The Highwayman (Rakes and Rogues of the Restoration Book 3) (25 page)

“How did you manage to find our mayor when you needed him at the end of your ride?” A man called from the back of the room. “I’ve yet to corner him, and I’ve been trying for weeks.”

“That was a simple matter,” Jack called back, tilting his head and looking down the table. “I’d heard he was a free-holder and I followed his wife!”

The table erupted into laughter, including the mayor and the red-faced lady in question.

“What is a free-holder, Jack?” Arabella asked curiously, almost back to her normal color.

“’Tis a man whose wife goes with him to the alehouse,” he said with a merry grin.

The talk turned to tall tales, jests, and amusing anecdotes, but though it was boisterous, it was always well mannered and inoffensive, and spoken in good fun. Arabella didn’t join in the banter, this world wasn’t hers and she didn’t know it well enough to do so easily, but she joined in the laughter and the merriment. She couldn’t remember ever being in better company. The soft light of lamp and candle, the good-humored buzz of conversation, the quiet strains of music in the background and the sound of Jack’s laughter just feet away, filled her with a mellow glow.

She watched Jack’s mouth as he talked, admiring the way his lips curved, full and inviting. She shivered as she remembered how it had hovered just beneath her ear, and then brushed her neck and shoulder. Soon he would take her in his arms, claiming her in front of all these people, holding her, lifting her, pressing his body next to hers and squeezing.
And on the way home, when no one is watching he will kiss me
. She squirmed restlessly in her seat, suddenly eager for the dancing to begin.

She didn’t have long to wait. Not ten minutes later the musicians began warming up and the dining hall emptied as quickly as it had filled. Jack ushered her to a vantage point along the far wall and stood with a hand on her shoulder as the country dancing began. Arabella watched carefully. Couples seemed to dance in groups of two or more, to each other, and then to the other couples in the set. At times the men formed a line facing the women, at others they danced in circles, and sometimes they formed squares and danced wildly about the room.

There was much laughter and handclapping, stomping and twirling, and even leaps and lifts into the air. But Jack was right. Though there was much weaving in and out and moving forwards and back, the dancers used any steps they pleased so long as it matched the lively tunes. Somehow, it all worked out. No one went down in a tangle or tripped up their partners, and as the drink flowed and the music grew wilder she realized what had been missing from her own rarified world. Somewhere along the way, in their pursuit of excellence, they had forgotten that dancing was meant to be fun.

The musicians broke into a reel and eyes eager, foot tapping, she flashed Jack an excited smile. “Jack I am re—”

“Jack Nevison! I was busy with my chores the other night but I hoped I’d find you here.” The dark-haired landlady from the inn rushed forward and threw her arms around Jack’s neck, giving him a big hug. She was wearing a crimson dress with a low-cut bodice that barely covered her nipples, and she looked no better than she ought.

Arabella stood rigid, shocked by the girl’s effrontery and bad manners. What kind of person ran up without an introduction, interrupted a private conversation and then threw herself into a man’s arms? A man who clearly belonged to someone else! Jack should drop her on the floor. Right then and there. It was exactly what she deserved. Unless he knew her better than he pretended to.

“Good evening, Peg.” Jack stepped back, adroitly removing himself from the woman’s grasp and taking Arabella by the arm. “I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Miss Hamilton. She is touring the North of England and has been writing about it in a journal.”

Peg gave Arabella a disparaging look. “Ah, yes. The London spinster. It’s very kind of you to take the time to show her about, Mr. Nevison. But it’s my turn now. I know you haven’t forgotten your promise to me.”

“My promise?”

For the first time since Arabella had met him, Jack looked disconcerted. What was wrong with him? Why didn’t he just get rid of her? The woman was behaving little better than a trollop. She probably
was
a trollop. No wonder all the soldiers danced attendance on her. And just what promises had he made to this woman he had given money to but didn’t know that well?

“The promise you made when you come looking for me in Notts. To take me dancing if I’d come to York.”

Arabella met the girl’s triumphant smirk with an icy glare and abruptly let go of Jack’s arm. She had seldom been so close to violence, but she was not going to take part in a public tug of war over
any
man.

“I promised you there was dancing in York, sweetheart. Not—”

The fiddlers started playing a reel and Peg grabbed Jack by both hands, and laughing, pulled him out onto the floor. “Just the one! Please? It’s my first real dance and you
did
promise.”

There was no way to avoid it without causing a scene, the sort of attention Peg might not mind, but Jack was certain Arabella would abhor. Besides, though he hadn’t promised Peg anything, he could see how she might think he had. One dance for duty, and the rest of the night for him and Arabella to enjoy. “I’m sorry, Miss Hamilton.” He gave Arabella an apologetic smile. “It’s a bit of a misunderstanding. Just this one dance, and the rest of the evening, I promise, I’m yours.”

Arabella watched through narrowed eyes as Jack and Peg joined the throng of dancers wheeling across the floor. ‘I barely know her. She’s just a girl I helped,’ he’d said. But he knew the girl well enough to promise to take her dancing.

And what does he promise me?
The rest of the evening. She was risking everything, coming to a public event with a man who could promise her the evening, and nothing more. And even that was marred by ‘a bit of a misunderstanding’ wearing a red dress with a bosom that overflowed her bodice. He had an explanation for the necklace and one for London, and he would probably have an explanation for this, too, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear it. ‘There have been no women at all since I met you,’ he’d said.
Could I have been a bigger fool?

~

Jack kept a smile on his face and listened attentively to Peg’s breathless account of her new life in York, but he was more than a little annoyed. Arabella had claimed she was overly familiar and he had to agree that she was. She pressed too close and instead of keeping her hands on his arms and shoulders she kept sliding them down to his chest and waist. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Old habits died hard and she couldn’t help her past, but he didn’t like being touched by strangers, not even pretty ones, and particularly not in front of Arabella.

He moved her hands from his waist to his shoulders for what seemed like the thousandth time, eager for the dance to be done so he could get back to his own lady. Peg
had
moved to York at his invitation, and he
had
told her she could dance there, but it was born of the same impulse that had made him haul a nine-year-old Allen from his prison cell and hoist him over the wall to freedom six years ago.

He was pleased that she had made the most of the opportunity and felt it right to honor what she had taken as a promise, but she was a stranger he had helped once, someone he felt mildly protective of and nothing more. Yet a look he’d caught in Arabella’s eyes troubled him. He hoped that by sparing Peg’s feelings he hadn’t injured hers.

Despite Peg’s protests, he deposited her with the innkeeper, Mr. Sullivan, who clearly was smitten, just moments before the next dance was to begin, and went in search of Arabella. She wasn’t where he had left her, or in the dining hall or on one of the chairs lining the wall. He went down to check the waiting line of hackney carriages and horses, only to find that she was gone.

‘
My Landlady notwithstanding ran me up the Largest Reckoning for allmost nothing, it was ye dearest Lodging I met with and she pretended she Could get me nothing else; so for 2 joynts of mutton and a pinte of wine and bread and beer I had a 12 shilling Reckoning, but since I find tho' I was in the biggest house in town I was in the worst accomodation, and so found it, and a young giddy Landlady that Could only Dress fine and Entertain the soldiers.’

“You’re back early, my lady. It’s still a long ways before dawn.” Caroline greeted Arabella with a worried frown.

“Yes, I know. I fell ill shortly after dinner. Something disagreed with me and I thought it best to leave.”

“I’m so sorry, my lady. And you were so looking forward to the dancing. I’ll have them send us some tea and toast. That will help settle you. What was it like? Did you dance with Swift Nick? Did he like your dress?”

Arabella sighed, and sat down. “If you weren’t feeling poorly, too, you might have come and seen for yourself. We make a fine pair, don’t we, Caroline?”

“I’ve not been a good traveler, ma’am. But you are. It’s not like you to take ill.”

Arabella nodded. “Yes, I expect it’s a passing thing. Too much excitement and too much wine.”

Caroline was looking at her expectantly.

“Oh, the dance! Yes, I’m sorry. I find I am a little preoccupied. The hall was grand and beautifully decorated. The company came from all walks of life but all were polite and well dressed and very congenial. When we came in they were dancing the minuet and the music was wonderful.”

“And the dress?” Caroline prodded.

“Was a little constricting, but not out of place. Thanks to you, I think I looked very well.”

“He liked it?”

“He, meaning Mr. Nevison? He seemed to. He made some flattering remarks. But there were other women wearing dresses far more eye-catching and daring.”

“Oh dear, I thought it would be just right! I thought—”

“It is not a criticism, Caroline. My dress was lovely and I felt beautiful and desirable in it. The others…well, I am talking about dresses that I’m sure you would agree no
lady
would wear. I’m sure you’ve noticed how men are about such things.”

“Not Swift Nick, though.”

Arabella shrugged. “He is a man like any other.”

“But did you dance?”

“No.”

“My lady, I…”

“Really Caroline, you mustn’t make such a long face. I had a splendid day. The dress was beautiful and much admired and I am grateful you brought it. I enjoyed the music and watching people dance, and it was a wonderful evening until I fell ill. I am sure I will be fine again tomorrow. And you have been a wonderful traveling companion. You are resourceful and cheerful and I have yet to hear you complain, though I have been thoughtless and set an unmerciful pace. You have been a stalwart angel and I shall tell your father so.”

Caroline beamed. “Oh thank you, my lady. There were times I feared I was a nuisance.”

“You are a blessing. Now help me out of this so I can breathe, and then take yourself to bed.”

“You are not retiring, my lady?”

“No. Not yet. I think I suffer from too much wine. I shall take a turn along the gallery to clear my head. I shan’t be long.”

Arabella stood out on the gallery for a long time. She couldn’t see the city. Only the dark outline of the courtyard below with its orange glowing lamps and torches. Even at this hour coaches came clattering through, entering through one angelically carved arch and leaving at the far end through another. In this city with its narrow streets they never turned around. There wasn’t room. The only way to go was forward.

She looked up at the sky. It was brilliant with stars. Black and silver and glittering like diamonds. Like Jack. He always blended perfectly with the night. She supposed she ought to have stayed. He asked her to wait. He said he’d be back. But the depth of her hurt when he had left her alone to dance with that woman had astounded her. It had been a physical pain that had stripped the joy from the day and the magic from the evening.
He was supposed to dance with me
.

How childish that sounded now.

But to see that woman touching him with such familiarity....
After I touched him, and he touched me.
She gave a short laugh, then folded her arms against the chill. Maybe the strumpet
had
taken him by surprise. Maybe Jack was innocent, but after being abandoned in London and again on the dance floor so soon after reuniting, she couldn’t help but wonder if there would always be something from his world that would intrude on theirs.

The wind was picking up and she was getting chilled. She turned to go inside and slammed into something hard. A hand over her mouth stifled her startled cry.

“Hush, Bella. It’s only me.”

A part of her was thrilled. A tiny part of her wasn’t even surprised.

“What in God’s name made you leave the way you did?”

She stiffened. She certainly did not appreciate his tone. “I was not feeling well. I thought it best to go. And you shouldn’t just sneak up on people.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me? You didn’t think I might worry to find you gone?”

“It would be very foolish of you to do so. I have made my way alone across half of England. I assure you I can make my way to my inn.”

“It was thoughtless, Arabella, and not at all like you. I thought we were having an enjoyable evening. I know I was.”

“Obviously,” she said tartly.

“You mean, Peg? That is what upset you?”

“What upset me is that after inviting me to the public ball you left me standing alone on the dance floor to keep some...some promise you made to a woman who was rude to me, and who proceeded to drape herself all over you in an indecent dress. It was rude on both your parts.”

“I apologize if it seemed so, but you are overreacting, Arabella. I was not expecting to see her there. I met her near Nottingham. She worked in a tavern I frequent there. She was trapped in a situation she was desperate to escape and as I told you, I helped her find a position. She told me she had never been to a dance and I told her there was dancing here in York.