by Emma Brady
“You gave quite a show tonight,” he said, his voice deepening as he started slowly towards her, “I almost couldn’t keep from laughing. Is that how you plan to keep them from courting you?”
“It was the best I could think of in such short time. I’m glad you enjoyed my misery.”
“You didn’t look that miserable to me.” He reached out to run his finger along the strand of hair, “You were magnificent.”
“I doubt the rest of the gentlemen down there share that sentiment. They most likely think I’ve gone daft now.”
“You don’t give a shilling about what they think.”
“I don’t, but my grandparents do and society does.”
“Any man who can’t see how beautiful you are when you get angry, must be blind.”
She visibly trembled beneath his hand. Their breathing quickened as he leaned closer to her soft face. A tiny bit of pink tongue peeked out to moisten her lips and he lost control of himself. Before she could protest he wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his mouth against hers.
She reacted instantly, her tongue darting out to dance along his. The softness of her body pressed against him drove him mad. Her scent wrapped around him, reminding him of expensive coffee. The strong aroma matched her strong will.
“Lucas,” she whimpered against his lips as he nibbled along her jaw.
He didn’t want her to speak, to ruin the moment with her words. He just wanted to enjoy this, savor it for a bit. The heat between them sizzled in the air and he could feel himself pushing her backward into her room. If he didn’t stop this soon, he doubted he’d be able to stop at all.
Gasping for breath, Lucas pulled away to rest his forehead on hers. She leaned against him on her toes, her mouth still reaching for his. Her lips were swollen and pink, tempting him to return to them. He wanted to so badly it scared him. Even now he could imagine carrying her into the bedroom and laying her across the bed. The image of her lying across the soft white sheets made a tremble run through his body. This was getting out of hand.
“I shouldn’t have come up here,” he grumbled, pushing her away. “I promised to keep my distance and I should have kept to that.”
She stumbled at first, taken by surprise at the loss of his support. When she opened her eyes to look at him, the sparkling blue almost drove him back over the edge. They looked like the sky on a clear day with no clouds in sight. Her face took on the look of disappointment, but he knew he could not comfort her. Cursing beneath his breath, Lucas rushed down the stairs.
Chapter 14
When Charlotte entered Sinclair’s room the next day she was shocked at what she saw. The room was covered in every article of clothing she owned. It had taken well over an hour to find the right dress to wear and the mess was a product of her search. Once she had settle on her clothes, the task became to tackle her hair. The curls kept slipping from their pins as she attempted to confine them.
“I thought the idea was to be unappealing to the gentlemen,” said Charlotte. “At least that worked for you last night.”
“This is hardly flattering.”
Sinclair couldn’t even manage to look her friend in the eye while telling that lie. She knew that the soft dark blush color of her gown brought out the color in her cheeks and mouth. Delicate lace detail in the coat gave her a feminine appearance that was enhanced by the absence of her spectacles.
“You are missing something,” Charlotte pointed out, motioning to her friend’s unblemished face.
“I couldn’t find them this morning,” she said, rummaging through the clothes lying across her bed, “I’ll just have to hope I can scare them off without them.”
“We do still have our secret weapon.”
Sinclair winked at Charlotte in the mirror as she pinned a wide brimmed, pink hat to her head. The girls shared a smile over their secret before heading off to join the rest of the party in the orchard.
Her grandparents had arranged for a special outing in Hyde Park that day as part of their plan. Sinclair was excited because it would give her a chance to slip away unnoticed and attend to some business matters. With so many ladies there, no one would notice if she as missing.
“Miss Brown,” called out Viscount Andrews. “ Miss Brown and Miss Sutton, good morning.”
The slimy gentlemen had snuck up on the two ladies as they approached the crowd. Sinclair turned away so that he wouldn’t be able to see her grimace. Charlotte caught a glimpse of it and giggle behind her hand.
“It’s almost a good afternoon,” Sinclair replied with a hint of sarcasm.
“Hardly, it is not even noon.”
By the look of him, Sinclair doubted the viscount ever got up earlier than this. She’d never been the type who could waste a morning and couldn’t understand those who did. A smug smile slid across his narrow face as he offered his arm to her. Pretending that her hat needed adjusting, Sinclair turned away and Charlotte graciously accepted his offer.
It wasn’t long before her grandfather started the festivities. Abigail and Andrea chose a quiet spot near the gazebo to sit together while the musicians began to play. Sinclair was pleasantly surprised by the number of gentlemen joining the two young girls. Abigail sat smiling up at a red headed young man that Sinclair didn’t recognize. Andrea seemed to have her attention divided among the rest of them. They invited her to join as well but she declined, hoping to find a chance to slip away.
“I believe I would like to accompany Miss Brown for this afternoon.” Lucas appeared, dressed in a light brown suit. Unlike the other men, his dark hair ruffled in the wind without a hat.
“I don’t think I have anything to offer for entertainment that you would enjoy.”
“Then I will do it for the company alone.”
Sinclair pursed her lips and resisted the urge to stick out her tongue. This was not part of her perfectly thought out plan. He would ruin everything.
“Wouldn’t you prefer to spend the day with your sister?”
“Darling, we will keep a watchful eye on Charlotte,” said Lillith with a brilliant smile, “The earl deserves to enjoy the afternoon as well.”
“I’m in the mood for a walk.” Sinclair said, hoping that would be a hint to him, but instead he took her elbow in his hand.
“Then let’s go.” He started down the footpath at a hurried speed that almost made her trip over her own skirts.
“Excuse me,” she called to him, giving the arm he held a yank, “I don’t think I can continue at this pace, not unless you wish to gather me up from the grass.”
Lucas didn’t stop, but turned his head to watch her struggling to keep up while holding her hat with one hand. Reaching out he took the hat from her head and gave it a toss, ignoring her snort of indignation. As they continued to walk, he did slow his steps enough that she was no longer being dragged along.
“You would be able to keep up if you were able to see where you were going.”
Sinclair thought Lucas would be pleased she wasn’t wearing her glasses. His critical tone stung at her pride. “If you are referring to my glasses, I’m afraid they have been misplaced.”
“How could you have lost them when you hardly take them off?”
“I don’t sleep in them.”
She saw his eyes sweep over her and knew he was trying to picture her in her nightclothes. The idea brought a bright blush to her skin that caught his attention and seemed to darken his mood. She wished she hadn’t mentioned her sleep.
“You should have found them.”
Utterly confused, Sinclair watched Lucas slowly circle a nearby tree. It was like watching animal stalk its prey, slow and deliberate. The earl seemed satisfied and leaned against it to look at her.
“You seem upset about something,” Sinclair said, slowly coming to stand closer to him.
“I just don’t like it that you are being paraded about in such a manner.”
She couldn’t believe what she heard. Lucas was the most confusing, contradictory man
she had ever met. “You are the one who keeps saying I need to find a husband.”
“That was before you decided to change for it.”
“Change?”
He reached up to run his finger along the bridge of her nose. She knew what he meant and blushed. That man was impossible to fool.
“I didn’t leave them behind to please the people in that crowd,” she whispered.
It was only a half-truth, since she had been trying to please someone. Lucas stared at her with a dark, confused look on his face. She worried that he might not believe her. Her nose tilted up in a rebellious angle. Sinclair had anticipated the earl responding with frustration but was surprised to hear him laughing.
“I enjoy the arguments we have,” he said between breaths. “You do not let me get bored.”
The wind blew the leaves and a ray of sunlight broke through to light up his face. Sinclair noticed the tiny lines in the tanned skin around his eyes. Shiny white teeth glistened when he smiled, drawing attention to his strong jaw. A slight shadow of stubble was drawn on his cheeks, adding to the roughened image he had perfected.
There was something in the depths of his eyes that she hadn’t expected, a kind of strain. None of the men she had met in high society had that kind of understanding. A man of his standing should have been raised to never know anything but leisure and enjoyment. Instead, Sinclair knew that Lucas valued everything he had more than his peers, but she couldn’t understand why.
“What don’t I see?”
She hadn’t meant to ask the question out lout, but it escaped her lips before she realized it. Lucas knew exactly what she was asking without explanation and wasn’t at all surprised by her curiosity.
“There is a reason that Charlotte is only now having her first season.” said Lucas.
“Does it have something to do with your parents’ death?”
Sinclair’s grandmother had told her briefly about the earl’s father drinking himself to death over the loss of his wife. He’d only been gone a few years, but everyone in London seemed to have forgotten him. It made Sinclair wonder what kind of man could be so easily dismissed.
“Yes, but not in a sentimental way,” Lucas focused on the leaves fluttering above them, “My father selfishly squandered all our money before he died.”
“Even your mother’s?”
“Especially what she left us.”
There was no emotion in his voice as he spoke but Sinclair watched his jaw tighten. Concerned, she reached out to put her hand on his. They locked eyes for a heated moment before she pulled away.
“I have had to do everything in my power to regain my family’s wealth.” He lifted his glass in a mock toast. “So that I may have the pleasure of your company during Charlotte’s season.”
Sinclair could feel the guilt welling up in her stomach as she recalled her sharp words earlier. “I didn’t know.”
“That was the point,” Lucas leaned back against the trunk of the tree, “I was meticulous not to soil the family name with scent of poverty.”
“Then your business is all you have?”
“True, but it is doing splendidly.”
“Even without Mr. Applegate?”
“There is nothing to worry about.”
Despite his confident smile, Sinclair wasn’t sure if she believed him. She wondered if her own actions in shipping would have a negative effect on him. This wasn’t something she had considered before starting her plan.
“Then I won’t mention it again,” she said.
THE AIR BETWEEN THEM was heavy, since their conversation had taken such a serious turn. Lucas hated seeing the guilt reflected in her eyes. Those blue depths were getting deeper as she stared at him and the silence stretched on. The right words to ease her mind weren’t coming to him fast enough and he didn’t know what to do.
“Lucas, can I have your help for a moment?” he heard Charlotte call out to him from a few feet away.
Sinclair gave him a nod and he went to where his sister stood away from the rest of the party. She had the hem of her walking gown pulled up a bit but not enough to show more than the tips of her soft brown boots. Her eyes were cast down at a bush and he could see one of her gloves stuck to the branches. It bewildered him why she would have been reaching into it enough to capture her glove.
“I tried to pluck a flower from it and my glove got caught on the thorns.” Charlotte said, her voice soft and apologetic like it was when she was a child.
“I don’t even see a flower.” Lucas was pretty sure the bush was barely alive; only a few sad leaves dangled from the twigs.
“It’s gone now, but I can’t seem to get my glove free.” Charlotte said. “They were expensive.”
That was the right thing to say to get Lucas into action. He hated the idea of wasted money. First he removed his jacket and handed it to Charlotte, then he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. No reason for more good quality clothing to fall victim to the bush. It was difficult to get the delicate fabric free without a lot of scratches to his own skin. By the time he was done blood trickled down to his elbow.
“We should get that wrapped up.” Charlotte said, “You don’t want it to ruin the whole suit.”
Lucas couldn’t agree more. He turned to tell Sinclair but found that she was gone. The place where they had been standing under the tree was empty. Scanning the crowd he couldn’t see her anywhere. Something in his stomach told him to keep searching.
“I will head home.” he told Charlotte, so she wouldn’t worry about her friend being gone. “I will return after I have put a bandage on this.”
His little sister knew when he lied but couldn’t call him on it so she let him go. He decided to circle outside the park, in case Sinclair had gotten lost. A young girl who didn’t know her way might take the wrong path and not be able to find her way back. Lucas was on the verge of deep concern when he spotted the blush colored gown she was wearing in the distance. She was leaving the park for some reason.
Being a spy was not on his list of skills, but Lucas knew how to follow without being seen. Keeping a safe distance, Lucas watched Sinclair leave the park and start heading towards the hotel where he knew her partner was staying. His mind quickly drew all the worst possibilities for her going there. It couldn’t be for any good reason. When she got to the hotel she didn’t even pause at the front desk, but headed straight upstairs and let herself into one of the suites.
“Why do I always end up, sulking around the hallway?” Lucas muttered to himself as he got as close to the door as possible. If he heard any sounds like a struggle he would be more than ready to burst in. He hoped she would put up a struggle.
“I had to come.” That was Sinclair’s voice, but it sounded like she was far from the door. He couldn’t hear the person she was talking to. “Don’t be mad at me. I hate it when you give me that look.”
A lover’s quarrel was better than listening to them being amorous. Lucas pressed his ear against the wood to try to hear more.
“You don’t think I can handle a few handshakes on my own?” It was a man’s voice but muffled.
“I just wanted to help.”
“Your presence would make it worse. They barely trust me now, but if I show up with a woman they are going to think I’m incompetent.”
Lucas was already thinking that about the man.
“Then what part am I to play in my own business?” Sinclair’s her voice was louder this time, ringing with a tone of anger.
“A silent part.”
Lucas expected to hear the sound of scuffling or the sharp snap of her slapping him, but neither of those happened. Nothing came from the other side, just silence. Lucas couldn’t believe there was a man who get away with saying something like that to Sinclair. He certainly couldn’t.
“If you don’t go home now, I’m going to give up on this whole thing.” the man threatened.
“Fine, but we are going to talk about this later.”
“Of course we will.”
Lucas had to run in order to duck around one of the hallway corners before the door opened. He missed his chance to see the man’s face. By the time he looked back the man was going in the opposite direction. Once again he got a good look at the man’s back and hat. Mr. Gates wore the same suit but now Lucas could see how tall and thin he was. He was on his way to follow the man when he heard his name from behind him.
“Lucas? Is that you Lord Westmore? “
Lucas wanted to snarl as he turned to find Viscount Andrews coming out of one of the rooms in the adjoining hallways. His clothes were still in partial undress, with his jacket off and the waistcoat unbuttoned. They ruffled state of his hair left no doubt there was a woman of disreputable reputation in the room he had just left.
“I’m surprised to see you here in the middle of the day.” said Michael, working to put his suit back in the right state. “I thought you would be working in that office of yours. Seems like you work more than play these days.”
“Some of us don’t have the luxury of being useless all day.” Lucas snapped.
“It is the right of a gentleman to be idle. That is what separates us from the lower class.”
Lucas had thought that same thing, before he knew how it felt to put in the effort and get results. The pride of a hard day’s work was something he would never want to lose. Even if it meant he was no longer a true aristocrat. Being a gentleman was more than just being wealthy, it was how a man treated others. He felt that he had a greater respect for society since he know how much sweat and effort went into the keeping it running.
“Are you here to meet with a woman?” Michael asked, wiggling his eyebrows. “I heard you recently ended things with your mistress. Pity, since she was high quality, I remember.”
“She’s looking for my replacement if you want to give it a try.”
