The Rake and The Rose (A Rake's Mistake) (10 page)

Alexander walked with Charlotte, near the road to block anything such as dust from carriages. "That was rather rude of her to say. I, for one, don't think you need any lessons,” she grumbled.

He watched her bristle and he laughed. "Never mind her. She’s just being a bit petulant since I am not paying attention to her.”

They turned a corner and she realized she was famished. "Can we go eat?"

"Of course! I know a small place to get some tea and food." He nodded up ahead and sure enough a few blocks there was a cafe. Alexander grinned inwardly, he personally loved it that Charlotte had been irritated with Lady Deirdre, just another thing they had in common.

It was when she passed a bookstore that her eyes widened considerably and she stopped short. "May we go inside?" Her breathless request and shining gaze held perhaps both he and Charles stunned.

"Your wish is my command!" Alexander rolled his eyes at Charles, and Lady Deirdre sniffed.

"Books? Why not go down and see if they have any new frocks or flounces?

"No, I would much rather go here," she was already in the shop.

Charlotte walked in and saw books piled on small shelves and larger bookshelves in the back. There were some in different languages. Some were big some were small and good heavens the air of pages and book binding in all it’s leather and murky scents took her breath away.

It felt as if something clicked in her brain as she thought of books, books and more books. She pushed it aside when the Clerk smiled at her. He was an elderly gentleman with half moon spectacles.

"Well, it's hardly I see a Lady of such beauty, with ample brains as well I take it! Have you heard that Jane Austen's new book has been published?"

"Who is Jane Austen?"

"A female writer, she wrote a book called Mansfield Park. Here, I only have a few copies. It was published in May, but take a look! Been flying off the shelves!"

She sat down on a comfortable chair and opened the book. Quite aware that Charles was off to the side glancing at titles, she was very excited. "Here I also have this," the clerk chuckled when he saw her nose buried into the book he set down The Wanderer by Frances Burney.

About thirty years ago, Miss Maria Ward, of Huntingdon, with only seven thousand pounds...
 Charlotte was consumed by it and had looked up when Charles asked her what it was, after she had finished half a chapter. "Oh! Forgive me, I lost all track of myself." She closed the book and blushed crimson.

"No, I think it's lovely that you like to read," Charles said softly. Lady Deirdre was running a finger along a shelf with a scrunch in her nose. Alexander leaning stoically against a wall looked at her thoughtfully.

"Lord Whitmore? Why not take Lady Deirdre to see some scarves and frocks, I might be a bit longer,” she smiled at him, a full-unhidden smile that made him stumble across his words.

"Of course, if you do not mind me leaving you." "Lord Cromwell will be here." Charles glanced at the subject of the conversation and walked by to Lady Deirdre.

"Why don’t we allow Lady Charlotte to look at what she needs I'd be happy to escort you to the frock store."

"Really? I would love to!" They went arm in arm, and Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief and walked further back into the shop. It's shelving was large and tall; most of the books were in other languages if they were at the top. Two books in particular stood out, two more Jane Austen books Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

But it was a bit too high up for her to reach.
Ah! A stepladder!

She walked back to the front looked around. Alexander was thumbing through a book about banks and what not, and the clerk was busy with a box of goods.

Surely I could get the books myself.

She stepped up the first three steps and reached.
No! Not good enough!
Charlotte huffed in agitation, and took one more step, but misplaced where her foot should have been. Her dress was slippery on her shoe. With a squeak she lost balance and toppled over sideways!

She might have really injured herself, if it hadn't been for two arms catching her waist. She was yanked backward off the ladder, landing into her saviors lap on the floor. A hand clapped across her mouth to stifle her scream.

Oomph! The sound came from both of them "First a cat, now a book? Lord woman! What will not get you into trouble? I'd hate to see what you'd do for something valuable!" Alexander's whisper in her ear sent shivers down her spine, his hips firmly pressed against her bottom did not help either.

"Mffhm-mer-hmmf!" She had meant to say, "Let me go!"

"Quiet, or do you want someone to spot us like this?" he murmured. She shook her head and he paused and seemed to press his nose against her throat inhaling.

"I thought not." It came out as a soft groan.

Charlotte wriggled in his lap trying to escape, and felt his hips flex slightly, tensing against her body in a grinding rotation as he growled low in his chest, "Don't…do…that. You won’t like the response I am sure of it.”

She froze.
What response might that be?
Her curiosity peaked but before she could try it again he let go of her mouth and his arms circled her waist lifting her up.

They both scrambled up and she leaned back against the opposite bookcase He stood rather close his head hung so his nose brushed her shoulder as he caught his breath. Her dress and chemise had slid off her left shoulder and she didn't really have the whereabouts to put it back, his breathing tickled the skin and sent a delicate shudder through her body.

Alexander had nearly had his heart stop seeing her fall off the ladder. Why she hadn't asked either him or the clerk to get what she wanted, he had no idea. But he was pleased with the contact her little escapade had rewarded him. He gulped at the sight of cream and roses, seeing it goose-pimple and shiver caused him to shut his eyes tight against any devious and dark thoughts.

We are alone…
He leaned forward and tugged her sleeve back into place and placing a soft kiss on the bare skin, before pressing his forehead to hers.
"Are you alright?"

"Yes, just had a fright is all."

"You? Gave
you
a fright? God, you scared me half to death. I doubt if that blasted Whitmore was here, he'd have been of any damn use to you."

"You do not like him, do you my Lord." It wasn't a question, and he knew it.

Alexander paused looking at her "No, I bloody well hate the bastard. The way he looks at you..." His arms were braced on either side of her. She liked the feel of being so close to him.

"My Lord, what would you have to do with how he looks at me?"

"Forgive me. I forget myself." He exhaled his breath tickling her nose he was so close.

"You did not answer my question. And I was not reprimanding you." Again the dark eyes mocked him it seemed.

He fought himself for a moment. "I can't damned well have men looking at you as if you're something to devour on first sight. It isn't becoming...”

"You look at me in such ways." the auburn eyebrows raised in scrutiny.

"I don’t know what-” she gave him a look that she didn’t believe him. “Fine, but just because I do doesn’t mean I’ll-"

"Give into it?" it was whispered, she didn’t want to say it too loud for fear it would break the way he looked at her. Charlotte could hardly believe what she had just said; she was baiting this man with sweet words and subtle looks. One who was hardly in control of himself no less!  She had to ask, "And what of Deirdre?" she whispered, running her fingertips along his arms boldly. It was purely curiosity, she’d never remembered touching a man, and found her new rapidly learning memory wanted to know what it felt like.

Charlotte could not even recognize her own voice, or her manners! God she was acting like the light skirt they had presumed she was! But the jacket covering his forearms made her shiver when she felt the bunching muscle beneath. She watched his face, her question still hung between them, as the clerk was rummaging at the front desk.

He watched her squirmed as his arms dropped to his sides, still leaning close to her. She could smell him clearly, amongst the musk of books and pages.  It was heavenly. She tilted her head, feeling that warmth pool in her belly again as it did when he was near. "My Lord? Are you alright?"

"You know the answer to that,” he whispered tightly, she felt her brow furrow.

“No I do not.”

“Of course you do…I have the same damndable thing wrong with me, as you do with yourself.” They drew closer, and closer. “Why do you have to tempt me?” he whispered.

“I could ask the same of you.”

And before either of them could stop themselves their lips softly collided, he leaning down and she unable to help it, tilting her chin up to meet him.

It was a tender, soft kiss. But the power that it had, shackled them to each other. They both groaned softly into it, and he touched the sides of her face, tilting her head back as he slowly deepened the intimate touch. She shivered and her hands clutched at his jacket, frustrated with how the layers were between her hands and his skin.

Alexander knew he had been right, he much preferred her hands elsewhere. They clung to him for support, support that he was more than willing to give. He trailed his hands down her neck, feeling her shiver and clutch harder. He felt it was a signal to continue.

But we should stop. If someone were to spot us...Ah, no bother.
His reputation was already ruined and everyone thought her a courtesan anyway...

He had a guilty thought as he flicked his tongue against her bottom lip and she invitingly opened her lush mouth.

The thought settled and expanded.
Pure?
What if she isn't a courtesan? What if she is of noble or even normal breeding?

He realized her arms had wound around his neck, and his tongue thrust into her mouth. Charlotte’s fingers tugging at his hair caused his mind to lose all thought and use of its faculties. Her tentative reaction to his desire made his blood flame.

But as if on the same train of thought, they abruptly broke off the kiss, panting. He stepped back from her. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright; she gasped for breath. "Well," she began but couldn't finish.

"Yes, well..."

They both inhaled sharply and looked down at the floor before glancing back up. She sighed and looked up past his head. "Could you please get those for me?" Her mussed hair bounced with her quick movement, and he caught himself before he reached out for it again. Alexander looked up and she pointed to two more Jane Austen books. He easily plucked them off the shelves and gathered the other two that were recommended.

"My Lord, it's unnecessary. I have the money for two, I was just picking-"

He silenced her by pressing his mouth back to her own. She tasted like earth and sweetness. Deep and warm, her small hands clawed into his jacket and she pressed against him.

"My Lord,” he released her out of courtesy for her to speak “You can't…Please I can always come back for the others-" Her small body, plastered to him was too warm. He reluctantly disengaged from their embrace slowly.

"Nonsense, it will please me to know you can enjoy these while resting." With that said, he walked to the front with her, purchased all four books and gave her the bag.

"We ought to go find Lady Deirdre and Mr. Whitmore,” she said, resignedly.

He couldn’t help but sympathize with her feeling, "Yes, we should."

The spell that had been between them was broken and they walked side by side down the row of shops.