Scandalous Redemption (Ladies and Scoundrels #3) (4 page)

His vexation at her forwardness still surprised her. She had never known a man to grow angry at a woman’s advances. Did he lack experience with women? Or was it that he did not find her to his liking? In truth, she knew almost nothing about him. A situation she meant to rectify. “Pray, tell me a bit about yourself, Lord Shillington.” A light flush moved across his face.

“Such as?” His voice held a small tremor.

“Oh, I don’t know. About your family, your hobbies.”
If you have ever kissed a lady…

“I have a sister and two younger brothers. My father is the Earl of Voxton.” He looked over at her, a small grin tugged at his mouth. “Have you any siblings?”

“No. I was an only child. I did wish for brothers and sisters, but it was not to be.”

“I wished for my siblings to disappear.” He chuckled. “Of course, that was when I was but a boy, and only on occasion. I would never wish them gone now.”

She smiled, taking note of the way he seemed to be relaxing. His gate had become more confident and the tremor she detected in his voice earlier was gone. “Good old sibling rivalry, I suppose.”

“Yes. It is easy to wish one gone after they put a toad in your bed or hide your favorite toy. However, I cannot feign innocence all together. I gave back as good as I got.”

“Oh!” She placed her free hand on her chest. “The horror of it.” She shot him an amused smile. “It seems I am the lucky one. But then, I would imagine your siblings were also there to keep you company when loneliness took hold or a nightmare pulled you from your slumber. Perhaps there are no lucky ones, only people with different circumstances all trying to survive this cruel world.” She nibbled at her lip, fearing she had once again said too much.

“Yes, perhaps.” He stumbled, jerking her body toward his. Her gloved palm came to rest against the solid wall of his chest as she regained her balance. He looked around at the ground, his face flaming red. “Forgive me. There must have been something on the path.”

Was that insecurity she saw in the depth of his eyes? Regardless, he seemed embarrassed and she had no desire to increase his discomfort. She removed her hand from his chest and took hold of his arm once more. “There is nothing to forgive. Let us continue on our way and you can tell me of your hobbies.” She gave his arm a small squeeze.

“I do not suppose my hobbies are much different from any other gentleman’s. I enjoy riding, attending races, and my clubs.” He led her closer to a grove of trees.

“I too enjoy equestrian sports. It seems we have something in common.”

“I rarely miss my evening ride. When I must, my stable master sees to it that my horse is exercised. Beauty would be unmanageable otherwise.”

“Beauty is your horse?” She looked up at him with amusement.

“Indeed. My sister, Jane, named him. I did not have the heart to reject her suggestion.”

It was as if he had two sides. He had a gentleness and awkwardness about him that enthralled her. Nevertheless, she could not ignore how attractive and masculine he was.

She may not be on the market for a husband, but she suspected he would make a splendid bedmate. Excitement raced through her veins at the idea. She moved a bit closer, inhaling his spicy scent as she studied his features. Perhaps he could be her lover.

SCANDALOUS REDEMPTION

CHAPTER FOUR

Henry could not
deny how much he enjoyed Lady Akford’s company. Nor could he recall the last time he engaged in such easy conversation with a lady. Something about her put him at ease and made him want to share his personal life with her. He nearly forgot how dangerous the lady could be as they strolled along the paths. Surely, a lady such as her had no genuine interest in him.

He glanced at Lady Akford, taking in her delicate features. It would be easy to fall into her snare. She already had him half trapped with her easy smiles and somber eyes. His heart ached for the scandal and still ongoing gossip she withstood. An urge to help her filled him despite the consequences that could ensue. He had the strangest desire to understand the circumstances of her past. To forgive her indiscretions come what may.

A marble bench came into view, nestled by a fountain. “Might we sit for a spell?”

“I would like that.” Lady Akford angled her parasol to reveal more of her face.

She was a striking woman indeed, with the features of a porcelain doll and the curves of a temptress. Fine lines had yet to creep into her face, her eyes captivated with their catlike slat and emerald coloring. Her glorious, auburn hair stood out in the crush. If he had to guess, he would say she was not a day over five and twenty. No doubt, she could have her pick of the
ton’s
gentlemen, if not for the bloody scandal that marred her reputation.

Once she settled onto the bench in a pool of yellow taffeta, he sat beside her. The previous night flashed into his mind. They had shared a similar bench as she prattled on about the past before kissing him. Part of him longed for her to do it again. For her to bring her tender pink lips to his, to tease his mouth, and beg him to make her forget her pain. He blinked against the foolhardy idea.

“What are you thinking about?” Lady Akford tipped her chin toward him.

He started at being caught studying her, then cleared his throat. “I-I was thinking about what you said last night.” Not the whole truth, but it would suffice.

“Oh. I do apologize for my words…and actions. I fear I was deep in my cups and made a complete cake out of myself.” Her cheeks bloomed crimson, but she held his stare. “I do not make a habit of overindulgence, I assure you.

“Think no more about it.” He patted her leather kid glove-covered hand before he could stop himself. “I want to understand why you went to Lord Luvington after your time of mourning had ended. Why did you not seek out family instead?” He was a bloody imbecile. The one topic he should not discuss with her and he just threw the gates wide open. He glanced away, inwardly scolding himself for his stupidity.

Lady Akford cast her eyes at the ground. “It is a rather--”

“There you are,” a cheery, feminine voice called.

Lady Wexil strolled toward them waving her fan in the air. He glanced at Lady Akford. She nibbled her bottom lip, making no move to speak further. A sigh of relief slipped past his lips. He did not want to know the answer to his inquiry, did not want to discuss his friends with her, and now he would not have to. Thank heaven for the distraction.

“I have been looking all over for my dear cousin.” Lady Wexil came to stand near the bench. “I do apologize, Lord Shillington, but I simply must pull Lady Akford away.”

“Of course.” Henry stood and reached out to help Lady Akford to her feet. When she placed her hand in his, a barrage of tingles assailed him. Something about the dangerous beauty got to him. Dare he explore it further?

“Thank you, Lord Shillington.”

He could not pull his attention from her as she walked away, chatting with Lady Wexil. The sway of her hips mesmerized him, holding his attention captive as her singsong voice wrapped around him. When she disappeared around a bend in the path, he allowed himself to sink back on the bench.

He closed his eyes against the late afternoon sun and brought his chin to rest in his palm. He was a bloody fool. There was nothing else for it. Lady Akford captivated him. He could no more turn away from her than he could stop the sun from setting. Much as he wished to.

“Do not tell me you are taking up sun bathing now, Shillington.”

Keery’s voice snapped Henry out of his relaxed state. His chest hitched when he noticed his sister, Lady Jane, on the rake’s arm. He stood with haste to rescue his sister, though she did not appear to want his assistance. “Jane, what are you doing out here? Alone?”

“I am not alone. Quite the opposite. As you can see, I am with Lord Keery and my maid is a proper distance behind us.”

He shot Keery a scowl when the rogue dared to chuckle, then turned his attention back to Jane. “All the same, allow me to take you back to the house.”

Jane let her fingers drop away from Lord Keery’s arm. She offered a curtsy. “Thank you for the pleasant stroll, Lord Keery.”

“My pleasure.” Keery winked at Jane. He approached Henry and leaned closer to whisper near his ear. “Relax. I have no interest in your sister.” He straightened and turned his rakish grin on Jane. “Good day, my lady.”

Henry peered at Keery then proffered his arm to Jane. She glared at him but rested her fingers on his coat sleeve all the same. He turned her back toward the house as Keery continued in the opposite direction.

Her maid had yet to come into view. He would deal with the servant at his earliest opportunity. To think, his baby sister out for a stroll with a nefarious rake and her maid, who did not make a proper chaperone to begin with, was nowhere in sight. It was unconscionable. With such behavior, she would find herself the subject of the latest
on dit
, and sooner rather than later.

He turned his head, pinning her with his gaze. “Jane, you are not to keep company with Lord Keery unless you are well chaperoned. Even then, I would prefer you did not engage him. The man has a reputation and you well know it.”

Jane swatted him with her fan. “You are being overbearing, brother. I told you my maid was with us. Besides, Lord Keery is your friend. He would not harm me.”

“Your maid is nowhere in sight.” Henry made a show of glancing around. “Do tell, where has she gone off to?”

“I am afraid I do not rightly know. All the same, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Lord Keery was a perfect gentleman. He only accompanied me because Lady Gillian took ill while we were strolling. I assure you it was nothing more than a kindness.”

“Being my friend does not make him a good suitor.” Henry doubted very much that Keery’s actions had been honorable. He could only hope the rakehell had acted thoughtfully to gain the affections of some other lady. His dear sister did not know the first thing about men.

Despite her previous three seasons, she had yet to garner anyone’s attention. She would be defenseless against the charms of a skilled rake. Had that been what happened to Lady Akford? Had she been helpless against Luvington’s advances all those years ago?

Jane tugged on his arm. “Perhaps you should fret more about your own company and less about mine. What are you doing with that…that…. Oh, you know very well what she is.”

He drew them to a stop and turned to look at her. “Lady Akford is a fine woman who made a mistake in her youth. Had you been found alone with Lord Keery, you would be in the same position. Irrevocably ruined.”

Jane’s cheeks blazed. “She is a strumpet. Everyone says so.”

Her assessment upset him more than he cared to admit. The muscle in his jaw ticked as he fought to push down his rising anger. “Lady Wexil and Duchess Abernathy do not think so, nor do I. The rest of the
ton
is mistaken.”

“Very well, brother.” Jane’s eyes flashed with indignation. “It does not change the fact she is ruined in the
ton’s
eyes. You are the heir to an Earldom, a Viscount for heaven’s sake. You need a proper wife and should be spending your time looking for one.”

“I am more concerned with your prospects.” Henry turned and set them back into motion.

Though he did not wish to admit it, Jane was correct. He did need to wed, but she was mistaken about Lady Akford. Annoyance surged in him. What if his sister was correct? The fact he could not defend Lady Akford wholeheartedly only served to rankle him further.