The Hellion and The Heartbreaker (8 page)

Seated directly across from Alec, Scarlett’s gaze drifted
toward him, but instead of a brief glance, her eyes lingered on his face. 
Becoming aware of her steady regard, Alec turned his head and met her
stare.  Instead of demurely lowering her eyes, Scarlett continued to look
at him, tilting her lips upward in the hint of a smile.  It was a
seductive look, boldly conveying her interest.  At Bethany’s insistence,
she’d practiced it over and over until she had gotten it just right.  The
expression on Alec’s face told her all she needed to know.  The Duke of
Worthe clearly wasn’t immune to her charms.  His interest had definitely
been piqued.

She longed to try her hand at flirting, but with her brothers
present it was probably best to wait for a more opportune time.  Flirting
was so unlike her, they would pick up on it in an instant.  Therefore, she
decided to stick with the occasional seductive glance and enticing smile. 
It was much more subtle, or so she thought.  

Throughout the course of the meal, Alec felt the recurring
heat of Scarlett’s lingering gaze and it was having an unnerving effect on his
libido.  Having been the recipient of many a woman’s interested regard
since he was fifteen years old, he hadn’t the slightest doubt as to what she
was thinking.  In fact, he would have to be a blind man to miss the
signals she was sending out.  Christ, if she wasn’t Colin’s little sister
he might very well have pulled her aside already and suggested they meet for a
clandestine tryst later that evening.  But she
was
Colin’s sister,
and that fact alone made her off limits, unless of course he was looking for a
wife, which he definitely wasn’t, at least not in the foreseeable future. 
However, if Scarlett continued to send out those blatant come and get me looks,
it was going to be damn hard to keep remembering that she was
untouchable.  Damn hard indeed!

The next morning, Scarlett found Alec sitting alone in the
breakfast room, just as she’d hoped.  She thanked her lucky stars that her
brothers were still late sleepers, as this would likely be one of the few
opportunities she would get to have Alec all to herself.  Much to her frustration,
the men had closeted themselves away in Colin’s study shortly after dinner the
night before, and she had spent the remainder of the evening alone in her room
with a book.  Thus, upon waking, she had quickly donned one of her heavy
velvet riding habits and rushed downstairs hoping Alec would be up.  The
snow had stopped and she was hoping that she and Alec might go for a ride, just
as they had done during his last visit to Grey Oaks. 

She paused for a moment at the threshold, thrilled to see that
he was garbed in his riding attire.  He stood before one of the room’s
large windows, casually sipping a cup of coffee as he looked outside.  As
she watched him her breath caught in her throat, and she could almost hear her
heart beating wildly in her chest.  It amazed her that just the sight of
him managed to send her pulse racing.  She closed her eyes and took a deep
steadying breath.  “Good morning,” she said, once she’d gotten her
breathing under control.

Alec turned instantly at the sound of Scarlett’s voice. 
He took in her stylish black riding habit, not surprised in the least at her
choice of attire.  He had become quite adept at reading women, and after
last night he’d had a hunch that she would be up early and dressed for a ride. 
He mentally congratulated himself on his intuitiveness.  “Good morning,
Scarlett.”  The fact that she was Colin’s sister didn’t mean he couldn’t
enjoy her company, at least
outside
of the bedroom.  As she entered
the room, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.  Her extraordinary
beauty still astounded him.

She smiled, loving the sound of her name on his lips. 
“Did you sleep well?”

Did he sleep well?  Hell no he hadn’t slept well. 
He’d woken up in the middle of the night with a throbbing erection, thanks to
those brazen looks and seductive smiles she had been sending his way throughout
the evening.  “Quite well, thank you.”

Scarlett looked pointedly at his expensive leather riding
boots, and then back up to his face.  “You’re dressed for riding.”

“As are you,” he said, his own gaze sweeping her from head to
toe.  No more breeches for Lady Scarlett, he mused.  How unfortunate,
for he could only imagine how enticing those breeches would look upon her lush
figure now.  His eyes drifted to her glorious hair, pulled to the side and
tied with a satin ribbon, and to the creamy whiteness of her skin, a perfect
contrast to the rich black fabric of her riding habit.  She looked
ravishing.  He longed to ravish her, and might well have set about to do
just that if she weren’t Colin’s sister.  Instead, he bestowed upon her
his most charming smile.  “Shall we?”  Just because he couldn’t take
her to bed, didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy her company, he thought once
again.  “That is, unless you would care for something to eat before we
go?”

“No, I’m not hungry,” she replied quickly.  She wasn’t
about to waste one minute on something as trivial as food, not when she had
Alec Weston all to herself.

“Good, because I’ve got something to show you.”

“You do?  What is it?” she asked curiously.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” he said mysteriously.

She tried to coax the secret out of him once they had donned
their coats and gloves a short time later, but he wouldn’t even give her a
hint.  Their banter was playful and easy, and Scarlett was in heaven.

As they made their way to the stable, their booted feet left
two sets of tracks in the freshly fallen snow.  They had gotten about an
inch, just enough to cover the area in a brilliant blanket of white.  It
was lovely.  They could see their breath as they walked, but the air was
still and the cold was easily bearable.  They moved along in companionable
silence for a time, simply enjoying the beauty of their surroundings.

When they reached the stable, Alec grinned and asked her if
she was ready to see what he had brought.  She nodded eagerly, as a
sneaking suspicion suddenly entered her thoughts.  It was unusually quiet
as they entered the building, the only sounds the restless movements of the
horses within their stalls.  It was Sunday and most of the McPhearson
staff had the day off, including the majority of those that worked in the
stables.  At present, there didn’t seem to be a sole around.

“Close your eyes,” Alec commanded softly.

Scarlett did so instantly and without question.  When
she felt him reach for her hand she nearly swooned, despite the blasted gloves
that prevented her from experiencing the touch of his bare skin. 

Gently Alec pulled her forward and they walked side by side
down the immense corridor, passing a dozen or more stalls before they
stopped.  He released her hand, and then reaching to lightly grasp her
shoulders, turned her slightly.  “Open your eyes,” he said.

She did, and saw at once the glorious stallion Alec had
purchased when she was a child.

“Remember him?”  “Alec asked, reaching out to fondly
stroke the stallion’s proud head.

Scarlett smiled up at him in response.  “I certainly
do.”  How could she not?  “I was terrible,” she admitted, “and he’s
still magnificent.”  Reaching out her gloved hand, she stroked his head
and then brushed her hand along his powerful neck.  “I think he likes the
attention,” Scarlett noted, as the huge animal nudged against her hand.

“Brutus loves the ladies,” Alec told her with a playful wink.

As does his owner, Scarlett mused, well aware of Alec’s
reputation as a rake.  Over the years she had read every paper and gossip
rag she could lay her hands on, searching for any mention of Alec.  It had
proven a worthwhile endeavor, as his name had been mentioned often, though frequently
in connection with one woman or another.  She had gleaned quite a bit of
information from her brothers as well, though she had been much more indirect
in that regard.  She didn’t mind his reputation however, for Bethany had
once told her that reformed rakes were rumored to make the best husbands. 
Standing close enough to inhale the delicious aroma of Alec’s cologne, Scarlett
hoped wholeheartedly that it were true.

“Would you like to ride him?”

Turing to face Alec, Scarlett’s eyes widened in astonishment. 
“Are you serious?” she breathed, truly surprised by the offer.

“Of course.”  Scarlett’s blinding smile nearly caused
his heart to miss a beat.  Though he had surprised even himself at the
impetuous offer, for he had never let anyone else ride Brutus before today, her
reaction was well worth it.

“Now?” she asked, her upturned face reflecting both her
excitement and her sudden impatience.

“Yes, now.”  He couldn’t help but chuckle.  She
looked as if he had just presented her with a priceless diamond necklace. 
He found her utterly delightful.

Since there was no one else about, he pulled Brutus from his
stall and asked Scarlett the whereabouts of her saddle.  When she pointed
it out, he was momentarily confused, for it wasn’t a sidesaddle as he’d expected. 
How on earth did she intend to ride astride in that bulky skirt, he wondered?

Noticing Alec’s curious expression, Scarlett gave him a saucy
smile as she grasped both sides of the heavy velvet skirt and pulled it apart,
revealing the hidden stitching.  The skirt was cleverly divided into two
sections, just like a pair of pants.  Although she had given up her boy’s
breeches, she had put her foot down regarding the sidesaddle, much to Georgie’s
chagrin.  Fortunately, the local seamstress had provided the perfect
solution to her dilemma.

Alec quirked an eyebrow and gave Scarlett an appreciative
nod.  “Clever.”  He never would have guessed that it wasn’t a
traditional riding habit.

While he was busy getting Brutus saddled, Scarlett went to
fetch Alec a mount.  She chose Rory’s horse, for he was almost as large as
Brutus was, and she knew that her easy-going brother wouldn’t mind Alec riding
him.

Once they had gotten both horses saddled, Alec assisted
Scarlett up onto Brutus’ back.  “Are you sure you’ll be able to handle
him?” he asked.  She looked so small sitting atop the huge stallion, that
he felt a moment’s hesitation.  The expression on her face however, was
all the answer he needed.  She looked as if he had asked her if the sky
were yellow, or something equally ridiculous.  “Sorry, silly question.”

As they trotted out of the stable, Alec gazed admiringly at
Scarlett.  She sat the horse as if she had been born in the saddle. 
He supposed she practically had been, growing up at Grey Oaks.  “Where
shall we go?” he asked.

Scarlett knew exactly where she wanted to take him.  “Do
you remember the hot springs; the one I took you to the last time you were
here?”

“I do,” he replied.  “It was a beautiful spot.”

“It’s even more beautiful in the winter,” Scarlett told
him.  “Would you like to see?”

 “I would be delighted.  Lead the way, My
Lady.” 

With a gentle flick of the reins, Scarlett urged Brutus
forward, reveling in her seat atop the powerful stallion.  He was truly a
magnificent animal and she was thrilled to be riding him at last.

Alec immediately followed, watching in admiration as Scarlett
handled Brutus with ease.  A few minutes into their ride, they struck up
an easy conversation, one that continued until they reached their destination.

As Scarlett had envisioned, the bubbling pool was clouded in
a steamy haze when they arrived, and a few random bits of snow had started to
fall, fluttering down through the mist like tiny, shimmering crystals.  It
was a wonderful place, surrounded by towering pine trees, the setting romantic,
almost ethereal. 

The spot was just as Alec remembered; only this time the
slowly drifting haze and tiny flakes of snow that surrounded them, gave it an
almost mystical feel, and in turn gave Scarlett the look of a fairytale princess. 
Alec could only stare in utter fascination, wondering for a moment, if she was
indeed from another world.  He had never seen anything like Scarlett
McPhearson, and doubted that he ever would again.  She was truly an
incomparable.  Damn, he thought once again, why did her last name have to
be McPhearson?

Scarlett felt Alec’s eyes upon her and looked up.  His
expression caused her stomach to do one of the crazy little flip-flops it had
recently developed whenever she caught him looking at her in that certain
way.  Here in this secluded spot, alone with Alec, she suddenly wasn’t
sure what to do or say. 
Please kiss me,
hardly seemed
appropriate.  Therefore, she quickly searched her mind for something a bit
more suitable.  The faint scent of sulfur hung in the air, the smell
unmistakable, but not unpleasant. “I’ve heard that the minerals in a hot
springs can be beneficial to your health,” she said finally.  “Do you
think it’s true?” 

“I would imagine so, to a certain extent.  I’ve been to
the mineral spas in Bath many times,” Alec told her.  “They are quite
revitalizing, but the setting isn’t nearly as lovely.”

“I’ve never been farther than the local village.”

“I’m surprised you have never traveled to London with your
brothers.”