Part 1 (2/2)
The rider held his painful smile while brus.h.i.+ng at the shoulder of his elegant coat. ”Pray take a wider turn about the fountain with me, my lady. The water seems to be splas.h.i.+ng a bit far a-field today,” he said boisterously. He held out an elbow then whispered, ”Take it,” through clenched teeth.
She dared not disobey, but padded alongside him like the puppy she felt. She took note of the flowers planted no doubt to distract one from the ugliness of the fountain. The path exaggerated the shape of the pool-octagonal, but elongated. Not once could she remember carriages on that path, but they were there today. The horseman's animal swung its hindquarters out of the way just in time to avoid the wheel of an antique barouche packed with women. Tempest wouldn't have looked up had the horse not screamed.
The horseman took a step in the poor beast's direction, but it quickly settled. The conveyances ebbed away, though the southeast section of the park remained popular. Her puppy-training friend seemed equally loathe to give their audience any attention in return, so they walked on, looking from their shoes to the fountain, and back again.
”Can you...really...be so...naive, my lady?” He asked it cheerfully, as if he were asking her opinion on the weather. They were clipping along quickly enough that even though some of the crowd could hear a word or two clearly, no one would have time to hear more. ”Can you not think...of something...more valuable...to a gentleman...than your...pretty slippers?”
”I'm sorry, sir. But did you not indicate that I was not being auctioned off as a man's mistress?” she murmured.
”Understand me, my lady. That would naturally be the next logical step in your life. After. After the deed was done.” His hand once again covered hers where it lay on his arm. ”Your despicable guardian has offered only a part of you for a price. No doubt a man like that would also require fees from your future patrons as well.”
Tempest looked up to find the man's jaw about to snap although he held her hand in all gentleness. Poor man. She would just have to let this stranger in on her little secret.
”My dear Mister Hercules. How brave you are to risk scandal by bringing me such a warning. However, I must tell you I will not be a party to my stepfather's little arrangements.”
He closed his lovely blue eyes and took a deep breath. When he exhaled she thought she could nearly taste him. Soap and cinnamon.
”My dear Miss Aphrodite, I'm afraid your willingness has nothing to do with the blackhearts plans.”
”Oh, but Mister Hercules, I will not be around to find out. I had planned to leave my stepfather's loving home in but two days. I will have to adjust my schedule a bit, but rest a.s.sured, sir, I will be gone by morning.”
He stopped and turned to her, his brow smoother than it had been since they met.
”Happy I am to hear it, my lady. Happy, indeed.”
They resumed walking albeit at a slower pace about the fountain. Her companion's steps were lighter than before, the silence filled with a decidedly off-tune whistle from his lips which drew only laughter from her.
”I doubt she had strawberry-red hair, my lord.”
”Pardon?”
”Aphrodite. I doubt she had strawberry hair.”
”Oh, my dear. Of course she did.”
That earned him yet another laugh.
A black horse stepped into their path and Tempest looked up to find a man blocking the morning suns.h.i.+ne from her eyes. She smiled in appreciation until she realized why another man might have come to get a glimpse of her. She hoped the brim of her hat concealed her blush. Surely this man was only there out of curiosity. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, she raised her gaze to his.
”Wescott,” he said, greeting her companion but not taking his attention from her. ”Pray introduce me, man.”
Hercules couldn't be Leland Wescott, the Duke of Stromburg. He couldn't! She released her hold on his arm, but he seemed not to notice, holding her hand just as firmly as before.
She was guided around the horse and rider and swept away by her possibly notorious companion before he tossed his response over his shoulder.
”You already know who you are, Redmond.”
This time they strode around the fountain in deafening silence. If she were not losing her wits, she had just been party to the Duke of Stromburg giving the cut direct to the Duke of Redmond. And as much as she wished they had changed their course, she was being guided full circle to face the snubbed man once again.
The dark horse remained in their path, the man now standing next to it, and the Duke of Redmond didn't look as if the snub had done more than amuse him, thank heavens.
This time Hercules lead her in a wide circle out around the man and his horse and the crowd, no longer pretending ignorance, roared with laughter. She was grateful the Duke of Redmond was laughing along. The Duke of Stromburg smiled politely as they rounded the south end of the fountain and much to the delight of the crowd, he slowed their pace to that of a belligerent tortoise as they made their way back to the other duke for the third time.
Tempest was about to pull her arm free to avoid another turn around the water feature when her horseman gave her hand a squeeze and halted a few paces before the other man's horse.
”Odiferous? Is that you, ol' boy?” he addressed the animal.
”That's Oth.e.l.lo, as you well know,” said Redmond, removing his gloves and tucking them into the pocket of his rich green riding jacket. ”Now will you introduce me to this lovely lady, or would you like to finish your conversation with my mount?”
”Impossible,” Hercules said flatly. ”I have not yet been introduced to this fair lady, so I cannot pa.s.s on the favor.”
”And yet you walk with her? Pray tell what has he been telling you Miss...?”
”Miss MacIntyre, Your Grace.” At least she had the presence of mind to curtsy, though Stromburg pulled her up from it rather quickly.
”Of course. A Scottish la.s.s. Perfect,” the man purred and chills originated in the center of her spine and exploded in warning as they often did when her stepfather asked to speak to her in his library.
She was no longer able to smile, sincerely or otherwise.
”Well, Miss MacIntyre, his grace has certainly been talking at great length to a lady with whom he is not yet acquainted. What topic of discussion could he possibly have used for entertainment? What excuse to bend your ear?”
She could feel her horseman stiffen beside her, but she answered before he could interrupt.
”We discussed the best methods for training dogs, Your Grace.”
The eyebrows on both men rose, but now it was the horseman who smiled broadly.
”Indeed?” Redmond looked over her companion.
”It should come as no surprise, Redmond, that I would choose such a topic. You know how much I like animals.” Stromburg patted Oth.e.l.lo on the cheek.
”Too right. Well, Miss MacIntyre, it was good to make your acquaintance. I'm sure we'll meet again. I'm absolutely sure of it.” With only a slight bow that could be attributed to the speed at which he backed away, The Duke of Redmond turned and mounted. Once the animal was in his control, he urged the beast far too close to Stromburg, but the latter held his ground. Redmond leaned toward Tempest. ”Don't believe half the things he tells you, Miss MacIntyre.” He straightened. ”And Stromburg, I'm certain you cannot afford to...accost this lady again. And pray do not bore her with tales of your bravery. It's likely even Miss MacIntyre is aware-well, never mind.”
The Duke of Redmond kicked his mount and was gone. In his wake, the on-lookers hung their heads in disappointment and wandered away. Finally, she looked at the man who still held her hand to his arm.
”Once again, allow me to tell you how happy I am that you will be escaping your stepfather's clutches, Miss MacIntyre.” His artificial smile was back, but with even less feeling behind it. His eyes darted away from her.
”Oh please, Mister Hercules, call me Miss Aphrodite. I rather liked it.”
To her complete joy, his gaze and his smile returned, only this time with sincerity.
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