The Hellion and The Heartbreaker (40 page)

“I’m sorry
angel, but unfortunately we are not going to be able to finish what we
started,” Alec muttered, drawing in a ragged breath as he fought to gain
control of his rampant desire.

Scarlett
merely looked at Alec in confusion.  She didn’t understand why he’d
suddenly stopped, her passion drudged senses unable to comprehend what was
happening.

“Scarlett,
we are almost home,” Alec told her, shifting his position and pulling her
upright, attempting to rouse her from her sensual haze.

Suddenly
the fog within her head began to lift and she understood what Alec had just
said.  Mortified, she realized that she was sitting in the circle of
Alec’s arms half-naked, her bodice pulled down to her waist, her skirts bunched
up around her thighs.  Gasping in horror, she shoved her skirts down, and
then tugged frantically at her bodice.  Dear lord, her gown was going to
be a wrinkled mess and anyone who saw her would know exactly what they had been
doing.  She could only hope and pray that none of her brothers were at
home when they arrived.

As
Scarlett worked frantically to restore her clothing to its prior state, Alec
quickly began straightening his own clothing.

Within
minutes, the coach began to slow and then gradually came to a stop. 
Scarlett sat in silence, unable to look Alec in the face, thoroughly
embarrassed by her wanton behavior.  As they waited for one of the
coachmen to lower the steps and open the door, she realized that just as
before, Alec had only to touch her to send all rational thoughts skittering
from her head. 

“Scarlett...” 
Alec began, and then halted as the door suddenly swung open. 
Damn it
,
he thought in frustration.  He felt like a complete ass.  What the
hell had he been thinking, tossing up Scarlett’s skirts in the back of his
coach like a rutting stag?  Despite her willing participation, he blamed
himself entirely.  As it had been in the past, Scarlett seemed to be the
one woman with the ability to completely rob him of whatever reason and good
sense he possessed.

Stepping
down, Alec reached for Scarlett’s hand and assisted her from the vehicle. 
As they stepped onto the sidewalk, they were horrified to see Colin exit the
front door and begin down the walk toward them.

Scarlett
could only hope that the darkness of the night concealed the worst of her
dishevel. 

“Scarlett,
Alec,” Colin greeted.  “I was just off to meet the boys at the club.”

It was
only then that Alec noticed Colin’s own coach waiting at the curb, in front of
his.

“Did you
enjoy your evening?” Colin asked politely.

If her
brother noticed anything amiss, he made no mention of it, for which Scarlett
was exceedingly thankful.  “Yes, the exhibit was wonderful,” she told him,
though not nearly as enjoyable as the ride home had been, she thought, hoping
he didn’t notice the telling blush staining her cheeks.

“I’m
glad,” Colin replied, and then turned his attention to Alec.  “It’s still
early, you’re welcome to join me if you’d like,” he said in a civil tone,
motioning toward the waiting coach.

“Actually,
I believe I will call it a night, but I appreciate the offer.”  Reaching
for Scarlett’s hand, he brought it to his lips, placing a feather-light kiss
upon the back.  “Thank you for a lovely evening, My Lady.”

“Thank you
as well,” she replied softly.

“I will be
by to collect you at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon then.”  As they had
discussed earlier in the evening, he, Scarlett and Oliver would be paying a
visit to his mother and grandmother the following afternoon.

“Of
course, we will be ready.”

“If the
two of you will excuse me, I will bid you goodnight,” he said with a polite
bow, then walked back toward his coach, conversing for a moment with the
driver, and then turning to the walk leading to his own residence.

“I’ll see
you in the morning Scarlett,” her brother said, opening the front door for her
to enter, and then stepping back outside.

“Goodnight
Colin.” 

As she made
her way up the stairs, her skin was still tingling from the warmth of Alec’s
touch.  Though she had vowed to keep a part of herself impervious to
Alec’s overwhelming allure, her recent actions proved just how futile that was
going to be.
 
Despite the rational part
of her brain that told her to guard her foolish heart, she knew that it was
already too late.  There was no denying that she was as much in love with
Alec now, as she had been before.  God help her.

At
half-past-twelve, Alec found himself walking across his rear courtyard, moving
toward the garden gate that he and Scarlett had made use of so many times
before.  He didn’t really think that she would be there waiting for him,
but he’d come anyhow.
 
When he reached
it, it was as he had assumed it would be.  There was no one waiting on the
other side.  The disappointment he felt was somewhat startling in its
intensity. 

When the
doorbell sounded at half past one the flowing morning, Scarlett was sitting in
the front parlor, penning a letter to Bethany, who was now married and
expecting her first child in the fall.  She glanced up in surprise; Alec
wasn’t due to pick her and Oliver up for another thirty minutes.  A moment
later their butler appeared at the threshold of the parlor and announced that
the Marquis of Fordham was at the door requesting to speak with her.

“Please
show him in,” she said, rising from her seat at the small writing desk. 
Smoothing her skirt, she walked forward to meet him as he appeared at the
doorway.  “William, how lovely to see you.”

“Please
forgive me for stopping by unannounced,” he began, smiling apologetically, “but
I was hoping to speak with you.”

“Actually,
I’m glad you did,” she told him honestly.  “Please, won’t you sit down,”
she said, motioning toward the sofa.  She knew William had been surprised
to see her with Alec last night, and obviously, he was curious about their
relationship.
 
Considering the topic of
their last conversation, she could hardly blame him.  “Would you care for
some refreshments?”

“No,
no.  I’m fine, thank you.”

Taking the
seat next to him, she smiled softly.  She knew she had to be honest with
him, at least to the extent that she could be.  “You were surprised to see
me last night with Alec.”

“I realize
that he is a close family friend,” he said, hesitating for a moment before he
continued.  “However, I got the impression that there might be something
more to it.”

“I’m sorry,
William,” she said, her tone clearly conveying her remorse.  “I know that
when we spoke the other night in the carriage, I encouraged your suit.” 
She met his gaze unwaveringly, hoping he would understand that she hadn’t
intentionally misled him.  “Please know that at the time, I spoke with the
utmost sincerity.  You are such a wonderful man, William, and you will
never know how much I appreciate the kindness you have shown me since I’ve
returned to London.  It’s just that, since then… well… something’s
happened, something I wasn’t…anticipating,” she said, suddenly looking away.

“Something
involving Alec Weston I take it?” he asked gently.

Nodding,
she looked down at her hands clasped tightly in her lap. 

“Scarlett,
I hope you know that you can be honest with me,” he said, compelling her to
look up and once again meet his gaze.  When she did, he smiled reassuringly. 
“Even if you are no longer interested in pursuing our relationship, I want you
to know that I have come to think of us as friends.  I hope you feel the
same way?”

“Of course
I do, William.   Your friendship means a great deal to me,” she told
him, relief evident in her eyes.

“I must
admit to being curious though.  The something that’s happened?  Is it
that you’ve developed feelings for Alec?”

Knowing
William was an honorable man and looking into his understanding eyes, Scarlett knew
that she could trust him.  “I suppose I have always had feelings for
Alec,” she told him honestly, “since I was little more than a child.”

William’s
expression was understanding, though perhaps a touch disappointed as well.

“Mama, is
it time to go?”

Scarlett
looked over William’s shoulder and saw her son barreling into the room, his
face wreathed in excitement and anticipation.

“Oliver,
come and meet Lord Fordham,” she said, reaching for his hand and pulling him to
her side.  William’s eyes instantly became riveted on the boy and she felt
her chest tighten.  As she watched his face, Scarlett could almost see the
direction his thoughts were taking.  Perhaps if they hadn’t just been
speaking of Alec the similarity wouldn’t have been so noticeable.  However,
as it were, William couldn’t fail to miss the remarkable resemblance between
Alec and her son.  The same jet-black hair curling at the nape of his
neck, eyes the same unique and distinctive shade of green, and features, though
proportionately smaller, that looked far too similar.  To his credit, he
quickly masked whatever surprise he may have felt.

“Hello
Oliver.”

“Hello,”
Oliver said politely. 

Her son
wasn’t shy, nor did he seem overly surprised by William’s presence, for he was
used to being in the company of adults.  One of his favorite places was
the stables at Grey Oaks, where he’d long grown accustomed to seeing and
meeting new people, as she too had been as a child.

“Oh, I’m
so sorry, I didn’t realize you had a guest,” Tess exclaimed, entering the room
shortly behind Oliver.

William
stood up at Tess’ entrance, and Scarlett did as well. 

“It’s
quite all right, Tess,” Scarlett assured her.  “We were just finishing our
conversation.”

“Shall I
take Oliver to wait in the other room?”

Bending
down, Scarlett whispered in her son’s ear.  “Oli, why don’t you and Tess
go ask Monsieur Deville to prepare you a snack before we go.  I’ll be
along in a minute.”

At the
mention of a snack, Oliver was off like a shot, grabbing Tess’ hand and pulling
her along with him as he headed for the kitchen. 

“He’s a
handsome lad.”

Turning
back to William, Scarlett smiled in appreciation.  “Thank you.  I’m
very fortunate.  He’s a wonderful boy.”

“He takes
after his father I assume, in appearance that is.”

“Yes, he
does,” she admitted, her expression becoming somewhat guarded.

“He’s a
lucky man.” 

Scarlett
didn’t miss the fact that William had spoken of Oliver’s father in the present
tense.  Somewhat hesitantly, she met his steady gaze.  In his eyes,
she saw only kindness and understanding. 

“Thank you,
William.”

Taking her
hand, he clasped it between his own.  “If you ever need anything, anything
at all, I hope you know that you can come to me, Scarlett.”

Impulsively
she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek.  “I do,” she
whispered against his ear.

When Alec
arrived to pick up Scarlett and Oliver, they were ready and waiting.  She
had told Oli that they were going to pay a social call on Alec’s mother and
grandmother, and that he was to be on his best behavior.  Though he wasn’t
overly excited about the destination, for he had been forced to put on his
nicest and most uncomfortable clothing, he
was
eager to spend time with Alec.
 
The two of them had developed a bond, aided
by the infamous Mr. Hoppy, and Oliver had taken quite a liking to his new
friend.

Shortly
after Alec had rung the front bell, the three of them were walking toward
Alec’s waiting curricle.  Oliver squealed in delight at the sight of the highly
polished, open-topped, two-wheeled equipage, harnessed behind a set of
beautifully matched grays.
 
As Alec
hoisted him up into the rig, Oliver’s face was beaming.

When Alec
reached for Scarlett’s hand to assist her into the vehicle, she felt a jolt of
awareness at his touch, though she did her best not to show it.  After
what had happened between them the night before, she was greatly relieved that
Oliver was with them now, his exuberant presence a welcome distraction from the
newfound tension between them.

Once they
were settled, with Oliver seated securely between them, Alec lightly flicked
the reins and then allowed the grays to move into a brisk trot. 
Unfortunately, it was only a few short blocks to his grandmother’s residence,
for Oliver was absolutely delighted with the nimble curricle’s agility and
speed.  “Faster, faster,” he cried, grinning from ear to ear when Alec
obliged, urging the horses to a faster gait.  By the time they arrived at
the dowager duchess’ home, they were all slightly windblown, but smiling and
laughing nonetheless.  Fortunately, the excitement had given Scarlett very
little time to worry about her imminent meeting with Alec’s mother and
grandmother.