To Sin With A Scoundrel (35 page)

He was just about to light another cheroot when the sound of staccato footsteps rang out on the granite steps.

“How dare you follow me here!” In the play of pink and mauve light, Alessandra’s face was rigid with fury as she looked back
over her shoulder. “You have no right to intrude on my life here in England.”

Moving with a slow, sauntering stride, a figure joined her on the terrace.

Marco.
The Milanese macaroni.

“On the contrary,
bella.
” Ghiradelli leaned in closer, and lowered his voice, just enough so that the rustling of the ivy vines covered his words.

Whatever he said made Alessandra jerk away. Her hair had loosened, and a fall of ebony hid her face.

“Don’t be angry with me, Alessa.”

As Ghiradelli reached for her shoulder, Jack once again caught a snatch of the conversation.

“I am only trying to help do what is best for you and the child,” said the conte.

“I know, I know…” The cool, composed marchesa sounded on the verge of tears. “Oh, Marco, I beg you, please do not press me
for an answer at this moment.”

“
Bene
—very well. But you can’t put it off for long.”

“No. I—I suppose I’ve always known that my past sins would come back to haunt me.”

“
Ciao
. I will be in touch soon.” Ghiradelli shifted his stance, and though Jack tried to avert his gaze, he couldn’t help seeing
the man’s lips angle for the lady’s upturned face.

For some reason he found his foul mood turning even fouler. “Alas, parting is such sweet sorrow,” he sneered loudly, abruptly
standing and stepping out from the shadows. “But if you don’t mind, perhaps Romeo and Juliet could go enact their tragic love
scene somewhere else. Here in England we try not to inflict our passionate embraces on innocent bystanders.”

Alessandra whirled around. “So instead you take pleasure in spying on people? What were you doing, skulking in the shadows?”

“Enjoying a glass of wine and the lovely sunset,” replied Jack. “At least I was until you two lovers interrupted the pastoral
scene.”

“You could have announced your presence,” said Ghiradelli. “And avoided embarrassing the lady.”

“I doubt that my voice would have been noticed. She seemed quite mesmerized by another pair of lips.”

Alessandra answered with a huff of indignation. “
Not
that it’s any of your business, sir. But Marco was kissing me on the
cheek
. As for being lovers, there is nothing amorous about our relationship.”

Jack curled a contemptuous smile. “Funny, it didn’t look like that to me,” he said, striking a flint to his cheroot.

Her eyes sparked. “For your information, he is my
cousin
.”

Jack nearly choked on the mouthful of smoke. “Cousin.”

“
Si,
cousin,” she snapped. “And unlike the English, Italians do not form intimate attachments with their cousins.”

“Then it appears I owe you an apology, Lady Giamatti,” he muttered.

“Yes. It does.”

“Talk about theatrics, Lord James.” Ghiradelli seemed to be enjoying the drama. “But much as I would like to remain until
the end of the scene, I must return to Southampton without delay. Lord Lynsley wishes to be informed of Lady Sheffield’s situation.”

Alessandra looked away. “You may tell him that he will receive a full report on her discovery shortly. The final tests have
yet to be done, but if all goes as expected…” She slanted a look at Jack. “The marquess will find the results of great interest.”

“He will be pleased to hear it,” replied Ghiradelli. “But I was referring to the lady’s safety. Lynsley is quite concerned
about her personal well-being. If you need guards—”

“Thank you, but Hadley seems to have everything in hand.”

“Mad, Bad Had-ley?” Ghiradelli cocked a brow. “You are sure you wish to put your trust in him?”

She hesitated, but only for a fraction. “Yes, actually I am. He will see that no harm comes to Ciara.”

“Very well.” Ghiradelli squeezed her hand and then inclined a bow to Jack. “
Per favore,
Giacomo. Keep an eye on the marchesa for me, eh? She tends to get herself into trouble.”

Alessandra muttered a rude word.

Jack gave him a baleful look. “If the marchesa won’t listen to you, then she’s certainly not going to listen to me.”

“Stranger things have happened,
amico
.” With that cryptic statement, he gave a flourishing wave. “I must be going, but before I leave, I think I shall stop and
spend a few minutes with Lady Sheffield.” His gaze flicked back to Alessandra. “I had better show her a few of the nasty little
tricks I taught you for self-defense,
bella
—just in case.”

“The cursed fellow knows how to make a grand exit from the stage,” said Jack under his breath as Marco walked off.

She didn’t reply.

To his relief, Lucas reappeared, several bottles of vintage spirits in hand. “Lady Alessandra. Er, I see that you, too, are
enjoying the evening air.” Clearing his throat, he added, “Would you care to join us in a toast… to the peace and quiet of
the country?”

She shook her head. “Actually, I find it a little too chilly for my taste out here. I think I’ll return to my rooms.”

“Damn it, Jack,” murmured Lucas as the door fell shut. “Why is it that you always manage to offend the marchesa?”

“Why is it that the sun always manages to come up each day?”

Lucas shrugged off the question. “Haven’t a clue.”

Jack reached for the brandy. Pulling the cork out with his teeth, he quaffed a long swallow straight from the bottle. “I’ll
drink to that.”

B
ird-watching?” Alessandra’s raven brows winged up in skepticism. “Ah. More likely Hadley has a little love nest tucked away
in the trees.”

“No, really. He actually has an interest in the subject,” said Ciara. She still had not explained why. Some secrets were not
meant for sharing, even within her closest circle of friends.

“If you say so,
bella
.” Alessandra checked through her satchel of books and sketchpads, and then signaled for her carriage to be brought up from
the stables. “Don’t do anything too naughty.”

Ciara ignored the last comment. “Enjoy your afternoon at the ruins. I hadn’t realized you had a particular interest in medieval
stonework.”

“I don’t. But there are traces of an old Roman fort on the grounds, and Hadley seemed so insistent on getting all of us out
of the manor house.” Her friend smiled. “I think he wants Ariel and his uncle to have some time alone.”

“Yes, I got the same impression,” said Ciara. “He’s even made sure that the children will not cause an unexpected interruption.
They are going to the kennels to play with the puppies.”

“Has he also offered to bathe them once they come home?” Alessandra crinkled her nose. “I shudder to imagine what substances
will be sticking to their sweet little hands and faces.”

“Let’s not worry about that now.” Ciara handed a picnic basket to the coachman, who then climbed to his perch on the box.
“I feel a little guilty that you are spending the day on your own.” She hesitated a fraction. “You are sure you won’t come
with us?”

Her friend waved off the suggestion. “I’m sure you two could use some privacy.”

Ciara expelled a sigh. “I suppose Hadley and I had better have a talk. We need to come to an understanding about…”

“Sleeping with each other?”

“That,” she said softly. “Among other things.” Anxious to avoid further discussion of her relationship—emotional and otherwise—with
Lucas, she quickly changed the subject. “It’s a pity that Hadley’s friend left at dawn. He could have accompanied you on the
drive.”

Alessandra grimaced. “The Prince of Darkness? Thank God I do not have to endure those fire-and-brimstone eyes, burning with
disapproval.”

“Hadley says he is very knowledgeable about art and antiquities.”

“That may be so,” replied her friend. “But I doubt that Lord Black Jack Pierson would deign to discuss them with me. He strikes
me as a man who does not care for females who dare to voice an opinion, much less an expertise, on any intelligent subject.”

“Perhaps you are being a little harsh in your judgment,” said Ciara.

“And perhaps you are feeling overly romantic,” countered her friend. She softened her sarcasm with a quick smile. “Don’t worry
about me,
bella
. I am quite content with my own company. As you say, the afternoon promises to be lovely, the children are occupied, and
so we should enjoy a few carefree hours while we can.”

A call to her coachman sprung the horses.
“Ciao, bella.”

“Ciao,”
murmured Ciara, wondering why Alessandra seemed to have taken such a dislike to Lord James.

Granted, the man did have an intimidating air about him, but once he relaxed his reserve, he was rather… interesting.

However, as Lucas crossed the graveled drive, she decided not to let worries about the others intrude on her thoughts. There
was too much unspoken between her and the earl.
And unresolved,
she admitted. They had not had the chance to discuss in private the change in their relationship. Indeed, it almost seemed
that he had gone out of his way to be distant.
Detached.

Was he regretting their intimacy? Lucas was a man who made no secret of his aversion to complications in his life. He certainly
hadn’t bargained for getting involved in the dangers of her own sordid situation.

“Sweetheart, the day is far too fine for concern to cloud your face.” Looking carefree as a boy, Lucas shifted the rucksack
on his shoulder. “Come, let us enjoy the outing. It is, after all, the perfect opportunity to test what progress I am making
in my studies.” His eyes twinkled, green as the surrounding gorse. “I have yet to hear how my efforts have been graded.”

“Hadley,” she began.

“Lucas,” he corrected.

She had to lengthen her stride to keep pace with him. “Lucas, let us not beat around the bush. We must talk—”

“Yes, yes, so we must. But there will be plenty of time later. Let us enjoy a lighthearted hour or two before turning serious.”

She was just as happy to delay the discussion. “Very well.”

The haze soon burned off, and as she and Lucas started up the steep path for the cliffs, the breeze turned balmy. Ciara lifted
her face, breathing in the tangy scent of sea salt, wild thyme, and sunbleached cedar. The smooth stone mirrored the bright
reflections of light and the shimmering blue of the seas.

“Look, a kestrel.” Up ahead, Lucas stopped and snapped open his spyglass. “It’s an immature male,” he announced. “See the
white feathers on the underside of its wings?”

“Yes.” She shaded her eyes. “Is that a plover swooping down by the strand?”

“An oystercatcher,” he corrected. “You can tell by the shape of the wings in flight.”

He continued a running commentary on his observations, surprising her with the depth of his knowledge. Memorizing a few rudimentary
basics was one thing, but his enthusiasm was unfeigned as he chatted about habitats, migration, and feather patterns.

Ciara dropped her gaze from the sky. “As a matter of fact, I did have a chance to read over your answers to the classroom
test.”

“Indeed?” For just an instant, his smile looked a trifle tentative. “And?”

“Actually, you earned a perfect grade.” She tucked a windblown curl behind her ear. “I confess, I did not have very high expectations
of you as a disciplined student. However, you’ve excelled at your studies, even though I didn’t make it easy for you. You
should be very proud of yourself.”

“Learning a few facts about birds is hardly something to crow about,” replied Lucas with an offhand shrug. However, as he
turned away to watch a flock of seagulls take flight, she saw that her praise had brought a flush of color to his cheekbones.

Her heart gave a sudden, unexpected flutter at seeing him look so happy. “Go ahead and bask in the brilliance of your accomplishments
for the present,” she said. “Things are bound to get tougher as we go along.”

“Very well. I shall listen to my teacher’s advice and simply enjoy the moment.” Eyes glinting with laughter, he grinned. “Now
follow me.”

On reaching the top of the promontory, Lucas led the way through the rocky outcroppings to a secluded spot overlooking one
of the many coves that dotted the coast. The ledge was flat, and a tumble of wind-carved granite afforded shelter from the
wind.

“You seem to know your way around these cliffs,” remarked Ciara as he set down his rucksack and shook out the picnic blanket
tied to its straps.

“I spent a lot of time here when I was a lad. Henry was often busy in his laboratory, and instead of studying my lessons,
I would sneak off to explore.” Lucas made a wry face. “Likely his hair would have gone gray a lot sooner had he seen me larking
around the sheer drops and tidal currents.” He threaded a hand through his own curling locks. “Lud, I was a horrid little
devil. It’s a wonder he didn’t hire a stork to deliver me to some poor, unsuspecting family.”

Ciara smiled. “Despite your many faults, he seems to have no regrets with having you in his life.”

“I feel I’ve had far the better of the bargain,” mused Lucas. He watched two ivory gulls circling overhead. “How do you and
your friend feel about this
tendre
between Lady Ariel and Henry?”

“Nothing but joy that they have both found such happiness,” she said softly. “I think it is a perfect match. And you?”

He chuckled. “I couldn’t be more delighted. The two of them make a very endearing pair of lovebirds.”

“Indeed.” She sat down on the sun-warmed stone and drew her knees to her chest. “I know your opinion of matrimony is that
it sucks the life out of a person. And yet, I believe they will both find a second youth with each other.”

A grunt was his only answer. Unbuckling the flap of his bag, Lucas began to unpack its contents—Stilton cheese, fresh bread,
ripe pears, and a bottle of Mosel wine appeared from the wrappings of oilskin.