by Heather Boyd
“Propagation of mushrooms. Isn’t it enough to simply have the servants pick them from the fields?”
“Oh, no. The farming of mushrooms is so much more complex than that.” She nodded enthusiastically and smiled, determined to drive Lord James away. She didn’t care if he thought her completely dotty. That was part of her plan too.
His smile faltered a little. “Perhaps you would teach me about mushrooms and about the gardens while I am here.”
“Oh, well, you do not need me for that. Most of the responsibility for the garden falls to Father’s land steward. You need to speak to him for specifics, but he’s occupied elsewhere for the rest of the day, unfortunately.” Jessica tapped her chin, considering how best to get rid of Lord James quickly. People frequently came to Papa for advice. Perhaps talking of the estate instead of politics with Lord Newfield would cool Papa’s temper over Rebecca’s sudden visit, too. “If you would come with me. Father is the next best person to help you.”
Without waiting for a response, Jessica marched across the room and inserted herself into the conversation with her parents and Rebecca. “Excuse me, Father. Lord James is most interested in the estate and in seeing the gardens today, particularly the extensive kitchen gardens, where our fungus grows. Can you help him?”
“Oh, yes,” Mother murmured. “I think that a fine idea.”
Father stared at Gillian, and Jessica was sure some unspoken communication was taking place because his lips twitched. Rather than feel excluded, Jessica was grateful. Mother could always convince Father quicker than anyone she’d ever met. It must be because they loved each other.
“Yes, of course,” Father agreed, nodding slowly. “Come along, Lord James. Lord Newfield, you should come too. There is much to see on your short visit with us.”
Jessica suppressed a smile. Short visit? How smart of Father to set limits on their stay with just a few words.
Father took Lord James and his father away.
“I came as soon as I realized Lord Newfield was planning to follow Father into the country,” Rebecca blurted out as soon as they were gone.
Gillian sighed. “The bill will never pass in its current form. Your father had told Lord Newfield that long before we left.”
Rebecca winced and glanced toward Jessica. “I don’t believe that is the only reason Lord Newfield has come.”
“Why has he then?”
But Jessica knew the reason already. “They have come for me. For my fortune, more precisely.”
“Indeed. Our paths crossed in London, and Newfield peppered me with questions about Jessica. I fear he has driven his son here to ask Father for your hand in marriage on his son’s behalf.”
“That is my impression, too.” Jessica scowled. “But Lord James is all but engaged to Lady Hannah Alexander, or he seemed about to be.”
“But his father still holds the purse strings, so he may not have a choice in who he weds.” Rebecca winced “And he is a powerful ally for Father. He tends to get his own way in everything, too,” Rebecca warned in a quiet voice that sent shivers over Jessica’s body.
“I will refuse Lord James, should he ask,” Jessica promised. “I’m not marrying someone who treats me the way he has Lady Hannah. I don’t care how important his father thinks he is. I won’t marry a fortune hunter. Not ever.”
Rebecca sigh suggested relief. “I suspected that, which is why I wanted to be here to advise you. When you refuse him, it must be done with great delicacy.”
Gillian enveloped Jessica in a hug, mothering her in a way she’d become used to in recent months. “Having my brother’s family around tonight might delay Lord Newfield from discussing his intentions with your father. I had no idea about Lord James’ renewed interest in you, neither did your father, I’m sure. I’ll warn him as soon as I can.”
“We’ll handle this as we do all unpleasantness,” Rebecca promised. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “As a family.”
Jessica tensed, but Gillian only nodded. “We’d better amend my request for tea, don’t you think, my dears? Jessica, could you find Brown and inform him that tea will be needed for only the three of us. I think we’d best retire upstairs to my private boudoir, where we can talk freely and not be disturbed.”
Family. Jessica was grateful for all the help she could get, especially if it brought Mother and Rebecca closer. She pulled them both into a hug. “Thank you.”
Chapter 8
Gideon rubbed the moisture from his hair and his body, glad the grit was gone from his skin. Building a bathing room at Quigley had been a costly though useful addition, especially for a single man with only a few servants.
Without a large household staff, the effort of bathing had become a much simpler chore since the installation of a boiler for piping water to this tiled room. Having warm water running from pipework instead of lugging bucket after bucket from the kitchen saved everyone’s backs from the burden, too.
He usually didn’t bathe so early in the day, but an accident that had seen him slide on a muddy field had made being cleaner highly desirable.
He slipped on the banyan he’d been given a few days ago for his birthday and grinned as the fabric encased his body in such soft delight. The luxury of the garment and Jessica’s generosity still overwhelmed him when he put it on each day. He could never repay Jessica for the gift, so he made sure that each wear wasn’t ever taken for granted.
It was his own fault he’d fallen rather than paying attention to where he’d placed his feet. He’d been daydreaming—as he’d done too often since Sunday night’s encounter with Jessica.
Foolishness.
He buttoned himself up so he was decently covered for the dash upstairs to his bedchamber to redress in clothes suitable for the outing he’d decided to make that afternoon. He was expected at the tavern soon. The proprietor had hinted he might be interested in the regular coin to be gained by hosting the school, at least for a little while.
Unfortunately, he had made no progress in finding Mrs. Beck and her sons other accommodation this week. Their safety concerned him more and more each day. No matter the time they spent away from the Napiers’ residence, Mrs. Beck’s spirits continued to decline, too.
Glancing at himself in the full-length mirror, he felt he looked satisfactory for a man closer to old age than his youth. He felt younger today, especially so after he’d tricked Jessica into believing a kiss felt as good as his touch.
Teasing her with that hint of seduction had been more fun than it ever should have been.
He shook his head at the direction his thoughts had traveled yet again and exited the bathing room, head down, steps light on the boards so he wouldn’t draw the attention of his female staff who were lurking about—always ready to make teasing remarks about his latest mishap. Cook and the housekeeper sometimes giggled and whispered, which made him decidedly uncomfortable.
“Hello, Giddy,” Jessica whispered out of nowhere.
He spun around in a circle, clutching his robe tight to his chest.
However, the hallway was empty. He’d only imagined her voice.
“Over here,” she whispered again, and he realized the sound came from a nearby storeroom.
Jessica was here.
Gideon glanced around quickly, but he was entirely alone in the hall. Drawn by the appearance of her beckoning hand from the darkness within, he crept toward the room as silently as he could and found Jessica waiting among the preserves. “What are you doing?”
“Running away from home,” she whispered before grabbing his arm and tugging him fully into the storeroom with her.
She closed the door slightly, giving them privacy but leaving enough light so they could see each other once his eyes adjusted.
Jessica looked lovely. Fresh. Smiling. Extremely pretty in a soft yellow muslin gown.
And he…was in a robe with nothing on underneath.
His face warmed with acute embarrassment. “What the devil, Jessica? You cannot just hid
e in my storeroom.”
Her smile slipped away. “I needed an escape. Rebecca arrived on Monday afternoon.”
“I heard a whisper she was back.” He didn’t exactly blame her for this escape. Rebecca was well on her way to becoming a shrew from all he’d heard and seen in recent years. “I suppose I’d hide from her, too, if we were related, but still, surely there were other places you could go besides here. What about the attics at home? Miss Hawthorne’s?”
“I like it here better,” she confessed shyly. “Mother was still abed and feeling poorly again, and Father has been dragging Lord Newfield and Lord James about the estate since dawn each day. You’d know that if you’d called on us.”
Gideon ignored the reprimand. “Lord James has returned?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” She shrugged. “I couldn’t bear another morning of hiding from him, so Mrs. Brown and I concocted a plan to visit your staff.”
“I see.” He glanced toward the door, hoping not to see Stapleton Manor’s housekeeper next.
When he looked toward Jessica again, her attention had drifted downward to his feet as she took in his improper appearance, but then she looked up, smiling. “I’m glad to know you are wearing my gift. You really do look very well in it.”
“It is much warmer than my last one. Thank you again.” He was quite warm, despite being nearly naked. “You must leave, Jessica.”
Before her reputation was irreparably damaged by their proximity. Scandalous was putting it mildly.
“But I am still discussing housekeeping matters with Cook and Mrs. Harrow.”
“Housekeeping? Of my home?”
“Sort of.” She drew closer, and her voice dropped low. “I found this delightful little shop in London. The scent of the spices was incredible when I passed by, so I went in and purchased a few of them to experiment with. Mother’s stomach is too delicate for strong scents right now, and I couldn’t wait, so we came here to discuss the best use of them with your staff.”
At least Jessica had a fair excuse for visiting a bachelor’s household. She’d brought a chaperone with her, too, which was an excellent decision and would protect her reputation. “Are you planning to make more soap again?”
“Possibly,” she murmured. She leaned even closer, resting her hands on Gideon’s upper arms, and obviously inhaled him. “That’s the one we made for you last Christmas, isn’t it?”
To his shock, his cock thickened beneath his robe beyond his power to stop it. Hell!
“I suppose it must be,” he whispered, face burning with shame and shock. This should not be happening to him. Not with her.
Jessica continued talking, unaware of his inner struggle. “We have decided that most of the spices would be best served with food, and were just coming up with possibilities for a menu. You’ll be there to sample them all, of course.”
He gulped. “I can’t wait.”
“Lady Jessica?” his housekeeper called. “Are you there?”
Gideon quickly covered Jessica’s mouth so she didn’t make a sound. “She can’t know I’m with you dressed like this,” he whispered into her ear, and then moved to stand in the shadow of the door.
Once adequately hidden, Jessica poked her head out into the hall. “Yes, Mrs. Harrow.”
“Did you find what you were looking for? Do you need any assistance?”
“No, I have everything I need right here.” Her hand waved about toward him, and he caught her fingers before she knocked anything from a shelf. “I’ll return in a moment.”
She nudged the door nearly shut again and linked her fingers through his. “I need that jar of peaches in ginger wine and the treacle jar behind you,” she whispered.
He looked over his shoulder without a clue where any of those items might be. He needed his reading glasses for anything written down, but he’d left them in his study down the hall. He could not leave this room in his current state.
Jessica released him and stepped close. She wrapped her delicate fingers around the items she wanted while he tried in vain to rid himself of his erection. Jessica moved them to an empty shelf by the door and returned. She looked up into his face and smiled again. “I haven’t seen you in days. Come for dinner tonight.”
He should refuse, but to his shock, he nodded instead. By tonight he’d have his body under control. At least he hoped so. “I am free tonight.”
“Perhaps tonight we might talk again, and after dinner you can show me what a real kiss feels like.”
He gulped. That was partly why he’d stayed away since Sunday. He knew the way Jessica’s mind worked. She was always eager to learn and rarely forgot. “Not a good idea.”
“Your last lesson in kisses did me no harm.” She searched his face. “Thank you for that, Gideon. Natalia was completely fooled by my description of your kiss.”
“I’m glad. Jess…” he whispered. “Listen, I need to get dressed.”
“Do you?” she asked, eyes widening as she appraised him.
Dear God, she’d learned how to flirt while she’d been away. He wasn’t having it. She was too close, lips rising to his.
He reared back.
Jessica pouted and dropped to her heels. “I was only going to say goodbye.”
“It is not a good idea to tempt a man not wearing trousers,” he warned.
Jessica’s eyes danced with amusement. “I’ve seen your bare legs before when you go fishing with Papa, Gideon. They’re not that shocking.”
She hadn’t seen higher up than his knees, and higher than that was precisely where his problem was currently making itself obvious. He leaned forward a little more, making sure his banyan draped loosely about his hips, and gestured to the door impatiently. “Go back to the kitchen so I can get away without being seen.”
Jessica looked him up and down again, brow furrowing. He grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her toward the door. “Go.”
Jessica laughed softly, one hand gripping the door latch. Light streamed around her body like a halo. She was beautiful and beguiling—and thoughts usually ignored seeped into his consciousness as clear as day.
She was a woman now. Of an age to be a wife. A lover.
He was a bachelor. An old, delusional one, perhaps, but still a man with normal desires.
He wanted to kiss her very badly.
He clenched his jaw over a curse that would shock her and shook his head. “Leave now.”
She sighed somewhat happily and collected the jars she’d come for. “Don’t be late for dinner. Lord James is a tedious man, and I’ve already discussed the growing of mushrooms twice with him already.”
He smiled despite his discomfort, and Jessica slipped away smiling, too. His amusement died the moment she was gone.
He shut the door, leaned against it and thumped his head against the wood once. What the devil was wrong with him! He should not feel this way about Jessica. It was an aberration, brought on by his state of undress. He turned about and faced the dark room. Bollocks. I’m only human.
And she is very pretty, persistent, and hardly ever worried about propriety around you.
He pinched the bridge of his nose in a bid to get himself under control. He thought of the school and the good he hoped to do for Mrs. Beck. He and Jessica were friends and neighbors. He would act as if today had not happened.
He looked down and frowned.
He would as soon as he had that under control.
Was it fair that Jessica had to always wait forever when she wanted to talk to Gideon? No, it was not. Jessica drummed her fingers on the old tabletop, ignoring her third cup of tea. She felt the restrictions of her status as an unmarried woman most keenly today.
“These are lovely,” Mrs. Mills gushed, inhaling the subtle fragrances of the spices Jessica had purchased in London.
“Indeed. Very subtle,” the Stapleton housekeeper agreed.
Mrs. Harrow glanced toward Jessica. “Something on your mind, my lady?”
“No. Not really,” she promised.
But the warmth of the kitchen was making her mind wander. Too much more and she’d fall asleep right in this chair. She couldn’t sleep here. This wasn’t her home.
But it could be, her wayward imagination suggested.
She sat up a little straighter, watching as the servants divided up the spoils of her London shopping trip between them.
As they worked and debated, she kept one ear cocked for the sounds of Gideon moving about. Unfortunately, his bedchamber was located one floor up and on the other side of the house from where she currently sat. But she suspected she would hear Gideon on the stairs when he came back down after dressing.
She laid her hand against her throat. She had not minded seeing him the way she’d discovered him today, and ever since, well, the urge to surprise him again appealed tremendously.
Now she knew something very personal about him, even if it must remain a secret. That made her feel decidedly smug. Opportunities for catching Gideon unawares, however, had never come about very often. She toyed with two little bowls of spice before her. “Would you combine these two?”
Mrs. Mills shook her head, but Mrs. Brown nodded. “In shaving soap, perhaps, with honey to smooth the scent. His grace’s former valet concocted something very similar once I think. But that was years ago now. He did not leave behind his recipe.”
“That is a shame.” She could imagine this scent on Giddy’s skin. She fought a blush and drew those spices toward herself. “I’ll keep these for now.”
Mrs. Harrow beamed. “They will last until you’ve a husband to use them for. Perhaps Mrs. Brown could have another look for that recipe in the meantime.”
A husband? Was there nowhere Jessica could go that did not include a discussion of her future marriage? Now she was back in the countryside, she’d rather not think of the future—the children she was supposed to want, the husband she was meant to please. The fortune hunter dogging her steps.
She much preferred talking with her friends. Teasing Giddy, too.
