Page 25 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
“I was more concerned about the rumors that could spread about you,” he said. “The reputation of a widow alone in the world is a precarious thing.”
A burning sensation built behind her eyes, and Alicia blinked rapidly to assuage it. That Inverray had been concerned about her reputation above his own, when he had just as much to lose if they were caught in a scandal, left her confused. And a bit overwhelmed.
After a long moment, she finally whispered, “I’m humbled by how willing you were to use your name as a shield for my reputation.”
The air filled with a static that raised the hair along her arms as his unwavering gaze held her captive. “And I would do it again.”
A sudden urge to reach for him and kiss him until neither of them could see straight overcame her. Alicia clamped down on her lip until it passed. Whatever was the matter with her? The first man to care about her well-being over his own had already turned her ridiculous. She might have been overlooked by her father as a child, and ignored by her late husband, but she refused to abandon all good sense over a kindly spoken word.
Unaware of her thoughts, Inverray said, “I know Lindsay was not the husband you would have wished for yourself. I do not want to be another husband foisted upon you.”
“This is a very different situation. I am not friendless. Nor am I the scared, grieving girl I was when I met the earl.” Alicia fiddled with the reins. “If I were not amendable to a marriage between us, I would have fled to the small estate Lindsay left me on Skye long before you came to call with your sisters.”
The corners of his lips curved up. “At least you didn’t flee to the Hebrides. It would have been quite the thing to explain your sudden absence if you had.”
With a shared chuckle, they set off again down the trail. They rode quietly, each lost in their thoughts.
Shopkeepers were beginning to open their doors to business, while the grocer arranged his produce in a rainbow display that showcased their robust colors. A coal wagon rumbled past, the driver tipping his hat politely to Inverray and offering her a jaunty smile. London was awakening, and in a few hours the park would be filled with the wealthy and fashionable, ready to parade themselves and their consequence about for everyone to see and admire.
Alicia sincerely hoped she would be home before that happened.
He cleared his throat. “Perhaps there are other ways through this potential scandal we can consider.”
Alicia nodded. But she had been wracking her mind for other avenues they could take instead of forging a lifelong bond to each other, and every possible avenue was marred first by the scene at the ball and then her words of confirmation at her afternoon hours the day before.
And those tangible moments were now weighted with the contrition that simmered in the pit of her stomach when she thought about how her well-intentioned essays had affected him.
Yet she’d all but settled the engagement, and by now every house in Mayfair was aware they were to wed.
“Have you thought of any?” Alicia ventured.
Inverray stared at her, his expression giving away none of his thoughts.
She tried not to fidget under the weight of his gaze. Her future depended upon the next words that fell from his lips…
He sighed, his mien softening. “I—”
“There you are!” A voice cut through the tense moment, causing them both to jerk back.
Doing her best to school her expression and tame her racing heart, Alicia looked over her shoulder to meet Lady Amstead’s merry green eyes.
“I was beginning to worry when I had not seen you after our race had concluded.”
The marchioness gestured with her head to the big gelding next to her, on which sat a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair and a beard. She only knew him by his reputation as a famed horse trainer, but Alicia recognized the Marquess of Amstead on sight.
“Who won this time?” Inverray asked.
“I did,” Flora said in a singsong voice, laughing when her husband scoffed.
“Only because you cheated and cut off the trail.”
“Yes, well, you never clarified that I had to stay on the trail.” Flora turned her attention to Alicia with a flip of her head. “My lady, how do you do this morning? Is Bluebonnet behaving herself?”
“She has behaved admirably.” Alicia flashed the woman a small, answering smile. “I admit I was nervous, since it’s been so long since I’ve ridden, but you selected the perfect horse for my skill level.”
“I am happy this sweet girl has been so well-behaved.” Flora steered her mare next to Alicia’s and leaned over to pat Bluebonnet’s head. “A bit of confidence in the saddle is easy to gain with the right mount.”
“And I do find myself more confident. But just a bit.”
