The Wicked Wallflowers

by Tammy Andresen

  He quirked a one-sided grin. “You were expecting me, remember. We have an appointment.”

  Still, why hadn’t her butler announced him? Her impression of him from last night, where she thought him a thief or a pirate, drew to the forefront of her thoughts. It didn’t help that he was a mess.

  Blood leaked from one nostril and his eye was black. Last night his dark hair had been perfectly combed back, but now the strands stood at odd angles in a disheveled state that only added to his dangerous air. Her friends would never trust him now.

  Annabelle squeaked as Penny gripped the arm of her chair. Caroline however, cleared her throat. “The Earl of Dryden, I would presume.”

  He bowed stiffly. “At your service.”

  Dear Lord. If her friends had thought ill of him before…

  * * *

  Fin realized the error in judgment almost immediately, but he hadn’t time to go home and change and he’d forgotten what it meant to call at a respectable house at a respectable hour. How frightening did he look? Judging by the ladies’ faces? Quite.

  “Lord Dryden.” Chloe stood, trembling a bit as she surveyed him up and down. “Are you quite all right?”

  Fin’s breath ceased as he looked at Chloe. While he was a disaster, she looked absolutely lovely. The dress she wore hugged her lush curves. Pale blue set off the honey in her hair and the rich tones of her skin. By the light of day, he could see hints of gold and red in the thick, luxurious locks and he wished he could run his hands through them. His fingers itched with need. “I am fine. Even better now.”

  “What…what happened?” She took a few halting steps toward him. She lifted her hand as though she wanted to touch him, and he clenched his at his sides to keep from reaching out and drawing her close. The fullness of her lips beckoned to be touched. He did a quick sweep of the other ladies. They wore matching expressions of disapproval. He should have bathed. Not that it mattered, he supposed.

  He waved his hand. “It’s not important. But I can tell you that the issue you shared with me last night will never happen again. If it does, you are to send me a missive immediately. I’ll see that it’s taken care of.” He gave a slight bow. “If you will excuse me, I’ve yet to sleep and I am obviously in desperate need of a bath and a shave. Thank you for trusting in me and I hope to see you again soon, Miss Finch.” Then he turned. He wanted to stay. He’d like to look upon her face for hours and hours. That was the problem. Standing behind that statue, he’d made a promise to her. He’d fulfilled it, and deep inside, he felt good about that. Like the man he should be. But the man he was lurked inside, and that man Chloe could never see. Which was why he needed to leave.

  “I hope to see you too,” she replied with that voice. Feminine yet sultry, the sound made him hard just hearing it. And her eyes. Deep and brown, they called to him to come closer. He nearly stopped but forced himself to keep going. Out the door and back into his waiting carriage.

  Chapter Five

  Chloe watched Fin walk away and grabbed the back of her chair to keep from…falling? Following? She wasn’t sure. Her fingers dug into the wood frame as blood rushed through her ears.

  “Chloe?” Penny asked, her voice sounding far away.

  Or perhaps her own thoughts had carried her off, out the door with Fin. She touched her cheek, still warm from their exchange. “Yes?”

  “Are you all right?” Caroline brushed her arm.

  Chloe shook her head, coming back to reality. “I’m fine. What do you think happened to him? Last night he looked so…”

  “Civilized?” Annabelle answered. “Once again, I ask. Can we start from the beginning? What did you tell him and who did you tell him about? If you can’t share the particulars, at least give us the basics.”

  Chloe cleared her throat. “A few lords would ask me to dance at these events my aunt drags me to attend. When they did, they would say foul things to me. You know my aunt, she wouldn’t allow me to refuse them and they thought that I didn’t actually understand what they were saying.”

  Penny, still holding her arm, gave it a squeeze. “Oh, Chloe. What sort of things?”

  She shook her head. She couldn’t say.

  “Did you tell Dryden the particulars?” Annabelle asked.

  “I did. I tried not to, but then he told me about his past and said that I could trust him with mine.”

  Annabelle gave a stiff nod. “And he said that you would feel less burdened for sharing with him.”

  “Which lords?” Caroline nibbled her lip. “Besides Lord Parks.”

  “How did you know it was him?” Chloe gasped.

  Her face tightened, her lips pressing into a straight line. “I know what sort of man he is, and I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  Chloe drew in a sharp breath. Was Lord Parks the man that had ruined Caroline? She’d refused to say, but judging by Caroline’s grim expression, it seemed likely. “Lord Haverdash and Lord Husk.”

  Annabelle tapped her chin. “So not only did he take on your burden, he named himself your avenger. He’s gone and fought with one or all of those men.”

  Chloe covered her mouth. Was that why he was all bruised? Fighting her battles? Of course it was. Hadn’t he said she needn’t worry about them any longer? Gratitude made her eyes sting with tears.

  “I hope he hit Lord Parks especially hard.” Caroline stood, her own fists coming up in front of her. “I hope the man is in bed for a week. No. A month.”

  Chloe dropped her hand. Any doubts she’d had vanished. It must have been Lord Parks that had ruined Caroline. Her chest tightened as she looked at Caroline, wanting to wrap her friend in a hug. “Well, if we want to find out, we can attend tea with the ladies who might know. There is a shop next to Hyde Park that has become fashionable for the afternoon repast.” She turned to Caroline. “I know you hate going anywhere the ton is in attendance but…”

  Caroline shook her head. “I’ll hold my head high if it means I can learn what happened to Lord Parks.” She dropped her fists. “I’ve been waiting awhile for someone to give that man what he deserves. I don’t know much about Dryden, but if he’s acted as your savior that makes him all right in my book.”

  Annabelle cleared her throat. “I love you, Chloe, but I have to be honest, I’ve my doubts about Dryden even if he did jump to your defense. Can you tell us about his past?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t.” She shook her head. “He promised to keep my secrets, and I don’t want to betray his.”

  The others nodded and Caroline crossed to kiss her cheek. “We’ll all go home and dress. My carriage will pick you up in a few hours. We’ll get there early and claim our table and set ourselves to eavesdropping.” She sighed.

  Chloe squeezed her hand before she hugged her other friends. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

  Annabelle kissed her cheek. “I’ll see what I can learn about Dryden as well. His interest in you is evident, but I’m not certain it’s a relationship you should encourage.”

  Chloe pressed her lips together rather than respond. When it came to Fin, she didn’t try to encourage him, it just seemed to happen. But Anabelle was right. The less she knew of him, the better. She had a plan with her friends to escape this life. Fin, attractive as he was, was not the person to help her escape her aunt. He was too dangerous.

  * * *

  Dryden sat at his desk, giving his barrister a long look. “What are you saying exactly?”

  Reeves looked down his long nose at Fin. It was a skill the man had perfected. “You know very well. The Ridgely Shipping Company isn’t certain you’re partner material.”

  Damn. He wanted this business arrangement. His jaw ticked with annoyance. He brought good capital and they brought a great deal of room for expansion. “My finances are completely in order. You’ve shared that, of course?” He leaned back in his chair.

  “I have. But they are a family company. And your past is…shadowed.”

  They’d had this conversation before. Fin d
idn’t make it any easier on Reeves. “What do you mean? I am the eldest son who inherited my father’s title in the usual fashion.” Bloody hell. He’d never shake his past and he likely didn’t deserve to.

  “Except for when you disappeared and were rumored to be found in the seediest of places. After that, you made a swift rise in your financial situation. I know you have a well-connected cousin and a sharp mind for business, but most assume the worst.”

  “And what is that exactly?” He narrowed his eyes, even the swollen black one.

  Reeves sighed. “You know very well. Look at your face, that doesn’t help your reputation at all. The bulk of society thinks that you are connected to criminals and that your sudden change in financial situation is due to criminal activity. They’ve even linked you as a French spy. I told you this the last time a respectable company refused to bring you in as a partner.”

  He crumpled several papers on his desk. “I need more respectable businesses to help my reputation,” Fin’s fist came down on the desk, still holding the ball of parchment. Reeves was right, but that didn’t make his words any easier.

  “You need a better reputation to do business with more respectable companies.” Reeves inspected his nails, completely ignoring Fin’s fit of temper.

  “What do you suggest?” Fin let out a long slow breath through his nose. He knew what was coming.

  Reeves eyebrows went up. “You’re actually asking. What a pleasant change.” The man leaned forward. “Do what all men do who want to appear more civilized. Get married. Make a few babies.”

  “Married?” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. The man was mad. He’d discussed this plan before, but that didn’t make it any more feasible. “Do I look like a man a father would give his daughter to?”

  Reeves scrunched up his face. “You’re right there. She can’t be too well-connected or her father will never agree. She should have enough dowry, though, that people think you’re financially motivated.”

  “I don’t need a woman’s money.” Fin didn’t mean to but Chloe’s face rose in his thoughts. A woman like that should be cared for, she shouldn’t be providing for her husband.

  “I understand, but the rest of the world doesn’t.” One of his eyebrows went up. “What about Miss Finch? She’s pretty enough, has a good dowry, no father, and she has enough of a flaw that she might even consider you.”

  Fin squared his shoulders. He and Reeves had a good working relationship, but the man treaded on dangerous ground. “Watch yourself.” His words came out in a growl.

  Reeves eyes widened. Which was surprising, the man rarely showed emotion. “I did not mean to offend. I am stating facts.”

  “First, she isn’t mute. Far from it.” He stood, leaning over the desk. “And how did you know I made Miss Finch’s acquaintance last night?”

  Reeves rearranged his face into a mask once again. “You’re my best client. I know loads of things about you. For example, I know you got those cuts and bruises fighting three other lords outside White’s last evening. And that Miss Finch’s name was mentioned. I also know you danced with her hours before that and even had a small repose with her in the garden.” Reeves pushed himself to standing. “You have to marry eventually. Why not use it to your advantage now? She’s lovely. You could do far worse.”

  Fin sat back down in his chair. Marry Chloe? Tempting for certain. But unwise. She was soft and sweet, and he’d swallow her up inside him.

  “Since you seem to know so much, where is Chloe now?”

  Reeve’s eyes lit with approval. “At a tea shop, actually.”

  “I don’t want to know how or why you have that information.” And people thought he was scary.

  Chapter Six

  Chloe was sure her stomach would burst. They’d drank tea and ate cakes for two hours in the hopes of hearing some bit of gossip about Dryden, but so far they’d only endured several pointed stares from other ladies.

  “This is hopeless,” Caroline said.

  Annabelle held up her finger. “Wait a few more minutes.” Then she leaned in to whisper. “I just saw Lord Parks’ sister, Lady Cynthia, sit just over there. No one look.”

  Chloe dropped her eyes to the table. She’d been about to look.

  “Darling, tell us what has you so frazzled.” One of the ladies at Cynthia’s table pouted in the most falsely sympathetic voice Chloe had ever heard.

  “Oh, it’s just dreadful,” Cynthia whined. “My poor brother was attempting to defend some misfortunate woman’s honor when Lord Dryden attacked him. The doctor says he has three broken ribs and a broken jaw.”

  “Oh, how awful,” one of the women replied.

  “Dryden is a monster,” another added.

  Chloe sat stunned as the words slowly seeped in. Parks defending her? How dare the man spread such lies. She spread her hands before her on the table as she tried to push down the rage bubbling inside her.

  Cynthia sniffed. “If you ask me, Miss Finch is hardly worth the trouble.”

  “Miss Finch? The deaf-mute?” Another one of the women croaked out “You can’t be serious?”

  “I don’t think she’s deaf,” another added. “Just addled in the brain.”

  Words piled up on the end of her tongue. She wanted to scream that Cynthia was wrong. That her brother was a deviant. But, as usual, she couldn’t make her lips work. They stuck together.

  “Well, in any event, my brother felt compelled to defend her honor while Dryden tried to take advantage. While I appreciate what a gentleman he is, he can’t put himself at risk for every nothing female that he comes into contact—”

  “Your brother is a horrid human being.” Surprise made her freeze. She’d thought those very words, but Chloe hadn’t said a thing. She forced her head to the side, her neck stiff with tension.

  Caroline was on her feet. She opened her mouth to say more as her finger pointed in accusation, but Annabelle stepped in front of her and began furiously whispering.

  Chloe squeezed her eyes shut. Her anger ebbed into self-loathing. She should have been the one to tell Cynthia her brother was a liar. Opening her eyes again, she swallowed down the bitter taste in her mouth. That’s when she saw him. Standing in front of the glass, looking directly at her was Dryden. Bruised, battered, though freshly shaven, and handsome as the devil.

  Chloe stood, her eyes never leaving his. He squinted back, concern evident in every line of his body. Her own tension eased even as her shoulders straightened. “Lady Cynthia, your brother is a liar.”

  Penny gasped and the entire tea shop went silent. Not a cup clinked, not a voice spoke. “Dryden was defending my honor not the other way around.” She finally took her gaze off of Dryden and looked at Cynthia, who stared at her open-mouthed. “I won’t have you spread more lies about Lord Dryden. It isn’t right.” A collective gasp seemed to fill the room, the only break in the silence. One of Lady Cynthia’s companions smirked and then snapped open her fan to cover her mouth. She leaned over and began whispering in another woman’s ear. Suddenly the silence in the tea shop broke.

  “She’s not mute,” one of the other woman stated.

  A second lady touched her chest. “Really, Emily? You don’t say.”

  Cynthia’s eyes narrowed and her mouth snapped closed. “She might not be mute but she’s completely mad. You heard her. Disparaging my brother. How dare you.”

  Chloe straightened her shoulders. “I’m as sane as any of you but think what you want. I care not. But I do care that you not tarnish an innocent man’s reputation.”

  Cynthia was on her feet. “Innocent? My brother will spend weeks recovering. You should be in an asylum and Dryden in prison.”

  “That’s enough,” Dryden’s deep voice rumbled over the tea shop. “Miss Finch. Ladies. Come with me.” He tossed several coins on the table, then held out his elbow out to Chloe.

  She placed her hand in the crook of his arm. All her worry, anger, and fear disappeared. Next to him she was safe. Later, she could
contemplate the implications of what she’d just done and how her aunt was going to react to her public outburst.

  * * *

  Fin and Chloe stepped outside just as the rain began to fall. “Where’s your carriage?” Dryden turned back to the ladies. He could feel Chloe’s hip brush his and his body tensed.

  Caroline bit her lip. “I’m not certain. It’s been hours since we arrived at the shop.”

  “Let’s get you into mine while we figure it out.” He shouldn’t be happy that rain fell and glad that their carriage was nowhere in sight. Nor should he be overjoyed that his would be so full that Chloe would have to sit next to him, pressed against his side.

  He handed the ladies in and without a word, they left the spot closest to the door and next to Chloe open for him. “I’ve dispatched a footman to find your conveyance.” Sliding next to Chloe her heat and scent wrapped about him once again. She smelled of citrus and spice. He’d like to discover if she tasted just as good.

  “Thank you.” Lady Caroline flashed him a bright smile and he swallowed down his surprise. Had he won over a lady? She’d been standing when he’d walked in, just as Chloe was. Why?

  “May I ask what I interrupted exactly?” He turned to look at Chloe’s profile.

  Her full lips pressed together as her chin notched down. “Nothing.”

  “Something,” he replied. He curled his fingers into his palm to keep them from reaching out to her. He wanted to hold her hand. He wanted to pull her chin up and look into her eyes. “Lady Cynthia would have me incarcerated. I am assuming you were discussing what happened with her brother.”

  Annabelle waved her hand. “We could dance around this all day. Lady Cynthia told everyone in the tea shop that you beat her brother while he was defending Chloe.”