To Seduce an Earl (36 page)

Or perhaps… perhaps she had realized what a foolish idea he’d had.

Alex sank onto a bench as a father and child walked hand and hand down the platform. The child was chatting amicably as the father nodded, smiling in the sort of approving way only a doting parent could. He felt no jealousy at the image, not even sadness. He felt…nothing.

“Ye coming?” the guard asked, strolling briskly by Alex. He had things to do, people to send off, interesting places to go.

Alex could merely shake his head as he sat alone on that bench, the tickets gripped tightly in his hands. Had he been delusional to think she would give up her life for him? Delusional to think she could possibly care? Sadly, he didn’t blame her. No, he didn’t blame her in the least. But it didn’t stop his heart from crumbling, from breaking piece by wretched piece.

She hadn’t come.

The crowds grew thick as people boarded the trains. The roar of conversation was almost overwhelming. The weary faces of men trudging home after a day’s work. Wealthy families headed to the countryside for fresh air. And he could identify those country folk who had moved to the city, hoping for a better life and work. The haggard faces and soulless eyes, finding the city had little to offer but sinful ways for the poor, returning to their homes after a battle well fought, but lost all the same.

“Tis’ so very exciting!” a little girl cried out, skipping beside her mother as they raced toward the train.

And then there were the children. The children who still believed that wonderful things could happen. Who only saw the good.

“Mustn’t be late,” the mother replied, one hand in her child’s, the other holding her feathered bonnet to her head. The child’s dark red hair was plaited in a braid that swung eagerly across her back. Her flushed face full of hope and innocence reminded him of what Grace might have looked like at that age.

Alex’s heart squeezed painfully. How he had wished for the normalcy of a family, even daring to go so far as to believe it wasn’t an impossible dream. For over an hour he’d stood on that platform, ignoring the crush of strangers and waiting for Grace, dreaming of a cottage full of children, as if their innocence could erase his sins.

But the dreams were fading now, leaving him cold and alone. He was a statue. Some image of a man who once was. No longer part of life. Perhaps he never had been. Grace had been his one hope for a brighter future. This morn, with the possibility of Grace by his side the world had seemed new. Anything had seemed attainable. Now… now… He’d thought if only he went to her, told her the truth, he could mend things between them. It hadn’t worked.

Grace.

He felt utterly alone. Utterly…lost, floating in a city of strangers.

Where would he go?

He barely cared.

Grace hadn’t come. He leaned forward, resting his head in his hands. Nothing mattered because she hadn’t arrived.

A shrill whistle pierced the evening air. The sound of shuffling feet and passengers racing to the cars interrupted the roar of conversational farewells. Still, he didn’t bother to lift his head, drowning in hopelessness.

“Alex?”

The soft voice was like a call from heaven. Blood roared to his ears, his body stirring to life. He didn’t dare turn, fearing that if he did and she wasn’t there, he would be forced to face his own insanity.

“Alex….” Her voice was stronger this time, closer.

His heart flip-flopped, slamming wildly against his ribcage. Dare he hope?
 

A warm hand rested on his shoulder, the touch from a goddess, an angel. Alex surged to his feet, the rush of emotion making him almost dizzy. Too much hope, too soon. He spun around. The bench stood between them, a hateful barrier, but he felt her nearness as if she was a very part of him.

Lovingly, he soaked in the site of his saving Grace. His gaze went from that green dress that had reminded him of innocence, to the straw bonnet that framed her flushed face, only to jump to the carpet bag gripped in her gloveless hand. She was Spring and everything good in the world. In her smile he saw the promise of renewal. Of hope. For one long moment, he merely stared at her, worried that if he blinked, she’d disappear. Worried that in his crazed mind he was seeing things.

“Grace?” his voice came out gruff with emotion.

She nodded, smiling a brilliant smile that he felt all the way to his toes. “I’m here, Alex. I’m sorry I’m late,” she continued. “But it was rather difficult to escape….”

He surged forward and cupped the sides of her face, leaning into the bench. “You’re here.”

He lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was gentle, lovely and there were plenty to witness their sin. He wanted to memorize every detail of the moment. To breathe in her scent. To taste her forever. In that soft kiss, he poured his soul, telling her how much she meant to him. How much he cared.

Overcome by the awkward bench between them, he was finally forced to step back, but he still felt the pressure of their kiss upon his tingling lips. She had arrived. But the fear was still there, lingering and taunting in the deep recesses of his heart. As much as he wanted to pull her onto the train, and escape the hells of London, he had to make sure she wanted this completely.

“All aboard!” a guard called.

Grace started for the train, but Alex stepped in front of her, halting her progress. “What if the treasure is a lie? Some silly myth.”
 

She shook her head, the stray strands of hair that had come loose, wavered on the soft evening breeze. Her excitement was obvious by the flush of her face, but did she truly understand what she was doing? “It won’t be. I can feel it, deep down. I’m never wrong about these things, you know.”

She was so ready to believe in treasures, in fairytales… in him. Dare he believe as well? “Your family—”

She skirted around the bench, taking his hand in hers, those fingers tight and warm. “Patience will look after Mama. They both gave me their blessing.” She tugged on his hand, impatient. “Hurry, Alex, we’ll miss the train.”

She was grinning, her eyes sparkling with a happiness he always wished to see upon her lovely face. Any hesitation and worry fled. He shoved the tickets into the guard’s hand and followed the sway of her skirts up the steps. The second class carriage was crowded with fathers returning home from work and families traveling to the countryside. Women brushed aside their wide skirts, making room for them to move down the aisle. The air held the stench of soaps, colognes and a few unwashed bodies. The quarters were crowded, there was no privacy. And how he wished for privacy.

His excitement wavered as they took their seats, nothing more than two wooden benches placed side by side. Settled next to the dusty window, Grace faced him, that excitement still there, the sparkle remaining firmly in her gaze no matter what the situation.

“I’ve never been on a train before. We’re up so high! I’ve seen them rush by, you know, and marveled over their speed.”

She was endearing, always seeing hope and beauty when most would see none. Unable to resist, he cupped the side of her flushed face, sliding his fingers under the stiff straw bonnet and into the silky strands of hair at her temple. Slowly, he leaned forward, his chest pressing into her shoulder and molded his mouth to hers, heedless to the curious stares of their traveling companions.

“You must be newlywed,” the old woman seated across from them chuckled.

Alex pulled back, grinning over Grace’s bemused look. “Indeed,” he replied to the woman. It wasn’t exactly a lie; if he had his way, they would be very soon. Grace merely blinked at the woman, bewildered by his kiss or his response. Perhaps both.

“Next time we’ll be in a first class carriage,” he whispered near her ear.

She shook her head, looking completely serious. “I haven’t the slightest desire to return to London.”

His heart swelled. He wasn’t sure if she didn’t care for the city, or if she was thinking of him by not returning to a place where anyone might identify him. It was all too good to be true. The survivor in him warned not to get too comfortable. Something horrible was sure to happen and ruin his hopeful plans.

It would take at least a couple days to make it to their destination. Two long days in which she could come to her senses and change her mind. But for once, he took Grace’s position in life and believed that anything was possible.

A shrill whistle sounded one last time and the train jerked to life. Sucking in a breath of excitement, Grace squeezed his hand, her palm warm and smooth against his.

“Grace, I can’t promise you anything,” he warned.

She looked at him, her eyes sparkling underneath the rim of her bonnet, and in her gaze he saw her heart, her soul. “I only want you.”

It was all he needed to hear.

Chapter 20

Alex in the fancy clothing Lady Lavender forced him to wear was enticing indeed. But Alex in workmen’s garb, simple and well fitted, was even better. There was something incredibly erotic about the way his plain white shirt hugged his chest, the color contrasting with his dark hair. The way his rough, brown trousers encased his long, muscled legs. Grace couldn’t look away as he strolled toward her, his gait easy and relaxed. He was a different man. And wearing simple clothing, there was nothing to compete with the beauty of his features.

Tonight they would be alone without a chance of interference. Their first night alone. A shiver of awareness caressed her skin, desire and nervousness simmering deep within her core. Alex would not force her to do anything she did not wish to do, but there were so very many, many things she
wanted
to do.
 

She didn’t miss the way other women, even those in a hurry, slid him an appreciative glance. And she certainly didn’t miss the fact that Alex didn’t even notice their attention. No, his sweet grin was focused on her. Only her. She shifted on the edge of the rock wall where she’d sat, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon while waiting for him. The day lovely, the sun bright and the world full of possibilities.

Any cares she’d had vanished the moment they stepped into town, their town now. The village closest to their cottage. She studied the scenery under the rim of her bonnet. Perhaps the woman walking by with the kind smile and brilliant blonde hair would one day be her friend, someone she might chat with when coming to town for supplies. They would talk about their children, or trade recipes. Perhaps the men standing where two footpaths met would one day welcome Alex into their fold as they discussed the weather, or the best spots for fishing.

Grace breathed deeply the scent of salt water. Yes, she could see a life here. A life of happiness and friendships and love. A life where Alex could forget his past and move toward a lovely future…with her.

Alex darted between two carriages and appeared beside Grace, his hair ruffled by the sea breeze. “Well, I was able to procure this fine outfit and two blankets.” He flashed her a grin, quite proud of himself.

Grace jumped from her perch and grinned back, resisting the urge to kiss him there in front of everyone. Resisting the urge to run her hands over his broad shoulders and that lovely, muscled back. “Fine, indeed. Well done.”

She slipped her arm through his as they made their way down the road, away from the small town. It was a simple village of white-washed cottages where one would find only the necessities. But they needed nothing more. In fact, she quite craved the simple things in life. What more did she need if she had Alex?

The carriage they’d taken from the train station, had dropped them off in the center of the small town early that morn. Although she couldn’t spot the ocean just yet, Grace swore she could smell the sea the moment she’d stepped from the coach. The very air seemed cleaner…fresh, alive with possibility! The shrill cry of the gulls above were like music to her ears. There was no need to speak, for their dreams and future were proclaimed on the beautiful wings of the butterflies that floated on the wildflowers, on the wind that swayed the grasses.

They left the town and followed the lane. On either side, birch trees waved their hellos, shiny green leaves unfurling with Summer’s approach.

“With your two blankets and the bread, cheese and apples we were able to purchase with the coins, we’ll do quite well,” she said.
 
 

Alex gave her a tight smile and she knew he was worried about the days
after
their food was gone. But the sun was bright, the sky blue and the day much too wonderful for melancholy thoughts. Alex took the burlap bag she carried, stuffed the blankets inside, and tossed the sack over his shoulder.
 
 

“Devon is lovely,” she said. “I do believe I could be quite happy here.” Truly happy. The moment she’d stepped from the carriage and her foot had hit the soil, it was as if a great weight had lifted. Still, Alex didn’t speak.

She glanced up at him, wondering if he felt the same. There was something about his demeanor that had changed when they’d arrived. She could sense his ease, see it in the relaxed lines of his face and gait of his walk. “Do you like it? Is it everything you remember it to be?”

He grinned, the sort of excited grin she’d never seen upon his face before. The grin of true happiness. “It is.”