riding. As she had the night before, upon entering the dining room she hesitated a moment at the threshold, feeling suddenly unsure of herself. She mentally debated whether or not she should turn to leave, but just then the duke noticed her and looked up from the paper he’d been reading.
Alec was up early, despite the late night, for he intended to enjoy every moment of his week in the country and lying abed until midday wasn’t on the agenda. Apparently young Scarlett was off to an early start as well. She was dressed like a girl again, Alec noted, although her hair wasn’t as neatly done as it had been the night before. He couldn’t help noticing the ill-fit of her lavender-striped gown, similar to the green one she’d worn last night, and wondered if the dresses were solely for his benefit. Obviously she wasn’t accustomed to wearing them or she would have one that fit.
“Good morning, Scarlett,” he said politely, if not warmly, and remained seated.
Scarlett dipped a polite curtsey and responded in kind. “Good morning, Your Grace.” The room was devoid of servants at that particular moment, but the sideboard was piled high with scones, muffins, fruits and warming plates filled with eggs and sausages. She glanced toward it uncertainly.
Alec sensed her uneasiness and wondered what she was thinking. He called to mind the old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. “Please, join me,” he said, motioning to the chair opposite him.
The fact that he remained seated was not lost on Scarlett. The subtle insult was a clear indication that all had not been forgotten, nor forgiven between them. Ignoring the slight, she nodded and moved toward the table. She could sit and ring for one of the servants, the proper thing to do she supposed, but she was accustomed to doing things for herself. Hesitating for only a brief moment, she grabbed an empty plate from the table and then walked to the sideboard.
Alec watched her in silence, somewhat surprised to see her serving herself.
Scarlett chose a large sticky bun and some fresh strawberries, and then seated herself at the table. There was a pitcher of juice on the table and she poured herself a glass. The duke went back to reading his paper.
She nibbled on the sticky bun for a few minutes, wondering if she should say something or simply remain silent. Not a quiet person by nature, she quickly grew uneasy with the heavy silence. The duke however, remained fixated on his paper, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer and broke the silence.
“Why didn’t you tell my brothers what I did?” There, she’d done it. She had asked the question that had been troubling her for two long years.
Alec slowly put down his paper and looked at the young girl sitting across from him. He’d been waiting for her to say something and was surprised it had taken so long. He remembered that impertinent little mouth all too well, not to mention the teeth. He’d also seen the little spitfire in action once again, just after his arrival the day before. Dress or no dress, he knew full well that she hadn’t donned a new personality along with her clothing. He’d been expecting the worst though and the soft-spoken question took him by surprise.
Studying her for a moment, he failed to detect any malice in her expression, just simple curiosity. Nevertheless, he knew better than to drop his guard. He decided to answer her honestly though, at least partially. “I understood why you wanted to keep him,” he said. “I suppose I couldn’t really blame you for being angry that you couldn’t.” He failed to add the primary reason, that telling Colin that he had been assaulted and made to look a fool by his pint-sized sister, would have been completely and utterly degrading.
“Oh,” was all she said. She looked down and fiddled with her napkin for a moment. When she looked back up he was still watching her, his expression inscrutable. She met his steady gaze. “I’m sorry,” she said, and she really was.
Alec had always been fairly good at reading people, and though it was possible she was playing him for a fool, in that moment he believed she was sincere. They regarded each other
in silence for a time. Surprisingly, as he met her earnest gaze, he felt his animosity begin to lesson. She was just a child after all. Though all was not forgiven nor forgotten, at least not yet, perhaps it was time for a truce. “Your brother told me that he purchased a fine couple of Arabians last month,” he said, extending an olive branch, hoping he wouldn’t regret it. “Perhaps you would be kind enough to show them to me.”
Scarlett’s features lit up instantly.
“Unless of course you have already got one picked out for yourself,” he added, raising his left eyebrow dubiously, though his tone was clearly teasing.
Scarlett couldn’t help but smile shyly at his playful quip. “I’d like that, and no, I don’t.” Their gazes held, the tension between them slowly dissipating. “Thank you for not telling Colin about what I did.”
“You’re welcome.”
His soft smile caused her heart to skip a beat.
Scarlett’s answering smile gave Alec a moment’s pause. She really was a lovely young girl. With those wide blue eyes and her striking coloring, she was likely to be a real beauty someday. Hmm, soon enough Colin might just have his hands full for an entirely different reason, he mused. The thought reminded him of the altercation he had witnessed the previous day and piqued his curiosity. “Forgive my boldness,” he began, eyeing her speculatively, “but I must admit to being curious as to what you and your brother were arguing about yesterday.”
Scarlett’s smile quickly vanished at the reminder of Briarwood. “Colin wants me to attend a finishing school this fall.”
“I see.” He could hardly fault Colin for that, for it was a common occurrence for young ladies of their class to attend such establishments. “And you don’t want to go?”
She shook her head from side to side, her expression glum.
“May I ask why not?”
“It’s a waste of time,” she began. “Dance lessons, watercolors, flower arranging, learning the proper way to pour tea; it’s all so ridiculous.”
Alec noted the flicker of ire in her eyes and stifled the urge to chuckle. Yes, Colin definitely had his hands full with this unconventional miss. “Ah, I see your point. But in your brother’s defense, although etiquette lessons and the like may not be the most stimulating form of education, they do serve a purpose.”
“The purpose being that I will be able to enter Society and land myself a proper husband.” Scarlett rolled her eyes.
Alec couldn’t help being amused by the blunt assertion that was surprisingly on the mark. “Well, there is that,” he admitted with a wry grin, “but I’m sure Colin is concerned with far more than just your ability to land a husband. Entering into Society can be rather daunting, especially for those who enter into it unprepared.”
“That’s just it though,” she said in a frustrated tone. “I don’t want to enter Society.”
“No?” Wasn’t it the dream of all young girls to make their debut, to attend parties and balls, to attract suitors and ascend the social ladder?
Scarlett shook her head, frowning. “I like my life here, at Grey Oaks.”
Ahh, he was beginning to understand. Though Scarlett might very well be averse to the conventional feminine pursuits she’d referenced, attending a finishing school meant leaving home, and if he didn’t miss his guess, that was the primary reason she didn’t want to go. “Have you and your brother discussed a tutor?”
“I already have a tutor,” Scarlett replied, somewhat confused by the question.
“Not an academic tutor,” he clarified. “I was referring to a tutor of etiquette.”
“An etiquette tutor?”
“So to speak,” he said, unsure if there was actually such a title. “Someone who can instruct you in those skills here, at Grey Oaks.”
Scarlett considered that for a minute. Could the answer to her problem be so simple? Could she comply with Colin’s wishes without having to leave home? She didn’t want to get her hopes up prematurely, but it was difficult not to. “Do you think Colin would agree to such a thing?”
Knowing of Colin’s affection for his sister, he was surprised that Colin hadn’t thought of it himself. “It certainly can’t hurt to ask.”
“You’re right,” Scarlett replied, nodding her head eagerly in agreement. “I’ll ask him about it this very afternoon.”
“Good,” he said, pleased to see her mood improving. “Now hurry and finish your breakfast so you can show me those Arabians.”
Scarlett grinned and quickly took a bite of the forgotten pastry.
Alec was tempted to chuckle as he watched her polish off the remainder of the enormous sticky bun with unabashed gusto. It was delightfully refreshing to see a young lady with a healthy appetite, having long grown accustomed to the dainty, bird-like eating habits of the young women of his acquaintance.
“Were you planning on riding this morning,” Scarlett asked, after swallowing the last bite of pastry, eyeing his finely tailored dark-brown riding jacket.
“I was indeed,” Alec confirmed. “I didn’t suppose any of your brothers would be up at this hour, but I don’t mind riding alone.” He hesitated for only a moment before asking, “Unless of course, you would care to join me?” Her answering smile lit up her entire face, and he was glad he’d made the offer, something he never would have considered doing a mere twenty-four hours ago. It was remarkable really, how quickly his attitude toward her had begun to change.
Scarlett’s delight at the unexpected offer was quickly overshadowed however as she glanced down at her gown. “I don’t have a proper riding habit,” she admitted, somewhat sheepishly.
Alec wasn’t surprised, recalling her attire from the day before. “I don’t mind.”
Scarlett looked up, her expression hesitant.
“Go change,” Alec said, smiling reassuringly. “I’ll wait here for you.”
His smile made her heart flutter again. Lord but he was a handsome devil. Momentarily incapable of speech, she merely nodded and pushed back her chair.
Grinning, Alec watched her dash from the room.
A short time later, as they walked toward the stables, Alec discovered that Scarlett had an astonishingly vast knowledge of horses. She had obviously taken a keen interest in the family business, somewhat unusual for a girl. Then again, Scarlett was hardly a typical young girl, he reminded himself. As they talked, he found her to be quite knowledgeable in other areas as well. She was clearly very bright. She was also quick-witted and inquisitive, appearing genuinely interested as she asked him about himself and his life in London. He found her youthful enthusiasm refreshing and utterly delightful.
When they reached the stable Scarlett quickly procured a mount for Alec and then went to saddle her beloved Mischief, the beautiful grey Colin had presented her with two years earlier.
Alec watched in admiration as Scarlett expertly saddled her own mount, obviously accustomed to doing things for herself, furthering his realization that she was actually a far cry from the spoiled and pampered miss he had once thought her to be.
“Where would you like to ride, Your Grace?” Scarlett asked, once they were mounted and heading out of the stable yard.
“Why don’t you decide,” he responded, deferring politely to his young companion. “And please, call me Alec.”
Scarlett thought about it for a moment, and then decided on the perfect destination. “All right, then,” she said. “There is a lovely hot springs to the east, not too far from here, if you’d like to see it.”
“Lead the way,” Alec replied enthusiastically, and then they were off.
Despite the difference in their ages, their conversation flowed easily as they rode. He learned that Scarlett had never been farther from Grey Oaks than the local village, and when he spoke of his past travels abroad, she immediately bombarded him with questions and then listened with rapt attention as he described the places he’d been. By the time they reached the hot springs some twenty minutes later, Alec was thoroughly enjoying her company.
&nb
sp; “Here we are,” Scarlett said, as she guided her mount into a small clearing that was backed by a natural stone wall built into the face of a hill.
He pulled his own mount to a stop beside her, glancing around curiously. He’d never been to this particular location during his previous visits to Grey Oaks, and as Scarlett had attested it was indeed a lovely spot. There were three steaming pools of varying widths surrounded by lush green grasses and sprigs of wildflowers, each fed by a dozen tiny waterfalls cascading down the multi-tiered rock wall and into the basins. “You’re right, it is lovely.”
This was one of her favorite places on the estate. The gentle clouds of rising steam and the pungent mineral smell gave it an unworldly quality that she loved. She and her brothers used to come here all of the time when they were younger to play in the pools, but over time it had become more of her own special place. “Would you like to sit on the ledge,” she asked, motioning to a wide stone ledge bordering the largest pool. “We can soak our feet in the water. It’s not too hot.” She turned toward him expectantly. Then, eyeing his elegant riding clothes and expensive leather boots, she suddenly felt silly. He was a duke for goodness sake; hardly the type of person who would casually shed his boots and roll up his pant legs to do something so frivolous.
“I’d love to.”
Surprised by his quick, enthusiastic response, Scarlett watched wide-eyed as he dismounted without hesitation, wrapping his horse’s reins around the low-hanging branch of a nearby tree. Gathering her wits, she quickly followed suit.
A short time later, sitting beside Alec, her feet kicking gently beside his in the warm steamy water, they discussed everything from Socrates to St. Martin’s Day. She was enjoying herself immensely, and surprisingly, Alec seemed to be genuinely enjoying her company as well. They more they talked, the more she realized that there was a great deal more to like about Alec than just his handsome face.
The Hellion and The Heartbreaker Page 4
