Goaded by her cool demeanor, Garrett reached out and snagged her fingers in his. Unwilling to release her, he pried opened her palm to reveal the gold watch. She held herself rigid. Did he frighten her, or was she merely too proud to tug against his grip? With an irresistible urge to shock her sensibilities, he raised her hand to his lips. Turning it over, he pressed his open mouth upon the silk of her glove and then slowly slid his tongue along the sleek fabric.
The silk was scented with something floral, but the material itself tasted sweet. Cruel satisfaction infused his cold heart when he felt her tremble. “A lady such as yourself should never be hurried. Won’t you allow me to escort you to your destination?”
She glanced up with a shudder. Her expression nearly crushed him.
She was horrified!
Shaking her head from side to side, she practically cringed. “Oh, no! You mustn’t, my lord. My father…I cannot possibly…No one must see me speaking to you!” And then, pulling her hand from his, she grasped her maid from behind and pushed her way past. As she did so, the tight space of the path forced her to brush her entire person against him.
“I’m so very sorry, my lord,” she mumbled into his coat as she passed. For such a feminine creature, she’d shownsurprising strength. As his hands instinctively grasped her hips, he was momentarily, and most inconveniently, tempted by the womanly curves pressed against him. But Lady Natalie Spencer’s response was chilling. He would detain her no longer. For but a moment he wished she weren’tone of them.
But only for a moment.
And then, she disappeared as quickly as she’d come.
More than even before, he burned to depart London and all it represented. Even if that meant returning to Maple Hall.
He had one last appointment today, and then he would leave and perhaps never return. He only wished he could dispense with his father’s dubious legacy so easily.
Sharing a pintof ale with one of his oldest friends, Garrett suppressed a twinge of guilt. Stone Spencer, ironically enough, was an elder brother to the lady he’d practically accosted not an hour ago in the park.
Meeting up by chance, Stone had suggested sharing a quick drink at this place, an anonymous pub just outside Mayfair. He would have known that Garrett wasn’t welcome at White’s. Even Brooks’ would balk if Garrett were to present himself.
Shame prodded Garrett as his old schoolmate ordered another round of drinks. Along with everyone else, Stone could have easily severed ties with Garrett. But he did not. In fact, he admonished some of those who had. And he worried for Garrett, God save him. The last thing Garrett wanted was pity.
“When you retrieve your mother’s trunks, you must stay at Raven’s Park for at least a fortnight,” Stone insisted. “Mymother will expect nothing less.” The Season was wrapping up, and much of London society was preparing to removethemselves to various country estates for the warmer months. Raven’s Park was one of the finest.
Although tempted, Garrett had misgivings. In spite of his and Stone’s lengthy friendship, and a few business transactions with the earl, Garrett had always done his best to keep himself separate from the Spencer clan. He was an outsider.
As he’d come to realize how perverse his own father was, he’d increasingly avoided invitations which would put him close to “normal” families such as Stone’s. Hearing Stone’s stories and adolescent complaints had taunted him enough.
To accept their hospitality now might feel something like…charity.
He’d also belatedly recalled the daughter had recently broken her engagement to a duke. The last thing the family would wish for at this time would be to associate with one such as himself.
Ravensdale, perhaps, as they’d done business together in the past. But the mother was a high stickler, and Lady Natalie—although she looked like an angel—had proven again today that she considered herself superior.
Even before the scandal with his father, she’d given Garrett the cut direct on several occasions. And now she’d jilted a duke—the Duke of Cortland, no less!
The thought of Ravensdale’s ire directed at the spoiled miss gave Garrett a small measure of gratification. He must have been livid, for the union between Cortland and Lady Natalie would have been a dynastic one. Garrett couldn’t help shaking his head in wonder at the chit’s impudence. Ravensdale might lock her away for years, under the circumstances. He wondered that she’d appeared in public at all.
But none of that concerned him.
“Maple Hall’s reduced to a pile of rubble, Stone. I can’t take a holiday now.”
His friend persisted. “Maple Hall isn’t going anywhere. Stopin there first, if you must, but then come to Raven’s Park and stay for a spell. I refuse to take no for an answer. You must collect your belongings regardless. Might as well take a holiday, allow yourself some time to rest—to grieve. I’m certain Mother won’t be entertaining, what with Natalie’s little scandal. We’ll get in some fishing, perhaps some hunting, and in the village, other amusements.” Stone waggled his eyebrows, mocking Garrett’s serious countenance.
“I will not mourn him,” Garrett said.
At which point Stone became serious again. “Nonetheless, you will come?”
Garrett felt his resolve weakening. Stone was relentless when he chose to be. “Very well. I do need to address the conditions at Maple Hall first, so it will be close to a fortnight before I arrive. I have your word you’ll notify me if your parents object to the idea?”
“Absolutely.”
Garrett shook his head again, exasperated. He hoped this visit wasn’t a mistake.
THE MORNING OF
