Page 6 of Every Wallflower Has Her Thorns (Revenge of the Wallflowers)

Chapter Six

S he reminded herself of her internal conversation as she stood in the Duke of Galloway’s stable yard with his son. Calum tried to take her mind off what they were about by discussing chess tactics, but as soon as Toby was led out to the walled garden, icy fear had her shivering.

“He’s not saddled, as I suspect we won’t really be doing any riding today. It’s only to get you used to a horse or pony today.” Calum excused the groom and took hold of Toby’s bridle. “Let’s just start by walking Toby around the garden. He’s a gentle pony.”

The pounding in her heart eased when it became obvious that Calum wasn’t expecting her to mount Toby immediately. They set off for a few laps of the garden and soon she was leading Toby all by herself. She even stopped and fed him an apple. He liked the attention and nudged her with his nose, so she rubbed it.

“How about I ride him first?”

She laughed. “Isn’t he a little small for you? Your legs might hit the ground.”

Calum merely grinned and swung onto the pony’s back. Toby merely grunted when he told him to walk on. Calum looked like an idiot upon the pony. His legs didn’t hit the ground, but it was close.

“Thank you.”

He shrugged. “I’m partly to blame for you being afraid.”

“No. You’re not.” She shielded her eyes against the sun because she’d stupidly not worn her bonnet. “How did you guess I was afraid?”

“I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t thought about it until yesterday in the park when you declared you could ride. It was obvious to me that you could and if you didn’t ride, it must be because you were afraid. You used to love riding and I hate that you’ve lost that.”

“I hate it too. May I have a try?”

His face awash with joy, he dismounted and carefully lifted her onto Toby’s back. Nerves almost got the better of her, but Calum walked beside her, and Toby, as if understanding her fear, plodded slowly around the grassed area.

They came to a stop under a large oak tree, where the shade was welcoming. “That’s enough for today. Besides, you probably need some refreshment before we start the chess match.”

He reached up to help her dismount, lifting her from Toby as if she weighed less than a feather. The feel of his strong arms about her sent her senses reeling. He held her longer than was necessary before gently putting her on her feet. He still didn’t step back and her breasts were almost touching his chest. She licked her lips and heat flared in his eyes.

“Thank you for doing this for me. It’s most kind.”

He brushed a curl from her cheek. “George and I should have thought to help you long ago. I should have guessed why you never rode again.”

“I probably wouldn’t have been ready to try before. The memories have faded somewhat, or maybe I remember the pain differently.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that. We shouldn’t have teased you so, and we should have known you would try to follow us over a dangerous jump.” He offered her his arm and they walked Toby to the stable yard, handing him to the groom. She patted his nose and talked softly to Toby, saying she’d be back.

As they entered the house Calum’s brother Lord Alasdair met them in the foyer. “Good morning, Alice. You look very pretty today. Is George with you?”

“No. I assume he’s still abed, considering the hour he got home.” She pressed a kiss to Alasdair’s check and Calum’s jaw tightened. For some reason, Alice was the most relaxed and informal with his younger brother and he envied their closeness. Calum didn’t like the kiss or the smile Alice bestowed on his brother. Why?

“What are you doing in the company of Calum?” Alasdair asked.

“Your brother kindly offered to help me overcome my fear of riding.”

Alasdair’s gaze flew to his, and the look was one of astonishment. “I see.” It was clear to Calum that he didn’t. “I didn’t know we had a suitable horse in the stables.”

“Oh, my friend Lady Sarah Abbottsford has lent me her pony, Toby.”

Alasdair raised an eyebrow. “And George is not overseeing your lessons?”

Calum stepped forward to intervene in the conversation, especially since the query had sent alarm flashing across Alice’s face as she too suddenly thought of the same question. “George had other commitments. I was happy to help.”

“Yes, I had heard you were being very helpful.” Calum narrowed his eyes at his brother. Alasdair understood his mood and changed the topic. “I saw the chess wager in the book at White’s,” Alasdair grinned. “Risky taking on Sarratt. Cazenove is good and plays more often, but Sarratt’s strategic abilities usually outclass any opponent. I’m not sure who to back.”

“You’ll lose your money if you back Sarratt. George and I have a secret weapon.”

Alasdair looked at Calum as if he was an idiot. “Interesting. Do tell.”

“It’s me,” Alice said smugly.

Alasdair burst into laughter until he realized no one else was laughing. His laughter died. “You’re serious?”

Alice wrinkled her nose at Alasdair. “If you’d like to attend today’s session with Cazenove, I shall show him how I’ll have him at checkmate in three moves, but by all means, wager on Sarratt. It will be your loss.” She turned to Calum. “May I freshen up before we begin?”

“Of course. You know the way.”

“If you’ll excuse me.”

The two men watched her limp away.

His brother turned to him. “What is going on with you and Alice? There are all sorts of rumors flying about that you are courting her. Is this your damnable honor in play? You still feel guilty for causing her injury?”

Was it? “No. I pushed that guilt deep inside many years ago, realizing I could not change what happened. This is about ensuring the wallflower blossoms into a rose that others will notice of.”

His brother poked him in his chest. “I like Alice very much, so I hope this plan of yours does not backfire.”

“How could it?”

Alasdair leveled a disappointing look at him. “What if she becomes a rose no man wants to pick? What if you get her hopes up and they are dashed? She’s accepted her position in society and now you’re building her a castle of dreams.”

“I won’t let her get hurt.”

“I don’t see how you can stop that if no man steps forward. What will you do? Marry her yourself?”

That made his eyes kindle. “You are damned inquisitive about something that is none of your affair, brother dear.” He’d never knowingly hurt Alice. But you and George did once before and it ruined her…

“On the contrary, it is my affair. I’m making it so. I won’t see her hurt just because you wish to appease your youthful guilt.”

“Maybe I plan to marry her myself,” Calum retorted archly.

Alasdair didn’t gasp at such an idea. He smiled back at him and nodded. “That would work. She’d make you a good wife.”

Why would she make Calum a good wife? And he wasn’t looking for a wife—good or otherwise—but the idea of marrying Alice didn’t feel that frightening. That in itself was frightening. He didn’t want to marry yet. He had one year of freedom to enjoy before duty took over. Then and only then would he marry. A long engagement perhaps…

Alasdair made to move past him. “Or I could marry her. She has a large dowry and is quite attractive. A good match for a third son.”

Calum’s hand snaked out and gripped his brother’s arm. “You’ll leave Lady Alice alone. “

Alasdair’s eyes filled with amusement. “I thought finding a husband for Alice was what this show of favoritism within the beau monde was all about. Are you saying I’m not good enough for Alice? If you are, I’d take that as a serious insult.”

His hand left his brother’s arm and Calum stepped back. Alasdair was teasing him. He made his expression turn impassive. “You would be a perfect choice for Alice. You’d make her a fine husband. I shall put you on my list of acceptable choices. Perhaps you should take on the task of helping Alice get over her fear of riding?”

With a shake of his head, as he began to walk up the stairs, Alasdair said, “Thanks for the warning regarding the chess match. I’ll make a fair bit of money when I back Cazenove. I’ll leave Lady Alice’s riding lessons to you.” He stopped on the stairs and looked down. “But you know something? You can put me on the list of potential husbands. The more I think about her situation and mine, I think we could well make a good match.” With that his brother continued upwards with a chuckle.

Calum wanted to hit something. Preferably his brother’s smug face. He cursed under his breath. Why did the idea of Alasdair and Alice marrying cause him such discomfort? Alasdair was right. The pair would make a fine match. He didn’t know why he’d not thought of it before. They liked each other and were good friends.

But as he watched his brother disappear into the library, he knew deep in his heart he couldn’t live with Alice as his sister-in-law. He may have got over this unexpected fascination with her if not for the kiss during the chess match. He could still feel the softness of her lips and their sweet taste. Suddenly, Lady Alice was all he could think about.

She was such a breath of fresh air. No artifice when she was with him. No womanly wiles to flirt and entice. That he could relax and be himself around her was liberating. He didn’t have to worry about motives or entrapment. Not with Alice.

A frown settled on his face as he made his way to the library. If his ‘feelings’…how he hated that word, it seemed so weak. Feelings weren’t weak. They had the power to make a man feel as if he’d reached heaven or fallen into the pits of hell. If his feelings had moved from that of seeing her as a sister to something quite different, had Alice’s? She hadn’t seemed to mind the kiss. She’d been confused, but not offended. In fact, he rather thought she liked the kiss. His lips turned up at the corner.

Cazenove hadn’t arrived, and Calum was hungry, and not only for food. He thought he’d partake of the refreshments organized for Alice and perhaps get her alone before Cazenove arrived. Another taste of those sweet lips beckoned. He whistled as he trotted up the stairs.

Alice should have learned by now that nothing good came from eavesdropping. Many times, she’d chanced upon a conversation and heard what others were saying about her and her deformity.

However, as she’d started back down the stairs to ask for a note of thanks to be sent to Sarah, what she heard stung to her core. “You would be a perfect choice for Alice. You’d make her a fine husband. I shall put you on my list of acceptable choices...”

Any hope that their kiss meant anything to Calum withered deep in her breast. Tears welled as she snuck back up the stairs. Calum didn’t hesitate to suggest Alasdair and she marry. He must have been playing with her or perhaps trying to bolster her confidence. His affectionate demonstration was merely a pity kiss.

She wiped hot tears from her cheeks as she hid in the alcove on the landing, anger welling. The large framed windows looked out over the back garden. The flowers looked beautiful and she remembered the gaiety of the ride on Toby. There was no way she would allow Calum to help her ride again. She wanted no man’s pity. And especially not his.

On a sigh, she wiped her face, turned around and entered the library, only to find Alasdair inside. She didn’t want to face him either, let alone talk to him, after what she’d overheard.

“I hope you don’t mind, Lady Alice. I thought I’d sit in on your match with Cazenove.”

“You only want to see who to wager on.”

He grinned. “A big brother’s useful sometimes. Besides, a lowly third son needs to make his own way in this world. Every guinea counts.”

Alasdair, with a smile firmly planted on his face, was a sight to behold and as handsome as sin. She’d always liked him and they had an easy friendship, but the idea of marrying him turned her cold. He didn’t make her pulse race like one look at Calum did. How on earth could she consider Alasdair for a husband when she lusted after his brother?

“Then I’d place money on Cazenove. Sarratt won’t see my play coming.”

Alasdair’s smile faded and he slumped into a chair. He sat studying her and she could feel her face heat. “You know, I made a joke earlier with Calum about perhaps asking for your hand, but I’m thinking I should seriously consider such an arrangement.”

Her hands fisted. “As flattering as that statement is I’m not after an arrangement. With anyone.”

“Come now. Surely you’re not suggesting you want a love match?”

Her face heated and must be scarlet. “Are you saying that, because I have a limp, I’m unlovable?”

He looked horrified. “Absolutely not.” He sat up. “No. That’s not what I meant. I meant, who in the Beau monde marries for love?”

Before she could answer, Calum arrived. He took one look at her and turned on Alasdair. “What have you been saying to Lady Alice?”

Alasdair rose to his feet. “If you must know, I was exploring the idea of courting Alice, but it appears she’s looking for love.”

Heat rose higher as unwillingly she met Calum’s gaze. What would he think?

“If that is what she wants, then she should have it.” Her mouth, along with Alasdair’s, dropped open at his response. “Is there someone whom you favor?” he added, amused charm in his ocean blue eyes. She almost reached out and traced the scar on his chin. He’d tripped over the rake, trying to pull his clothes on when she spied on him and her brother in the barn with the milkmaids. He split his chin open. She could still remember crying, thinking he’d bleed to death.

Could he tell that she’d been entertaining lustful thoughts of him for years? That she was already in love with him?

“Well, if you gentlemen would stop gossiping like a pair of young ladies, I’d like to concentrate on the match,” she said as she settled in the chair in front of the black marble pieces. Even with the embarrassment of two men she considered friends bartering over her, excitement skittered around her body as she studied the board and knew she could win.

Before any further comment could be made, Cazenove arrived and the match got underway.