Wicked Nights With a Proper Lady (19 page)

“You haven’t answered why you are reading it. Is it for the romance?”

“I do not read it for the romance.” A very strong urge to stamp her foot on his instep nearly overtook her. She managed to pull back her irritation before she acted rashly. “There wasn’t a great deal of fiction in the library to choose from. Why are you bothering me?”

“I asked if we could walk together this morning and took your silence as an invitation.”

He was very persistent. “I specifically told you I had duties where my cousin is concerned.”

“Yes, and I see your concern not twenty feet away.” He pointed the book in the direction of Charlotte. “You don’t suppose she should be my concern now, too, since I intend to spend my mornings out walking with you?”

She gave him a long, annoyed look, then snatched the small book from his hands, and slid it back into the wide deep pocket hidden in her skirts.

“At least pretend you are enjoying my company.” His voice was low and held a measure of hurt.

She hadn’t meant to be cruel, only to make him seek amusement elsewhere.

She turned to face him and stared into his searching eyes. She cleared her throat before saying, “I think I owe you an apology.”

“You owe me no such thing. It was probably as awkward for you to see me again as it was for me. Though ‘awkward’ doesn’t seem like the proper word.”

“Strange?” she offered.

“Astonished? Or even surprised?” he countered.

She smiled. She couldn’t help herself when his good humor got the better of her and broke through her first layer of defense. Why had she said they couldn’t spend mornings together doing no more than converse? It was a great deal safer that they see each other like this as opposed to finding each other alone in the evenings.

“I don’t dislike your company per se.”

His smile left her a little breathless, and she forced her attention back to Charlotte when a blush heated her neck and face. The girls paid them no mind and were raptly attuned to whatever it was Mr. Torrance said.

Genny was almost giddy with the idea that Leo had sought her out this morning so he could enjoy a simple conversation with her. Maybe he was a changed man?

Leo took the opportunity of their faux solitude to clasp his hands around the back curve of the stone bench. The hand closest to her bunched up the skirts near her rump. She could not slide forward to escape the closeness of him, as the bench was too narrow. No, he was not a changed man; he was still the rogue she remembered. And she secretly enjoyed that.

“And what exactly do you think you are about?” She turned and gave him a curious look.

“I’m making myself comfortable and watching the show closer to the creek.”
Nonchalant
—only a man could act in such a fashion—he leaned closer as though sharing a private joke with her. “They are young and in love with the idea of being loved, don’t you think?”

“Carefree.” She’d once been like that.

Mr. Torrance was reciting some poem or play—she was too far away to hear which—and Ariel held her hands clasped together in front of her, eyes solely focused on their gentleman friend. What would it be like to be in such a position as them again? No worries, no cares in the world, only the moment as it took them. Genny wondered if she would repeat her mistakes. Not that she wished to think of her past actions as poorly made decisions—even if they were.

She didn’t think she’d want to repeat her earlier years. She liked the self-sufficient woman she’d grown into. As one grew older, one understood more about human nature and more about oneself. She’d not trade her experiences for anything in the world.

*   *   *

Leo stared at his companion on the bench. She was lovely to stare upon, and he had to nearly tear his gaze away from her before it became clear to anyone else how taken he was by her.

Should he let her in on his plans for this evening? “I have something planned for us tonight. Nothing too risqué, though I do require your attendance …
alone.
”

She turned her attention back to him. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Are mornings in my company not enough?”

“I imagined that would be your answer.” Leo was unfazed by her response, he knew what she was going to say before she had uttered the first words. “Just give me one night of your trust and I will give you no reason to lose faith in me.”

Genny frowned. “And if we are caught sneaking around like two thieves in the night, what do you suppose that will do to my reputation?”

“I promise you that we won’t be found out.”

“You are awfully sure of yourself. Is there any circumstance that makes you feel less … kingly?”

“Lady Luck has always been generous with me. Everyone in the house will be abed when we meet, and I promise to remain circumspect and the perfect gentleman for the whole evening.” He leaned in close to her ear. In a seductively low voice, he said, “Unless you prefer to live dangerously…”

She raised her brows. “I’ve had enough danger over the years to last me a lifetime.”

He shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back, hands still curled around the back of the bench. “Suit yourself, but I cannot take no for an answer.”

“What will you do?” She laughed. “Barge into my room like a marauder, throw me over your shoulder, and take me where you please?”

He waggled his eyebrows and gave her a smug, daring look. “If I must.”

She shook her head. Well, it was a fabulous idea that he might have to act out if she didn’t cooperate sooner rather than later.

“At least give me a clue as to what you plan.” She tilted her head back to catch some rays of sun on her face.

“But then it wouldn’t be a secret. I well remember your love of a good adventure, Genny.”

“You’re not doing a very good job of convincing me this is worth the risk.”

She gave him a sidelong look, as though trying to figure it out for herself.

“Ah, but you won’t say no, not when your curiosity is irrevocably piqued. If you intended to cruelly deny me your company, you wouldn’t ask to be convinced otherwise.”

“Fine, you know me well enough to know that.” She turned away from him again to watch her cousin. “If you do try anything not to plan and go against your word, I won’t speak to you for the rest of our stay here.”

“I aim to please only you.” He caressed the side of her arm. “Should you initiate something … it will be beyond my control to stop you.”

“You’re too sure of your ability to seduce a woman.”

“There you go tossing out tempting words like a dare to act upon. And it’s not any woman I aim to seduce. You’re the one driving me mad with this need to please.”

She glared down at his hand where he was absently running his fingers back and forth over her arm. He had no choice but to stop. “Your flattery falls on deaf ears.”

He breathed in that familiar trace of lavender and found himself shifting on the bench seat. “I don’t believe you.”

She made a disgruntled noise. “Are you planning on spending the whole morning with me?”

“I believe I will. This bench is comfortable and the scenery lovely. And really, we can’t help but admire the youth of today, and have a few laughs at their expense.”

Mr. Torrance was currently on his knees reciting something that made the ladies giggle like schoolgirls.

Leo shuddered. “I do hope I was never so desperate as that.”

“You were worse.”

He laughed at that. “Perhaps you are right.”

She seemed to feel more at ease with him now that he’d stated his intentions as honorable.

“Will you attend to my whims this evening?” he asked again.

Genny hesitated in her response. “I intend to keep you guessing.” No, she didn’t intend to do any such thing. She’d join him tonight. He was sure of it.

“In that case, meet me at midnight exactly where I found you gazing at the stars.”

“I’ve not said yes.”

He leaned to the side, brushing playfully against her shoulder with his. “You will.”

“You truly are unbearable,” Genny said.

“I think it’s what you like most about me.”

They enjoyed companionable silence for the next twenty minutes, and then headed back to the main house on the tail of Genny’s charge. The one thing he kept going over in his mind was Jez’s demand that the Ponsley girl be swayed from the path of marriage with Mr. Warren. The young woman was safe enough at this house party since Tristan wasn’t here. What would happen when they all returned to Town? Not telling Genny of his initial plans was weighing on his mind. There was time yet before he needed to reveal the truth.

Chapter 14

My dearest, my darling, and my most faithful readers, I have only the latest gossip about myself to share today. Can you believe someone is actively pursuing my identity and has gone to great lengths to reveal who the writer of your cherished
Mayfair Chronicles
really is? Herein lies a warning for my
pursuer
: Whatever it is you think you’ll accomplish, I’ll always be three steps ahead of you. I know who you are. I know all your faults … and I must say, it would be a great pleasure to expose you for the person you are.

The Mayfair Chronicles, July 25, 1846

Unable to wait outdoors, Leo stood outside his room hoping he hadn’t been wrong to believe she’d take him up on his offer. If anyone aside from Genny found him wandering the halls, he intended to make excuses about finding a book since he was having a sleepless night.

When her door finally opened, he stepped out of the shadows to reveal his presence, and placed a finger over his mouth in the general motion to remain silent. He held out his hand for her to take. She nibbled on her lower lip, gave him a thoughtful look before stepping forward and taking his proffered hand.

Leading her away from the main staircase, he took her through a paneled wall and down the servants’ stairs that led to the kitchens. Before opening the door, he whispered, “I’ve already been down to see if anyone was awake. We’re well alone but don’t speak until I give you leave to.”

She nodded. “Don’t lead me astray, Barrington. It would be disappointing to have trusted you thus far to have you betray me now.”

Hand at the small of her back, he pulled her in closer. “I always make good on my promises, Genny.”

Stepping up on the tips of her toes, one of her hands cupped his shoulder as she leaned into his ear. “Then do your best to ensure I don’t regret tonight.”

Quickly stepping away from her, knowing now was not the time to lay claim to her lips, he grasped her hand again and led her along the narrow path. Sliding the hidden door open, they made their way to the exit that led to the cook’s herb and vegetable patches. They ran hand in hand over the fields, both knowing that they needed to be as far from sight as quickly as was possible.

When they’d made it a safe distance from the house, he pulled Genny to a stop and released her hand. He started to untie his cravat.

“What happened to playing the perfect gentlemen?” She raised her brow, her eyes full of unconcealed pleasure.

“Live dangerously with me.” He leaned forward hoping she’d kiss him, but she took a step back, shaking her head.

“Just because you feel the urge to divest yourself of clothing, I will not follow suit.” She crossed her arms over her bosom and glared at him.

“I only seek to remove my cravat.” He tugged at the annoying strip of heavily starched material. “I can’t bloody well release this knot. All this running has overheated me.”

She let out a hearty laugh and bent at the waist; he joined her.

“You can’t be serious,” she said.

“I most certainly am.”

She seemed to ponder the idea of him removing any piece of clothing for a moment. Finally, she raised her hands and brushed his away to help release the elaborate knot. She made quick work of it and pulled it from around his neck, handing the material to him once it was off. He shoved it in the pocket of his trousers.

He tugged at his collar to let the cool air brush against his skin. “Marginally better, if I do say so. Thank you.”

Grabbing up her hand again—because he couldn’t not touch her—he led her over the hillock that separated the Carleton property from his.

“Are you ever going to tell me where we are going? We’ve walked for a good quarter hour.”

“I insist upon this being a surprise.”

He led her down a set of stone steps and toward the greenhouse situated off his property. They’d not be found here, not unless his servants were wandering about in the middle of the night. Regardless, his servants could be trusted to remain silent about his midnight visitor.

He grasped her by the waist to lift her over an odd incline and onto one of the narrower paths flanked by a myriad of wildflowers and tall oak trees that hid the large glass structure ahead of them.

“There are only so many places you can take me within walking distance to the Carletons’.”

“True enough. We are almost there, so I might as well tell you that we are at the greenhouse.”

Her head tilted to the side in question. “But the Carletons don’t have a greenhouse.”

“They don’t. But I do. Come on, we’ll do the hothouse first.”

This time he placed his hand to the small of her back and led her down the slate stone path.

“This isn’t some sort of trick to get me alone and away from anyone who might find us, is it?”

“Would you mind so much if that was indeed my plan?”

She yanked her hand away from his. “Lord Barrington.” There was no mistaking her tone for anything but a firm reprimand.

“Don’t go pulling away from me.” He tugged her close once again and smiled when she didn’t resist. He would have gotten her off the Carleton property days ago if he’d known she would drop her guard and allow him to touch her in any way. “I’m simply returning the favor of last evening. I might not know a star from a comet, but I spent a great deal of time with my father and stepmother in this greenhouse. I can name just about every flower that grows here.”

“Oh.” Her brows furrowed and she seemed baffled by this hidden facet of his character. “I assumed … I really shouldn’t say
what
I assumed.”