Claimed By Chaos (29 page)

Chapter 52

A few evenings later, Giselle was wary. Alastair had been surprisingly agreeable and was letting her lead them. At the moment, she was waiting for Weering to greet her and Mirabelle as they entered his ballroom. Alastair agreed to arrive later, after most of the other guests had arrived to give Weering an opportunity to approach Giselle.

“Lady St. Claire! I’m honored to welcome you to my home.” Weering drawled as he bowed over Giselle’s hand. She had to admit, he could be charming. He looked around and smiled as he raised his head. “It seems you are without your usual escort.” Giselle smiled and shrugged nonchalantly.

“I’m certain he will turn up.” She made her expression soft and held his gaze. He grinned and leaned forward.

“Then I shall have to take advantage and steal a dance before he does, my lady.” He teased. His demeanor was gently flirtatious and playful. She giggled and looked down as if she was bashful.

“You can’t steal something if it is given, my lord.” Giselle said softly. Mirabelle turned and pretended to object.

“We should move along, Lady St. Claire.” Mirabelle scolded. Weering bowed to Mirabelle and took her hand.

“Welcome to my home, Your Grace. You are as lovely as ever.” Weering murmured. Mirabelle smiled softly.

“Thank you, Lord Weering.” She curtsied and grabbed Giselle by the arm and made a show of tugging her into the ballroom.

Once they were far enough away, Mirabelle leaned close.

“That scoundrel! I bet those poor young wives of his never saw him coming.” She hissed. Giselle nodded as she scanned the doors and windows around the room.

“Destroying him will be a pleasure.” She whispered as she smiled vaguely in greeting at the people they passed.

It was curious, the number of people that described themselves as “a close friend” of her mother or father. Everyone was so “friendly” yet almost no one recalled either of her parents’ names. Giselle had noticed that as the ton became more convinced of the imminence of the announcement of her and Alastair’s engagement, interest and attention had begun to wane. The younger set was beginning to find more titillating targets and most of the marriage minded gentleman had moved on. Only the more confidant and mature eligible gentlemen, like Weering, were still interested. The older generations were still watching as were those that had social and political aspirations but for the most part, the furor had died down.

Giselle and Mirabelle continued to make their way around the room, stopping occasionally to join small groups or take refreshments until Weering bowed before them.

“Lady St. Claire, I was hoping you would do me the honor.” He smiled suavely as the strains of a waltz played. Giselle smiled brightly as she reached for his arm.

“You do me the honor, my lord!” She returned as he led her to the floor. She waited until he was guiding her around the room before she smiled softly up at him. “You have a lovely home.” She watched as he lowered his eyes to hers and appeared to become sad.

“Thank you, my lady. But I’m afraid it’s nothing more than a cold, empty prison for me. A man doesn’t have a home if he doesn’t have a wife and a family.” Weering’s eyes became large and soulful as they searched hers. Giselle returned his emotional gaze.

“I did hear about your loss, I’m so sorry!” She let him pull her closer. He remained quiet for a few minutes, as if he was trying to control his emotions before he nodded weakly and sighed.

“As my heart’s greatest desire is to have a family, a wife to cherish and children to spoil, I have decided to push through my grief and search for love again.” Weering managed a shy smile before he looked away. Giselle had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. He was laying it on thick. Though she couldn't deny that if she were a typical young lady, his bait would be irresistible. He was the picture of a perfect, middle aged bachelor. He was handsome and knew how to use his status as a widow to great advantage. Giselle waited until his gaze returned to her to sigh dramatically, causing her breasts to swell in her bodice as she leaned a little closer. She saw his eyes widen before they flicked to her face. She blinked innocently as she bit her lip.

“You poor man!” Giselle whispered shakily as the waltz drew to a close. He bowed over her hand and she pretended to be conflicted about returning to Mirabelle. He raised her hand to his lips as he stepped close.

“God, you're lovely!” He gasped. She managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes as he smacked himself in the forehead. “I can’t believe I said that out loud! Forgive me, my lady.” His eyes pleaded and Giselle inclined her head.

“There’s nothing to forgive.” She said sweetly a she pretended to hesitate toward Mirabelle.

“I hope that you will allow me another dance.” Weering said as he stepped back.

“I’d like that.” Giselle nodded as she backed away. Mirabelle rushed forward and took Giselle’s arm.

“Come along. You’re going to get trampled!” She scolded as she turned Giselle. “Well?” Mirabelle hissed as she pulled her toward the retiring room.

“He’s good. Very good.” Giselle said under her breath. “He has to be stopped before another young lady falls into his trap.”

Giselle rose on her tiptoes as she scanned the ballroom.
Where is Alastair? And why do I
have to be this short?
She wondered. She gasped as a hand slid around her waist and a body pressed behind her. She looked over her shoulder and familiar silver eyes claimed hers.

“Who are you looking for?” His voice was low and made goosebumps spill down her arms. She licked her lips and had to stop herself from closing the distance to his.

“You.” Giselle admitted. He smiled wolfishly.

“Good.” He raised her hand to his lips and caressed her knuckles.

He looked around and waited for a moment before he pulled her back through the door, out of the ballroom. He swung her around as he checked the hallway and placed her hand on his sleeve. There were only a few people milling around and they didn’t notice as he swiftly guided her into another hallway. It was unlit and unoccupied. Alastair grabbed Giselle’s hand as he hurried toward the end. He looked over his shoulder before he pushed a door open and pulled her in after him.

Giselle blinked as her eyes scanned the room. It was Weering’s study. Alastair left the door cracked as he nodded toward the desk. She crossed the room quickly and went around it. She started pulling drawers open silently as he started testing books and tapping the walls. Giselle picked up a ledger and flipped through it and frowned when she saw that it was empty. Her head tilted when she looked at the inkwell on the desktop. It was full. She opened another drawer and reached for the stationary and held it up. It was new. Her face swung to Alastair’s and she shook her head.

“This isn't right.” She whispered. He nodded as he pressed on the seat of the desk chair and swore under his breath. It was stiff.

“He doesn't use this room. We won’t find anything here.” Alastair took her hand and led her back to the door quickly. He carefully pulled it open and peeked out. He grabbed her elbow and guided her through and shut it silently. He was setting her hand on his sleeve when his head snapped up. Alastair grabbed her waist and swiftly pushed her against the wall, deeper into the shadows. His hand slid around her neck and his lips crashed upon hers. Giselle moaned softly and pushed her hand into his hair just before she heard footsteps.

Alastair raised his head and she strained to see who was approaching them. She felt Alastair tense as Weering drew close. Giselle pretended to hide her face as Alastair stepped back.

“Weering.” His voice was flat. Weering’s eyes narrowed as they met his and then swung to Giselle. He frowned as he looked at her.

“I was hoping I would find you but it seems I’m too late. Such a shame.” He let his eyes drift down her body slowly. “A shame, indeed.” He ignored Alastair’s snarl and the tensing of his body. Weering shook his head softly and turned on his heel. “Back to the hunt.” He said as he waved jauntily.

Giselle scowled at his back as she stepped close to Alastair.

“We’re going to kill him, right?” She whispered as she looked up at him. He nodded stiffly.

“Right.” He took her arm and led her back to the ballroom. “After we come back and search the rest of this house.” He said under his breath as they stepped back into the ballroom. Giselle smiled in anticipation.

“When would you like to do that?” She asked as they spotted Mirabelle and Lucien.

“Tomorrow night, after he leaves to visit his mistress.” Alastair’s voice was low as he steered her through the crowd. “I’ve had enough of this place for tonight.” She nodded in agreement as they reached Mirabelle and Lucien.

Chapter 53

“Come. Let’s go for a ride.” Alastair said a he rose. He offered Giselle his hand and she made a disgruntled sigh as she stood.

Gilles felt his lips curve as he watched them depart. He settled onto the lounge next to Elise and his head fell to the side as he noticed her frown.

“What’s wrong?” He asked softly. Elise’s head tilted as she listened. She was tense and still. Finally, her attention focused on Gilles.

“It’s Alastair and Giselle.” She said softly as she pressed her hands to his chest and leaned close.

“What?” He whispered as he looked out the window and watched Alastair lift Giselle to the seat of the phaeton.

“The change in Alastair is remarkable. He used to be reserved and restrained. Now, he’s so open and vulnerable. It’s like he reaches for her and he’s warm and vibrates when he’s close to her. He loves her so much, Gilles. But sometimes, he’s afraid.” Elise’s expression became unsure and she bit her lip, as if she had something she didn’t want to say. Gilles raised his hand and tucked a curl behind Elise’s ear.

“And Giselle?” He felt himself become tense. Elise took a steadying breath.

“She’s so happy when he enters the room. She becomes warm and soft. I feel her love for him and she… craves him. It’s so strong and focused.” Her voice died away. Gilles raised her face and looked down at her. Her eyes watered and her lip trembled.

“This all sounds very good.” He said cautiously. Elise nodded.

“It is but then she… extinguishes it. One minute, she’s warm like a candle and then it’s as if someone blew it out. She becomes harder and… closed. I can’t feel anything. She feels like a wall and she withdraws from him.” She rested her head on his chest and he ran his fingers through her hair absently as he worried.

“I don’t know what to do. He’s so determined and it’s obvious that things have gone too far for either of them to turn back. I was worried about him before I learned about this… affliction of his.” Gilles felt a pain in his chest as regret bloomed within him. “Why didn’t I see it?” He asked softly as he rested his cheek on Elise’s head.

“He didn’t want us to and he was very good at hiding it. I couldn’t feel it before. It just felt like he was guarded and distant.” She laughed but it was almost sad. “I feel it now. Whatever it was that he used to shield it is gone. He’s lost it since he found her.”

“I don’t think there’s a lot we can do now. I’ll talk to her later and make sure she understands that this isn’t just some dalliance for him.” Gilles hoped that would be enough. Elise leaned and her head tilted back.

“Don’t misunderstand, I love Giselle! She’s wonderful and I sincerely hope that she’ll be my sister. I’m just so worried for Alastair.” She insisted. He nodded as he lowered his lips to hers.

“Me too, my love.” He whispered against her mouth. Then, he set all thoughts about his brother and Giselle aside.

Gilles shut the study door and went to the sideboard. He poured two brandies and turned. He handed one to Giselle as she watched him sit and pull his chair close.

“How are you enjoying your time here at Spencer Place and in London?” He asked casually. Giselle’s eyes narrowed.

“I love Spencer Place and the family. They are all more wonderful than I imagined. London is exactly as I imagined.” She said as she set her drink on the table. “What is it you want to talk about? You wouldn’t have asked me in here if you wanted my opinions as a tourist.” Giselle’s eyes searched his face as she waited. Gilles took a large gulp of his brandy before he set it down. He didn’t like the defiance he sensed in her.

“I have concerns about you and Alastair.” He said carefully. Her head tilted and she sat back.

“That’s rather personal.” She crossed her arms and legs. Gilles nodded as his eyes held hers.

“It absolutely is. He’s my brother and my closest friend.” He silently invited her to argue. She snorted and shook her head.

“You’re so close but you’ve been blind to some very important things about him.” Giselle accused as she stood and started pacing. Gille felt her words like a blow, he sat back and rubbed his hand across his mouth.

“Not because I didn’t care or wasn’t there for him. And that doesn’t mean that I have no right to protect him now.” His voice was hard and she flinched.

“You all underestimate him, constantly. And I would hurt myself before I hurt him.” She swore. Gilles sighed as he reached for his drink.

“Giselle, I think there are things you don’t know or understand about him as well.” He said softly. Her head snapped toward him and she froze. He gestured for her to sit. She hesitated before she returned and sunk to the seat. He leaned forward. “Alastair has never been in love before. We’ve never seen him connect with anyone outside of the family. He’s never tried.” Gilles saw that she was effected. Her eyes flared and her lip trembled. He nodded. “He isn’t capable of doing anything by half and he puts everything ahead of himself. Especially those he loves.” He waited while she absorbed his words. She frowned.

“That’s not unusual. Most people are willing to sacrifice themselves for those they love.” Giselle’s voice was soft and Gilles knew that she was making him a promise. He felt somewhat relieved. When her eyes met his again he continued.

“Alastair’s definition of sacrifice may be different from most people’s. And he has a tendency to be very destructive with himself.” He paused when her face clouded with worry.

“What do you mean?” She whispered.

“He’s never been afraid of injuring himself, in any way. I think he’s risked his body, his mind and his life in… appalling ways that we’ll never know about. The only thing that’s stopped him at times has been his love for us. I don’t know what he’ll do if things end badly between you two.” Gilles saw the impact of his words. Giselle’s eyes started to water and she looked away.

“What if I have to hurt him to protect him?” Her voice wavered and Gilles reached for her hand. She let him take it and looked at him. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to protect him.” Her gaze was fierce. He sighed as he cupped her cheek.

“Just make sure you don’t underestimate him and that you’re protecting him from something real.” Gilles saw that she wanted to ask him a question but she nodded and reached for her brandy. He decided not to push her. He hoped he wouldn’t regret the decision.