The Rake and the Recluse REDUX (a time travel romance) (21 page)

“Yes, Your Grace, thank you. I truly thought I was done for, and I had only just begun.”

“After this turn you will be quite successful in landing yourself an acceptable peer, and your mother should enjoy a successful Season for you. That is obviously what she wants.” He nodded toward her mother, who was watching and attempting to listen to their conversation, from much closer than she’d been before.

Lady Alice sipped her lemonade. “Since we seem to be speaking freely, Your Grace, I should tell you that I’m not interested in landing you as a husband. Or any other blue blood, for that matter.”

She looked back to her mother, then leaned toward him, whispering. “You see, Your Grace, I am already promised to someone. He only has to prove himself before he approaches Papa.”

Gideon cocked a brow.

“He is not of the peerage, so they certainly won’t be too keen on the notion,” she added.

“Why are you telling me this?”

Lady Alice bit her lip. “I— I am not sure. I suppose because you were so, well— I’m just not interested in you,” she finished with a nod.

“Defending your own honor? I cannot blame you, I suppose. I have acted somewhat boorish this evening.” He swirled his lemonade. “I’m guessing your family doesn’t know about your betrothed.”

Dismay crossed her features. “You would not— You will not say anything? Will you?”

“I have no interest in betraying your trust. It occurs to me that whichever gentleman you tip your cap for will be fortunate. I only hope that he is as deserving of such a sweet girl as you.”

She blushed at the bold compliment, then noticed her mother was anxiously pacing, surely wanting to return Alice to the ball to take advantage of the duke’s good graces. “Actually, Your Grace, he is— As you will find...”

He was just about to ask what she was on about when her mother interrupted, rather ungracefully. “Pardon, Your Grace, but my daughter should return. I have no doubt her dance card would be filled by now, had she not been out here on the terrace.”

Gideon gave her a cutting stare.
Her dance card. Right.
So be it. He wasn’t her quarry, but the woman was using him to field them.

“Alice,” he said, using only her Christian name without permission, “might I entreat you for another dance this evening?”

She smiled at his dismissal of her mother and curtseyed.

“Of course, Your Grace, I would be most honored,” she said, handing him the card.

He listed his name for another waltz, then, with a wry grin and casting a sideways glance at her overbearing mother, he wrote his brother’s name in no less than two places and proceeded to sprinkle his cousins throughout.

Handing it back to Alice, he leaned in. “Lady Alice, there is someone you
must
make the acquaintance of.”
Preferably
before the next dance begins.

She returned the grin and took his arm. He led her back to the ballroom while her mother shuffled to keep up.

They strode across the cavernous room, sidestepping the gentlemen who placed themselves in her path and losing her mother in the sea of guests. He scanned the ballroom for his brother, finally catching sight of him as he walked in from the terrace behind a suitably rumpled chit.

Gideon grunted and walked directly toward him. “Trumbull,” he said, “may I present Lady Alice Gracin.”

Perry lifted his brows as he finished straightening his waistcoat.

“Lady Alice, I present to you Lord Peregrine Trumbull, Viscount Roxleigh.”

She curtseyed and proffered her hand to Perry, who smiled the brilliant smile that was known to make women swoon, and kissed her hand while she giggled behind hers.

Rake,
Gideon thought.

Perry glanced at his brother while his mind raced to figure out what Gideon was about; his brother knew he never dabbled with innocents. Perry smiled crookedly at the vision in his mind.

“Lady Alice, I am most honored to make your acquaintance.”

Gideon leaned in and whispered to his brother as a waltz started, then:  “Well, Trumbull, according to the lady’s dance card, this is
your
waltz.”

Perry laughed, holding his hand out to her. “So it is,” he said jovially, then swept her out to the floor.

She smiled. “What did he whisper to you, my lord, if I might ask?”

“Ah, my lady, I’m not entirely sure I should answer. I will tell you that my brother has no patience for overbearing women such as your mother, and that we are to endeavor to keep you busy…
all night
.” He waggled his brows.

She blushed wildly, much to his delight.

He laughed. “Have no fear, sweet, your innocence is quite safe. I was merely referring to the ball.”

Alice searched through the crowed to find Gideon conversing with their cousins. They all turned to watch the pair of them dance, and Gideon winked at her. Perry laughed, and she tensed in his arms. He looked around to find her mother scowling at them.

“Your mother.” he said, with a nod in her direction.

Her eyes widened, then her jaw tensed, apparently attempting to quell a much-too-satisfied smile. She understood. Looking up into Perry’s face with a laugh, she said, “Why, Lord Trumbull, I never expected to find myself a champion tonight, much less two.”

“Or five, I’d imagine.” He grinned. “You are charming! My brother does pick them well.”

At the request of the dowager, Gideon made his way to the library. He knew not what she was about, only that he wasn’t keen to disappoint her again.

Two royal guards met him at the door and he felt his back straighten without a thought. By the grace of God, Queen Victoria. His breath stilled—even his lungs were nervous. He felt eyes on him, though he could swear nobody had even so much as twitched. Damn bloody good at what they did. He pointed to the door, and they made no motion to help him or stop him, so he reached for it—slowly.

“Roxleigh, what by heavens has kept you? Dear boy, it seems I’ve been waiting for ages.”

“Your Majesty.” He bowed as far as his waistcoat allowed, then pressed further.

“Stand up, let me look on you. I see. Well, keeping you up north does something for your complexion. It appears we have more sunshine up there than here.”

“Your Majesty ” His fingers twisted behind his back.

“Well, I’ve come to remind you. I cannot wait forever, and that cousin of yours is much too eager and much too close for my taste.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I believe I might have a ready solution that quite, well, quite came by way of accident.”

“I hear you do not know who she is.” He started to shake his head, then was struck with the thought that nobody knew of Francine outside of his household.

“Minor obstacle.”

“One that must be remedied. You of all people cannot simply marry. You are Roxleigh.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I understand.” He cast his eyes downward— perhaps for a moment to think, he wasn’t sure. But in that moment she moved toward him faster than any person of her age had right to do.

“I see. So it’s like that, is it?”

“Apologies, Your Majesty. Like what?” His palms were sweating inside his gloves and her hand came out to lift his chin.

“You love her.”

There went his lungs again. Undoubtedly he would have permanent damage from lack of oxygen. Terribly inconvenient.

“Do not attempt to cozen me, Roxleigh. I can see it plain as day. You seem to forget—”

“I have not forgotten, Your Majesty. I beg pardon, nobody could possibly forget His Royal Highness. As always, you have my deepest sympathies.” He watched her eyes; she seemed so deep in thought that he felt like an intruder. After a time, she whispered and he had to lean toward her to hear the quiet words.

“Make her yours, Roxleigh. Whatever it takes, then hold on to her for as long as you possibly can.” She nodded and swept out of the room without another word.

The rest of the night was spent with his cousins, who laughed and danced through the evening, endeavoring to entertain Lady Gracin, protect Lady Saorise, and enliven Lady Isadore and Lady Maebh. The ladies never wanted for a partner, as the gentleman were on constant call.

For the first time ever, Gideon was actually disappointed to leave a societal ball. On their way out he made sure to invite the dowager countess to his house party at the end of the summer.

“I only wanted to provide you with advanced notice. The formal invitation will follow, of course,” he said.

“Of course, Your Grace,” she replied, “and I shall be honored to attend.”

“The honor will be mine, my lady, particularly if you bring your charming granddaughter.”

“Why, Your Grace, I most certainly will.”

And with that the dashing brothers departed.

“One more stop I think, Grover,” Gideon said two days later, eliciting a groan from Perry. They had spent all of Friday before the ball making the rounds of London and most of Saturday as well. He dealt his brother a vicious glance and Perry feigned retreat across the carriage. “Take us to Knightsbridge. I have business at Harrods.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the coachman replied.

Perry gave his brother a sideways glance. “You
never
have business at Harrods,” he grumbled.

“I do today.” Gideon smiled, drawing a hearty laugh from Perry.

They spent the afternoon perusing the monstrous store. Perry glared at Gideon, who was examining a silver comb. “Visiting shops should not be such a chore for one as well appointed as you,” Gideon murmured.

“I do none of my own purchasing, brother. This escapade is akin to having teeth yanked. I will, however, endure further for your benefit,” he said, then paused. “If you deem it necessary.”

“I do so deem it,” Gideon replied, with a sly half-smile.

“You are gathering some rather extravagant gifts, Gideon. Does this mean you have made a decision about your guest?” Perry fingered the matched silver brush on the counter. Gideon put the comb down and picked it up.

“Well, I can’t truly make a decision until I know more about her, but in all honesty I plan to do what it takes to care for her.”

“That sounds rather formal.”

Gideon motioned at the set. “To be delivered to Roxleigh House.” He turned to Perry. “Formal it might be, but it is also as it should be.”

Perry nodded and followed as Gideon moved toward the front entry and the carriage.

Perry couldn’t help but chuckle. “So, dear brother, what fresh hell have we to visit next?” he asked as they took their seats in the carriage.

Gideon shifted uncomfortably. “I need a dress shop,” he mumbled.

Perry dropped his walking cane, his jaw agape and eyes bulging. This time, Gideon was the one to chuckle.

The brothers entered the Iron Duke Taproom, laughing. “But will she like it?” Gideon asked.

“Ah, but she must. She has no choice,” Perry responded. They took a small table close to the front and a barmaid came over, sitting on Perry’s outstretched thigh. “Ah, Lucy, and how are you this fine evening?”

Gideon watched as Perry surveyed her curves with his hands and his eyes.