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When Dallis awoke the next morning she lay tucked under the covers with her nightgown rebuttoned. Rory must have carried her to bed. The last thing she remembered was feeling secure in his arms as she fell asleep. Dallis closed her eyes, remembering their time in the library. A warm blush spread over her body as the scandalous thoughts flooded her senses. The emotions he drew with his kisses and touch made Dallis wish to experience more. She rose swiftly and dressed for the day. She wanted to be available for Rory when he called. Because she knew today he wouldn’t disappoint her. He wouldn’t have been as intimate, if he didn’t mean to court her.
As she walked closer to the parlor, she overheard her grandmother talking with a man. Dallis hurried, believing it to be Rory. His presence this early meant only one thing. It warmed her heart that he wished to see her as much as she wished to see him.
Instead disappointment filled her heart when she found her grandmother entertaining Lord Holdenburg. He was the last man she wanted to visit with, even though she promised him a walk in the park. Perhaps she could persuade him to stay indoors, then she wouldn’t miss the chance of Rory’s visit.
“There you are, lass. I was explaining to Lord Holdenburg how unusual it was for you to lie in bed so late.”
“I am sorry for the lateness of my rising. I found it difficult to fall asleep, so I thought if I read it would make me tired.”
“Yes. Shaw found your full glass of milk this morning.”
“Another reason to apologize. I am sorry, Nanna, the story absorbed my attention.”
Holdenburg said, “I like to pass the time with a great novel myself. May I inquire to the title of the book?”
Dallis’s mind scrambled to think of a title. Of the hundreds of novels she read, she couldn’t recall a single one. All she remembered was the trail of kisses Rory spread across her chest when he lowered her to the floor and loved her. She tried to focus on the new dilemma but all she could do was shrug her shoulders in forgetfulness.
“I am sorry, I forgot the title. After I finished reading, I slid the book back onto the shelf.”
He smiled. “No problem, perhaps on our walk you can explain the plot and I can try to place the story.”
“Yes, our walk. Perhaps instead you can continue to teach me how to play cards? I think I have a knack for card games.”
“I confess, Lady Dallis, I hoped we could take a stroll through the park. It has been miserable being stuck indoors through the latest rainfall. I promise on my next visit, I can teach you more.”
“Go for a walk, Dallis. You look pale this morning. A walk will brighten your cheeks with some sun. Only do not forget your bonnet. Your mother will have my head if you get any more freckles.”
Dallis blushed. “Yes, Nanna.”
~~~~~
“I ADMIRE YOUR DELIGHTFUL freckles,” Lord Holdenburg murmured as they strolled along the pathway in the park.
Dallis blushed and decided not to comment on his compliment. She was in no mood to flirt with Holdenburg after his behavior the evening before. To encourage him would only cause difficulties later with Rory. She discovered through Kathleen that Rory and Holdenburg were lifelong friends who always had healthy competitions on everything. Kathleen explained that lately her brother had distanced himself from Holdenburg due to family obligations, but Dallis wondered if this wasn't for other reasons. She didn’t want to pit the two gentlemen against each other for her affections. There was only one she desired to gift her affections to, and that man was Rory. After the glances she'd witnessed Lord Holdenburg direct toward Kathleen, she had no doubt where his affections lay.
Their walk ended near the Serpentine. Even though the rain stopped, it didn’t take away the gusts of wind. The day was warmer, but the breeze still sent the water into white caps, causing the boats secured to the docks to bash against each other. Dallis watched the destruction, waiting for Lord Holdenburg to explain himself. However, he stayed silent. When she glanced his way, she noticed him staring across the river toward a couple chasing after a girl’s bonnet. It wasn’t any girl, but Kathleen. Her companion grabbed the ribbons and rescued the hat before it floated away in the water. Dallis watched the delight that spread across Kathleen’s face, then turned to observe Lord Holdenburg’s reaction. He frowned before, trudging back up the hill to settle on a bench. The look of disappointment on his face relieved any anger she felt toward the lord.
She said, “So, I was correct in my assumption?”
“Yes.”
“Then why have you entered into a courtship with me? Why do you not court Lady Kathleen?”
“It is a long story, Dallis.”
She laughed. “I love long stories.” She nudged him with her shoulder.
He barked out a laugh. “Well, for starters, she despises me.”
“Nonsense.”
“You saw for yourself how she reacts toward me.”
“Then change her mind.”
“Oh, if it were only that simple, my dear.”
“Everything is simple, if you want it badly enough.”
“How is that going for you? Have you recently brought Rory to heel?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Mmm ...”
Dallis frowned. “You do not believe he has stopped letting his responsibilities stand in his way?”
“It is more than responsibilities, Dallis dear.”
“How so?”
“It is a manner of pride.”
“I do not understand.”
“Dallis, it is not my place to explain to you Rory’s private affairs. Rory must explain his problems to you. However, I can say, he would not be the only man to suffer from pride if they wanted to make you their bride.”
“We are a sorry lot are we not, Lord Holdenburg?”
“Yes, I believe we are.”
“You want the sister and I want the brother. But yet here we are together.”
“We could not be any worse off. Perhaps we ought to set our feelings to the side regarding them and focus on each other?”
“You know as well as I, we would only grow to resent one another.”
Lord Holdenburg sighed. “Correct as usual. Then what do you suggest?”
“I suggest we pursue the ones we most desire until we reach the outcome meant for us.”
“For me to achieve that, I must sink to the lowest depths of a scoundrel.”
“Lowest depths, huh? I never figured your character to be dramatic, but considering where your heart lies it could work out perfectly. Lady Kathleen is drawn to the theater. You could be the dastardly villain who the heroine tames into the hero of her dreams.”
They each fell into a fit of laughter at the vivid description of his behavior he needed to portray.
“And you, Dallis, how will you bring Rory around?”
“I already have. In fact, I would not be surprised if he is waiting for me at Nanna’s right this instance.”
“Then by all means, let us return you to his regard.”
Dallis laughed again when Lord Holdenburg tugged her to her feet and they returned to her grandparent’s townhome.
“I hope you can forgive my behavior from the previous evening.”
“You are forgiven. Please, do not be a stranger, Lord Holdenburg. I wish to aide you in your dilemma whenever you have the need.”
He bowed and lifted her hand for a kiss. “Thank you, my lady. Now hurry, your prince awaits your arrival.
But he didn’t. Nor did he arrive at all throughout the day. Dallis waited in anticipation for Rory with every knock on the door. After every countless visitor Shaw announced, her heart broke a little more. As usual, Rory betrayed her confidence in him. When she readied for bed, Dallis continued to wait for any sign: a letter, a gift, or a word from his mother or sister. But nothing. Dallis wiped the tears trailing along her cheeks as the hurt returned. Why? Why did he give her hope and then snatch it away?
~~~~~
RORY SLUMPED IN THE chair behind his desk. He lifted the glass and drank the spirits in one swallow. Still it didn’t numb the feeling in his gut. After a couple of more drinks, he began to see the light behind his troubles. They'd started near dawn and only just ended. He handled them all but one. The one that tore at his gut all day because he never got to call on Dallis. He'd failed her once more. Every time he settled a crisis and meant to sneak away for a few minutes to Dallis, another problem would blow up in his face. Damn his father for still causing them trouble from the grave.
Rory knew that by not calling on Dallis today or sending word, he hurt her deeply. His gesture tomorrow would have to be so grand for any hope of forgiveness. All day, he thought of her sweet nature as he held her while she slept. Rory had a special gift that he would hand over personally. He wanted to give Dallis the best of everything, but because of his late father he couldn’t. The simple gesture would bring her delight, and the treasure only cost his family from enjoying a special treat. Rory had convinced cook to let him have the strawberries she wanted to make into a jam. Agnes thought him peculiar when he put them in a jar with a simple cover. He wrote a note and attached it to the jar. The gift rested on his desk waiting to be delivered. A job he would see to himself in the morning. Rory decided no further interruptions would prevent him from capturing Dallis’s smile and holding it close.
He moved the chair closer to the desk, pouring over the ledgers one more time. His glance kept straying to the jar of strawberries. Rory would smile and get lost in his memories, only to have to refocus again. He would make things right and court Dallis starting tomorrow. Sheffield sent word to him that his investment had already doubled, and Rory would have a payout soon. Then his father’s debt would shrink and he would be able to spoil his mother and sister more. In a matter of time, he could propose to Dallis. In the meantime, Rory would court her as she deserved, dance with her at balls, and let every gentleman of the ton know she was his. He wouldn’t tolerate for any slander against her name. Rory also realized he had one more matter to take care of tomorrow.
After that, no gentleman’s name would be attached to Dallis but his own.