The Scandalous Son (4 page)

            
 
Alice was still seething from Gage’s crass words. Even though it had been a week since the incident, the words were still fresh in her mind. She hadn’t wanted to come out tonight, but Aunt Millie had insisted.

              Alice had chosen a steel gray colored dress, that was cut a bit too low, showing far more cleavage than normal. She’d used a heavy hand when applying her makeup and she pinned up half of her hair and left the other half down. She had a ruby filled choker tied at her neck and she looked wildly stunning.

              When she had entered the ballroom, several heads had turned her way and that was the reaction she was hoping for. She wouldn’t admit it, but she wanted to get back at Gage and so far her plan was working. All she had to do was wait for Gage to show up.

              She was talking to one of her Aunt’s friends when she suddenly felt like she was being watched. She excused herself from the conversation and turned around to see Albright standing there, his eyes drinking in every inch of her.

              Gage’s fiery gaze was starting to leave a slow burn within her and Alice knew that she had to get away from him before she completely forgot about her plan. Percy Graham just happened to walk by and Alice stopped him.

              “Pardon me, Mr. Graham, but would you give me the pleasure of dancing a set?” she asked sweetly.

              Percy was more than thrilled at her fake interest and quickly led her to the dance floor. It wasn’t until they started to dance that Alice remembered what a horrible dance partner Percy was, and she spent the rest of the set getting her foot stepped on.

              Gage watched them go, knowing that Alice was still upset with him. Sometimes he just couldn’t help what came out of his mouth when she was around. Her mere presence caused so many emotions within him, and he didn’t always do the best job of regulating his feelings.

              He grabbed a glass of champagne and gulped it down. He kept his eye on Alice and felt the slightest bit of satisfaction every time Graham landed on her foot. There was no question that she would have bruises later on.

              Someone interrupted the dancing pair and as it always happened to be, it was St. Vincent. The new couple danced and moved gracefully, and there wasn’t one single misplaced foot. Standing there watching them, Gage didn’t feel a single drop of hate, only a strong sense of annoyance at both of them.

              St. Vincent shouldn’t even be with Alice in the first place for two reasons. The first being that she’s was far too young for him and the second being that in Gage’s mind, Alice was already his. Alice was wasting both of their time by ignoring him, as if any good would come out of that.

              Watching her interact with Graham and St. Vincent reminded him of the first time they’d met. Gage had been more than happy to be stuck in that tiny alcove with that beautiful blonde, and after their kiss, he never wanted to leave. That must have been the day that she first stole a piece of his heart.

              St. Vincent led Alice off the dance floor and they walked arm in arm to get a glass of champagne. Alice was baiting her eyelashes and she placed her hand on his arm and left it there for longer than Gage liked. Gage knew Alice’s motive but it was the absolute adoration that he saw in his father’s eyes that made him feel sick.

              Alice clearly had the Earl eating out of her palm and Gage didn’t care to watch anymore. He quietly left the ball and vowed to stop by Aunt Millie’s house tomorrow to atone for his actions.

Gage was trying to figure out the best apology for Alice. He knew that it needed to be heartfelt so that she would be able to see the depth of his feelings for her. He was certain that this apology would be the catalyst on which their relationship shifted to a more serious nature.

He had decided to walk to Aunt Millie’s house, knowing that the exercise would help him ease his nerves. Gage was almost to the home when none other than his father came walking out of the front door, looking far too happy for Gage’s liking.

Buggard!
Gage thought. This is not what he needed right now. But he plastered a friendly smile on his face, not wanting to blow his cover with St. Vincent.

“Mr. Albright,” St. Vincent greeted. “What a lovely day it is, is it not?” he said cheerily.

“I suppose so,” Gage said tersely. “What brings you out this afternoon?”

“The lovely Miss Rutledge,” he answered. “You see, she is soon to be the Countess of Devonshire.”

Gage wanted to kill the man in front of him. What more could he possibly take from him? First his mother and now Alice, when would it be enough? But he remained stoic, locking his feelings away for now. “What great news,” he managed to get out.

“Indeed, indeed. Now if you will excuse me I must be on my way. Good day, Albright.”

Gage remained standing where he was, trying to school his features before he went inside.

After he had collected himself, Gage knocked on the door to the town house and it was quickly opened for him. He was ushered into the sitting room, where Alice was standing looking out a window. Aunt Millie was pouring a cup of tea and welcomed Gage as he came in.

              Alice had yet to turn around to see him. But there was no question that she had heard her Aunt greet him.

              “Would you look at that,” Aunt Millie said, almost to herself. “If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to talk to Greta about the tea service.” And with that she left the room, leaving Gage and Alice alone.

              Gage continued to stand, resting both of his hands on the back of the sofa in front of him.

              “Funny thing,” he started, “I ran into St. Vincent outside and he said that you had agreed to marry him. Which shouldn’t surprise me,” he sighed, “but I just need to hear it from you though.”

              Alice continued to stare out the window. “Yes, it’s true,” she said softly, her words flooding the silent room.

              Gage’s head fell in defeat at her admission. There was a heavy weight in his stomach and a sharp ache piercing his chest. He’d already known what she would say but hearing it from those beautiful lips was like a dagger straight to his heart.

              “Gag
e
” Alice said as she turned around.

              Gage put his hand up to stop her. He couldn’t handle hearing her apology right now. “Don’t,” he said as he shook his head. “Don’t you dare try to apologize to me!” The anger was clear in his voice now. “I opened my heart to you; I let you in and look where that has gotten me. Shoved to the side for something more favorable!” he huffed. “Tell me, did you even care for me or was that just for fun too?” he mocked.

              “You have no righ
t
” Alice started, only to be cut off again.

              “No, you have no right to play with my emotions like this. This is your doing and let me tell you, I hope you feel horrible in your choice. I hope that when you’re in his arms you can do nothing but think of me. I hope that when he kisses you, it’s my lips you feel on your skin.”

              Alice looked at the floor, her hands shaking as she waited for him to finish.

              “I bet your parent’s will be very proud when they hear that you’ve landed an Earl.”

              Alice grimaced and closed her eyes. He was being so cruel, but Alice didn’t know what hurt the most, his words or the truth behind them.

              “I think it would be best if you left,” she managed.

              Gage nodded in agreement, “Good day, Miss Rutledge,” he said formally, the words cold on his lips.

              Alice waited until the he was gone to let the tears fall. And fall they did, until she had no more to give.

            
 
This was the moment he had been waiting for, but now he was starting to question his need for revenge. Would the pain caused be worth it, when all he really truly wanted was Alice? It suddenly occurred to Gage that maybe he could leverage something else from his father.

              Gage was getting ready to knock again when the door opened to a tired looking butler.

              “I’m sorry to wake you, kind man, but it is of utmost importance that I see the Earl tonight.”

              “And what would your business be at this time of night?” the old man questioned.

              “It’s of a private nature, but you can tell him that I’m a friend of Corrine Baxbury.”

              “Wait here,” he said as he closed the door.

              Gage waited impatiently on the door step. He’d drank three fingers of scotch before coming, knowing that he would need the encouragement and now he wished he would have drank more.

              It wasn’t long before the butler came back and told him that the Earl would see him now. He led Gage through the house, before stopping just outside the study’s doorway. Gage thanked the man and then turned to see his father standing next to the fire, holding a decanter and two glasses.

              “Something about this meeting makes me think a drink might be needed. Would you like one?” St. Vincent said by way of greeting.

              Gage nodded in agreement and quietly watched as his father poured two glasses of scotch and handed him one. His father sat down in a chair and motioned for Gage to sit in the chair across from him.

              “So tell me, Mr. Albright, how do you know Corrine Baxbury?” St. Vincent asked.

              “She was my mother,” Gage said simply.

              St. Vincent looked in thought for a moment before he spoke again. “Was?”

              “She passed away not too long ago.”

              His father’s face softened at Gage’s words. “I’m sorry for your loss. Corrine always had the purest of hearts, I’m sure she was a great mother to you.”

              “Indeed she was, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her,” Gage admitted.

              “But I’m not quite sure what this has to do with me?” St. Vincent said.

              “On her deathbed she told me the name of my father, and it was your name that rolled off her lips just moments before she died.”

              St. Vincent furrowed his brow, “But your surname is Albright, surely that is your father’s name.”

              Gage shook his head no. “My mother started going by Albright instead of Baxbury right before I was born. I asked her about it once and she told me that I wasn’t old enough to understand the complexity of being an adult.”

              “So it was just you and her for all that time? She never got married?” his father asked.

              “She tried to find a suitor when I was younger but none of them worked out, so she gave up on marriage and focused her time on me and her job.”

              “And what was her job?” His father’s face now looked distraught.

              “A seamstress,” Gage answered.

              “God Corr
i
a seamstress?” St. Vincent was in utter shock and seemed to be horrified at his mother’s occupation.

              “Can I tell you something?” he asked Gage after he had calmed down a bit. St. Vincent finished his drink and set the empty glass down on the table in front of them. He stood up and went to the fireplace with his back to Gage.

              “I first met your mother when I was a younger lad, about six and ten years old. She was an orphan who worked at my father’s house and since we were close in age, we became friends. Any free time that we could get was spent together and over time your mother became my best friend and she was very dear to me. My father was a hard man to live with and spending time with Corrine made it easier to deal with.”

              “It wasn’t until my nineteenth birthday that things started to get complicated. You see, my father insisted that I marry. He even had a girl picked out who was a perfect match on paper but was hideous in person. She came to visit once and it was horrible. I tried to get away, and once I did, your mum and I raced away to the woods behind the house.”

              “We we’re both out of breath from running so fast and we we’re laughing. In that instant, your mother looked so perfect. I moved closer to her and placed my hand along the side of her neck and I could see that something had shifted between us and that she was feeling it too.”

              “Our lips met and it was one of the softest and sweetest kisses, still to this day. The kiss deepened and the whole world seemed to fade away. It was just me and Corri, and it felt so damn right.”

              “I broke off the kiss and we made our way to a hunter’s lodge that was sparsely furnished. I wanted more time with her and that was the closest place I could think of that would keep us away from prying eyes. I had never lain with a woman before and your mother sensed my hesitation.”

              “She reached for my hand and placed it over her heart. Her heart was strong and steady. ‘Make me yours,’ she said softly. She was giving me her innocence and I was to become her most humble servant.”

              “After it was done, I felt such fulfillment and I knew my heart belonged to Corrine. That night I went to speak to my father. I told him that I wanted to marry Corrine. He laughed until he realized I was dead serious. We argued and then he dismissed me as if nothing had happened.”

              “The next day, I went to find Corri but she was nowhere to be found. Knowing that my father must have been involved, I burst into his office and we had one of the worst rows ever. He admitted to sending her away, but he wouldn’t tell me where.”

              “And then all of a sudden he grabbed his chest and fell to the floor. Within a few minutes he stopped breathing and the life left his body. When the doctor finally arrived he said that my father had suffered a major heart attack. After his funeral, I sent an investigator to try and find her, but he couldn’t find any trace of a Corrine Baxbury. Now I know why,” St. Vincent finished.

              Gage sat in silence, trying to absorb his father’s story. “So you never knew about me then?” Gage questioned quietly.

              “No, I didn’t. I would have given anything to be with her, even more so if I had known about you,” his father said as he turned around. “
Son
.”

              That word on his lips was too much for Gage. He looked up to see that St. Vincent was feeling the same. He offered his hand to Gage and when Gage stood up to take it, his father pulled him into a tight embrace, but not before he saw the tears in the older man’s eyes.

              Soon Gage was in tears too, as that was the only emotion he could clearly express at the moment. All the hate that he’d felt over the years seemed to fade away and there was an ache in his chest when he thought of all the things that they had both missed out on.

              “I’m in love with Alice Rutledge,” Gage admitted as they pulled apart.

              “My Alice?” his father laughed.

              Gage scowled, “Not your Alice, my Alice,” he corrected.

              “Well if you love her why didn’t you ask for her hand?”

              “I was going to but you beat me to it, plus I don’t quite meet her monetary requirements.”

              St. Vincent laughed and it was hearty and contagious.

              “You think my broken heart is a laughing matter?” Gage scoffed.

              His father just laughed harder. “The irony is all,” he managed between laughs. “I finally decide to settle down and the one gel who doesn’t bore me senseless just happens to be my long-lost son’s one true love.”

              “Well when you put it that way,” Gage said, chuckling too.

              “So what will it take for her to say yes to you?” St. Vincent asked.

              “Gobs of money,” Gage said flatly. “Her parent’s s went through a rough patch and they just want her to be well taken care of.”

              “Consider it done then.”

              “What?”

              “If that is all it takes, then consider it taken care of.”

              Gage shook his head, “You don’t have to do that.”

              “But I do. You are my son, my flesh and blood, and if I had married your mother like I planned you would be titled and wealthy and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I will meet with my advisor in the morning and you shall be named my heir and receive a monthly stipend fir anything you might need.”

              St. Vincent took in the shocked look on his son’s face and he placed a comforting on his shoulder.

              “I want to make up for all the lost time and I want to give you everything that you deserve. Here, wait one moment,” St. Vincent said as he walked to his desk and opened a drawer. He walked back over to Gage and handed him the small box in his hand.

              Gage opened the box and there was a golden ring with rubies encrusted in it. It was a thing of beauty and looked like it was worth a small fortune.

              “I can’t take this,” Gage said as he tried to give it back.

              “I insist. This ring has been in the St. Vincent family for many generations, and it only makes sense that you would have it too.”

              Gage’s heart swelled and he suddenly had this huge feeling of belonging, it was unlike anything he had felt before.

              “This is all well and good, but how am I supposed to marry Alice if you’re still engaged?”

              St. Vincent just smirked. “You just leave that up to me.”