Chapter Five
Lord Noah Peterson
I peeked my head into the library, my heart beating unaccountably fast. After another near-sleepless night, I received a last-minute note from Oliver accepting my invitation to the race. Instead of meeting him alone, I decided to include Amelia on a whim. Until I was one hundred percent certain that he was interested in me in the physical sense, I couldn’t take the risk of it being just him and me.
Sunlight streamed through the tall window. Amelia sat in the corner, a book in hand. I cleared my throat, and she glanced up, her eyes widening in surprise. “Good afternoon, Noah.”
“It is indeed a fine afternoon to go to Epsom Downs to see a horse race, wouldn’t you agree?” I asked. I still had reservations, but if she were caught with Oliver and me, the resulting outcome wouldn’t be quite as scandalous since she’d be engaged to Oliver by week’s end.
“I would, and it is most unfair of you to remind me.” The white shirtwaist enhanced her nipped-in waist, and the lace at her neck emphasized the soft curve of her cheek. I’d missed breakfast with her and the boys because of last-minute business I had to attend to.
I flipped open my pocket watch and inclined my head to better see her expression. There was no logical reason shecouldn’t attend the races. Many young women went to the track. “What if I told you I had a change of heart?”
She snapped the book shut and hopped to her feet. Excitement emanated from her. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?”
“I do believe I am. However, we must hurry. The carriage is waiting, and I don’t wish for there to be any awkward questions.” I glanced at the time before I shut the watch case. If Lady Ellen or Lord Brimley saw us, I would have to leave Amelia behind or answer questions I wasn’t prepared to answer.
“Do not fret. Mother is hosting the quilting guild at the church, and Papa is visiting the prime minister. I will get my pelisse.” With a skip to her step, she tucked the book back onto the shelf. Her enthusiasm was contagious.
“Your maid is fetching it and a hat as we speak.” I wasn’t sure how wise it was to give in to the impulse to bring her with me. Nor to continue my pursuit of an affair with Oliver. Yet I was set on my course, nonetheless.
“You have thought of everything. Thank you, Noah.” She laid her hand on my arm, lifted onto her toes, and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I stood frozen in place during her innocent kiss when inside I wanted to angle my neck and capture her sweet mouth. I exhaled instead and followed her from the room. Her maid stood in the foyer, the outer garments in her hand.
I watched Amelia place a black hat with netting on her red curls, sticking a hatpin into the thick mass of hair. Etiquette dictated siblings spend six months in mourning. Her parents were expected to be in mourning for a year, and they expected Amelia to be as well. As a widower, my mourning period was cut down to three months. Thus by rights, I had no restrictions. I held her pelisse out and allowed her to slip her arms into the sleeves.
She began to button the garment over her plump bosom, her eagerness palpable. Color highlighted the smooth texture of her skin, and the black netting enhanced the paleness. Despite her mother’s attempts to stop them, a patch of freckles bridged her nose. I wanted to explore the rest of her body and see if she had any more hiding beyond the naked eye.
“I’m ready,” she said, the smile enhancing her fresh-faced beauty.
I held out my arm and escorted her outside. Once down the walk, we were free from prying eyes. The Brimley carriage sported a coat of arms, the sleek black surface polished to a shine. “What a lovely day for a grand adventure,” she said.
“It is indeed.”
The coach door opened, and Oliver stepped out. My pulse picked up at the sight of him. He wore a beaver hat and a brown tweed suit, the coat showing off his broad shoulders. It was no secret he had a great love of the outdoors, and I was aching to see the effects his activities had on his tall frame.
Amelia squealed with delight before placing her hand over her mouth. “Oliver, whatever are you doing here? I thought you were with the Turkish ambassador.”
“He was tired from his travels and begged off.” Oliver moved aside to allow her to enter first. When I’d first suggested we bring Amelia, he’d voiced the same concerns he’d had the previous afternoon. I agreed with him about the risks, but the reward was worth it.
Oliver climbed inside, and I had an enticing glimpse of his taut backside. If things progressed with us, I would be able to explore his strong body in greater detail. If anyone had asked me during my time in the Navy if I desired a man, I would have denied it vehemently. I’d have been lying. There had been rumors aboard the ship that some of the other sailors were involved with one another. After all, we spent months out atsea. I had been intrigued by the notion of receiving some much-needed physical release from the rigors of naval life at the hands of another. I’d never acted on it or acknowledged my curiosity until I met my author couple in France.
Amelia took a seat in the corner, and Oliver sat next to her. I climbed in and sat on the opposite bench. The servant shut the door, blocking out the noise on the street. My mind shot to a wicked place at the idea of being alone with the two of them. If they were already married, things between the three of us might progress to a titillating outcome. The shame I’d felt earlier over my desires for the couple returned with a vengeance.
Oliver and Amelia were innocents in the ways of the world. Granted, they were no longer children. I was seven years older, but I might as well be sixty. They were just starting out in their adult life, and I had lost a wife. We were at different places in life. I had to build a new future for myself and my children. Without my wife.
“I have another surprise for you,” I said, trying to keep my mind on task. Being a degenerate was exhausting. I suppressed a chuckle at my own little joke. It would be funny if it weren’t based on the truth. I had been a faithful husband to Sally and never strayed, although I’d had the opportunity. Since her death, I had had a few forgettable affairs with other discreet men whom I’d met at the Apollo Coffee House. “Hillsboro and the duchess will be in attendance.”
“Do you suppose she will be riding him?” Amelia clapped her hands, her smile broadening. “Oh, how I would love to see that.”
I choked on a laugh. Amelia had no idea she’d unwittingly uttered a double-entendre. “It would be one wild ride, to be sure.”
“I daresay she will not. The one time she raced the horse was a big scandal, and Aether had nearly been disqualified from ever racing again,” Oliver said, shaking his head and frowning.“The only thing that saved her from total ruin was her title. Hillsboro was a marquess at the time, and even a countess was near untouchable. Now that she’s a duchess, she might be able to weather the storm.”
“How very unfair. She won the race fair and square.” Amelia settled back into the cushion and huffed out a long breath. The carriage shadowed her face, but I had the impression she was fuming. She hated indignities of any sort, which made her relationship with her mother all the more tragic. Once she was out of the earl’s home, I had no doubt she’d flourish as the philanthropist she longed to become. I admired her spirit and envied her naïvety.
