Page 17 of A Rake's Redemption
Still, he’d seen the look of shock on her face when Caroline had blabbed about hisassociationsand that ridiculous club, but there had been something else in her eyes when she left the room. He couldn’t quite define it, but disappointment was the word that kept surfacing in his brain. Although why an Irish orphan should be disenchanted with him—or why he would care—baffled him. He’d never claimed to be some damn knight in shining armor.
It probably didn’t help his cause that his head felt like a cement block some unseen source was taking a hammer to. After finishing off the decanter of brandy last night, he and Brice had set off for the gaming halls, where he’d lost more money than he’d won. At least Brice had been sober enough to drag him away from the table before the American poker player had a chance to win the deed back to his house in New Orleans. Alex had staggered home just as dawn was beginning to break.
Inis was mucking out Goldie’s stall with her back to him as he entered the stable. He stepped into the shadow of the doorway to watch her. As she bent forward to shovel the dirty straw into a pile, her rounded backside popped up, defined all too well by her breeches. Although the head on his shoulders was a bit slow to take in the unintentional invitation, his other head was having no problem. He felt himself harden.
Bloody hell. He had no business being attracted to her. She was his employee. While he felt no guilt about bedding Society wives—the women were willing, after all—he had never taken advantage of someone who worked for him. Perhaps part of his problem was he didn’t feel that Inis was a servant. Her status as his hostler was part of that, but Inis didn’t act like the rest of his female staff. She spoke her mind and took matters into her own hands. Inis looked him in the eye, but not in a suggestive way. She didn’t act coy, either. Maybe that was what he found so tempting. Oddly enough, he found himself wanting her respect, and not just because he was her employer.
He must have made a sound, because she turned. Her glance swept over him and, although she kept her face impassive, he had the strange feeling she knew he’d been out all night carousing. Heck, he probablylookedlike he had.
“Jameson took one of the horses to the farrier for new shoes, but I can saddle your stallion, if ye wish to ride.”
Alex noted she’d offered to saddle his stallion instead of the gelding, which meant she had no intention of inviting herself along. “I do not wish to ride. I came to speak with you.”
Inis gave him a level look. “Do ye have a complaint about my work?”
“Of course not. I think you are doing an excellent job.”
She returned to shoveling soiled straw. “Then have ye decided nae to go ahead with your plan to teach me to be a lady?”
“The plan has not changed. I wanted to explain about what Caroline mentioned.”
Inis paused, resting her hands on the shovel handle. “Ye doona owe me an explanation, my lord.”
Alex winced at the honorific. Inis was putting him in his place by deliberately creating distance. “I really would prefer Mr. Ashley, if you feel you need to be formal.”
Inis raised her brows. “Is formal nae the proper way to be?”
He wanted to say no, but after Caroline’s remarks, Inis would probably take that the wrong way. Actually, he’dlikefor her to take it the wrong way. No.No, he did not want that. Or did he? Alex rubbed his forehead. Obviously, the effects of the alcohol were still clouding his ability to think straight.
Her gaze followed his gesture and, although she made no remark, he dropped his hand. He didn’t need to make his hangover any more obvious. “Actually, I believe a little less formality is in order. If I am to present you as a lady in Society, you should get used to calling me Alexander, like Caroline does.”
“Ye gave me your word that would nae be until I am ready.”
“Yes, I did.” Lord, after what Caroline had said, Inis no doubt thought she’d be facing a pack of she-wolves—which was probably the truth. “I can assure you I will be with you every step of the way.” An odd expression crossed her face, one he couldn’t decipher.
“Is it true?”
Alex frowned. “I can assure you I will by your side every minute.”
Another strange expression flashed across her face and she shook her head. “I dinna mean that. I meant…” She blushed and looked down. “Never mind. ’Tis nae my place to ask.”
“Ask?” Inis seemed embarrassed, and the reason suddenly prodded itself through his alcohol-soaked mind. “You do not have to worry. I have no plans to make you part of the club Caroline mentioned.”
Inis looked up, her eyes flaring wide. “I have nae intention of joining such a club. What kind of a floozy do ye think I am? I am nae one of your light skirts,my lord.”
“One of my…” Damn. Now he’d insulted her. He really should have had the sense to postpone this discussion until his head was clear. “I did not mean to suggest that. At all. I would never think to—”
“Ye doona have to go on about it,” Inis said. “Just so ye ken, I doona want a fancy night rail. ’Tis nae part of the agreement.”
“Understood.” Alex thought it wise to beat a retreat before he lost the battle entirely. “We missed the lesson yesterday. But before we go on, I think Caroline was right about one thing. I do need to buy you some gowns.”
“Ye doona need to do that. Ye were kind enough to offer me a fair wage, instead of keeping me indentured—”
“The idea that John Adler practically enslaved you did not set well with me.” Alex grimaced at the thought of the man making Inis work free for months simply because she had stowed away in his carriage.
“And I thank ye for it, my…Mr. Ashley. But I can purchase my own clothing once I save some coin.”
Alex raised one brow. “Even with a fair wage, it would take you months to be able to afford a variety of dresses.”
