“Come in, Your Grace,” he said with a polite bow. “If you will please follow me.”
Stepping in line behind the older man, Alec followed him to the library.
Opening the large set of double doors, he motioned for Alec to enter, and then shut the doors securely behind him.
He had expected to find all of the McPhearson’s waiting inside, but surprisingly he found only Scarlett.
“I asked my brothers to give us a few minutes alone,” Scarlett said, noting the surprise reflected in Alec’s expression. She stood near the window that overlooked the rear garden, the afternoon sunlight falling softly on her delicate features. She noted the bruises on his face, and despite all that had happened, she longed to reach out and brush her fingers lightly against his cheek and soothe the angry looking discolorations. She didn’t of course, and simply waited for him to approach. Instead, he remained motionless, standing before the closed doors, simply regarding her coolly with his steady emerald gaze.
“I’m sorry about Colin. I had no idea he would…” she trailed off, feeling suddenly awkward and unsure. “Are you alright?” she asked when he remained silent.
“A few bruises, it’s nothing,” he said dismissively.
She waited for him to say something more, but instead, he reverted back to silence. Obviously he was still angry, and he wasn’t going to make things any easier for her. “I’m truly sorry Alec, about Oliver I mean. I should have told you,” she said, hoping that her voice, as well as her expression conveyed the depth of her sincerity and regret.
“Why didn’t you?” His tone was clipped, his features as hard as granite.
She couldn’t bear the enmity she saw in his face and turned back toward the window. “At the time, I thought it was best, best for all of us.”
“Do you honestly expect me to believe that?”
The harshness of his words caused her to turn back around and face him. “Actually I do. I did what I thought was best Alec, just like you did.”
“It is hardly the same thing and you damn-well know it,” he retorted, finally moving from his position by the door. “For Christ’s sake, Scarlett, you could have come to me. You should have come to me.”
As he approached, Scarlett could see the anger reflected in his eyes, but she held her ground. “If I had told you, would you have offered to marry me?”
“Of course I would have. How could you have doubted that?”
“I didn’t doubt it, Alec, don’t you see? I knew that you would feel honor-bound to do the right thing. Do you think I wanted to force you to the altar, knowing you would always resent me for trapping you into marriage?”
“Scarlett…”
“You made your feelings very clear, Alec. You didn’t want me,” she said with conviction, hoping that the pain she felt, even now, wasn’t entirely visible on her face. “But not only that, you were always so careful when we were together that it was quite clear you didn’t want to have a child any more than you wanted a wife. I could only imagine what your feelings would have been if I had foisted both upon you at once.”
Alec felt the brunt of his anger begin to lessen as Scarlett spoke. As much as he would have liked to, he couldn’t deny the truth of her words, just as it was highly unfair of him to blame her for all that had transpired. Clearly, they had both made mistakes. In any event, the past was the past, and there was nothing they could do to change it. He took a long, deep breath, gradually coming to grips with the situation at hand. Taking a step toward her, Alec opened his mouth to speak, but halted as a light knocking sounded at the door. Cursing under his breath, he shook his head. “Apparently when you requested a few minutes, your brothers took you quite literally.” They couldn’t have been alone for more than five minutes at best.
They both turned as the door was pushed open and her two eldest brothers entered the room. Scarlett knew that Rory and Gavin had taken Oliver to the park, and would be returning shortly.
“Alec,” Colin said simply.
“Hello Alec,” Conner nodded in greeting, his features slightly less severe than Colin’s.
Though somber, at least his expression wasn’t overtly hostile, Alec noted. “Hello Conner.”
Despite the civility, tension hung in the air like a heavy cloud. “I for one could use a drink,” Colin stated, already moving in the direction of the sideboard. “Would anyone else care for one?”
While Conner and Alec both accepted the offer of liquid fortitude, Scarlett declined. Moving away from her position near the window, she took a seat on the tufted leather sofa situated against the opposite wall. Conner immediately moved to sit next to her, almost as if he feared Alec might take the seat for himself.
Alec didn’t miss the telling gesture as he moved to sit in the chair to Scarlett’s right. Only Colin remained standing, resting his backside against his desk, as he took a sip of his whiskey. The continued tension in the room was palpable.
Colin was the first to speak. “There’s no sense beating a dead horse,” he began. “We all understand the situation and I think we all know what needs to be done.”
Alec nodded in agreement. “Obviously, as we can’t announce our engagement immediately without rousing suspicion, Scarlett and I will need to be seen together in public. There is a charity event at the National Gallery at the end of the week, an art exhibition and auction. I think we should attend.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good idea,” Colin agreed. “In the meantime, I think the three of us,” he began, nodding toward Conner, “should spend some time together at the clubs, let everyone assume that what happened last night was nothing of significance and already forgotten.”
As the men talked, Scarlett merely sat in silence, listening with disheartened resignation as she and Alec’s future was planned out before them. Sadly, it was nothing like the romantic tale that had played out time and again in her fantasies.
When they concluded their conversation, having plotted out the course of the upcoming weeks, Alec rose to take his leave.
“Until the end of the week then,” Alec said to Scarlett, as the four of them exited the library and moved toward the front foyer.
Looking toward Alec, the man she had loved since she was fourteen-years-old, Scarlett simply nodded.
As they reached the front hall, the four of them halted as the front door unexpectedly swung open. In the next instant, Gavin, Rory and Oliver passed through the opening, with Rory having ducked down to allow Oli, who was sitting atop his shoulders, to avoid bumping his head on the doorframe. As the trio caught sight of them, Rory immediately reached up to lift Oliver from his shoulders and then set him down on the marble floor, his features tightening as he looked at Alec.
“Mama, we saw a man at the park with a monkey,” Oliver said excitedly, running to his mother’s side.
“A monkey?”
“He was wearing a red vest and eating a banana,” he told her, his expression animated.
“Well that’s something you don’t see every day,” Scarlett said, widening her eyes in an appropriate display of interest and wonder.
It was then that Oliver noticed Alec. “Hello,” he said, recalling his manners.
“Oliver, this is His Grace, the Duke of Worthe,” Scarlett told him. “Do you remember him from yesterday?”
Oliver smiled and nodded, looking up at Alec in admiration. “You caught Mr. Hoppy for me.”
As Alec looked down upon his son, he felt a tightening in his throat. “I’m glad I was there to lend a hand, Oliver, though I’m sure you could have caught him on your own just as easily.”
“Uh huh,” he agreed, unmistakably confident in his own abilities at frog catching. “Would you like to see the house I made for him?”
Alec glanced toward Scarlett questioningly.
She met his gaze, hesitating for the slightest moment before she spoke. “I’m sure His Grace would love to see it, Oli. Why don’t the two of you go on ahead and I’ll be there in a minute.”
“A
ll right Mama. Come on, Your Grapes,” Oliver said, holding his hand out eagerly for Alec to take.
As he grasped his son’s small hand, Alec struggled to keep his emotions in check. “Lead the way, Oliver,” he directed with a slight catch in his voice. Hand in hand with his son, on their way to visit a frog, Alec realized that nothing in his life had ever felt quite so momentous. It was a profound moment.
Though he tried to maintain a somewhat cavalier expression, it was plain to see that Alec was deeply affected by the unanticipated interaction with his son. Reaching up to brush away the tear that threatened to spill down her cheek, Scarlett realized just how wrong she had been to keep Oliver a secret from Alec. She could only hope that someday he would find a way to forgive her.
Chapter 20
As Scarlett walked into the lobby of the National Gallery on Alec’s arm, heads immediately swiveled in their direction. It wasn’t difficult to read the expressions of their peers and to know what they were thinking. It was well known that Alec had been showing an interest in Vanessa Brookshire of late, while she was rumored to have garnered the affections of the Marquis of Fordham. There was also the much gossiped about altercation between Alec and Colin. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that their presence together would cause a stir.
Regardless of the tension between them, Scarlett’s hand tightened apprehensively on Alec’s arm, unconsciously seeking reassurance. During the ride to the gallery, they had conversed very little, for the situation they faced was still quite awkward and uncomfortable. However, now that they were in public, they both understood that it was imperative not to let their unease with one another show.
Placing his gloved hand atop her own, Alec gave Scarlett’s fingers a reassuring squeeze. “Everything is going to be fine, Scarlett, just smile and try to act natural,” he murmured softly.
Drawing courage from his words, Scarlett forced a bright smile to her lips as they made their way into the crowd, where they were immediately hailed by one acquaintance after another. After a while, she realized that her smile was no longer forced. Alec remained protectively at her side as they moved throughout the gallery admiring the vast collection of artwork on display, and as they studied the various works their conversation gradually became less and less stilted. As they strolled arm in arm, she was reminded of how much she used to enjoy spending time with Alec, not just in bed, but simply talking and laughing. He was charming and witty, exceedingly intelligent and remarkably attentive, and she had missed him desperately.
“Would you like another glass,” he asked, motioning to Scarlett’s empty champagne flute.
“That would be lovely, thank you,” she said, handing him her empty glass.
“I will only be a moment.”
As Alec went to procure the champagne, Scarlett turned her attention back to the vivid landscape they had been admiring. The bright flowers and tall, leafy grasses reminded her of the lush countryside surrounding Grey Oaks in late spring, her favorite time of year. Studying the delicate brush strokes and intricate detail of the painting, she failed to notice that someone had come up behind her.
“It’s lovely isn’t it?”
Turning, she came face to face with William Morton.
“William, how nice to see you.”
“I thought that beautiful red hair belonged to you,” he said with a charming smile. “I had planned to call on you yesterday, but I was delayed and didn’t get back to Town until this afternoon. Are you here with one of your brothers?”
She hadn’t seen William since the night of the Brookshire’s ball, the night she had agreed to his suit. With all that was happening, she had forgotten that he had informed her that he was leaving town for a few days and that he’d planned to call on her when he returned. She was temporarily at a loss for what to say, for he obviously had no idea that she had come to the gallery with Alec. “No…I…actually…”
“Actually, she’s here with me.” As Alec had been walking back with their drinks, he had noted Fordham approaching Scarlett, and the sight of them together bothered him more than he cared to admit.
Turning in surprise, William discovered Alec standing behind him, holding two full crystal champagne flutes. He watched as Alec handed one of them to Scarlett, and then took a casual sip from the other.
“Thank you,” Scarlett said quietly as she accepted the glass, feeling suddenly uneasy.
“Alec, it’s good to see you,” William said, quickly recovering from his initial surprise. “Are the two of you enjoying the exhibit?”
If he was wondering what she and Alec were doing there together he disguised it well, Scarlett thought. “It’s wonderful,” she said truthfully. “There are some truly marvelous pieces on display.”
“I think Scarlett has taken quite a fancy to this painting in particular,” Alec said, motioning to the landscape, as he moved to stand at Scarlett’s side, drawing so close that they were almost touching.
“Yes, it’s quite beautiful,” she murmured, wondering what had gotten into Alec. Though his manner was polite, his expression, as well as his body language, seemed almost challenging as he regarded William with his steady green gaze.
William’s own gaze moved to Scarlett, and she thought she detected a question in his eyes. “You have excellent taste, this happens to be one of my favorites as well.”
Though she smiled in response, William seemed to sense her sudden discomfiture.
“Well, if you will excuse me, I shall leave the two of you to enjoy your evening.” With a courteous nod, he turned and left them alone.
“The marquis seems to have taken quite a liking to you,” Alec commented, as they watched William walk away.
Was it her imagination, or did she detect a note of irritation in Alec’s voice, she wondered? With a sidelong glance she noted the tautness of his features. If she didn’t know better, she might actually think Alec was jealous. But of course, that was ridiculous.
Hours later, when she and Alec finally took their leave, they found a long line of coaches waiting in front of the building. Scanning the line, Alec quickly spotted his own near the front of the queue. As they made their way toward it, Scarlett looked skyward, as she often did in the evening. But unlike the clear skies found in the country, the notorious London haze obscured the stars. “I miss seeing the stars at night,” she said to Alec as they walked.
“I think you will like Worthe Castle,” he told her. The sky above it is clear as glass and the stars above seem endless.
Castle, good heavens Scarlett thought to herself. Sometimes she forgot just how wealthy Alec’s family was. She reminded herself that she was about to become a duchess, and the notion was a bit daunting. “I imagine your country home must be quite grand.”
“I have several actually,” Alec admitted with a wry expression, “though I don’t get to spend near enough time at any of them. Worthe Castle is by far the grandest of the bunch though.” He noted Scarlett’s somewhat anxious expression, and quickly sought to ease her obvious fears. “It’s a stuffy old place really. Duchy didn’t seem to mind it, but Mother never liked living there. It could use some updating, and of course you will have free rein to make changes as you see fit. A host of children running around is sure to lighten the place up as well.”
Scarlett didn’t miss Alec’s reference to children in the plural form. She knew that he was an only child and had often wondered if he had felt lonely growing up. “Do you want to have a lot of children?” she asked, somewhat surprised by the thought.
“Yes, I suppose I do,” he acknowledged.
They continued the short walk to Alec’s coach in silence, the talk of future children bringing their amiable conversation to an awkward halt.
As Scarlet pondered their upcoming marriage, the thought of being intimate with Alec once again was decidedly unsettling. Obviously, he expected them to resume their physical relationship, if for no other reason than his desire to have more children. With all that had happened she couldn’t help wonderin
g if they would ever again experience the incredible passion they had once shared. Would it be possible to recapture the ecstasy they had discovered in each other’s arms? And if they did, how could she endure the pleasure of his touch, knowing she would never have his love? When he grew tired of her, would he seek out the arms of another? It was a disheartening thought. If she wasn’t careful, she feared she would have her heart broken once again.
When they reached Alec’s rig, Scarlett was distracted from her musings as the door was immediately opened by one of the coachmen and Alec dutifully assisted her into the vehicle.
“Traffic appears to be snarled up ahead, Your Grace,” the driver said to Alec as he was about to ascend into the coach. “It may take us a while to get through.”
“Don’t worry Tompkins, we’re in no rush,” Alec replied, as he stepped up into the vehicle, pulling the door closed behind him.
As the horses started moving it quickly became apparent that they were indeed going to be moving at a snail’s pace. Sitting in the dim recess of the coach, lit only by the single lamp hanging within, Scarlett and Alec sat across from each other in silence. Alec had removed his gloves, and as Scarlett watched he began rubbing his thumb over a small area on his right hand. She had seen him doing that very same thing on more than one occasion, and had always assumed that it was nothing more than an unconscious habit.
Alec noticed Scarlett watching him, and immediately stopped the repetitive motion of his thumb. “An old injury,” he said, looking down at his hand.
“An injury?”
“A scar, four of them actually. The result of underestimating a worthy adversary,” he admitted.
She felt her breath catch as his amused grin suddenly transformed his features into the rakish, fun-loving Alec she remembered so well. It was warm in the coach, and Scarlett removed her own gloves as she looked at Alec inquiringly.
The Hellion and The Heartbreaker Page 27
