Alex and Whit sat comfortably in the former’s study, sipping fine old brandy and listened to the pounding on the front door. It had been going on for a good ten minutes.
“All right, let him in.” Alex finally told his butler, Brisby, who was hovering about, looking morose indeed.
The two lords heard cursing as the front door crashed against the wall then was slammed shut. The force rattled the windowpanes.
“God damn it, Alex!” Rafe stormed into the room, tossing his black cloak back over his shoulders. “Where is she?” He leaned down, placed his hands on either arm of his large friend’s chair, and stuck his face into the other’s. “She’s here, isn’t she?”
”Just whom are you referring to, old man?” Alex responded coolly. “I certainly brought no woman here. What about you, Whit? Are you harboring some chit under me roof?” He shoved Rafe away, hard, a dangerous glint in his sable eyes.
“You know very well who I mean, damn your soul!” Rafe shook his fist at the two who just sat there looking as calm as could be. “I went back to Blake’s only to find you had spirited her away the moment I left!”
“I do believe he means your lady cousin,” Whit supplied and pretended to stifle a yawn behind his hand.
“Oh, her. Well, you can’t think she would be here in a bachelor’s residence, me boy. That’s absurd.”
“Then what bloody hotel did you put her in?” Rafe raked his fingers through his already mussed hair.
He had panicked upon finding they had already left the party. For several moments, sorrow had gripped him at the thought of never seeing Isabella again. Of course, his good reason had returned, and he’d known just where she would be. Or so he had thought.
“I don’t know why I should tell you where she is.” Alex leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “What does it matter to you?”
“Just why is she here in London? Why isn’t she safely tucked away in North Bindlefork?”
“She has never been here before,” Whit said with a shrug. “That’s reason enough for me. You know women. She’s been buying new gowns and hats, seeing the sights.” He smiled slyly. “Why, I do believe she may even be thinking about making a suitable match while here.”
“The hell she is! How could you two allow her to be groped by all those damned dandies tonight?” Rafe was oblivious to the knowing looks that passed between the other two, as he began to pace. “Lord, Alex, what were you thinking, allowing her to wear that dress? It bloody well clung to her! And just who gave her those jewels, I’d like to know? She doesn’t own any, save the diamond earrings her father gave her.”
“You certainly seem to know a good deal about it. Would you care for a brandy?” Whit asked, his voice bland.
Rafe sank down onto the chocolate brown leather ottoman, holding his head in his hands. “If you won’t tell me where she is, at least tell me she’s all right.” He stared morosely at the tips of his highly polished shoes. He knew he was mad to be doing this, to be seeking her out. Their lust was a dangerous thing to them both, but he could only think of her. Thoughts of her suffering over his rejection had been awful enough. Now he had to endure visions of her earlier enjoyment as one man after another held her in their arms. Could she actually be entertaining thoughts of marrying any of those gentlemen?
“What does it matter to you?” Alex asked again, softly, a wary yet curious look about him.
“God, I don’t know. Alex, she’s all I’ve been able to think about since we returned.” He sat up, realizing what he’d just confessed. “All right, plain speeking. I’m infatuated with her. She quite got under my skin, it seems, and I cannot get her out.” Rafe shook his head at the stares from his friends. “I know, it’s absurd that a jaded man like myself should develop such a fondness for the girl. Go ahead and laugh.”
“I’m not laughing, you sod. And if it is only an infatuation, you can bloody well leave her alone.”
“I cannot.”
“Then I’ll kill you, old man.”
It was said with such quiet menace, Rafe quite believed Alex. He looked at his friend, shocked, as a sudden realization came to him. “Good God, she told you about us!”
“She confessed that you took certain, well, liberties with her very lovely person, Rafe,” Whit chimed in. “All right, plain speaking it is, my friend. While she’s visiting, we shall see to protecting her, from you or any others a bit too eager. If you don’t have honorable intentions, then you’d best stay away from the lady. It’s as simple as that.”
Rafe looked from one face to the other. They were serious! Lord, how could they expect him to stay away from her, when she was all he thought about? He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, and could barely keep a thought other than her in his head. And now, to find out she was probably only blocks away and they wanted him to refrain from seeing her?
He knew they were right, damn them. If he had a decent bone in his body, he would stay miles away. But he just knew he couldn’t. He had to see Isabella, if just once more, and damn the consequence.
“Where is she, Alex?”
“Go to hell, Rafe. You’ll not paw her again.”
“God damn it, man!” Rafe shot to his feet. “Tell me where she is!”
“Take your best shot, puppy, and I’ll pound you into the bloody ground!” Alex jumped up, toe to toe with the young duke.
Whit rose and stepped between the two, who where nearly at each other’s throats. “Why, Rafe? Do you love her? Can you admit it,” he snorted with contempt, “or are you still going to hide behind that idiotic rhetoric your father drummed into your head?”
“Love? Don’t be stupid, Whit.”
“Then you’re a damned coward, and you don’t deserve her. I knocked you on your arse once, don’t think I can’t do it again.”
“Whit, you’re hardly the violent type, let me knock the muttonhead down.”
“All right, fine. If you won’t tell me where she is, then I’ll just have to find out for myself. At the very least, I shall see her at McPherson’s ball next week.” Rafe smirked at their obvious displeasure at that idea. “You can’t keep me from her forever.” He would see her.
“No,” Alex said softly, his sable eyes narrowing dangerously, “but we can keep you in bed for a good while.” His meaty fist landed directly in Rafe’s face.
“Well, what happened? Did he come to see you?” Isabella could hardly sit still. She, Alex and Whit sat at breakfast in her cozy house. While the two men devoured the meal, Isabella only sipped at her tea.
“Oh, yes.” Alex paused between bites of the smoked ham omelet and gave her an assessing look. “He, of course, came looking for you.” He shook his head with obvious annoyance at her radiant smile.
“So, when is he to come calling on me?” She was so excited she wanted to dance a jig. Just as they’d planned, he’d come for her! How long would it be now before he held her in his strong, warm arms and kissed her? Before he was again teasing her in that dry mocking way of his? She couldn’t wait!
“We didn’t tell him where you were.”
“What? Why ever not?” Isabella gave her cousin a confused frown.
“Bella, dear,” Whit said, wiping his mouth with the linen napkin. “He won’t admit to loving you and wouldn’t agree to marry you.” He shrugged. “That only left one other reason to see you and we cannot allow him to further his corruption.”
“The damn rotter.”
“Well, that is just fine!” Isabella slammed her cup down so hard, it was amazing it didn’t crack apart. “Just what am I supposed to do now? Accept defeat?”
Whit stroked his chin thoughtfully. “He did say he would either find you himself or see you at McPherson’s. As many men as have come calling so far, there will now be twice as many after your performance of last night. I think you should begin accepting them.”
“Why bother?” Isabella didn’t understand his thinking. There was only one man she wanted. She didn’t want to waste time on a bunch of dandies when she only had another few weeks.
“When I hinted you may be considering making a match, he was furious. Let’s continue to eat at him through jealousy.”
“I see.” Isabella wasn’t sure about the plan, but it couldn’t hurt to try. “If you really think he would be jealous of others, then I suppose I could begin by accepting a ride in the park with Lord Elton tomorrow.”
“Ah, best wait a few days.”
Whit exchanged a look with Alex that did not go unnoticed by Isabella.
“What do you mean? Why should I wait?” She was sure she saw guilt in their eyes. “Just what have you done?”
“He was being an ass, Bella, so we, er, hit him a bit.”
“Alex!”
“Don’t worry, me pet, nothing’s broken – at least, I don’t think.”
“Goodness! I shall go and see him at once.” Isabella started to rise, only to have each man grab an arm and yank her back down into her chair.
“You most certainly will not,” Whit said.
“Don’t be a twit, dear girl,” Alex huffed.
“Just what were you two thinking? I was perfectly serious when I said I would not have him if he were forced.” She glared at them. “Really, I don’t know what to do with you two. Now I shall have to sit around for several days while he mends.”
As it turned out, Isabella had much to do in the two days before she had agreed to accompany Lord Elton. She had several more fittings at the dressmaker, went to the opera with Alex and ordered numerous household items to be sent to Kirkwood Manor.
Finally, Tuesday arrived and she was dressed in a new riding habit of light brown with ecru trim when her escort arrived. He gushed over her appearance, but it only irritated Isabella who was anxious to be out and seen. She had accepted another invitation, for dinner with Lord Northby for that evening, and didn’t have time to stand about listening to the older man wax poetic.
“Shall we be off, my lord? I fear my horse grows restless,” she said sweetly, mentally rolling her eyes.
They rode through the tree-lined avenues of the park, nodding to various lords and ladies also out to enjoy the sunny day. Unfortunately, she saw so sign of her love. It was a disappointing outing, to be sure.
That evening, when Lord Northby arrived with his carriage to escort her to dinner, Isabella was ready wearing another new gown, this one a soft smoky blue. Lord Northby had chosen a popular restaurant, wanting to show off his beautiful companion to the Ton. Isabella was polite but reserved with the man. He was a better conversationalist than Lord Elton, but tended to drink a bit more than she thought appropriate. Once again, there was no sign of Rafe.
“Alex, where is he?” Isabella asked her cousin the next day at tea. “You said he would be mended by now. Have you checked to see if you did more damage than you thought?”
“Bella, he’s sulking. I have a spy in his household, and she tells me he’s been grousing about, unable to locate the hotel you’re supposedly staying in.” He chuckled. “The stupid sod.”
“Then I’ve been wasting my time? He doesn’t know I’m being courted?”
“Oh, he knows all right. I’ve seen to it our spy has been keeping him apprised of your conquests.” He smiled at her and gobbled down a poppyseed cake. “Delicious. Now, what have you got happening for the next few days?”
Isabella wondered about the reliability of this spy of his, but said nothing. “I am attending a recital at Madam Rose’s tonight with Lord Jeffrey. Tomorrow, I have accepted a ride with Lord Northby, and then I’ll dine with Lord Cross. And then Friday is the McPherson’s ball, of course.”
“So,” Alex raised an eyebrow at her, “dashing young Cross has thrown his hat in the ring. That should have Rafe gnashing his teeth.”
“Do you think?” She nibbled on a lemon tart. “I hope so, cousin. I do hope it’s worth all of this silliness.”
“Don’t worry, me dear. I have a feeling he’ll come around soon enough. Our spy is our trump. She’ll see he faces his feelings.”
Alex looked confident, but Isabella certainly had her doubts. Soon it would be her last week, and they hadn’t seemed to have accomplished much. Oh, she had plenty of new gowns and the estate was now well stocked with new linens and such, but she still didn’t have Rafe. She didn’t even know what feelings he had for her.