The Hellion and The Heartbreaker (17 page)

“Good
evening, Alec, it’s so nice to see you again.”

“Glad you
could make it,” Colin said, giving Alec a friendly smile as he thumped him
cordially on the shoulder.

“Scarlett,
you look lovely,” Alec said, with a slight bow and polite sweep of his gaze.

“Thank
you.” Scarlett dipped into a perfectly executed curtsy, affording Alec a
glimpse of her décolletage in the process.

“Allow me
to wish you a happy birthday as well.”

Scarlett
smiled and nodded her head politely in acknowledgement.

“Alec,
it’s good to see you,” said the man to Scarlett’s left.

“Yes Alec,
it is good to see you.  It’s been far too long.”  A lovely brunette
whom Scarlett had been introduced to earlier swept forward and placed her hand
lightly on Alec’s forearm.  Her name was Alicia Windham, the Countess of
Devon.  She couldn’t help noticing the familiar manner in which the
countess addressed Alec, as well as the intimate inflection in her voice, and
fought to suppress a flicker of jealousy as she pondered Alec’s relationship to
the lovely lady.

Fortunately
she didn’t have much time to dwell on the matter, as dinner was announced
shortly thereafter.  As the guests began to move in the direction of the
dining room, Scarlett momentarily lost sight of Alec.  With her hand
resting securely on her brother’s arm, she allowed Colin to lead her to the
beautifully set dining table and seat her at his immediate right.  As she
took her seat, she caught a glimpse of Alec, noting with displeasure the
Countess of Devon’s hand tucked possessively into the crook of his arm.

Thankfully
they had been seated at opposite ends of the table, and Scarlett couldn’t help
feeling a sense of relief as Alec politely saw the woman to her seat and then
made his way to his own seat on Colin’s left, directly across from her
own.  As he sat, their eyes met for a brief moment and a silent awareness
passed between them.  They quickly looked away before anyone else noticed.

Throughout
the meal, Scarlett did her best to keep her gaze from lingering upon
Alec.  She chatted politely with those who were close enough to converse
with, including Colin, Georgie, the Marquis of Hatfield and his wife, and Mr.
Brexton, who just happened to be seated next to Georgie.  She couldn’t
help but notice that the Marchioness flirted outrageously with Alec while her
husband appeared oblivious, seemingly captivated by the woman seated to his
right.  The fact that the marchioness was at least ten years Alec’s
senior, and that Alec seemed not in the least affected by her obvious interest,
were all that kept her from grinding her teeth in irritation.

Alec, well
accustomed to the constant attention he garnered from members of the female
sex, barely noticed the Marchioness of Hatfield’s effusive efforts to capture
his interest.  Though no one could have detected by his outward demeanor,
his attention was completely riveted on Scarlett.  If possible, she was
even more beautiful than he remembered.  For the past two weeks he’d tried
to convince himself that their liaison was over, but it was exceedingly difficult
when all he seemed able to think about was her.  Now, as he sat across
from her, his eyes once again strayed to her elegant profile.  Her head
was turned as she laughed appreciatively at something Mr. Brexton had just
said.  To resume their affair would be a horrible mistake, he knew
that.  In any event, now that they were it London, it would be much more
difficult for their clandestine encounters to remain undetected.  So why
then, could he think of little other than getting her back into his bed?

Surprisingly,
he hadn’t been with a woman since his return to London.  He glanced down
toward the opposite end of the table.  Would an evening with Alicia dampen
his craving for Scarlett’s luscious charms, he wondered?  They had known
each other for years, and she was one of the few women he considered a
friend.  Sadly for her, she had been married off to the aging Earl of
Devon, thirty-five years her senior, when she was just seventeen.  Like
him, Alicia was well schooled in the ways of the aristocracy and she had
accepted her fate with little complaint.  She was the earl’s second wife,
his first having died shortly after the birth of their fourth child.  Her
husband already had his heir and as his sexual demands were infrequent, Alicia
had sought her pleasure in the arms of Alec, as well as a number of others over
the years.  Though they hadn’t slept together in months, he knew she would
be receptive.  She always was, and certainly would be now with the earl
bedridden in the country, having suffered a nearly fatal stroke several months
past.  He was well aware that Alicia wasn’t one to remain celibate for
long.  They understood each other, and the rules of the game. 
Turning back, his eyes once again fell upon Scarlett. 

As
Scarlett turned her attention from Mr. Brexton, she caught Alec’s lingering
gaze.  A spark seemed to leap between them, as it always did, their mutual
attraction so intense it was almost palpable.

Alicia
faded from Alec’s thoughts almost instantly.  When his eyes were on
Scarlett, it was as if no one else existed.  Frustrated, he realized that
his attraction to Alicia had never even come close to the level of desire he
felt for Scarlett.  Though he knew it was madness, in the back of his
mind, the part that lacked any semblance of sanity, he had already conceived a
way for them to be together.  
Stop it you fool
, his inner voice
commanded as he clenched his jaw in aggravation.

“Any
chance you will be attending Penny’s ball tomorrow night Alec.”

Colin’s
question snapped him out of his reverie.  Penelope Minton, the Countess of
Standshire was one of the
ton’s
leading social figures.  The Minton’s ball had been deemed a premier event
within the London Season years ago, and it was well known that no one with any
sort of social aspirations would dream of missing it.  Alec however, was
one of the few people who was completely unconcerned with social convention and
his attendance at any event was never a given.

Alec gave
an exaggerated sigh.  “Penny’s been hounding me about it for weeks.” 
He leaned back in his chair, a slightly exasperated expression on his
face.  “She managed to corner me at the theatre the other night and I
finally had to give in.  I was afraid she was going to cause a scene if I
didn’t promise to attend right then and there.”

“Knowing
Penny, she probably would have,” Colin chuckled.  “However, I for one am
glad you will be there.  You can help the boys and I keep an eye on
Scarlett.  I have a feeling our little sister is going to cause quite a
stir amongst all of the unmarried gentlemen in attendance.”

“Colin,
really,” Scarlett said, feeling a blush color her cheeks.  “Why on earth
would I cause a stir?  I am hardly going to be the only young lady making
her debut.  Though I appreciate your brotherly loyalty,” she began,
placing her hand fondly on Colin’s arm, “I’m sure that you are seriously
overestimating my appeal.”

Alec
silently wondered how long Scarlett’s charming naiveté would last once the
ton
got its first real look at
her.  There hadn’t been an incomparable beauty like Scarlett in years, if
ever to be completely honest.  And the fact that she had no idea how truly
extraordinary she was only added to her allure.  The interest and
attention she was bound to receive was sure to drastically alter her perception
of herself and likely her character as well.  It was inevitable really and
he couldn’t help feeling slightly disheartened by the thought.

“I have to
concur with your brother, Scarlett,” Alec said with a charming smile.  “I
haven’t the slightest doubt that you are going to be an unrivaled success.”

“Since the
two of you have such confidence in me, I hope you will allow me to reserve each
of you a spot on my dance card.”

“By all
means.”

“You’d
better,” Colin admonished teasingly.

The
remainder of the meal passed by quickly and soon everyone had returned to the
front parlor for the evening’s final entertainment.  Georgie had arranged
for a children’s acapella quartet to perform for their guests, and while they
had been at dinner the staff had set up extra seating.

Unfortunately,
Scarlett found herself seated between Colin and Conner, while Alec had taken a
seat next to the Countess of Devon.  As she watched them from the corner
of her eye, it was apparent that they were quite at ease in each other’s
company.  She couldn’t help wondering if they had ever been intimate, and
an aching stab of jealously pierced her like an arrow.  There hadn’t been
any competition for Alec’s affections at Grey Oaks and she had foolishly taken
it for granted.

Now, the
realization that she was certain to be only one of the vast numbers of females
vying for Alec’s attention filled her with a sense of trepidation.  She
had to get him alone before the night was over.  Of that, she hadn’t any
doubt.  Though they had made no plans regarding their time together in
London, she was determined to further their relationship.  The two weeks
they had been apart had seemed like an eternity.  In the short time they’d
had together at Grey Oaks, Alec had become like a drug to her, a drug to which
she was hopelessly and helplessly addicted.  She needed him, craved him
and longed for him like nothing she had ever known before.  Seeing him
again only reinforced her resolve.  And seeing him with another woman at
his side strengthened that resolve even further.

To distract
herself from her thoughts of Alec, she tried to focus her attention on the
young singers.  The quartet was comprised of four siblings, two boys and
two girls, ranging in ages from eight to thirteen.  The children,
wonderfully charismatic performers, had voices that blended in perfect harmony,
and the delightful group soon cast an enchanting spell over the entire
audience.  They sang nearly a dozen songs, their parents joining them for
the final two.  When they were finished, everyone clamored for more and
the group willingly obliged by performing a brief encore.  It was a lovely
way to end the night.  Georgie had done an amazing job.  The evening
was an absolute success.

As the
guests finally started to take their leave it was well after eleven.  When
the Countess of Devon departed, Scarlett was immensely relived to see that Alec
didn’t leave with her.  Hoping she might have a private word with him
before he left, she walked over to where he stood, talking with Conner. 
As she approached, she couldn’t resist playfully teasing her brother as she
looped her arm through his.  “Was it my imagination, or did you spend an
inordinate amount of time conversing with Julia Ashcroft this evening.”

“I
couldn’t help noticing that myself,” Alec added, with a knowing smile.

Scarlett
was stunned to see that Conner was actually blushing.  “Was it that
obvious?”

“She’s
lovely,” Scarlett said, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze, “and quite smitten
with you I think.  I noticed that her parents are preparing to leave. 
Perhaps you should make it a point to say goodbye.”

“Yes, I
think I shall,” he nodded, already setting the drink he held onto a nearby
table.  “Will you two excuse me please?”

Scarlett
couldn’t help smiling as she watched her brother walk away.  She had been
introduced to the young lady earlier in the evening, and from what she’d
observed Julia Ashcroft was a lovely young woman with a quiet, somewhat shy
personality and a surprisingly intellectual mind, much like Conner’s.

“If I
didn’t know better, I might think that you had planned that little maneuver.”

“It’s all
in the timing,” she retorted with a mischievous smile.

“Happy
birthday, Scarlett.”

His voice,
soft and husky, sent a chill down her spine.  “I’ve missed you,” she
replied with quiet sincerity.

“You’ve
been in my thoughts often,” he told her honestly.

“Have I?”

“You’re
not easy to forget.”

“Neither
are you.”  Though his expression was warm and tender, Scarlett sensed a
disquieting undertone in his manner.  “It doesn’t have to end you know.”

Didn’t
it?  How could he allow their affair to continue, knowing that it would
likely become more and more difficult for Scarlett when it ended, as it
inevitably would?  In addition, continuing to betray Colin’s friendship
was tearing him apart with guilt.  Despite his unflagging desire for
Scarlett, he knew what had to be done.

“Scarlett,
I think it’s best if we…”

She cut
him off, knowing she couldn’t bear it if he told her it was over.  She
realized at that moment that she had to use whatever means possible to change
his mind, and if that meant using the potent allure of her newly discovered
sexuality, then so be it.  “Please Alec.  I need you.  I need to
touch you, to taste you, to feel you inside of me.”  She met his gaze
without flinching, her voice whisper soft and sultry as her eyes conveyed her
overwhelming desire.  There was no time for subtlety.

Damn, when
she looked at him like that he couldn’t think straight.  Just minutes
before, he’d thought of stopping by Alicia’s townhouse, but now, he couldn’t
bring her image to mind to save his life.  From the corner of his eye, he
spotted Georgette Bennett making her way toward them.  He knew that he was
making a monumental mistake, but the words seemed to slip out of his mouth of
their own accord.  “There’s a gate that separates our properties in the
rear garden.  It’s near the far corner, tucked within the hedge. 
Meet me there at half past twelve.”