The Scarlet Bride (32 page)

Aunt Bernie was napping when they arrived. The housekeeper explained to Simon that Laura’s possessions had been delivered, sparse as they were, and had been put in her room.

Laura looked down at her drab dress, one of many she’d been wearing since she was a girl. Children teetering on the edge of poverty did not wear gowns trimmed in silk ribbon or fine lace. “Once I am no longer a suspect and my life is my own, I will never again wear anything but red satin and silk.”

Simon smiled. “You would look lovely in red. Though I suspect you would also look stunning in blue.”

She scrunched her face. “Anything but gray, brown, or white.” Even when Westwick brought her clothes, they were often well-mended castoffs. He paid out very little money for her upkeep. He’d vowed that would have changed had she been more “agreeable.” Not even silk would have made her
that
agreeable. “I want color, lots of deep rich color.”

Reaching up, she smoothed his lapel. She enjoyed the feel of him under her hands. What would it be like to love him openly, to be free to choose him as her husband, and to share his bed without censure?

“What do we do now, Simon?” She reluctantly drew her hand back. “All of our clues come to nothing.”

Simon cupped a hand on her neck. He toyed with her earlobe. “Crawford will keep looking for Mary’s missing son and for new clues. However, I fear we may have to wait for Henry to show himself again. He continues to be our only suspect.”

S
imon wanted to erase the defeat from her eyes. There had to be a way to lift her spirits. An idea took root.

“Go change into a habit. We are going riding.”

Laura paused too long. He spun her around and nudged her toward the stairs. “You have fifteen minutes. Hurry.”

He sent a passing maid after her and called for horses. He had just enough time to change himself, with the help of a rushed Dunston, when he met Laura at the top of the stairs.

“Where are we heading?” she asked.

“We have spent too many days thinking about murder and lost souls. We need to spend the rest of our afternoon finding fun.” He escorted her down the stairs and out the door. “Now ask no more questions. Just enjoy the lovely day.”

Dressed in a blue habit that belonged to Brenna, Laura looked lovely. A matching hat sat atop her upswept hair. She’d been correct. She needed color in her wardrobe.

As he followed her out of the town house, he couldn’t help noticing a place at the back of her neck perfect for nibbling.

Perhaps he’d find a private moment today and steal a taste.

A pair of horses stood at the ready with the groom
as they exited the town house. Simon helped her mount a chestnut gelding, then swung himself onto Horse. “Off we go.”

The streets were crowded with coaches and carriages, as many residents of the city had the same desire to take advantage of the sunshine. Simon took the fastest route out of town and soon they were free of the bustle.

“Will you tell me our destination?” Laura patted the horse and looked at him askance. Her pretty eyes had brightened considerably already. Being on the back of the fine gelding seemed to put her at ease.

“Patience,” he scolded lightly. “You will see soon enough.”

T
hey’d ridden for almost an hour when Simon turned Horse and led them through a massive stone gate. Beyond was an estate of a magnitude Laura had never seen. She gaped openly at the stone castle, turrets and all, that sat perched atop a rise.

“What is this place?”

Simon chuckled. “It is the home of the Marquess St. John. One of his ancestors saved the life of a king and was rewarded handsomely for his service.”

“Quite handsomely,” she repeated in awe. The drive was made of stone, wide enough for two coaches to pass comfortably. They passed by gardens breathtakingly beautiful and well tended as Simon led the horses to a trail that circled right of the castle. “Will the marquess mind us trespassing on his property?”

Simon winked. “He is a close friend of my father.”

Laura settled back to enjoy the day. They tied up the horses for a brief sojourn from riding to play in the castle’s maze. Laura got terribly lost and Simon rescued her with laughter, kisses, and a nuzzle of that perfect spot on her neck.

“Kisses are always required when a damsel is rescued
from a maze,” he said when they finally found their way out. He lowered his head and Laura eagerly kissed him back.

They reclaimed the horses and raced through the endless ribbons of interconnecting trails that covered what must have been hundreds of acres of open land and forests.

Laura’s carefree laughter filled the quiet forest as they frightened a quail and startled a pair of deer.

When the horses were lathered and in need of rest, they slowed to a sedate pace and turned back toward the road.

“I don’t know when I’ve last enjoyed myself this much,” she said, smiling at her handsome companion. “Truthfully, I have never had this much fun.”

Beneath his hat, Simon’s eyes were full of mischief. Her heart swelled as they approached the gate. She did love him so!

Simon stopped Horse and locked on to her eyes. “I never tire of hearing your full and unguarded laughter. Today, you have succeeded my expectations splendidly.”

Flushed under his attention, she realized he was right. She’d laughed more today than she had in years. He was fully responsible for this happiness. “I’ve grown weary of frowning. I know that we have much to do before I am completely free, but from this day forward, I promise to laugh at all your jests and smile politely even when I do not find you amusing.”

Simon looked put out. “I am always amusing.”

Laura made a face. “Only you find yourself so.”

He struggled to remain serious, then grinned. “The only person required to amuse me is me. As long as I amuse myself, nothing else should matter.”

“Truer words have never been uttered.”

He leaned to brace his hand on her knee. “I think you should give me one last kiss before we return to town.”

There, beneath a brick and steel arch, Laura pushed herself up from the saddle and met him halfway with a most loving kiss.

S
imon hated to return to the town house. The afternoon was more than he’d imagined. Hearing her laughter and seeing the open happiness in her eyes had pleased him immensely.

It was sometime during those hours that he realized he cared for her as more than a casual friend. Was it love? He wasn’t entirely convinced it was. But his affection for her was deepening. Suddenly, he no longer wanted to marry for position. He wanted Laura in whatever form that would take.

He’d skip past Lady Jeanette and get Chester under heel without sacrificing himself. There had to be a way to drag the man before a parson. It was the matter of discovering the man’s weakness. Hopefully, by the time his uncle’s title came to Simon, Brenna would be married off and no longer his worry.

Mother never liked the idea of him marrying Lady Jeanette. Both his parents wanted their children happy. And Laura wasn’t a courtesan, not really, and she loved him. If he did marry her someday, it wouldn’t be the worst of the Harrington misdeeds. There was no certainty that her history would ever get out. Besides, the Harrington family could survive another scandal.

Years from now, when he was earl, they’d be long past whispered speculation about how their relationship had come to be.

Looking over at Laura, he felt something that he hadn’t felt in a long time. Hope for his future.

First, he needed her free of the murder. He’d not start their life together on a bleak note.

“You’ve become quiet,” she said, drawing her horse to a stop before the stable behind the town house. “Should I worry?”

The groom and a stable boy rushed over to take the reins. Simon dismounted and walked over to swing her
down. She brushed against him and he felt her warmth. He wanted to steal a kiss but lack of privacy prevented it. So he took her hand and walked her out of the mews and into the town house garden.

“I’ve been thinking about you.”

She looked at him askance. “Now I am worried,” she teased.

Simon narrowed his eyes. “I suspect that no matter how old you become, you’ll always be a troublesome wench.”

Her eyes flashed. “That is my intention.”

Chuckling, he led her around the house. “I have come to a decision. It involves my future.”

“Oh?”

He nodded. “I have decided not to marry Lady Jeanette.” He stopped on the path. Shadows from the town house blocked the late afternoon sun and hid them from view of the windows.

Laura stared at him, clearly puzzled. “When exactly did you make this decision? I thought you were firmly settled on the girl.”

He thought of all the reasons why he should keep quiet, marry Jeanette, and forget Laura. And not one of them made sense. “I cannot marry her when I care for someone else.”

Her face clouded. “Simon, no.” She pulled her hand free and walked over to a nearby bench. She sat. “You have to marry her, or someone like her; if not for your sister, then for yourself. You need a woman of impeccable breeding to bear your children and host your parties and run your massive manor home. You cannot allow your feelings of responsibility for me to distract you from what’s important. You will be an earl someday. You need a proper countess.”

Simon sat beside her. “You think my feelings for you are due to some misguided sense of responsibility?”

She said nothing.

Exasperation welled. “Isn’t it possible that my affection for you has grown not because I saved your life but because I find you fascinating and intelligent and beautiful?”

He watched her stiffen and press a hand to her forehead.
“This cannot be happening.” She stood, removed her hat, and looked into his eyes. “My presence has upended your careful plans. Please tell me you haven’t considered marrying me.” He paused long enough to give her answer. “I will not do it.”

She turned and lifted her hem. Simon caught her before she could take a step. He spun her around and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t care if the entire household was watching. He kissed her. Hard.

Laura struggled against him for a moment, then went slack. She opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. Simon splayed his hand on her lower back and pulled her closer.

She fit perfectly in his arms. No other woman would ever take her place. Laura was his destiny.

Slowly, he lifted his head. Her eyes were warm as they met his. “I won’t marry you, Simon,” she whispered.

“Have I asked?” he countered.

Slowly, she lost some starch. “Then we are in agreement. We will speak no more about the matter.”

She pulled away and continued down the path and around the house, Simon on her heels.

“I have not agreed to anything,” he said. “I will take all the time needed to convince you that a future together is a possibility.” He followed her up the steps and moved around her to block the door. “And when I have convinced you that you will make an excellent countess, then I will ask.”

Sighing, she shook her head. “You are a stubborn man.”

“And yet you love me.”

Laura frowned. “It is my deepest regret.”

He laughed as he opened the door and they stepped inside the foyer. The once quiet house had been taken over by a bustle of activity. Chaos had erupted during the few hours they were away. Maids rushed about, and from somewhere in the house, he heard weeping. His father stepped out of the parlor and spotted Simon. He walked to him, his face bleak.

Father glanced briefly at Laura and dismissed her. Whatever had sent the house into upheaval was more important than any curiosity Father might have about Laura.

“You’ve returned early,” Simon observed. His stomach twisted. Something was terribly wrong. This kind of upset could not come from his parents’ discovery of a stranger, Laura, living under their roof. There had to be more. “What has happened? Is it Mother? Brenna?”

Father shook his head. “We have received terrible news. Your Uncle Arthur is dead.”

W
e aren’t sure exactly what happened,” Simon’s mother, Kathleen, said and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief as the family gathered in the library. “All we know is that he was attacked by a local man he’d hired as a guide. Apparently there was some dispute over his fee. Arthur was pushed into a river and drowned.”