The Hellion and The Heartbreaker (22 page)

“Well,”
Scarlett began, recalling the information she had inadvertently stumbled upon
the night before, “Last night when we were at the museum a young lady, I
believe her name was Jane Brighton or maybe it was Bingham, something like
that, well anyhow, she pulled me aside and started asking me questions about
you.”

“Jane
Blighton,” Rory corrected, his expression suddenly wary.

“Yes well,
Miss
Blighton
started asking me questions about you, and I quickly got the
impression that she has developed a rather intense fondness for you.”

“She has,”
he confirmed, his tone slightly aggravated.  “And the ballet dancer?” he
prodded.

“Well, she
asked me if the rumors were true, if you were keeping company with the French ballerina
who is staring in the new production that’s come to Town.”  When Rory
simply nodded his head in understanding, Scarlett couldn’t resist asking him
about the lovely Jane Blighton.

“Miss
Blighton’s quite attractive, though I haven’t seen your ballerina so I have no
grounds for comparison mind you, but I get the feeling that you are not nearly
as interested in
her
as you are the
ballerina,” she said, looking at her brother questioningly.

“Oh Jane’s
a nice enough girl, but if she had her way we would be standing in front of a
minister before the Season’s end.”

“I take it
you’re not ready to settle down?”  Despite asking the question, she
already knew the answer.  Rory was nowhere near ready to take on a wife or
start a family.  He was having far too much fun as a bachelor.

“You’ve
got that right,” Rory quickly affirmed.  “Colin’s the poor sod who
inherited the title.  He’s the one who has to settle down and start
begetting heirs, not me.  I have no interest in becoming leg-shackled, now
or anytime soon.

Poor Miss
Blighton, she mused, for even without a title Rory was considered a good catch,
as were Conner and Gavin.  He, like her and all of her brothers, had
received a sizeable inheritance from their parents, and they had all entrusted
Colin with managing their money.  Her eldest brother had made several
smart investments and had increased their wealth substantially.  Rory also
shared in the considerable profits from the family business, which continued to
thrive.  His individual wealth, combined with his good looks and exuberant
personality made him quite popular with the ladies, despite his being a younger
son. 

When they
reached the carriage house Scarlett took in the familiar sounds and smells of
the horses as they entered, and for a moment felt almost as if she were back
home at Grey Oaks.

“You can
ride Diablo,” Rory said, heading toward one of the stalls.  Looking back,
he noticed Scarlett’s enthusiastic expression.  “Don’t get too excited,”
he told her laughing, “his name is deceiving, he’s actually quite docile.”

Oh well,
she couldn’t go tearing down Rotten Row riding hell-bent for leather like she
did at home anyhow.  Georgie would never forgive her if she created a
scandal.  When Rory opened the gate, she saw that the horse was a
beautiful black with four blazing white socks.  He tossed his head proudly
as Rory led him out of the stall and Scarlett knew at once that she and Diablo
would get on nicely.

Once she
and Rory were both mounted, they rode in companionable silence the short
distance to Hyde Park.  It was a wonderful morning; they couldn’t have
asked for better.  When they reached the track, they saw several other
riders who were obviously taking advantage of the fine weather as well. 
Mindful of her behavior and somewhat hindered by the blasted sidesaddle she was
forced to use in the city, Scarlett urged her mount to a moderate canter as
they entered the track.  How wonderful it would be to challenge Rory to a
race on the infamous Rotten Row, she thought, but knew better than to suggest
it.  Her brother would have instantly taken up the challenge, forgetting
that she was supposed to be presenting the image of a genteel young lady, not a
willful hoyden, and he that of a proper chaperone.

Several
gentlemen called out greetings to her brother, in addition to tipping their
hats and nodding politely to her as they passed by.  Scarlett was
pleasantly surprised to see a number of women out riding as well.  These
were obviously avid equestrians like her, riding to ride rather than riding to
be seen, as many ladies often did in the late afternoon and early
evening.  She couldn’t help noticing that her brother attracted several
admiring glances.  He obviously noticed as well, for his mood seemed to
become increasingly chipper as their ride continued.

About
twenty minutes after entering the park, they were approached by an attractive
woman who appeared to be several years older than Scarlett was.  Drawing
her mount up beside them, they all slowed to a walk, her groom following a
short distance behind as she bid Rory a good morning.  Her brother
politely introduced her to the woman, whose name was Lady Elizabeth
Cavendish.
 
He informed her that
Elizabeth’s younger brother, Lord Cavendish, and he were chums and had been
since their days at Eaton.

“It’s so nice
to finally meet you, Lady Scarlett,” she said with genuine warmth.  “Your
brothers all speak so fondly of you, and I must admit to being a bit curious
after reading about you in the paper.”  Elizabeth had a friendly smile and
easy manner that immediately put Scarlett at ease, despite her mention of the
dreadful,
dreadful as she saw it anyhow
, newspaper article.

“It’s
lovely to meet you as well, Lady Elizabeth.  But please, do not take any
stock in what you may have read in the papers, I fear that I was accredited
with far more accolades than I deserved.”

“You’re
modest as well, how delightful,” Elizabeth laughed softly.  “I like you
already!”

The three
of them chatted for several minutes as they walked the horses, and Scarlett
quickly got the impression that despite Rory being her
brother’s
friend,
he and Elizabeth Cavendish knew each other quite well. 
Interesting! 
Perhaps Alec wasn’t the only one with something to hide in that regard, she
thought to herself.  Sensing the pair might enjoy a moment of private
conversation, Scarlett informed them that she was going to ride ahead just a
bit.  Urging her mount to a faster gait, she put a bit of distance between
them while remaining within eyesight.

As she
drew further ahead, Scarlett observed a familiar figure coming from the
opposite direction.  She recognized Alec at once, even from a
distance.  He wasn’t seated upon Brutus however, but upon an equally
impressive chestnut-colored stallion.  As they drew abreast of each other,
Alec slowed his mount and wheeled him around so that they were traveling in the
same direction.

“Good
morning, Lady Scarlett,” Alec said, politely tipping his hat.

“Good
morning, Your Grace,” Scarlett replied with equal politeness, though her eyes
held an unmistakable warmth.

“You’re not
here by yourself are you?”  Alec asked with undisguised concern.

“Of course
not, though it did take considerable effort to drag Rory from the comfort of
his bed this morning,” she laughed.
 
“He
is presently flirting with a lovely brunette a short ways back.”

“Ah, I
see,” Alec replied.  He wasn’t surprised.  Rory McPhearson’s winning
personality and easygoing charm attracted women like bees to honey.

As their
mounts fell into step with each other, Scarlett’s gaze lingered for a moment on
Alec’s perfectly sculpted features, and then traveled slowly down his body from
his broad shoulders to the heels of his highly-polished Wellingtons.  He
looked incredibly dashing in his finely tailored chocolate-colored jacket and
form fitting, buff-colored riding breeches.  “Did you manage to get a good
night’s rest last night?” she asked with a coy smile, returning her gaze to his
handsome profile.

“Unfortunately
I did,” he said, with a mischievous grin.  “Regrettably, the delectable
redhead I was entertaining left my bed far too early last night.

“Umm, that
is
unfortunate.”

“Indeed.  Sadly,
I had to content myself with my dreams of her for the remainder of the night,
and they weren’t nearly as satisfying.”

“I was in
your dreams?”

“Are you
surprised?”  Alec queried, with the deliciously wicked quirk of his brow
that she was so fond of.

“Not
really,” she replied honestly, though a faint blush tinged her cheeks.  “I
can’t seem to keep you from my thoughts whether I’m awake or asleep.”

One of the
things Alec admired most about Scarlett was her honesty.  She was
forthright and didn’t play games like so many other women he knew.  It was
a refreshing change, but it was also what worried him.  He didn’t want her
to get hurt.  “I fear you will soon be bombarded with so many suitors that
before long I may only garner a passing thought,” he teased.

“Oh I
doubt that,” she said with a siren’s smile.

Only time
will tell, Alec thought to himself.  But for now, their fascination with
each other didn’t seem even close to fading.  “I see you have been
regulated to using the dreaded sidesaddle,” he noted, changing the
subject.  He was well aware of Scarlett’s aversion to the hindering
contraption.

“Such a
bloody nuisance,” Scarlett huffed in irritation.  “I don’t understand why
women must put up with these wretched things.”

Most
women, unlike Scarlett, were more interested in how they looked while seated
upon the horse and how prettily their skirts draped to the side, than having
the freedom to ride with any sort of abandon or lack of restraint.  He
couldn’t help smiling at what a delightful contradiction she was.

“If it is
any consolation, I for one am well-aware that you could outride just about
anyone, male or female, despite being seated upon that
wretched thing
.”

“You’re
right of course,” Scarlett agreed cheekily.  “However, Georgie would never
forgive me if I set out to prove it.”

“Don’t
worry; I will do my best not to encourage your hoydenish behavior.”  At
least outside of the bedroom, he thought.

Unfortunately
their time alone was cut short as the distinct sound of hoof beats could be
heard coming up behind them.

Turning,
they saw Rory approaching, apparently having finished his conversation with
Lady Cavendish.

“Alec,
what’s got you up at this god-awful hour?”  Rory asked, pulling his mount
alongside Alec’s.

“The crisp
morning air, that’s what,” Alec replied good-naturedly.  “You should
partake of it more often yourself.  It’s good for the soul.”

“And give
up my late night carousing?  No thank you,” Rory laughed.  “I much
prefer to sleep until midday and preserve my energy for the evening’s
entertainments.”

“So true,”
Scarlett nodded in affirmation.  “It is nothing short of a miracle that I
managed to coax him out of his bed this morning.”

“Well next
time do me a favor and pick on Gavin, will you Scarlett?” he said jovially,
conveniently forgetting that he was the one who had offered to take her riding
in the first place.

Alec
couldn’t help smiling at their playful banter.  Though brother and sister obviously
shared a deep affection for one another, they weren’t adverse too winding each
other up as well.  He couldn’t help feeling a bit envious of their close
bond, wishing he too had a sibling to share such a connection with.  But
alas, he was an only child and his immediate family now consisted of his mother
and his paternal grandmother.   Though he loved them both dearly, it
wasn’t the same.

With his
thoughts turning to family, he glanced at his watch.  His mother was
expecting him for breakfast, and if he wasn’t on his way soon he was going to
be late.  “Though I’m not sure I should leave the two of you without an
intermediary,” he joked, “I’m afraid I’ve got to cut my ride short this
morning.  The duchess is expecting me for breakfast.”

“Please
send your mother my regards,” Scarlett requested.  She had met Alec’s
mother at the Minton’s ball.  Though they had only chatted for a few
minutes, the duchess had been quite friendly.

“Yes,
regards to the duchess,” Rory added as Alec bid them both goodbye, turning his
mount once again in the opposite direction.  As the distance between them
widened, Rory glanced around at the now unoccupied area surrounding them. 
He regarded Scarlett speculatively for a moment, and then his expression turned
mischievous. 

Scarlett
had seen that look more times than she could count, and knew exactly what her
brother was thinking.  Despite the silent warning of her conscience to
resist the temptation, she couldn’t seem to help herself.  Meeting her
brother’s gaze with a brash smile and a challenge in her eye, she suddenly
urged her mount into a full gallop and the race was on!  Poor Georgie
would have been horrified.

Over the
course of the past weeks, Scarlett had lost count of the number of balls,
dinner parties, afternoon teas, charity events, musical performances, and the
countless other events she had attended.  She had been bombarded with
gentleman callers and had received dozens of invitations to go riding in the
park, to stroll through Vauxhall Gardens, to attend the ballet and the theater,
to lunch at the finest eating establishments in London, as well as receiving
invitations to numerous other functions.