Page 4 of Every Wallflower Has Her Thorns (Revenge of the Wallflowers)

Chapter Four

A lice’s leg was still too sore to walk the block to the Duke of Galloway’s townhouse, so George conveyed them in his carriage. Calum didn’t take his own town house in London because his parents rarely travelled so far south any more. He stayed at his father’s town house. Often, one of his many brothers was also in residence. She loved his brothers. Alasdair, the youngest, was her age, twenty-two. He was earning quite the reputation as a heartbreaker. Sowing his wild oats, she supposed many would call it. He was going to accompany Calum on his trip abroad.

She liked the idea of Calum having Alasdair with him. They would protect each other and ensure neither did anything too irresponsible.

As the servant helped her down from the carriage, she smoothed her gown. Betsy had taken more care of her dress this morning. She refused to acknowledge that Calum was the reason she’d asked Betsy to make her look her best. You’re setting yourself up for heartache, my girl.

For one, Calum was going off on his trip abroad and was most definitely not thinking about marriage. And secondly, she bit her lip, he could have any woman he wanted. Why on earth would he want her? Nobody else did.

But they should. Want her, that is. She was a good person and she was not ugly, not beautiful like Penelope, but she was pretty. She tried to calm her nerves as she was announced into the library. The first person she saw was Calum as he stood to welcome them.

His eyes raked over her and lit with… was that approval? “Lord Hampton and Lady Montague, welcome. May I present John Cazenove?”

Her favorite chess champion bowed over her hand and the tips of his ears reddened when she said, “I’ve always wanted to meet you. Your skill at the game is legendary. It’s a privilege to watch you play.”

“I have placed a chair here for you.” Calum escorted her to her seat. “I’ve rung for some tea as well.” His hand brushed her lower back as she took her seat, sending tingles down her spine. He smiled at her as if she were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

She was the only woman here. That is just how he smiles, she silently scolded.

Once she settled in a position that gave her a clear view of the board, her brother sat opposite John, while Calum sat beside John. As per usual, the men soon forgot she was there.

As the chess pieces shifted on the board, the gentlemen leaned over, discussing their strategic moves in low, authoritative tones. George and Calum were engrossed in the game, listening to John’s play piece by piece, analyzing potential maneuvers and counterattacks with intense focus. However, there was one move she could not let pass.

“Apologies, gentlemen, but that move will cause your bishop to be exposed and within another few moves it will be checkmate.”

Cazenove’s head snapped up, totally confused. He looked between Calum and George, obviously waiting for them to suggest she remain silent. Calum looked like he would enjoy this, and simply sat back and shrugged at Cazenove. The chess champion looked at Alice. “Chess is a game of intellect and calculation, best suited for the minds of men,” he remarked, with a thinly veiled air of annoyance, gesturing subtly toward Alice.

However, he took his fingers off the bishop and sat back to review the board. After several minutes, his fingers moved toward the knight.

Alice, undeterred by the gentleman’s dismissive tone, leaned forward, her gaze fixed on the board. “If I may, gentlemen,” she interjected politely, “that move will expose your king to a potential threat.”

Cazenove’s eyebrows arched in evident disbelief. He regarded her with a hint of condescension. “My dear lady, chess requires a profound understanding of strategy and foresight, qualities not typically associated with the fairer sex.”

Undeterred by his skepticism, she pointed to a square on the board, explaining her reasoning with precision. “But, sir, consider the vulnerability it presents to your position here.” She threw a heated gaze at both her brother and Calum. Why didn’t they explain why she was here? Did they wish to hide the fact they’d engaged her to help Cazenove? They obviously hadn’t told the man. This was ridiculous.

Cazenove’s expression remained stoic, though a flicker of surprise flashed across his features as he studied the board. “Your enthusiasm is commendable, Lady Alice. However, chess is a game for astute minds. Your insights, while charming, may lack the depth required for such intricate maneuvers.”

Alice’s temper flared and didn’t Calum just love it. He tried to hide a smile while George continued to study the board. She leaned back, her composure unwavering. “Very well, sir. I defer to your expertise.” Let Cazenove lose. If the men wouldn’t speak up for her, then what did she care?

They played on until Cazenove made another move she deemed so inferior she couldn’t take it anymore. She tsked and stood. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I have other things to do with my time than stay here where my thoughts are obviously not wanted.” It was hard to storm out when you had a limp and couldn’t walk very fast but she held her head high and gave it her best.

Calum followed and drew her into his study, closing the door behind him. She swung around and hit out at his chest. “You are so infuriating. Why bring me here if you didn’t tell him I was there to help?”

Calum captured her tiny hands in his while he laughed. “I couldn’t tell him or he wouldn’t have come.”

“Well, it is a waste of my morning.”

“No, it isn’t. I was waiting for you to expound your plays once more before suggesting he play against you. That will prove you can match him and he will learn to listen.”

“Or he’ll be humiliated and leave. Then you’d forfeit the bet.”

“It would be worth it to see you win,” he whispered softly, and something other than a look of friendship entered his eyes and she could barely breathe.

He stood too close. The very maleness of him overwhelmed her. He still held her hands and made to pull away, but her hands didn’t come free. Instead, she was conscious of her rapidly beating heart and his finger stroking the exposed skin at her wrist. He was too handsome for her… He was too everything for her…

They stood there. All she could hear was her breathing. She looked at him, frozen by his heated gaze. She quickly closed her eyes and prayed he’d kiss her, while a part of her prayed he didn’t. Then she felt the soft press of his lips on hers and this time she prayed her legs wouldn’t buckle.

The kiss held a delectable light pressure; slow, erotic, and so indescribable, she simply lost herself in its magic. The pressure of his lips deepened as his arms came around her. Parting her lips, his tongue slid into her mouth, creating an intense yearning inside her that only added to the dizzying lightheadedness surrounding her.

Nothing about the kiss made sense. Yet, everything about what she felt made sense. She couldn’t resist the powerful pull of feelings that swamped her body. She pressed into his embrace, and it was heavenly to be held against his muscled hardness.

As his tongue stroked provocatively against hers, her senses aroused further and the feelings of desire she’d always felt for Calum flew free. On a whimpering sigh, Alice surrendered.

In response, his kiss only deepened.

Her hands, still caught between his chest and hers, crept around his neck and sank into his thick, silky hair. He kept kissing her, fanning the flames of passion with experienced strokes of his tongue, slowly driving, deliciously plundering. Please never end.

Suddenly, his lips were gone, and he pushed her from his embrace and only then did she hear the latch to the room slowly turn.

She turned away to gather herself, desperately trying to stop her limbs from shaking.

“There you are,” George said as he stood in the doorway. “Well, have you convinced her to return and take on Cazenove in a game?” He asked Calum, before turning to face her. “I’ve got him to agree to play against you by offering him more money, but I win the money back when you beat him, Alice.”

Silence lengthened as she tried to gather her wits. She still felt dazed, and Calum’s kisses left her yearning for more, but why had he kissed her? Was it only to get her to agree to play Cazenove? She shook her head. No. She would have done that for the thrill of it, and Calum would know that.

His voice wasn’t even shaky as Calum answered her brother. “Of course, she agreed. She’s excited and nervous to take on such a renowned player.” She finally turned to face him and found his gaze fixed on her, measuring, as he slowly turned to stroll from the room. He stopped and looked at her over his shoulder. “Are you coming?” he asked, his eyes unreadable.

After a moment, she forced her legs to move and walked to the doorway where both men waited. Alice let out a breath as she brushed past Calum, quickly preceding them back to the library and a chess game she had to win. She could feel his eyes spearing her back and she hated how her limp became more pronounced with each step.

Once seated, she tried to concentrate on the game, but all she could see was Calum sitting behind Cazenove. He sat there calmly, as if he’d not turned her world upside down mere moments ago. She, however, still shook.

And now she had to beat Cazenove while all she could think about, or remember, was the taste of him.

She started off poorly, making several beginner’s mistakes. Several times she caught herself tracing her finger over her lips and she quickly put her hands under the table on her lap. A few hours later she was holding up against Cazenove, but only just. She needed a rest.

Cazenove exchanged knowing glances with her brother and Calum, silently asserting the superiority of his play. Yet, as the game progressed, there lingered a faint curiosity in his expression—a grudging acknowledgment of Alice’s potential prowess in a domain he considered exclusively his.

“I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I am tired and wish to halt for the day.”

Her brother immediately jumped to his feet as he glanced at the clock above the mantle. “Goodness, I was so caught up in the game I didn’t realize how late it is. I’m expected at my club shortly.”

“I can see your sister home, after I organize a hackney for Cazenove. Shall we say tomorrow afternoon at three to further the session?”

Cazenove stood and nodded. “I owe Lady Alice an apology. She is proving to be a most challenging player. I look forward to battling against her. She has already taught me a new move. With her help, we will be ready to take on my opponent and win this wager.”

Alice wanted to protest. The men were organizing her schedule as if she had nothing better to do. You don’t have anything better to do. Calum must have noted her disquiet because he suddenly said, “Does three suit you, Lady Alice?”

She sniffed. “I have an appointment in the morning, but I shall look to accommodate your requirements in the afternoon.” She tried to ignore the fact she would have no gentleman callers asking to escort her around the park.

“Thank you.” Calum said. “Wait while I see to Mr. Cazenove’s hackney.”

Her sore leg gave her little choice.

Once the men left, she studied the chess board once more. This time she could think, because Calum wasn’t watching her. She concentrated on the moves Cazenove had made today and, as if lightning had struck, she could see what his game plan was. Unfortunately, Jacob Sarratt would see it too. Could she come up with a plan he would not see? She barely noticed Calum’s return as she studied the board. When she did finally sit back, she had a plan. “I know how to beat Jacob, or at least give Cazenove a fighting chance. I would prefer to test my strategy with Cazenove if he will listen to me.”

“Don’t worry, Cazenove will listen. I’ll make sure of that. You look tired. I bet your sore leg made it difficult to sleep last night. Come, I’ll take you home.”

She was tired and she was looking forward to a night at home. Perhaps another soak in her bath might ease the pain some more.

By the time they descended the stairs, Calum’s carriage awaited. He handed her in, and to her surprise, he also entered and took the seat across from her. “I don’t need you to escort me. I’m sure I’ll be safe with your tiger and groomsman for such a short distance around the corner.”

Calum merely stared at her for a few moments. “I thought we should discuss the kiss we shared earlier.”

Her face heated, and she looked away from his prying eyes. “What is there to discuss? It was a mistake, obviously.” He didn’t speak, and the silence lengthened. His searching perusal was most unsettling, as if she had done something wrong. “I’m sure it was the heat of our argument and you merely wished to quieten me.”

To her surprise, Calum leaned forward and raised a hand to touch her cheek. “Why is it you think so lowly of yourself that you cannot fathom why a man would want to kiss you? Has society been that cruel to you?”

Discomforted, Alice drew back. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

He sat back on the squab. “I suspect those such as Lady Penelope have not been kind.”

Alice looked away once more, not wanting to recall the bullying and taunting she received from Lady Penelope and her friends. “I have her measure.”

“I’m sure you do, but you shouldn’t have to. You do realize they do it out of jealousy. You are one of the most beautiful debutantes this season.”

He thinks I’m beautiful. Her breathing was erratic, as she couldn’t help but look at him. His eyes held heat that made her senses reel, but to her horror, pity too. “I don’t need you kissing me out of pity.” Warmth rose to her face, as he didn’t deny her statement.

Thankfully, they were home. He got out first, and she had to wait for him to help her from the carriage.

As he handed her down, he spoke her name in a husky murmur as he bent his head to her ear so only she could hear. “If it was a kiss solely out of pity, why do I desperately want to kiss you again?”

She saw the truth in his heated gaze, and suddenly the evening grew lighter. But as she drew back, his expression was enigmatic, unreadable, and her confusion sent her head into a dizzying spin.

“Good night, Lady Alice. Until tomorrow,” and he kissed her gloved hand and reentered the carriage, softly calling out, “Pleasant dreams.”

Managing a faint smile, Alice picked up her skirts and fled into the safety of the house as fast as she could on a gammy leg.

With George at his club, she had dinner on her own, pondering why Calum was taking such an interest in her. For the first time in her life, she had gained Calum’s attention. Something she’d only ever dreamed of.

Now that she had it, what did she want to do? Firstly, she must ascertain if he was simply amusing himself in his plan to make her popular and find an appropriate husband, or if there was more.

She hugged a smile to herself. When he’d kissed her, they’d had no audience to impress. It would seem the kiss was for his pleasure alone.

And wasn’t that just so exciting!