Page 30 of The Rakehell's Seduction
“Oh, and Father said he wished to come too,” she added.
He halted halfway to the door and looked over her shoulder at her. “Lord Rockford is joining us?” That put a wrinkle in his plans.
“Yes, we need a decent chaperone, and he will do.”
Damnation, how could he be with Alex while her father was watching? A large country mansion like this was one thing, but in a crowded little traveling inn, it would be almost impossible.
He located a footman in the hallway and gave him instructions to reserve rooms at the little roadside inn called the Raven and the Boar, and then he rushed upstairs to see to his own clothes being packed. When he came back downstairs an hour later, he was hoping to find Alex.
“Ah, Worthing, I assume you’re returning to London with us?” Rockford stepped out of his study by the stairs, his expression warm, making Ambrose smile, too.
“Yes. Neither Miss Darby nor Lady Alexandra have been there recently, and it will be enjoyable to escort them around the city.”
“Indeed! My wife will be shocked I’ve come, but it will do her some good to see me out and about,” Rockford chuckled.
“It will be a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with Lady Rockford.”
Lord Rockford nodded. “Agreed.” He clapped a hand on Ambrose’s shoulder and walked back into the study.
Three hours later, Ambrose stood outside as a four-in-hand carriage was being packed. Alex and her father climbed inside. The lady’s maid and a spare footman sat on the boot at the back of the coach. Ambrose gave the driver instructions to collect Perdita Darby before he climbed inside and sat across from Alex.
On the way to Darby House, he and Rockford discussed the joys of shooting and reminisced about past days. He noticed Alex watching him, her eyes soft, her lips curved slightly in the way they did when she was on the verge of smiling without being aware of it. He loved that about her, her constant joy.
When the coach slowed to a stop outside Miss Darby’s residence, Ambrose offered to get out and assist Alex’s friend inside.
The second he climbed out, his heart stopped. Vaughn stood beside Perdita and her maid, a set of packed valises sitting at his feet.
“What the devil?” he growled, almost falling down the coach steps.
“Worthing.” Vaughn inclined his head, a mocking smile on his lips.
“You’re not—”
“I am.” Vaughn glanced at Miss Darby, smiling. “Here, lad.” Vaughn waved a footman over. “Take the lady’s luggage.” He lifted his own cases and followed the footman around to the back of the coach.
He gave Ambrose a brief moment to speak with Perdita.
“Miss Darby, I thought only you were accompanying us to London.” He glanced over his shoulder, watching for Vaughn to reemerge.
Perdita blushed. “Once Mama heard of my plans to go to London, she suggested Lord Darlington accompany me. I’mterriblysorry.” This last was whispered as she leaned into him a little. It was obvious Alex had warned Perdita about Vaughn’s potential danger to her reputation.
“Very well, we shall make do,” Ambrose muttered as Vaughn returned. Ambrose assisted Perdita inside, and then he and Vaughn were forced to share the seat opposite the ladies and Lord Rockford.
“Darlington,” Rockford greeted. “Glad you could join us.”
“Thank you.” Vaughn still smiled as he sat down. “Lady Alexandra.” He inclined his head toward Alex.
“Lord Darlington,” she replied politely, only a hint of caution in her tone.
Ambrose did his best to rein in his surly mood. Now he had to be on constant guard with Vaughn. It was obvious the other man was there to make a go at Alex, but not if Ambrose could help it.
Despite his best intentions to ignore Vaughn, Ambrose spent the late afternoon in conversation with him and the others as they traveled to the inn. It was the earl’s fault. He had a way about him that seemed to banish ill will among companions.
It took four hours to reach the Raven and the Boar. Ambrose took care to see to the rooms and was thoroughly displeased to discover he and Vaughn would share a room. Perdita and Alex were sharing. Of course, the earl had his own chamber. It would be another night without access to Alex. At least this would make it easy to watch over Vaughn. Still, Ambrose did not like it when his carefully- laid plans were disrupted. Perhaps he could find a way to get Alex alone, however briefly. If he couldn’t steal one more kiss by midnight, he might go mad.
The inn provided simple fare for travelers who didn’t wish to pay much, but Ambrose assured the innkeeper that they would need more elaborate fare. He was delighted to see a meal of roast woodcock and pea chick with asparagus along with bread and soup.
The common room was filled with other travelers. The warm, bustling feel of the crowd was something that Ambrose usually enjoyed, but sitting amongst his companions now, he realized he missed the wide-open space of the dining room at Rockford’s house in the country. The smell of unwashed bodies and the scent of unclean hay and road-weary horses was not as pleasant as he remembered. There was something to be said for clean stables and rested horses.
