An Improper Proposal (The Distinguished Rogues Book 6) Page 6

She hurried down the stairs, nodded politely to Fitzhugh’s burly assistant as he fumbled with the lock and stepped out through the Marshalsea prison gate as fast as she could with tears streaming down her cheeks.

  No one had died yet, but that didn’t mean they’d be so lucky next time.

  Once she reached the nearest corner, she hailed a hack and gave directions for Lord Louth’s Golden Square townhouse. She was going to call on Miss Crewe as a pretext to seeing the earl and arranging when her next lesson would occur. She could be a mistress to him if she could encourage him the right way; experience pleasure such as Lord Louth had teased her with yesterday, and be protected from Talbot.

  The trip in the carriage took significantly less time than the long trek on foot but even so her anxiety soared. She’d never deliberately paid a social call to a man before. There was always the possibility that Louth wouldn’t be at home, wouldn’t offer for her, wouldn’t wish to see her.

  When the carriage stopped before his home and she applied the knocker, the kindly faced butler greeted her with warm smiles and apologies that Miss Crewe had not yet arisen. “Should you care to leave a card?”

  She bit her lip uncertainly. It was a pity to waste the entire trip when it was really the earl she’d come to see. It was a risk but she might not have another chance to see him for days. “Would Lord Louth perhaps be at home?”

  “Yes, Miss Hedley.” The butler gestured toward a nearby room. “If you’d care to wait a moment, I shall see if he has time to speak to you today.”

  Iris entered a drawing room so elegant, her breath caught. A fine chandelier hung above an exquisite Oriental rug. Deep-cushioned chairs surrounded a fireplace screen fashioned in the Oriental style. The setting took her breath away. She’d had no idea the earl possessed such remarkable taste.

  Talbot would rub his hands in glee over the twin jade vases flanking the hearth too.

  Lord Louth hurried into the room, straightening his elegant coat into place. “Miss Hedley? I am so sorry to keep you waiting.”

  “My lord. The wait was nothing.” She dipped him a curtsy to hide the disconcerting blush sweeping over her skin like a lover’s caress. “Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.”

  “Always.” He turned toward the butler and dismissed him. Louth shut the door. “I trust all is well at home and that you’ve recovered from Mr. Meriwether’s appallingly rude questions.”

  “Yes, I have.” Her heart clattered against her chest as he drew closer. The man had been so offended by Meriwether’s questioning she’d feared the pair might come to blows. “In truth, I came to see you to discuss my lessons. You rushed away yesterday without deciding when the next would be.”

  “I had hoped you’d put that behind you.” He folded his arms over his chest, presenting an intimidating façade. “Were you not satisfied enough with the first lesson?”

  She nodded quickly. Louth had not liked the idea she might approach another gentleman in her quest to become a mistress. She hoped to trigger his protective instincts even more today. “Oh yes. But I cannot help thinking perhaps you’d prefer I should ask someone else and be done with the chore.”

  His arms dropped to his sides and he took another pace closer. “Miss Hedley, I must make one thing perfectly clear. I know exactly what lesson you need next.”

  He swooped on her, dragging her up into his arms and kissing her soundly. With her feet dangling off the floor, she wrapped her arms about his neck purely for self-preservation. However, once she was in his arms again, her senses took over.

  She’d been thinking of his kisses every other moment but had feared the desire he’d stirred in her could not be repeated. Clearly it could. He pressed her back to a wall as their tongues tangled in a frantic dance. If he could make her feel this way she’d enjoy her life as a mistress, but she still had to convince him.

  He drew back, panting hard. “Desire only takes a moment to flare beyond control, and no, I don’t want to be replaced.”

  Her eyes widened as she slid down the wall and landed on her feet. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, her legs had turned to butter so she had no choice but to hold onto his coat to remain upright. He towered over her in a navy wool coat and buff pantaloons, the epitome of good taste and breeding, and she wished to climb back into his arms again and continue kissing him. She licked her lips. “Is it normal to feel this way? So alive?”

  “Yes.” He frowned and kissed her again, his hands sliding down her sides and back up to her shoulders. He eased back a little to whisper. “What are you thinking in coming here to see me?”

  Iris tangled her fingers in his short hair and met his gaze. “I did ask after your cousin first, so no one would suspect my real motives were to see you.”

  He stared at her steadily then he nodded. “At least in that you were sensible. I paid you a visit this morning, only to be told you had gone out on a private errand. Where did you go?”

  Her heartbeat sped up. “To purchase lace,” she said quickly, latching onto the most boring errand she could think of. It was the response of a brainless twit. She didn’t want Louth to know she visited her father in the Marshalsea every chance she could. She withdrew her hand from his chest and glanced around.

  “Whitney will be down soon,” he murmured as he straightened. He caught her elbow and guided her across the room to a comfortable settee. “I sent three maids to peel her away from her art. If she’s not here in precisely the next five minutes, I’ll go in with pistols.”

  Iris couldn’t help but giggle at the image. “You really do have a shockingly low opinion of your cousin.”

  He reached out and grazed her cheek softly with his thumb. “Do remember my remarks are based on years of experience in living with the brat.”

  Iris perched on the edge of the cushion, concerned for him. “She has you under siege.”

  “Something like that. I do have trouble understanding what she wants most of the time.” He sat forward too, staring into her face with such direct focus that she shivered. “I am glad you have come.”

  She studied him openly, liking what she saw very much. Liking his honesty and to-the-point manner. “Why is that?”

  He pressed his lips together a moment. “You asked for lessons but I want to assure you I will not make the mistake of going beyond what is needed.”

  She stilled, aware she had enjoyed his attentions very much and would prefer he continued them and make her his mistress. “I was not concerned about that.”

  “You should be.” His smile slipped away. “I’m not one to take what belongs to another.”

  She smiled. She would be no trouble to him. If he did not want to be her protector she would accept his decision. “I believe, my Lord, that we understand each other. I assure you I will have no expectations beyond each lesson.”

  He nodded and was about to say more but Whitney flung the doors wide and he drew away. “Not a moment too soon,” Louth mumbled.

  Whitney strode across the room wearing another pink gown, muslin this time, and a spencer with violet-spotted cuffs. “Miss Hedley, what a lovely surprise to see you here.”

  On closer inspection, however, Iris determined the spots were actually paint splotches. On anyone else, the gown would have caused laughter at her carelessness. Iris, however, thought Whitney Crewe very original. A trait she admired very much despite Lord Louth’s occasional complaints. She dipped a curtsy. “Good morning, Miss Crewe. How lovely you look today.”

  Whitney held out her arm and displayed what might be finely drawn butterflies on the silk cuffs. “I was inspired by my morning view of the garden.”

  Iris smiled in awe at the patience required for the task, but her attention slipped to the gold cuff around her wrist. She dragged her gaze away. “Intriguing.”

  “Would you care to join me on an outing?” she asked as she pulled on her gloves, hiding the bracelet completely. “I was just on my way to the park in search of further inspiration.”

  “With us. You a
re not going out alone anywhere,” Louth corrected his cousin.

  Miss Crewe smiled. “What harm could there be in a short walk through the park? It is quite safe at this time of day. I don’t think I will sleep a wink worrying over who might creep into our home. These robberies are quite terrifying.”

  “I would not allow that to happen. I personally make sure all the windows and doors of the lower floors are locked and secured each night.”

  Miss Crewe smiled sweetly at him. “That is a relief. It is a comfort to live in a home with such a large cousin to protect me. I am ready to go if Miss Hedley is ready to join me. We can begin without you if you’d prefer.”

  “You will wait for me.” He stalked out grumbling, “I won’t have you both galloping around the park unescorted.”

  Whitney sighed. “Ill tempered at odd moments but I assure you, Lord Louth is a perfectly rational gentleman in all other respects.”

  “Perfectly amiable,” she agreed swiftly.

  Miss Crewe began to laugh. “Oh, don’t say such horridly bland things about my cousin. He deserves a better description, surely.”

  Iris glanced swiftly at Louth’s cousin in confusion and found the woman grinning. “I beg your pardon?”

  The girl fussed with her gown. “Come now, I would have waited outside longer so you and my cousin could continue your fascinating conversation about why he won’t bed you, but Gibbs was looking at me strangely so I had no choice but to barge in and pretend I hadn’t heard a word. I apologize if I interrupted precipitously, and promise I will endeavor to provide further opportunity for privacy at a later date. He must like you a great deal or he’d never have met with you without a chaperone present.”

  A blush swept up her face. “You heard it all?”

  Miss Crewe winked. “But never would I breathe a word. I just want you to know you do not need to pretend indifference to my cousin around me. He is a generous man but like all men, can be ridiculously blinkered.”

  Iris did not know what to say to that but she was relieved Miss Crewe was not at all scandalized by what she’d overheard. But she wouldn’t be so friendly if she knew what she’d done to others in society. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  When she heard Lord Louth returning she was vastly relieved. Miss Crewe noticed too much for her comfort.

  “The carriage will be a moment or two more,” he assured them.

  “A slow carriage trip?” Miss Crewe threw a pained expression at him but then turned and winked at Iris again. “Martin, you are being a bore but at least we will have Miss Hedley’s presence to add some excitement to the day. We should have invited her to visit long before this so we do not grow bored with each other’s company, as we often do.”

  The suggestion sounded so reasonable as it came out of Miss Crewe’s mouth, but given the girl had overheard her conversation with Louth, there was no way she could dismiss the calculated potential for dalliance. Iris counted that a blessing.

  Six

  The empress, as he’d once privately dubbed Iris years ago when her father had the funds, was in her element riding through Hyde Park in his carriage. It seemed impossible for her to belong anywhere other than in society, in his opinion. However, with Whitney at her side and grinning like a loon, he wasn’t sure if his decision to accompany them was in his best interests. The two seemed to be becoming fast friends on this ride, but he was afraid, given the sly glances in his direction, that Whitney was also very likely up to something.

  He hoped she was not leading Iris to believe there might be more between them. He couldn’t bear to see her hurt. He could not court or wed her. He couldn’t be her protector either. He wanted only to be her friend and divert her from the folly of her own making.

  He settled more comfortably against the squabs of his barouche and let his gaze fall on Iris, as it had done constantly since leaving his home. Iris again fidgeted with her pale-gray gloves that matched her carriage dress. Pretty, and proper, and unbelievably desirable. The earlier kiss had affected him more than it should have and he cursed his foolishness for indulging in the unnecessary lesson. He felt on edge. Certain he was making a mistake in giving in to this attraction. She had felt very good in his arms.

  Unfortunately, he could not walk away and let her education be taken over by another man. The very idea sent his temper soaring.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked her quietly, when Whitney’s attention was drawn to a passing carriage containing artist friends of hers.

  “Yes, my lord. A carriage ride in the park is always an enjoyable outing.” Her genuine smile encouraged his. Their gaze held and the beginnings of unwise desire warmed her eyes, turning them round and luminous. Unfortunately, if Iris continued to look upon him with unabashed lust, he’d have to do something he’d really rather not. One kiss always led to another, and another. Indulging again was out of the question unless he wanted to ruin her.

  Her smile turned hesitant. “The Ettingtons have invited Esme and I to dinner on Thursday next week. Are you by chance attending?”

  If any other unmarried woman had asked that question with such hope in her voice, he would have edged around an answer and not dared commit himself either way. However, he’d always looked forward to seeing Iris in society and making sure she was comfortable, so he nodded. “I am. They are great friends. You will find the marchioness a trifle unconventional but she is also a great deal of fun,” he added.

  “I like what I’ve heard of her very much. And I have been fortunate enough to have witnessed firsthand how happy she has made the marquess.”

  “That she has, although many believed he’d chosen rashly at the time.” He shrugged. Ettington had married for love. As had all of his friends. He did not begrudge them their happiness but being stuck in a room full of grinning spouses made a bachelor long for the nearest exit.

  Whitney smacked the door of the carriage suddenly. “I just remembered. The duke is in Town and sure to be at the Ettington dinner party, isn’t he?”

  Iris frowned. “Which duke?”

  “Why, the Duke of Exeter, of course. Lord Ettington’s reclusive uncle.” Whitney sighed dreamily. “Aside from determining if the resemblance is as strong as everyone claims, I’m so looking forward to making his acquaintance.”

  “Whitney,” Martin warned. He doubted his cousin would set her cap for a man three times her age, which likely meant she wanted an introduction for other reasons. Exeter would be livid if Whitney even attempted to stir up trouble for him. He could see social disaster looming if he did not put a stop to her schemes. “The duke isn’t a man to bait with careless conversation, as you do with everyone else.”

  Instead of being chastened, she smirked. “Well, everyone insists I must meet the man and at last that day has come.”

  “Meet him, not embarrass the family in the process. Get on his wrong side and you could find your eccentricities fodder for his amusement. You will not find the experience pleasant. There will be no one to appeal to for peace. Ettington will take his uncle’s side, as always.”

  “Your cousin is correct,” Iris agreed softly. “Exeter is not a man to cross.”

  He smiled his thanks for her support but Iris was wringing her hands instead and looking down. “Are you acquainted with his grace?”

  Her chin lifted. “A long time ago. I’m sure he won’t remember me?”

  Only a blind man wouldn’t recall such sweet, gentle beauty. Instead he said, “He forgets nothing.”

  Iris winced and turned her attention to the park.

  Whitney grabbed Iris’s hand the next moment as her eyes widened. “Look there. I see Mr. Talbot has ventured to the park today.”

  Surprised by Whitney’s mention of a man of little fashion or distinction, Martin turned to look too. Wealthy but not particularly well-shod. They’d had little to do with each other in society. The fellow normally moved in an entirely different social set, but due to recent recognition by some hostesses who should know better, had begun climbi
ng the social ladder and had been seen everywhere.

  Iris kept her hands clenched together in her lap. “There are many others of interest in the park today.”

  Whitney’s disappointment in Iris’s disinterest was swift and curious. She glanced his way with a second haughty smirk. “Well, we must say hello anyway.”

  What was his cousin trying to do, engineer a deeper acquaintance between Talbot and Iris? She must know how wrong that was. Iris Hedley deserved the very best in a husband.

  To his considerable shock, Whitney turned and waved wildly at Mr. Talbot, giving the man no choice but to acknowledge her. When his coachmen slowed to a stop, Talbot left his companions and strolled in their direction.

  Martin held his breath as the man noticed Iris for the first time. The man’s eyes glowed with happiness. Eagerness. He stopped beside the carriage and whispered her first name…Iris.

  “Mr. Talbot.” A slow blush crept over her cheeks. “It is a pleasure to see you, sir.”

  “And it is a pleasure to see you.” The man glanced at him and Talbot’s smile dimmed a little. “And with Lord Louth no less. What an unexpected surprise this is.”

  “Talbot,” he acknowledged, but he was keen to see the back of the man. Iris, for all her warm greeting, appeared unimpressed with the man.

  Iris sighed and gestured to Whitney. “Are you acquainted with my friend, Miss Whitney Crewe?”

  Whitney held out her hand, bare of her glove and sparkling with gold at the wrist. Talbot took her fingers in a light grip and grinned. “Not as yet. A pleasure.”

  “Sir. It is such a pleasure to make your acquaintance, too.”

  His attention returned to Iris immediately. “Any news of your father?”

  Iris winced. “No.”

  Talbot nodded, and then squared his shoulders. “One does hope he remains in good health.”

  Martin’s eyes narrowed when Iris paled. It pained him that she was so hesitant to speak of her father to acquaintances. She kept her gaze averted. “I hope so too.”

  Talbot smiled and was about to speak again when Martin tipped his head to the group the man had recently left. “I believe your party is moving on without you.”