Page 64 of Beyond Scandal and Desire
He’d been carrying some of the damned ices when he’d heard her cry for help, had seen her rushing headlong into the waves, not seeming to realize that the water would soak her dress, could suck her under, could carry her out to sea. His heart had rioted, threatened to burst through his chest as though his legs were not churning fast enough for it and it could reach her more quickly if not encumbered by ribs holding it in place. He’d never moved with such speed or ferocity in his life—not when chased by a constable for nicking an orange when he was seven, not when he’d needed to fetch a physician because his mum was writhing in pain striving to give birth to a child she’d eventually name Fancy, not when word had come to him that one of his brothers was in danger of dying. But for her, he’d damned near taken flight. To get to her, to save her, to ensure the world didn’t continue on without her.
Even if she wasn’t part of his world, she should be part of another’s. Just not Kipwick’s. She deserved so much better than a man easily ruled by his vices. She deserved better than a man consumed with gaining what another didn’t wish to grant him.
Inwardly, he cursed Hedley to hell and beyond, grateful he had a scapegrace for a legitimate son. Not so grateful that Aslyn might reconsider her hiatus and marry the scourge.
Sitting in a chair that gave him the perfect view of her, he sipped his whiskey, a tiny girl with the courage to approach him coiled in his lap, sucking her thumb, the fingers of her free hand toying with the buttons on his waistcoat as though they fascinated her. No doubt by the end of the journey, the threads would be loosened to such an extent he’d have to hand the clothing over to his tailor to set to rights. He should be irritated by the prospect. Instead, he thought of his own not-yet-born daughter nestled there, one with blond hair and blue eyes and a crooked smile.
He wasn’t supposed to fall for the woman. His plan was to use her, then lose her. But how could he not come to care for Aslyn when she had a hidden courage she wasn’t even aware she possessed? On the surface, she gave the appearance of being timid, afraid of trains, for God’s sake, but he’d seen her pride and courage not falter when she’d had to hand over her jewels and witnessed her bravery today. And more than that: her willingness to stand up for injustice. She hadn’t hesitated to let the servant go, had even threatened her with an arrest, possible prison. She’d been magnificent in her fury and just as glorious in her compassion. Her tears hadn’t been for herself and that had made them all the more profound.
“I loike ’er,” a tiny voice whispered.
He glanced down at the mischievous lass. “Hmm?”
With the finger attached to the thumb in her mouth, she pointed toward the sofa. “I loike ’er.”
Leaning down, he whispered, “As do I.”
Far more than he’d expected, far more than he wanted.
Chapter 15
She wasn’t surprised to see the footmen waiting for her at the station. She suspected everyone, even those not employed by him, obeyed Mick Trewlove’s orders. After giving each of the children a hug, an extra-long one to the lad she’d rescued, she smiled at Fancy. “Thank you for thinking to invite me. It was a wonderful outing.”
“I’m glad you could join us.” She looked at her brother, gave him a wicked grin. “I’ll have to think of something else we can do together.”
“I’d like that.” The words were true even as she wondered how many lies a person was allowed to tell before getting caught. Perhaps she’d misjudged how the duchess would react.
Without thought, she slipped her hand in the crook of Mick’s elbow as he began escorting her to her carriage. He seemed at once startled and pleased.
“I can’t believe I slept on the train,” she said.
“I’d say you’ve overcome your fear of it.”
“Yes, I rather think I have.”
“Think of all the places you can go now.”
She could have gone to them before in a carriage, but she suddenly felt a sense of freedom and expansion of possibilities she hadn’t before. Fear did have a tendency to narrow one’s world. When next she traveled on a train, she would think of him, and every time after.
“Your dress and shoes are ruined,” he said. “How will you explain it?”
“I’ll go in through the servants’ entrance and up the back stairs. Nan will see that I’m not spotted. I’ll change and go down to dinner with no one the wiser.”
“If there is any trouble—”
“There won’t be.” And if there was, she’d handle it. For some reason, today’s outing had liberated her in ways she didn’t even realize she needed liberating.
Stopping near the carriage where a footman held the door ajar, he held her gaze. “Thank you for coming.”
“Tell me true. Was the outing Fancy’s idea?”
“No.”
He didn’t hesitate, never hesitated with the truth. She liked that about him, was beginning to think their relationship was the most honest one in her life. If she hadn’t centered her marriage hopes on Kip ever since she was a little girl, would she have been equally intrigued by another gent? Or was it just him? Would it always be only Mick?
“Would you send me the address of the orphanage? I’d like to visit on the morrow, make certain Will has recovered fully from his ordeal.” Not that she had any idea what she would do if he hadn’t, but she did care about the lad, cared even more for the pleasure that made Mick’s eyes sparkle like sapphires.
“I will.”
