The Bedford Beauty (A Regency Novella) (6 page)

Blake and
Dayton exchanged looks and some silent communication passed between them.
Suddenly Blake bent over her hand and gently pressed a kiss. When he looked up
Alice could scarcely breathe with the longing and desire she saw in his eyes.
The assembly room temperature was suddenly scorching hot and she fanned her
face.

“Capital.
Well Hadley and I have other plans now so I’ll be home late,” Dayton announced.

“Lady Fulton,
Sir Charles,” Blake bowed stiffly and walked away with Dayton.

“Is Mr.
Hadley alright? He didn’t seem pleased at the news,” Papa observed Blake’s
retreating form with a frown.

“I believe
young Mr. Hadley has taken a fancy to our Alice,” Mama replied with a
reproachful look at her. “You should not encourage him Alice.”

Alice glanced
down at her hands, but said nothing. She couldn’t help being attracted to
Blake, admiring his strength and courage and loving the feel of his lips on
hers. She would not apologize, especially when she had to marry Lord Bedford.

Papa assisted
Mother and she into their carriage. Alice felt cold and numb. Her world had
turned upside down. What she had believed she wanted, a beloved titled husband,
was no longer of interest, and what she wanted seemed far out of her reach.
What did Blake want? What was he thinking? Why did he and Dayton run off so
quickly?

Mother
watched her closely during the carriage ride and she wondered what expressions,
or lack thereof, showed. It didn’t matter. She didn't care what Mother saw because
it didn’t matter, she would marry Lord Bedford and must forget Blake and how
she felt. She turned away and stared out the carriage window into the night.

Alice entered
the breakfast parlor late the next morning in a dark mood threatening to bring
tears to her eyes. It made her cringe to see a chipper look on Dayton’s face.
What could be so glorious about a Sunday morning? She glowered at him as she
walked to the side board. After a restless, tear filled night of sleep she knew
her eyes were swollen and red. Conversation of any kind was the last thing she
wanted.

“Good
morning, Ali.”

“Good morning,”
she mumbled as she helped herself to eggs and toast on the sideboard.

Silence
settled over their meal as Alice took her seat and picked at her food while Dayton
ate with a zealousness which never ceased to amaze her. Alice jumped when he
did finally speak.
    
“I am going away for a sennight to
visit a friend in London,” Dayton replied around a gulp of coffee.

Alice dropped
her fork with a clatter. He just got back.

“But why do
you want to leave so soon? We have hardly spent time together!”

“Would you
care to join me?” Dayton raised a brow in query.

“I-who is the
hostess? Do you think Mother and Papa would approve?”

“I can see
you are still eager for adventure, Ali, and I mean to provide it for you,” he
stated firmly, ignoring her questions. Was there a strange light in his eyes?

“Is Blake
going with you?” Alice asked as she pushed her food around on her plate,
pretending disinterest.

“Would you
like Hadley to go with us?” Dayton quipped.

“I-I do not
care,” she lied, stirring her eggs around the plate.

“Well, he is
going with us, Lord help me,” Dayton murmured.

Alice heard
it and frowned.

“Be honest
with me. Do you feel more than friendship for Hadley?” Dayton asked with a
seriousness she’d never heard before.

Alice felt
her face heat up and she wanted to deny it then thought better of it. “Yes, but
nothing can come of it. I promised Mother and Papa I’d marry a titled
gentleman.”

“That’s what
I thought. Let me deal with them. I would rather see you happy than married to
a man you don’t care for,” Dayton replied in a deadly serious voice.

Alice felt
hope for the first time in days. She smiled at Dayton and swallowed a lump in
her throat. “I don’t think Blake is interested in marrying me.” She looked back
down at her plate.

“I am
absolutely positive he is.”

Alice smiled
again.

“Are you
going to tell me about this house party?” Her heart beat faster at the thought
of taking a trip with Blake.

“All in good
time. The carriage shall be here at noon so go gather your things.”

“What? Why
did you not tell me sooner?”

“Hadley and I
hatched the idea last night,” Dayton waved his hands and shooed her from the
room.

“But what
about propriety? I do not have a maid ready to accompany me. What do we tell
Mother and Papa?”

“I shall take
care of it all,” he replied impatiently.

Alice
bristled and bit back a retort, then turned and sped from the room, but she
managed to catch a smug, satisfied smile on Dayton's face.

#

A post chaise
arrived at noon sharp. Alice waited in the foyer for Dayton to come down. How
could he be late after making her rush? She paced back in forth. Mother and
Papa were at church so they couldn't even say good-bye. When could Dayton have
secured their permission?

Dayton dashed
down the stairs with a grin. “Ready Ali?”

“As you see,”
she replied, her gray traveling clothes adorning her person.

“Then let us
depart,” he stated and escorted her to the carriage.

Alice climbed
in first and spotted Blake immediately. She pulse raced and warmth crept up her
neck, suffusing her face. She sat down opposite Blake, and his legs were so
long, his knees nearly touched hers.
 
She
slowly lifted her eyes to his face, afraid of what she might see there. The
intensity was there, as always, in those dark eyes and his lips curved up at
the corners.

“Good morning
Mr. Hadley.” Alice nearly sighed with relief her voice sounded so even and
calm.

“So formal
this morning, are we? It's good to see you Alice,” he softly replied, his eyes
watched her closely trying to read her, she thought.

Blake held a
red rose and reached out to place it in her gloved hand. Her fingers curled
around it and she instinctively brought the bloom to her nose and inhaled the
fragrance and exhaled slowly. Blake watched her closely, his lips quirking up in
the adorable smile she loved. Her heart tripled its beat.

Dayton
climbed in, dispelling the moment, and sat next to her. “Well, this ought to be
a lark.”

“When does
the stagecoach depart?” Blake asked him.

“I catch the
coach for London at three o'clock,” Dayton replied cheerfully and checked his
pocket watch.

“Good.” Blake
nodded contemplatively as if he were calculating the distance and time and
working out his next plan.

“What do you
mean
you
catch a coach?” Alice
exclaimed. “Aren’t we all going to London?”

“No, I am
going to London to see a friend. You two are going...” Dayton looked at Blake
for help.

Blake turned
to Alice and grasped her hand before he spoke. “We are going to Scotland. Will
you marry me Alice?”

    
“What?” Alice sat back in shock and stared into the depths of
Blake's brown eyes.

“Ali, I've
seen the way you and Hadley are together and I know he will make you happy,”
Dayton replied in a soothing, reasonable tone.

“But, but,
but...this is so sudden and shocking,” she croaked. She pulled her hand from
Blake's grasp, but kept her eyes on him.

    
Blake's eyes search her face and his features softened as he
spoke,”I
have always cared for you Alice. Please be my
wife.” He leaned forward and traced a finger along her cheek.

    
“I see I'm a most unwanted guest in this carriage,” Dayton
exclaimed dryly.

    
Alice looked from Blake to her brother and gaped at them. She
must be dreaming. Could she really be in a carriage traveling to Scotland to be
married to the man she loved? But how could they do this without her parent’s
consent or involving her in the plan to begin with.

    
“Are you bamming me?” Alice asked wearily.

    
“No, this is for real,” Blake sat forward and grasped her hand
again. “Be with me.”

    
“But this is so sudden! You only danced with me once last
night,” she blurted out. Her voice sounded whiny to her ears and she nearly
cringed. She knew she must sound ridiculous, but she was rattled beyond belief.

    
“I was cognizant of your every move at the assembly. I needed to
think, and I cannot think in your presence,” Blake replied ruefully, with a
quiet honesty Alice loved.

    
Alice smiled shyly at him, but still didn’t provide an answer to
Blake’s question of marriage.

    
“What exactly did you convince Mother and Papa of?” Alice waved
her free hand in a circle.

    
“A house party, but they will not expect you back for a sennight
so never fear it will all work out. Ah, here is my stop,” Dayton replied with
relief. He gathered his gloves and hat then leaned over and kissed Alice’s
cheek. “Best of luck Ali. Congratulations Hadley.”

    
Blake nodded and Dayton stepped from the carriage leaving them
alone. Alice's heart thudded so loudly she was sure Blake could hear it. How
could Dayton abandon her like this?

    
Blake's eyes burned with intense desire and yearning as he
watched her. He slowly pulled off his gloves, never breaking eye contact with
her. Then he reached for her hands and pulled off her gloves, caressing her
skin with each tug.

    
“Alice,” he whispered, and pulled her off the seat and onto his
lap. She sucked in her breath and allowed him to lock his arms around her. “You
are so beautiful, perfect. I can't stop thinking of you and how much I want to
kiss you, taste you.”

    
Blake moved his lips to her jaw and feathered light kisses along
it. Alice gasped trying to breathe and trembled with desire. She wanted to kiss
him, but she held back and let him dictate their next move. His lips stopped at
her ear and his tongue slipped out to lick her earlobe and pull it into his
mouth so he could suck it. Longing shot through her body and exquisite
sensations built between her thighs with his every touch.

    
Alice moaned and let her head fall back. Blake didn't wait for a
better opportunity and dove in with his lips and tongue on her neck, sending
shivers through her body. She felt his hands move up her back and into her
hair, knocking pins out and sending her long ginger tresses tumbling down her back.
He brought his lips to hers and ravished them like the hungriest man on Earth.
His voracious need resonated through her, making her lift her hands to his face
and pull him closer.

    
“You are more passionate than I ever imagined,” Blake groaned
and removed the gray pelisse from around her shoulders. It slipped to the floor
and he quickly unbuttoned the back of her gown. “I need to touch you.”

    
Alice felt feverish and kissed Blake as though her life depended
on it. She could barely breathe and wanted, needed to be closer to him. She
plucked at his cravat with clumsy fingers until he undid it himself and tossed
it away. She reached her hand through the top of his shirt slit and touched his
chest. Warm curls met her fingers as she traced the hard muscles of his chest.
Blake growled and worked more frantically to get her traveling gown off her
body.

    
Alice was so lost in the feel of Blake's wicked fingers and lips
she was surprised to realize she only had her chemise on. Blake plucked at her
nipples and sucked them through the thin linen sending Alice nearly bucking off
his lap in frantic need.

    
“Oh Blake, please,” she pleaded, not knowing what she wanted.

    
“Soon, darling,” he rasped against her breast. “I wanted to do
this and more when I saw you by the lake looking like a goddess.”

    
His hands drifted to her thighs and lifted her chemise, exposing
her bottom to his large, warm hands. She wriggled her behind in urgency and he
reached between them and pressed his palm against her soft curls and the hidden
lips beneath. Alice pushed into him shamelessly, desperate for relief. The
pressure of his hand felt incredible.

    
“Oh yes,” she breathed and pressed her breasts to his face
again. His teeth delicately bit on one hardened nipple while his fingers sifted
through her curls and lips and found the glorious opening to her body. He
speared his middle finger into her tight warmth and she cried out with
pleasure. “I need something Blake, more.”