To Seduce an Earl (35 page)

He could start over as a coal miner, a fisherman.
Anything
. He drew his knees up and rested his forehead in his hands. Truth was, he didn’t know if he could leave Grace. Could he let her become Rodrick’s mistress and make the same mistakes he had made? Perhaps she would reject Rodrick’s offer, and then what? She’d starve?

“Alex,” James said. “What are you doing? What is this about?”

Alex leaned his head back against the hard wall and stared up into the starless night, the sky hazy with smoke from the London factories. A hysterical bubble of laughter clogged his throat. “I don’t know. I don’t bloody know.”

James sighed. “It’s the girl, right? The one who visited a time or two?”

“Grace,” he whispered her name.
 

James reached down and grabbed the lapels of his jacket. His face only inches from Alex. “Then go to her,” he whispered low enough so Wavers and the other man wouldn’t hear. “Tell her the truth.” He hauled Alex to his feet and shoved a small, leather pouch into his hands. “From Gideon and me.”

Alex gripped the pouch, the clank of coins a merry greeting in the dark night. He shoved the pouch toward James, but he refused to take it. “I can’t ruin her.”

“Hell, Alex. She has a brother ready to sell her to the highest bidder and a man who wants to make her his mistress. I don’t really see how you’re a worse choice!”

God help him, but James’ argument was starting to sound reasonable. Alex glanced behind James at Ophelia’s two henchmen who stood guard as silent as ever. They would not argue with James, Ophelia’s prized pupil. “Lady Lavender will—”

“She’ll understand,” James whispered.
 

She wouldn’t, but he didn’t care to argue with James. No, because for the first time that night he felt the slightest stirrings of hope.
 

The offer was tempting… so tempting.

Chapter 19

“You told me three pounds just last week!”

The woman before Grace shrugged her thin, French shoulders. “Times have changed. I can only give you
duex
now.”

“Oh stuff and nonsense!” Grace grabbed the velvet dress and shoved it back into her carpet bag. Perhaps she was letting her pride get in the way, but blast it all, she was tired of people taking advantage of her dire state. “I will sell it for three pounds and nothing less.”

The woman shrugged again, looking completely unconcerned. She wasn’t going to budge. She knew how badly Grace needed the coins. But this seamstress, with her velvet curtains, chandeliers, and ideal shop on Bond Street was thriving. She had no need for the dress.

Fuming, Grace ignored the stunned expressions of the two women working with Madam Nicolette and shoved the door wide, the bell overhead tinkling. She left the fancy shop, smelling of French perfume and stepped into the brilliant spring morning. But the warmth and promise of summer did not lighten her mood.

Yes, she refused to sell even though they’d only had potatoes and chicken broth for dinner last night. Even though the maid had left this morning, fearing if she kept working for them, her next payment would never come. And even though Grace wanted to see Alex so badly, it actually hurt. Lord, she was a silly twit.

Overwhelmed, Grace paused there, in the middle of the footpath, heedless to the people pushing past her, making her stumble off balance. Although she should be worried about her future and her mother and sister’s welfare, the person forefront in her mind was
him
.

Damn Alex to hell!

She’d paced her room last night, attempting to understand her infatuation. He was a whore. He pleasured women. That fact alone made her ill, so how could she possibly want to be with him? Because…because she’d seen into his soul. His lovely, broken soul.

Ahead, Patience waved from the window of the hired hack. But Grace felt frozen with indecision, want, and need. Dare she send a note to Lavender Hills, praying the missive would make it to Alex’s hands? Would he even respond if she did?

Blast it! She wanted to curse Alex for abandoning her. Curse him for making her care. But mostly, she wanted to curse Madam Nicolette for making her take two pounds.

With a sigh of resignation, Grace forced Alex from her mind and turned back toward the dress shop. She had taken only two steps when a muscled arm wrapped around her waist. She didn’t have time to cry out. There was not a moment to think, nor time to search for a weapon. A hand clamped over her lips and suddenly she was jerked into an alley, pulled behind a stack of crates.

“Shhh, tis me.”

Fear faded, leaving her trembling with relief. The familiar voice swept away the cold chill of unease. She must be dreaming. Perhaps she had gone mad. She couldn’t dare hope it was truly him.

“Alex!” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to kiss him or hit him.

Instead, she turned and threw her arms around his neck. He stumbled back, hitting the brick wall of the building behind. The darkness of the alley hid them from prying eyes, but she knew they could easily be caught. She didn’t care. Didn’t bloody care. Only cared that she was with Alex, finally.

“I never thought I’d see you again,” she said, her voice catching on a horrifying sob.
 

“Please tell me you haven’t accepted Rodrick’s offer,” he whispered.

She closed her eyes, refusing to cry. Instead, she focused on the scent of morning and spring flowers that clung to his jacket. Which offer he was referring to, she wasn’t sure. Did Alex think Rodrick had proposed, or did he somehow know of his sinful proposition? “No, of course not,” she said. “Never.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank God.”

“Alex, where have…”

She finally managed to pull back and that’s when she noticed the dark bruise marring the area under his eye. Outraged, she cupped the sides of his face. “What happened to you?”

He still wore the clothing he’d worn when they’d visited his family only yesterday, although the material was quite wrinkled. His hair was mussed, shadows marked the area under his eyes as if he hadn’t slept. Her worry burst anew.

“It doesn’t matter what happened,” he said, taking her hands in his. His blue eyes were serious, so bloody serious. “What matters is that we have little time before they come searching for us.” His words sent a shiver of unease through her body. Alex turned, pressing her against the hard, brick wall. His face was intense, so intense that it made her nervous. “Listen to me. I’m leaving. I can’t stay here any longer, there is nothing for me.”

She flinched over his harsh words. Nothing? Not even she could keep him?

“Grace,” He cupped the sides of her face and stepped closer, his body pressed to hers. “I have no life without you.”

Her heart swelled with hope and possibilities.

“Will you?” he whispered.

She didn’t dare breathe for fear that this was all a dream and breathing would wake her. She didn’t dare move, not wanting to disrupt the image of his intense gaze. Vaguely she was aware of warm tears slipping down her cheeks. He gave her a quivering, hesitant smile as he brushed them away with his thumbs. He hadn’t forgotten her after all.

“What are you saying?” she finally managed to ask.

“Come with me and –”

“Yes,” she blurted out.

She’d stunned him. That was obvious by the surprised look that crossed his features. Grace laughed, giddy as the anxiety of the last few days faded. “Shall I be demure? Feign indecision? I can’t, Alex. I can’t hide what I truly feel when you are near.”

He brushed his hands over her shoulders, down her arms. Although her sleeves were long, she felt his touch through the material as if he’d branded her. “Never feel you have to hide your emotions from me.”

His knuckles brushed her cheek, his gaze taking on that soft look she loved so well. When he lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers, Grace lifted on tiptoes. She closed her eyes, sinking into his hard body, molding her lips to his. How she wanted to breathe in his very essence, to memorize every detail of the moment.

All too soon, he pulled away. “Lady Lavender will look for me, most likely already is, but we can escape.”

She dared to believe him. She had no other choice.

“Grace?” Patience called from the street.

Startled, Grace turned. Her sister stood hesitantly in the open alleyway. Grace’s happiness wavered. Patience. So sweet. So young. So innocent.
  
 

Realization dawned with sickening reality. She couldn’t leave her family. What had she been thinking? Her tears of happiness turned to tears of sorrow. Angrily she stepped away from Alex and swiped at her damp cheeks.

“My mother, my sister—”

Alex nodded. “I understand. Once we find the treasure, we’ll send for them.”

“Treasure?” She frowned, wondering if she’d misheard him. Surely she wasn’t getting embroiled in another ridiculous treasure hunt. Had everyone gone mad? “I don’t understand.”

His face grew serious, completely and utterly serious. “My grandfather’s cottage in Devon.” He released a sigh and raked his hands through his hair, as if finally realizing how ridiculous he sounded. “As a child my mother spoke of a treasure there. It was a great jest amongst us, but I have a feeling there just might be some truth to the story. The cottage is in my name, given to me years ago when I was a lad. We will find that treasure, Grace. We must.”

Did he truly wish her to believe in treasures and myth now of all times? Alex, for his part, looked quite serious indeed. Why was it that the moment she’d given up on fanciful dreams, they came rushing back? A few months ago she would have been thrilled by the thought of a treasure hunt. Now she felt merely confused and bewildered.

“Grace?” The excitement in Alex’s gaze faded.

He had made an effort to see her. She would not have him regret his actions. Although doubt remained firmly planted in her rational mind, she forced a smile and nodded, all the while wondering how in the world they’d make it to Devon.

Alex’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s all we have.” He took a couple steps back and glanced briefly at Patience who had come closer, watching them curiously. “Go home now. Pack a small bag and meet me at the railroad station.”

He was actually going to leave her here, in an alley? “But… Alex.”

“Please, Grace. Say your goodbyes, pack what you can.”

He didn’t wait for her response, but turned and raced down the alley, his footsteps echoing between the brick walls and matching the wild thump of her heart. She wanted to call out to him, worried she would never see him again if he left her now.

Instead, she merely watched him until he disappeared around a corner, wondering if she’d truly see him again. Listened until she could no longer hear his footsteps and the clomping of horses hooves from the street out front invaded.

Hang her hopes on a silly dream? Leave her mother, her sister? Leave everything she knew? Dare she?

“Grace?” Patience suddenly stood next to her.

Grace slumped against the wall and slid a glance toward her sister. How much had she overheard? Overwhelmed, Grace covered her eyes with her hands. She couldn’t face her sister right now. What to do?

Patience rested a hand on Grace’s shoulder. “Return home and pack. Then go to him.”

Had her sister read her mind? Grace jerked her head upright. “What?”
 

“You heard me.” She took Grace’s hands. “You will go with him.”

Grace sighed. To Patience, who lived her life based on her emotions, every problem was easy to solve. “My dear, this treasure may not exist. I find it hard to abandon you and Mama for a myth.”

Patience led Grace down the alley and toward the street where their hack waited. “But the treasure might be real. You must try Grace, you must. For all of us, but mostly for
you
. This is your chance at happiness.”

Perhaps her last chance. Instead of comforting her, the words only made Grace nervous. How dire Patience sounded. They stepped onto the street, merging into the crowds. “But Mama—”

Patience sighed, stopping there in the middle of the footpath so that others were forced to travel around their girth. “I know you think I’m too young to do much good, but I am old enough to take care of Mama.”

Her sister’s face was so determined that Grace didn’t dare argue the point. Would Mama be well for a few days? A soft glimmer of what could only be excitement wavered low in her belly. The same blasted feeling she got when she went on a treasure hunt as a child. The feeling of hope. Of better things to come. “If I go… if we don’t find the treasure, it will be for nothing.”

“No,” Patience said, smiling. “Not nothing. It will be for everything. It will be for love.”

********

She hadn’t arrived.

Haunted, Alex watched the passengers board the train with a sickening feeling of numbness. Perhaps Rodrick or John had prevented her. Perhaps she had lost her way.