Alexander leaped to his feet, backing away from her, running a hand through his now tousled hair.
“I’m sorry, lass. I…I dinnae ken whit got intae me. I must be aff ma heid!”
Violet just looked at him, breathing hard and flushed. Then she realized she was still laying down. Hastily, she got to her feet with a protective arm over her bosom, as she reached for her chemise and dress, smoothing her skirts, and patting her hair, hoping it hadn’t been rumpled out of all semblance of decency.
“I’m not following your words but I’m getting the sense of them,” she said, turning away from him and pulling on her chemise and dress.
“I’m sorry, lass…I mean, Lady Violet. I…really don’t know what madness or devilry possessed me,” he stuttered, looking away.
He sounded earnest. Violet turned, feeling equally as ashamed as he sounded. He had backed away from her, now standing before the mantlepiece on the other side of the room.
“I think we were equally culpable, Your Grace…I mean…Alexander. I must be honest with you though. That is the first time I have ever…done such a thing with a man.”
She lifted her chin, realizing that this was an intimate confession but no more intimate than the act she and Alexander had been on the road to perpetrating. Alexander smiled but quickly disguised the emotion.
“It wasn’t obvious,” he said wryly.
It had not seemed possible that she could blush any harder but the heat in Violet’s face soared.
“Was it not?” she said with as much haughtiness as she could muster, not liking the suggestion that she had behaved so…loosely before.
Alexander tilted his head, leaning casually on the mantle and studying Violet. A smile returned to his face and his eyes narrowed slightly. Violet felt under intense scrutiny and it sent a thrill of excitement coursing through her.
“That wasn’t what I meant,” Alexander said. “Just that you acquitted yourself well…for a novice.”
Violet could not stop the sudden explosion of laughter that escaped her.
I am actually enjoying this duel of words almost as much as I enjoyed…the other.
“I will take that as praise from a past master,” Violet said.
“You can indeed, lassie,” Alexander said, smile broadening.
That brought images to her mind of Alexander with other women. It brought a stab of jealousy and a need to end this conversation. As though by not discussing his past she could erase it. Or at least erase those parts of it that she did not like.
I have no right to like or dislike any part of his past. It is none of my business. I am a tutor and he a means for discovering the truth of my origins. We are not lovers.
The smile faded from Alexander’s face. “Does this mean that you will not tutor me any longer?” he asked with a frown.
“I should not, but…” Violet said truthfully.
But I still have something I want from you and…I do not want to walk away from you, never to see you again. God help me, what are you turning me into!
“But?” Alexander prompted.
“I still need your help. And…I do enjoy your company. But I cannot afford a scandal. You may not care for your reputation…”
“Oh, but I do. It is my reputation that is the problem. It is the source of my woes!” Alexander said with sudden passion.
He strode across the room towards her, stopping short as though remembering their earlier folly. He looked uncomfortable for a moment, looking away from her awkwardly.
“I think we should agree to meet somewhere more public next time. That will also serve to give you practice and to allow the Ton to see you in the company of a respectable lady.”
Alexander’s grin was sudden and boyish. He nodded.
“Aye, that’s a deal.”
He spat onto his palm and offered his hand to her. Then he laughed, as Violet looked at the hand with horror.
