With a less than confident grin, he peered down to Kristina, who was looking up at him. “M’ lord, I apologize for being so forward, but your sister let slip about your injury. If it doesn’t bother you, then it shan’t me,” she whispered.
“If you’re positive, then we’ll stay for the buffet after the unmasking. I should warn you, though, people will whisper as to why I’m here and not in hiding.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Robert realized Kristina would be used to the gossip, both heard and unheard. Now it didn’t bother him as he knew it didn’t her.
As he’d feared, several ladies started to swoon upon seeing the saber scar across his forehead, still red from healing, and had to be shown to seats. The men turned to him and glared. It wasn’t until the host strolled up and announced him as the Viscount of Hampshire that attitudes changed.
Ladies and gentlemen started crowding around, all wanting to greet him. As they swarmed in, he couldn’t help notice Kristina was slowly being pushed away, in several instances not very gently. Forgetting the fact, for a moment, that he was a viscount, he forced his way to her and wrapped a protective arm around her waist. Now with her safe, he turned back to the people and stared with a curl to the corners of his lips, creating the exact effect he wanted. They all faded away.
With her hand resting gently on his right forearm, he guided Kristina into one of several ante-rooms. Then, finding a small round table in a corner, he led her there. “Why don’t you rest here while I make a selection of morsels for us? Is there anything in particular you’d relish?” he asked, pulling her chair out.
“I’m not all that fussy, but if they have lobster patties I’d love one or two. I did see fresh fruit set out and would love a few strawberries and a glass of lemonade, if you please.”
With a nod Robert headed to the long buffet table set against the far wall. Once there he took two china plates, then pointed to the different items he wanted. Periodically, though, he kept an eye on Kristina to make sure none of the snippier ladies were causing her undue discomfort.
He was in high spirits when none bothered her, though he did notice a few angry glares towards her. They came mostly from young ladies who seemed jealous of Kristina having captured his attention. With a footman following with lemonade for her and whisky for himself, he returned to the table and set down her plate, earning a gasp of surprise.
“M’ lady, is something amiss?” he responded to her sudden inhale, followed by a smirk.
The wide-eyed, open-mouthed look she shot him made him want to laugh, considering he’d placed at least eighteen lobster patties on her plate. “Are there any left for the other guests or did you take them all?”
“Yes, I did leave a few. You did say you love them, so I thought you deserved a few.”
Not wanting to remind her of previous balls, he didn’t mention this was probably the first time she’d ever enjoyed the midnight buffet. As such he wanted to make it as memorable for her as possible.
While they ate and continued to discuss current events he was able for the first time to examine the part of her face previously hidden by the mask. It was her cheeks that helped create the perfect picture. Their slight roundness added a lovely fullness. He hadn't noticed the little crinkles at the corners of her mouth when she smiled. Then there was the light dusting of freckles across her forehead, partially obscured until now. He was fascinated by how her eyebrows moved depending on how excited or sedate she became.
He couldn’t understand, considering how beautiful she was, not to mention comfortable in his arms when dancing, why she’d not been offered for. As she’d said earlier, the stammer and her awkward dancing could be the main reasons. But if a gentleman was interested in marrying her, he should overlook those points. Then again, neither were a problem for him as neither had occurred.
As he continued to evaluate everything about her, he slowly came to the realization she could be the perfect viscountess for him. Unlike his parents who’d married for convenience, he want to marry for love. But there was the problem, which had to be dealt with first, of why and who someone had wanted his father and brother dead. Also, was he next to die? And to what end?
Before he could even consider offering for her— if she was the perfect wife— he had to resolve the other issues. To that end Robert needed to spend time with her and learn what she’d found out.
“M’ lady, might I can call on you on the morrow for a drive in the country? I’ll have my landau, so if you desire your lady’s maid will be able to accompany us.”
“Did you have any specific destination in mind?”
“Yes, I was thinking Chriswick for luncheon. This way we can discuss what you've learned in your excursions into the lesser appropriate locales for a lady.”
“Then I believe I shall accept your offer. I know a lovely tavern that serves a wonderful plate if you are of a mind.”
“That would be perfect. Shall we adjourn for a final waltz?” Robert suggested.
Once the last dance of the evening concluded, Robert escorted Kristina to the front courtyard where her carriage and two footmen awaited.
“Thank you for a pleasant evening. I’ll see you on the morrow,” she said after being handed up into the coach.
Robert watched as it departed, then called for his. A short while later he climbed the stairs to his townhouse. When he got to the top stoop, his butler swung the door open. “M’ lord.”
“Bing, have a brandy brought to my office,” Robert said as he started up the stairs to the first floor.
“At once m’ lord. Would you care for something to eat?”
The thought of food, even though he'd enjoyed the buffet only a short while ago, sounded wonderful. “Yes, whatever is available,” he called out, then marched to his office.
He stopped by the wall behind his desk then reached for the book he needed. Debrett’s. Yes, his sister had told him a little about Kristina, but he wanted to learn about the earl, the countess, and if Kristina had other siblings.
Setting the volume on his oak desk, he sat and rifled through the pages until he found what he was looking for. He started to read when Bing entered carrying a sandwich and glass of brandy on a silver tray.
“Set it here beside me, then you can retire. I won’t need you until morning.”
“Very good m’ lord,” the butler said. He bowed, then slipped from the room, leaving Robert to his study of Kristina’s family.
What he found was much what he’d expected. She had an older brother who, of course, would inherit the title which dated back to Henry VIII. He then refreshed his memory of who would take over the viscount title if he should pass without a male heir.
What he found deeply disturbed him. Next in line was a distant uncle of dubious lineage who’d been sent to India. He wasn’t sure why he’d not realized this before, unless he’d not thought it important then as it might be now. The reason for him being sent off wasn’t mentioned, but he’d need to investigate that later, especially once he learned what Kristina had found out.
Satisfied that nothing more could be learned until morning, he finished his meal, downed the last of the brandy, and retired to his suite.
Chapter Three
Settled in her coach, Kristina glanced over to Robert, nodded, and then bestowed a smile on him. “M’ lord, of all the evenings over the past years this has, without a doubt, been the most pleasurable I’ve experienced. I look forward to our little excursion tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Lady Rosewood. Yes, as it will give us time to discuss what you learned so I’ll then know how to proceed. I’ll be sending a letter of introduction to the Earl in the morning so my visit won’t came completely unexpected.” He brushed his lips over her gloved knuckles.
Kristina did her best to remain calm. She wasn’t about to let him go it alone as she’d been able, without his or for that matter anyone's assistance, to find a few pieces of information on her own. Her only problem was how to convince him to let her
aid in the hunt, but now wasn’t the right time as she knew from the books she’d read.
“Until the morrow, m’ lord,” she answered as calmly as possible before taking her hand back. Then, with a nod to the coachman, she set them in motion toward her parents' townhouse.
From the joy of the evening and not that impossible man’s words, she found herself humming the song "Robin Adair." At one point the coach needed to halt to let another cross their path. She smiled to the coachman when he glanced at her over his shoulder and grinned.
“M’ lady forgive me for being so forward. In all the years I’ve been your driver, this is the first time you’ve returned so late, not to mention being so joyful.”
“Thank you, John Coachman. It would seem I’ve met a gentleman who sees me for me, and with whom I feel comfortable with.” What she didn’t inform him, as it wasn’t his concern, how wonderful it had felt to be held in Robert’s arms.
Minutes later she was assisted from the coach by one of the footmen who’d accompanied her as guards. “Thank you,” she said with a nod, then climbed to marble steps to the front portico.
As she reached for the handle to open the door, it was swept from her grasp. Ethan, with arms crossed and a glower on his face, confronted her. “Excuse me, dear brother, but you’re blocking my entrance,” Kristina snapped as she pushed her way past him.
“Stop. Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded as she continued to the stairs.
“Actually, Ethan—” she used his first name as he didn’t like it— “I’m going to retire to my room, where I’ll enjoy a light repast along with a glass of wine, then retire for the evening. Tomorrow has already promised to be a wonderful day.”
“You, sister, aren’t going anyplace until you explain why you’ve returned at this late hour. Something you’ve never done before!”
His tone didn’t sit well with her. “As you well know, I was at a ball this evening with Lady Kersey. I was having an interesting time and let the time slip by. My only question to you is simple. Who made you my protector, something you’ve not done for several years? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired and wish to retire as tomorrow, as I said, will be a fun-filled day for me.” She started up the stairs.
“As my younger sister, it’s my responsibility to look after you. Also, what makes the morrow any different from all your others? You’ll sit in your suite and read those ridiculous books you insist on retrieving from the lending library. Then, with luck you might receive an invitation to a ball or tea to which you’ll only stay a short time, unlike this eve. In regards to whatever you’ve planned tomorrow you will cancel them as I forbid you from leaving the house,” he snapped at her.
Suddenly she realized how hurtful Ethan’s words were. He’d always been invited to the most lavish and best-attended balls. If not for the encouragement of her dear friend Donna she’d be doing exactly as he said— hiding in her room.
With hands fisted and raised as if to strike she could feel her stomach knot in anger and with a glare in her eyes she turned back to him. She then retracing her steps, not halting until she was standing in front of him.
“Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you. With Father in residence, I answer only to him and no one else. If I choose to remain out later than usual, I shall. If I choose to make plans which fortunately don’t include you, I will. If I choose to see a gentleman and he wishes to call on me, then I shall receive him. Do I make myself clear?” Kristina finished by giving him a poke in the chest, then again turned and started for the stairs, her tiny hands still clenched.
“So that’s it! You’ve been compromised by a hellrake,” her brother bellowed at her retreating back. "I demand to know his name so I may call him out."
“I will not and you will not, for I know he will send you to an early grave,” she tossed back over her shoulder before climbing the stairs.
As she reached the first floor landing, Kristina gasped upon seeing her mother step out from the shadows into the candlelight.
“Mother!” she sputtered.
“Yes, and I heard everything you said to your brother, which I should point out he deserved. Also, do you realize for the first time in years you didn’t stammer when talking —or was it more yelling, to him. I’m pleased you finally met a gentleman with whom you seem so comfortable with.”
“It started out as a typical evening until Donna, Lady Kersey, introduced the most strikingly handsome man I’d ever seen. Even with the domino and mask, I could easily tell we suited when he bestowed a smile on me. We then went onto the terrace to talk—”
“Ah ha, so that’s where it happened!” Ethan bellowed from partway up the stairs.
“Ethan, you most certainly are a dunderhead. How could I be compromised while under the watch of Lady Kersey? Not to mention when she’s keeping a close eye on her brother as well. Now be off, as Mother and I have much to discuss which is not for the ears of a brother.” She sent him away with a flick of her wrist.
“Last word had him in Spain fighting the French,” he said before starting to retreat from her glare.
“That’s correct, but with the untimely death of his father and older brother, he returned to take up the mantle of Viscount of Hampshire,” she cried out at his receding back.
Kristina wasn’t surprised to see her brother, obnoxious as he was most times, falter in his steps but continue on.
“Daughter, I do believe you’ve finally put him in his place. That’s very commendable. Now why don’t you retire for the evening?”
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll see you in the morning sometime,” she answered, gave her mother a kiss on the cheek, then climbed the stairs to her suite.
In her room, Kristina was met by her lady’s maid. “M’ lady, what a pleasant surprise to see you return so late. I can only hope you had a wonderful evening at the masked ball?”
“You wouldn’t believe how marvelous it was. Can you see what Cook might have available for a small snack? I’ll also take a glass of wine with whatever you bring,” she instructed Amanda.
“Certainly, but first let me help you from your gown so you may relax by the fire.”
With a nod, Kristina waited as her maid undid the tiny pearl buttons down the back of the gown and then slipped it over her head. “I can take care of the chemise and stockings while you hunt down some food,” she told Amanda, who nodded and slipped from the room.
After slipping out of her undergarments, Kristina climbed into a soft pink cotton nightrail, then wrapped a satin dressing gown around her body. She pulled on a pair of wool-lined slippers and strolled over to the fireplace, which still emitted a small amount of warmth. She added a log to the fire, then settled down in her favorite high-backed, deeply padded chair and picked up her newest mystery novel.
She turned to the spot where she’d left off and started to pick up the story again, about a countess accused of murdering her philandering husband. After a while she heard a scritch-scratch coming from the window. At first she thought it was a cat as they were known to populate the area, but the sound continued without the usual meowing.
Though not normally inquisitive, she set the book down, grabbed an iron from the fireplace, and tiptoed toward the window. After pushing the edge of the curtain back an inch, she was able to peer out and see who might be daring to break in. She was so astounded at who was standing on the tiny balcony, she almost dropped the fire poker.
Lord Robert Markson.
What’s he doing here? Doesn’t he know it’s unseemly for a gentleman to be sneaking around trying to gain entry into a lady’s boudoir?
With a calming breath Kristina swept the curtain open, coming face to face with him. Considering the leering grin he bestowed on her, she was glad the window prevented him from gaining entrance. She was prepared to protect her virtue.
“M’ lord, might I enquire as to why this dangerous, not to mention compromising, encounter? If anyone learns of you being at my window, even if you’re out there and I
here separated by glass, you do know what will happen?” She spoke softly on the off chance Amanda or another staff might be nearby.
“Yes, I know the risk. I couldn’t sleep as there was something weighing on my mind, and I needed to find the answer to the question. Might I be permitted to step off this ledge and enter your suite so I can find the resolution to my dilemma?”
Kristina knew it was unwise to let him enter. She should have sounded the alarm as an intruder was on the premises, but something deep within told her to do otherwise. With a resigned sigh she lowered her weapon. “I’ll only allow you entrance if, on your word as a gentleman, you promise to maintain propriety and stay your distance. And also to depart on the first hint of my lady’s maid or other staff approaching.”
“Agreed,” he said, but his disarming leer put her on alert.
With care she stepped forward and loosened the window latch, the fire poker held so he could see it. He should know she meant him harm if he overstepped society's boundaries any more than already he’d done, she thought.
For every step he advanced she took one in retreat— an uncomfortable feeling, but necessary. Once he was in, she brandished her weapon at him. “M’ lord… or considering where we are, wouldn’t Robert be more appropriate? What is it you wish to learn from me?” she demanded, waving the poker at him.
“This,” he whispered.
Before Kristina could react, much less cry out in alarm, he was upon her with his arms around her waist, a feeling she’d secretly fantasized about. The fireplace poker slipped from her hand as she let him draw her forward until they were pressed together as one. Through hooded lids she watched him lower his head to hers. Not questioning what would happen next, she raised herself on her toes until lips touched lips. As she felt the tip of his tongue tease her mouth she opened to allow him entry. Before she knew it she was swept away in her first real kiss.
To Catch a Killer: Markson Regency Mystery Series Collection Page 2
