Page 23 of A Rogue's Downfall
She was in the hallway, talking with some of the other sweet young things, including the horsey one,who favored him with melting glances as he came downthe stairs. The general intention among the young people, it seemed, was to walk down to the beach. LadyPlumtree was in the hallway too, tapping one foot onthe tiles and looking grim and haughty. He had had noopportunity to explain to her why he had failed to keeptheir tryst the night before.
Caroline Astor detached herself from her group and turned to him while the others gaped and LadyPlumtree turned sharply away to smile dazzlingly atWillett’s father.
“Everyone is ready for the walk, then?” Colin called cheerfully from somewhere close to the front doors. Hecaught the viscount’s eye and winked as he sized up thesituation. “Anyone for a bathe?”
The horsey girl shrieked. “But there are waves, Colin,” she said. “And it is cold.”
“Caroline.” The viscount took her hand on his arm and patted it. “Trying to rival the sunshine, are you?”She was dressed in all primrose yellow, a quite inspiredcolor with her auburn hair. She really was remarkablypretty. He was surprised he had not noticed her anywhere during the Season. But then he was not in thehabit of noticing any but the beddable females—beddable in fact as well as in looks.
“Oh, and succeeding in outshining it,” she said, smiling at him as dazzlingly as Lady Plumtree had just smiled at Colin’s father. “You must add that, my lord,and I shall be so delightfully flattered that I will fallheadlong in love with you and win your wager for youwhen our day has scarcely begun.”
He was taken aback. He had noticed earlier in the morning, of course, that his first impression of timidityhad been wrong. She had shown spirit. Now she hadclearly decided to go on the attack. Well, it might bean interesting day after all, though he dreaded to thinkwhat would be awaiting him at the end of it.
He grinned at her. “But of course,” he said, “you succeed in outshining the sun. My eyes are dazzled.”
Her mouth quirked at the corners.
“Women who are about to fall in love with me are permitted to call me by my given name,” he said.
“Alistair,” she said. “I suppose it cannot be shortened, can it?”
“The first boy at Eton who tried found himself on his back stargazing with a bloody nose,” he said.
“I’ll not try, then,” she said. “Alistair.”
They followed along behind everybody else, through the formal gardens and across the long lawn that finallymingled with sand and gave place to the open beach.It was a sunny and warm afternoon, though severalclouds were scudding across the blue and there was asteady breeze to prevent the heat from becomingoppressive.
“Tell me about yourself,” the viscount said as they walked.
“Beginning at the cradle?” she asked. “Do you have a few hours to spare?”
“I do,” he said, “But let me be more specific. How is it that you are twenty-three years old and unmarried?”
“Because I have been waiting for you?” she said, directing a melting look up at him. Her eyes were not quite green, not quite gray. They were a mixture ofboth. “How old are you, Alistair? Thirty?”
“Right on the nose,” he said.
“And why are you thirty and not married?” she asked.
“Because I have been waiting for you, of course,” he said, looking directly into her eyes in a way he knewhad a powerful effect on women. In reality he wantedto chuckle. She really was a woman of spirit. He ratherthought he was going to enjoy himself—if he kept hismind off the consequences.
“Ah,” she said, “and amusing yourself with other women while you wait.”
“Practicing on them,” he said, “so that you might have all the benefit of my expertise, Caroline.”
“Ooh,” she said. “This is the part at which my knees buckle under me?”
“I would prefer that to happen in a more secluded spot,” he said. “Where I could proceed to follow youdown to the ground.”
“Then you must not talk yet about your expertise,” she said.
He chuckled suddenly. “Whyareyou still unmarried?” he asked.
“For a number of reasons,” she said. “At first I did not want to leave the country for all the silly formalityof a court presentation and an appearance on the marriage market, even though I could not feel any greatattachment to any of the eligible gentlemen at home.Then when I finally decided that perhaps I should make an appearance after all, my grandfather was inconsiderate enough to die. When we were coming out of mourning for him, my father decided to follow in hisfootsteps. I finally made my curtsy to the queen andgot myself fired off this spring at a shockingly advancedage.”
“And no one wanted you?” he asked.
“Would I admit as much even if it were true?” she said. “Actually, it is not. I had two offers, both fromperfectly eligible and amiable gentlemen. I refusedboth.”
