Chapter Four

A lthough Mrs. Malcolm did not come along on their outing to the Sydney Gardens, Adam had a grand time, anyway. Lady Susanne and her mother were kind and amusing people. However, from the moment they left the carriage and entered through the gate beside the Sydney Hotel, each with a shilling ticket which Adam purchased, the daughter seemed as much a visitor as he was. She didn’t even know why the pleasure gardens had their name.

Despite knowing the answer, he'd asked simply to let her show off her knowledge of her city of birth. Instead, she was perplexed.

“I could not tell you, my lord. It is a mystery.”

That made him laugh. “Not really. The original designers named the gardens for Thomas Townshend, the first Viscount Sydney.”

She looked at him blankly.

“He was a powerful politician at the end of the last century,” he added, hoping she would show a spark of knowing. “Lord Sydney ,” he repeated the name, feeling frustrated as if he were speaking another language, “was and is extremely well-known. The colony in Australia? The East India Company?”

She shrugged, and he gave up asking anything and just told her.

“The gardens’ planners hoped to gain his favor so he would fund some of the development or, at the very least, its upkeep.”

“How clever of them,” Lady Susanne said, “and of you, too, for knowing so much.”

He glanced at Lady Beasley. She shrugged slightly.

“It is believed Lord Sydney never even bothered to come here,” she disclosed, proving she was not as unfamiliar with Bath’s history as her eldest daughter. “If I had been them,” her ladyship continued, “I would have changed the name directly. He didn’t deserve the recognition.”

Adam had to stop himself running his hands through his hair and tugging on it. In the next instant, Lady Susanne exclaimed in delight over some beautiful flower she couldn’t name, and he realized her lack of learning didn’t matter so much because she was interested in hearing whatever information he could tell her. And her mother was able to answer any questions he had since she had lived in Bath all her life.

Thus, Adam’s only dissatisfaction was in how little he could pull from Lady Susanne’s thoughts as to her interests and likes. His parents led separate lives but were also extremely compatible on many aspects. How could he tell whether he and Lady Susanne could share marital happiness when she rarely responded to a question except to parrot it back at him?

“What is your favorite city?” he asked as they strode along the wide path of crushed yellow stone.

“Oh, I am sure they are all nice,” she said blandly. “What is yours?”

When they passed by the entrance to the Labyrinth, reportedly twice as large as that at Hampton Court, he paused and asked her, “Do you think you might like a small domestic animal in the home, a dog, cat, or bird, perhaps?”

“They are all the same to me.”

Her words stunned him to argue, “Surely a fluffy, soft cat is not like a sharp-beaked bird.”

She blinked, then smiled. “You are teasing me, my lord. If I marry a man who likes dogs or cats or even monkeys, it is of no matter to me. Whatever he likes, I shall certainly accept.”

She was either the most amiable female he had ever met, a bold-faced liar, or utterly disinterested in life, perhaps a simpleton at heart and head. To him, it was absurd not to care whether you had a monkey or a cat running around your home.

The moment two well-dressed ladies strolled by along the promenade, he watched Lady Susanne perk up.

“Mother, I have seen that dress in a fashion magazine at our modiste’s. Not the one on Pulteney Bridge, mind you, but Madame Peridot’s. I cannot believe someone is already wearing such a creation. Isn’t it divine? Although I might have chosen a different color ribbon. I would love to stop at Madame Peridot’s tomorrow and ask how soon she can whip up one for me.”

“Of course,” her mother said. “You would be lovely in it. Don’t you think, my lord?”

Adam wished he knew which dress they were speaking of, for they all looked rather similar, and he couldn’t detect which might be a new design. There was only one correct answer.

“Lady Susanne is lovely in what she is wearing now, and I have no doubt she would be lovely in anything she wore.”

He felt a little insipid saying the words, but it earned him twin smiles of approval from mother and daughter.

Adam turned to her mother. “Do you wish to enter the maze?”

“It is dreadfully long, and we could be in there for hours.”

Hours? Being trapped with Lady Susanne suddenly held no allure. Instead, the image of Mrs. Malcolm flashed before his eyes. He banished it, knowing he had no business thinking of her at all.

“These gardens are truly splendid at night, my lord,” Lady Beasley said. “They rival Vauxhall, and we shall bring you back here soon to see the entertainment.”

Thus, while he had some reservations, he didn’t hesitate in agreeing to escort Lady Susanne to a concert in the Octagon Room at the same assembly rooms two nights later. And when she thanked him emphatically and blinked her deep brown eyes, he felt even better about it. She was a charming female.

As they arrived back at the Beasleys’ home, Mrs. Malcom exited the front door. Adam wondered if the governess was going home to her husband, for he still didn’t know if she was married, nor even if she lived with the Beasleys. He hadn’t been able to ask his companions since his curiosity could have no reason beyond nosiness.

“Mrs. Malcolm,” Lady Susanne called out in her usual good-natured way. “We went to the Sydney Gardens,” she added as the governess came to a halt.

Adam jumped down and held his hand out to Lady Beasley and then to Lady Susanne. Then they all joined Mrs. Malcolm, who kept her gaze upon the females.

“Lord Diamond had never seen them,” Lady Susanne continued. “Did you know they were named after a dead man who founded Australia?”

Mrs. Malcolm’s expression was priceless, then her gaze flitted to Adam who bit back a laugh.

“I know of Lord Sydney,” the governess said carefully, probably not wanting to disabuse the young lady in public of her skewed and incorrect facts. “You had fine weather for such an outing,” she added.

“We did,” Adam agreed.

Reluctantly, or so it seemed, Mrs. Malcolm turned her gray-green eyes upon him.

“Did you enjoy the gardens?” she asked, with a hint of tartness.

“I did,” he said. And then the devil got into him and he added, “but not as much as the garden behind the assembly rooms.”

She paled, and he instantly regretted his thoughtless remark.

“Why?” asked Lady Susanne. Her sweet open face was now frowning. “I don’t recall anything special there.”

He couldn’t look at Lady Beasley. She was an astute woman and might see the truth.

“I was teasing,” he said at once, “since the garden there was nothing more than a strip of lawn and a few shrubberies. Nothing in comparison. Merely a jest.”

“I see,” Lady Susanne said, but her tone declared she didn’t.

“And not a funny one,” he muttered.

“Where were you going?” Lady Beasley asked, and from that question, Adam learned a small kernel of information. Mrs. Malcolm lived with them, elsewise the question would be impertinent, even for an employer.

“To purchase a new string for my violin and more sheet music for Pauline.”

“Truly? Has she mastered the last piece?”

“No, my lady. It was too difficult for her. I must find something more basic.”

“Tut-tut,” Lady Beasley said. “Is she hopeless?”

“She had a late start is all,” Mrs. Malcolm said. “That lazy piano teacher did none of your daughters any favors.”

Lady Susanne laughed. “He was dreadful. His snoring was louder than the piano notes.” Then she gasped. “You enjoy music, don’t you?”

Mrs. Malcolm appeared startled. “Yes.”

She said it as if she didn’t wish to disclose anything personal, maybe not in front of him. Adam wondered what would be disclosed next.

Lady Susanne looked at her mother. “Please let Mrs. Malcolm come to the concert as my chaperone. She will so enjoy it, and she was such fun to be with the other night.”

Lady Beasley raised a brow, and her daughter laughed.

“Not that you aren’t fun, Mother, but Mrs. Malcolm is more like being with a friend.”

Adam thought this conversation would have been better conducted indoors and in private. Moreover, he wondered if he should quickly bow and leave so they could continue. Yet he was decidedly curious as to how it would conclude, so he remained where he stood.

Mrs. Malcolm glanced at him again, and he was sure she would say no, which was a pity.

It wasn’t that he wished to see Mrs. Malcolm dressed again in a form-fitting evening gown. Nor because he wished to have her seated close beside him, so he could catch the intoxicating scent of her perfume. Yet both were true. Her floral fragrance had warmed and caught in his clothing when they’d kissed, and now, he thought he could detect it once again on the slight breeze.

How had a governess got her hands on something that smelled expensive and French?

More than anything, he hoped she would accept the task of chaperone in order to hear a concert if music made her heart happy. For she seemed a rather serious young woman otherwise, and he would like to see her smile.

“I believe your mother would like to hear the concert as much as I would,” Mrs. Malcolm said finally. “But I thank you for thinking of me.”

Lady Susanne sighed her disappointment. And then Lady Beasley gave in and addressed the governess.

“We all know your love of music,” she began. “I am sure you would enjoy it, and I have been to many concerts recently.”

Adam didn’t think Mrs. Malcolm looked particularly grateful, and he had a feeling it was because he was attending, too. But he couldn’t simply change his mind, for then Lady Susanne wouldn’t need the chaperone at all. They would all miss out.

Instead, he watched while the governess warred between wanting to hear the music and not wanting to be in his company.

“Please say yes,” Lady Susanne said, and that tipped the decision in his favor.

“I shall be your chaperone,” Mrs. Malcolm said, giving Adam the swiftest of wary looks, before turning to her employer. “I thank you for the opportunity to attend, my lady.”

“But no new dress this time,” Lady Beasley said, making Lady Susanne shake her head.

Mrs. Malcolm’s nostrils flared slightly. “No, of course not. I didn’t expect any such thing.”

Adam hoped she wore the same one from the ball. It had been gloriously revealing.

Every time she went out in society, Alice was risking recognition, detection, and thereby utter humiliation. And worse. Yet, against her better judgment, she had agreed because listening to skilled musicians was a treat she greatly missed in her present station.

Regardless, Alice had hardly ever expected to find herself seated not only near Lord Diamond but beside him. Having arrived late due to Lady Susanne having a sudden fashion emergency, the three hurried to their seats, and her charge practically galloped to their appointed row, scooted in, and took the first of three seats.

When Alice went to sit, Lady Susanne said, “No, please, Mrs. Malcolm, allow his lordship to sit beside me.”

The infuriating girl ought to have allowed Alice to sit first! When she tried to rearrange her, the manager hurried over and insisted they take their seats at once. The conductor was already facing the audience.

Lord Diamond quickly sat, and Alice had no choice but to do the same, and thus, he was between them. On the other hand, she enjoyed being on the center aisle with a much better view of what was going on up ahead. When the first pure notes carried her away, she cared not a whit for Susanne’s virtue — after all, what could happen in the Octagon Room?

Yet try as she might, she could not forget the man beside her. Their upper arms were touching, and the warmth seeped through the sleeve of her second-best gown. Her vanity had refused to let her wear the same ballgown again so soon. This one, a dove-gray cotton with cream piping trim, fit her well and was more suitable to a governess. Compared to all the other ladies, however, she appeared drab and underdressed.

Regardless, no one else seemed to be distracted by an attractive man’s shoulder, causing a fiery sensation to sizzle through her. Thus, Alice earnestly tried to ignore him and focus upon the musicians.

Impossible! Lord Diamond’s right leg swayed along to some unfathomable part of the composition, but since she couldn’t tell which, she half-wondered if he were tone deaf or devoid of any sense of rhythm.

When he next leaned his leg in her direction, touching her knee, she started to think he was doing it on purpose.

Startled, she moved away, pointing her toes toward the aisle.

“I apologize,” he muttered. Leaning his mouth down to the shell of her ear, he made her shiver as he whispered, “I am enjoying it so much I —”

“Shh,” she admonished.

He ceased at once.

The remainder of the concert’s first half passed without any further annoyances from Lord Diamond — except she was unable to cease her acute awareness of his closeness. Nor could she quell the tingling in her body. He was a nuisance.

When they arose to stretch their legs before the second half, Susanne was bubbling.

“How beautiful. Don’t you think?” Her question was, as usual, doubtful of her own opinion.

“Indeed,” Lord Diamond said, quickly glancing at Alice. “What did you think, Mrs. Malcolm? You are the expert.”

Something about the way he said that rubbed her the wrong way, like stroking a cat from tail to head.

“I am sure these musicians are far more adept than I could hope to be. To think anything else would be presumptuous.” However, she had noticed some sour notes, as her father might have labeled them, were they still speaking to one another.

“In that case, without giving offense, may I ask simply whether you enjoyed it?” he asked.

She was being unnecessarily peevish, which wasn’t like her. She had accepted her lot in life after Richard’s untimely yet welcome death. So why was she now taking it out on the only man who had ever made her crackle with desire from head to toe?

“Of course I did. Thank you for asking,” she replied more softly, earning a raised eyebrow of recognition from him that she was, at least, trying to be polite. “I thought they —”

“There is Lady Francine,” Susanne interrupted. “She wasn’t at the ball, nor in Bath this past week. I must go speak with her at once and discover where she has been. Probably to get new gowns in London. I wish Mother would take me to do the same, but she always says we can get anything right here on Milsom Street.” She was still talking about fashion as she wandered off.

“I suppose I should trail along behind her.”

“I believe that’s what chaperones do,” Lord Diamond agreed. He turned and let his gaze follow Susanne’s path. “Except she has stopped already. And since there isn’t a man near her, I believe she is safe.”

“Thank you for explaining my duty,” Alice quipped, and the crabby tone had returned.

“Are you married?” he asked, obviously intending to catch her off guard.

And he had. She answered before she realized.

“Not any longer.” Then she shut her mouth firmly. Blasted nosy man!

“I only asked because some missus, such as my parents’ housekeeper, Mrs. Cumby, have never been a wife. Funny that, don’t you think?”

“Funny,” she muttered before raising her chin and looking him in the eye. “I am a widow,” Alice added, in case he thought she was lying. Also, pride made her want him to know another man had asked her to marry him and made her his wife. More was the pity!

In any case, s he wasn’t merely someone’s governess with whom he could dally.

His expression sobered instantly. “I am terribly sorry.”

She had thrown Lord Diamond off his stride, and no mistaking it. But she didn’t want his pity, nor did she wish for him to start sentimentalizing something that was possibly the least sentimental moment in her life.

Before she could say more, however, Susanne reappeared. Alice had nearly forgotten her existence.

“If I can convince Mother to take me to London, we shall also go to the Great Exhibition.”

Alice felt a surge of envy. She would love to see the wondrous items and inventions that had been collected from all over the world. She recalled one in particular.

“Lord Diamond’s namesake will be there,” she quipped.

Lady Susanne looked blankly, but Lord Diamond nodded.

“The Koh-i-Noor,” he said.

At Susanne’s raised eyebrows, he expounded, telling her a little about the diamond’s long history, and how it ended up being given to the Queen once she was made Empress of India.

“I would like to see it,” Susanne said, “along with all the clothing on display.”

Then they took their seats again, but this time, Lord Diamond gestured for her to go into the row first. Apparently, learning she was a widow, he had decided to stop flirting with her. She took the farthest chair, with Susanne sitting beside her, and Lord Diamond taking the chair on the aisle.

When the music recommenced, Alice felt the loss of his warmth along her side at once. It was for the best, however. He was asking questions, and she was foolishly starting to answer them. Neither of which was a good idea.

Better she should ignore every tiny spark of interest that was flitting through her body and mind regarding Lord Diamond, each wicked thought of how magical his kiss had felt. Nothing repulsive or off-putting or even tawdry. It had been almost chaste and yet thrilling.

But she was no longer a part of his world. And she had best remember that! If she could be taken advantage of when she still had the trappings and the protection of being a lady, only imagine how much trouble she could get into if a titled lord set his sights on her as a lowly governess.

Thus, when she found herself alone with him again a few days later, Alice started to wonder if she had angered Lady Fortune in some fashion.