Chapter Eight

It was amazing how little time it had taken for her life to become one of pleasure and fun, thought Allegra, as she stood in front of her wardrobe a few days later.

She was trying to select an appropriate gown for a trip to the Park, having promised Penelope and Grace that she would chaperone them on a leisurely drive around the lake. There was, of course, nothing to be seen in the way of natural grandeur, all the eye-catching features were in the carriages rolling along the paved walkways, or under parasols and strolling on the soft grass.

It was an occasion when to be seen was as important as seeing, and Allegra wanted to make sure that the girls had nothing to be ashamed of in their companion’s attire. Since Lord Allenbridge had made good his promise to clothe her appropriately, she now had a variety of dresses from which to make her choice.

She settled on a soft blue silk with a darker blue silk capelet fastened at the neck with delicate ribbons and lace, which matched the dress. The bonnet sported several white silk flowers affixed to a gathered bunch of blue and white ribbons, some of which were allowed to flutter becomingly down to the wearer’s cheek.

Allegra decided that it would do, but reserved judgement about the fluttering accessories. Her practical nature asserted itself and promised a long afternoon of batting away an irritant.

She felt comfortable and stylish as she put the finishing touches to her ensemble—the low neckline of the dress was filled with delicate lace gathered to form a collar to the capelet. It was attractive, fashionable, and made Allegra feel like a Queen.

Well, at least a duchess.

She couldn’t help hoping that someone might be in the vicinity to see how good she looked as they prepared for their drive. But as fate would have it, the foyer was empty.

“Here we are, Cousin Ally.” Grace called from the landing, as she and Penelope hurried down the stairs. “Are we late? Did we keep you waiting?”

Allegra smiled at the two of them. “Not at all...I just came down myself. Now, do you know if Runcorn asked for the carriage to be brought round already, or shall I send a servant?”

“No need, my Lady.” Runcorn’s voice came through the front door that he was swinging wide. “We’re ready for you.”

He gestured to the barouche that awaited them, Lord Allenbridge having given orders earlier that the larger open carriage was an absolutely necessary vehicle since he was not allowing the three of them to squeeze themselves into his park phaeton.

There were soft wool blankets piled neatly on one seat in case the occupants should feel chilly, but Allegra had a feeling that the abundant sunshine and the excitement of her companions would render them quite unnecessary.

It was just another example of Pip’s thoughtfulness, realised Allegra as she watched Grace and Penelope settling themselves comfortably into the soft leather seats.

He was a continual puzzle to her. There was no overlooked detail, no missed attention to their comfort. He was the perfect uncle and guardian, escorting them whenever possible to an assortment of balls, fetes, and musicales, most of which he must have detested, yet he never complained.

She had overheard enough conversations to know that he was well respected by his peers, many of whom had interrupted their own conversations to ask him for advice on some matter of importance to them.

However, through it all, she couldn’t help but notice that he had few friends. Real friends who would tease and joke with him.

Other than moments with Vivian Kerrick, she had yet to see Pip’s eyes change from aloof to warm, or hear his charming laugh. It was as if people sensed the wall around him and steered clear of any kind of intimacy. He was a solid member of the aristocracy, but little more.

Allegra couldn’t help but be aware that women had similar reaction to him.

Oh, the longing glances were there, all right, almost every evening she had noticed greedy female eyes travelling down the length of his well-built body, and lingering speculatively on the front of his breeches. But few had dared to approach with anything more than acceptable social discourse, and those few who did, received no encouragement. The blue eyes turned frosty, and the wall became polite but impenetrable.

Yet this was the man who had made sure she and the girls had blankets, just in case.

“Hello...Cousin Ally. Are you there?”

Recalled to the present, Ally’s lips twisted. “No—I’m at least a million miles away.” She grinned, looking at the twins, who were both staring at her and waiting for her to join them in the carriage.

“Sorry. Let’s be off, shall we?” She arranged her skirts and nodded at the footman to fold up the steps and close the door.

Within moments, the ribbons were fluttering madly as the warm breeze brushed by her cheeks and the clopping of the horses’ hooves was echoed by her nervous heartbeat. This was an important part of the girls’ debut and Allegra kept her fingers crossed that all would go smoothly.

Their arrival at the gates of the park coincided with that of many other carriages, and consequently, there was quite a bit of confusion as drivers jostled for the best position.

It was certainly a day that had brought out London’s highest ranks, the twins earned an interested nod from a Royal Duke and many overlong stares from other notable gentlemen. Fortunately, they were able to ignore them for the most part, simply enjoying the sights and sounds of the promenade.

“People do stare, don’t they Cousin?” mentioned Penelope. She resolutely turned her back on one particularly intense gaze from a young man alone in a fashionable phaeton.

“Under these circumstances, I think people feel a little freer to show their interest,” said Allegra consideringly. “As long as we ignore the more importunate, I think it will be acceptable.”

She did not mention the fact that her two charges appeared quite stunning today, seated side by side, and it was this that was unquestionably arousing a large portion of the male interest.

Golden curls shimmered from beneath their modest bonnets, catching the sunlight. Grace glowed in very soft pastel green muslin with a little decoration of lilies-of-the-valley, and Penelope in soft apple green, edged with white apple blossoms. Both girls looked delightful, their air of innocence and enthusiasm may not have been de rigueur amongst the jaded Ton, but it was certainly attractive enough to garner a lot of attention.

One young buck nearly tripped over his elegant cane as he watched the barouche drive past, and Allegra was hard pressed to hide a giggle as another trod mercilessly on the heels of an elderly lady strolling ahead of him. She almost asked the driver to slow down so that she could watch as the lady’s raised parasol threatened to knock the unfortunate young man’s head right off his neck and into the water.

Eventually, the driver slowed, a crush of carriages ahead signalling the turnaround at one end of the lake drive. Passengers could elect to finish the drive by circling the lake completely, arriving back at the front gates, or they could turn around and retrace their steps through the parked carriages and the assembled throng. Most selected the second option, which, Allegra realised, explained the crush.

“Oh look, Cousin, there’s Sir Vivian.” said Penelope, raising her hand in greeting. “May we get out and walk with him a little way? I did tell him we were coming here today.”

Allegra turned to see the cheerful visage of Vivian Kerrick bearing down on the carriage and indicated to the driver that he should find a place to pull over and onto the grass.

“Your servant, Ladies.” Sir Vivian bowed, waving an imaginary sword before him like a Knight saluting his monarch.

The girls both giggled, and Allegra smiled, enjoying the lively humour.

“May I steal these two charming flowers for a brief stroll, Lady Falworth?” he asked, preparing to open the carriage door.

“I suppose it would be acceptable, as long as you stay in sight of the carriage at all times.” It was a pointed statement since, although she trusted Vivian, she was still responsible for the girls’ well-being.

“We will, Cousin, we will.” Grace and Penelope carefully alighted from the carriage, straightening their skirts.

A muted squeal came from a nearby carriage and two other young ladies hurried towards them, waving, and laughing.

Sir Vivian gave a pensive sigh and glanced up under his eyelashes at Allegra in mute appeal.

She gave in to the laughter. “Not a chance, Sir Vivian. You asked them, and you know how many friends they have. You’re on your own, unless perhaps these young ladies have a brother or two who will share chaperoning duties.”

Vivian swallowed. “You are a hard woman, My Lady, but I will do my duty. If I don’t come back shortly, send someone to rescue me, will you? I don’t know how much female chatter one poor man can take.”

“If you weren’t ready for the battle, you shouldn’t have proposed the strategy,” quipped Allegra. She wondered, not for the first time, if Vivian had had an ulterior motive in suggesting a stroll.

“Very well.” He groaned, gazing at the four girls who were now all talking at once. “I may as well get it over with.”

He bowed slightly to Allegra, squared his shoulders, and bravely approached the bevy of young chattering beauties.

Allegra watched them with a soft smile on her lips. If Vivian was indeed developing a tendre for one of the twins, and Allegra privately thought that it might be Penelope, then she would wish him good fortune. He was a solid sort of man, and she felt he would make a good husband and father. Penelope could certainly do a lot worse, and to set the seal on his approval, Pip liked him.

Not that Pip was infallible, thought Allegra, but if he liked Vivian, then she was prepared to like him too.

Just when had Pip become so much a part of her decision-making process? It was a troubling question.

Their interactions had been friendly, mostly concerning the girls, and frequently dusted with a feeling of awareness that was quite foreign to Allegra. She was starting to feel...to feel...needy around Pip, but she didn’t quite know what she needed.

A funny sort of fluttering started low in her stomach when she thought of how he looked at her on occasion. Just once or twice she had caught him staring at her with the same expression on his face that he’d had when he’d tapped on her bedroom door that night.

Sort of a combination of intense interest, greed, and hunger.

It was a blazing look that she found terribly unsettling when she allowed herself to dwell on it, so, being a practical woman, she decided it was all in her imagination. She probably wished for things she couldn’t have and allowed her mind to create possibilities where none existed.

She resolutely ignored her churning thoughts and turned to watch the girls and Sir Vivian as they strolled in the sunlight towards the lake.

“Did I hear Sir Vivian call you Lady Falworth?”

A low and seductive voice came from the far side of the carriage and snared Allegra’s attention.

She turned with a friendly smile. “Yes, I am Allegra Falworth.”

She gazed at the woman standing next to her. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced?”

The lady next to her gave a slow smile and unfurled her parasol. Her hair was the colour of old gold and dressed in a very fashionable style, which showed off her bonnet. Daringly designed in the latest style, it featured a small bird, complete with feathers, cheekily surveying the world from his nest of velvet and lace. Should he have been able to turn his head and look down, he would have had an excellent glimpse of the deep blue velvet ribbons which were stitched around the neckline of the lady’s gown, enhancing her magnificent cleavage.

A bow at the front merely served to draw attention to the impressive valley shadowed between two equally impressive breasts.

Allegra disliked her on sight and wondered how many suitors had suffocated while exploring such bountiful geography.

“I’m Lady Blanche Fawcett,” she said smoothly. “Hasn’t Pip spoken of me at all?”

It didn’t take a genius to realise what Lady Blanche was trying to say. From the tendrils of hair curling around her dashing bonnet, through her clinging gown and all the way down to her tiny shoes, the woman exuded sex appeal.

Hazel eyes clashed with limpid blue, and Allegra amazed herself with the savagery of her reaction. She would have liked nothing better than to place her fist smack in the middle of this woman’s supercilious expression.

She would have liked to squash that silly bonnet into the ground too.

Both women jumped slightly at the sound of another voice.

“I don’t believe your name has been mentioned in my conversations with Cousin Allegra, Lady Blanche,” said Lord Allenbridge quietly.

He was rounding the corner of the barouche and had evidently just tied his horse to the back. Allegra realised that Lady Blanche’s presence and the height of the carriage had prevented her from seeing him arrive.

“However, seeing as you are both here...Cousin Allegra, may I present Lady Blanche Fawcett? Blanche, I’d like you to meet Lady Allegra Falworth, who has graciously consented to chaperone her cousins, Penelope, and Grace, for the rest of the season.”

Blanche’s lip curled slightly, and she turned away from Allegra to Pip.

“Darling, you never said you needed a chaperone for the girls. Why, I’d have been quite happy to offer my services...”

She stroked Pip’s arm and slid her own through it as she spoke, making sure Allegra could see her breasts pressed against his Lordship’s sleeve.

Allegra had no difficulty imagining what services Lady Blanche was offering.

“In fact, I had hoped to ask them to accompany me to Lord and Lady Franklin’s soiree.” She purred up at Pip and ignored Allegra completely.

“How kind of you Blanche, but unnecessary. Cousin Allegra has been of invaluable help to us all and will be staying for at least the rest of the Season. Together we are selecting those invitations the twins will accept, and I believe they will be attending a musicale and recital at one of their school friend’s homes on the evening of the Franklin affair.”

Pip’s voice could have made icicles look cuddly, and he eased his body away from the woman who was still gazing at him hungrily.

“Perhaps that will allow you to attend then, Pip, if your cousin...” She flashed a glance of disdain at Allegra, “...will have the girls in hand? It’s been too long since we have danced together, and you must remember how well we partner each other...”

Her voice sank to a seductive whisper, leaving no doubt at all in Allegra’s mind that the dance floor was not the only place Blanche had partnered Pip.

Her hands clenched and her fingernails left small half-moon impressions in her palms, even through the fabric of her gloves. Narrowing her eyes, she decided that Lady Blanche had just stepped outside the bounds of polite behaviour.

“I do hope I will have the pleasure of meeting your husband, Lady Blanche, while we are still in town.” Her cheerful tone was in direct contrast to the knot in her stomach at the thought of Pip and Blanche together. “I understand that Lord Fawcett’s brilliant diplomatic strategies have been of vital import to the government recently. You must be so proud of him.”

Blanche looked taken aback for a moment. Obviously, she was either shocked at the reminder that she actually had a husband, or surprised that Allegra knew enough about international politics to be aware of what he was doing and its importance.

“Well, I...um...his travel plans are uncertain at this time...” She stuttered, losing her seductive stance, and instead appearing rather uncomfortable.

Pip took advantage of her momentary confusion and freed himself from her clutches. “I’m sure that if he returns before the end of the Season, then Cousin Allegra and I will look forward to welcoming you both...”

Allegra noticed the slight stress on the word “both” with interest.

“...to Bridgeford House. I, too, would be interested to hear of his work in France.”

With a bow, Pip moved to the door of the carriage and began opening it, leaving Lady Blanche with little chance to do other than make her farewells and walk away.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Pip eased down in the seat next to Allegra, tossing the unused blankets onto the other seat and settling his legs out in front of him. He stretched one arm along the back of the carriage and grinned at Allegra. He couldn’t hold back his smile or his amusement at the look of confusion on her face.

“Good Lord,” she choked. “You look like the cat that just ate the canary.”

“Sorry, Cousin, but I rather enjoyed that.”

“You enjoyed running off Lady Blanche?”

“Well, actually, I think you did that,” he answered.

“I did not.”

“My dear Cousin, reminding a woman of her husband when she’s busy plastering herself over another man is guaranteed to run her off, wouldn’t you say?”

Allegra frowned slightly. “Oh no, was I rude?”

“Certainly not, but Blanche was.”

“Well, she was only trying to be friendly,”

“No she wasn’t, she was trying to be, well, she had thought that perhaps we—I mean...”Realising that he was probably on shaky ground, Pip gave up with a rueful chuckle.

“I certainly picked up on those signals, Cousin,” snorted Allegra. “But to give her her due, she must have had some basis for that assumption.”

Pip had the grace to look rather shamefaced. “Well, I suppose there were grounds for her to consider us close friends, but that was before...” I met you.

“Before?” prompted Allegra.

“Before I realised how demanding a job it would be to introduce the twins to the Ton, and how involved in the process I would become.” He felt he’d recovered quite nicely. “And also before I sent her a note, a very polite note, I might add, explaining that my duties as the twins’ guardian would keep me very busy for the rest of the Season.”

“I’m sure she was just thrilled to receive that,” said Allegra dryly. “Especially as you’re sitting here with the person who was supposed to relieve you of your guardianship duties.”

“Look,” said Pip a bit defensively. “I never led Blanche to think that we were anything other than close friends, nor did I promise her anything at all. And yes, she should have been thrilled to receive that note, because I made sure it was accompanied by a token of my regard that set me back quite a bit at Rundell and Bridge.”

“Why, Lord Allenbridge, you bought her off.” Allegra’s tone sounded shocked, but there was a glint of humor flickering around her lips.

“Did not,” responded Pip, rather inelegantly.

“Yes, you did.”

“One “buys off” mistresses. Blanche was never my mistress. Dammit, I don’t have a mistress, and haven’t since I can’t remember when.” Pip flushed slightly as he realised what he’d just confessed.

“Too costly?” inquired Ally.

Pip could see her desperately trying to keep her face straight. “Far too costly, and not just in monetary terms, either.” He shot his answer right back, quirking an eyebrow at her.

Well aware that this quite improper conversation might lead to areas that he shouldn’t be thinking about exploring, Pip breathed a sigh of relief as Allegra took mercy on him.

“Forgive my teasing, my Lord, these matters and also Lady Blanche are really none of my business. And I must confess that occasionally my temper gets the best of me. But I am glad we decided to miss the Franklin soiree, since Angus mentioned that the guests tend to get a bit rowdy.”

She slipped back into her chaperone mode, leaving Pip to regret the loss of that challenging sparkle in her eye.

The discussion ended there as a cheerful call sounded and merry laughter announced the return of the girls from their stroll.

Allegra couldn’t help but be relieved that their tête-à-tête had been interrupted. The whole subject of Lord Phillip Allenbridge was beginning to assume rather more importance to her than was appropriate, she realised guiltily, and her responses to his conversation were starting to become more and more personal.

She had spent sufficient time at Bridgeford House to understand that its master was truly the embodiment of the word “gentleman”. His staff worshipped him unquestioningly, his small circle of acquaintances comprised intelligent and mannerly men, and women continually fell over themselves in their efforts to gain his attention, much as Lady Blanche had done earlier.

So far, only Gloriana Jameson, by virtue of her incredible tenacity, had succeeded in attaching his notice for more than one evening. He dealt with all this, as with most matters in his life, with an air of cool interest and a noncommittal smile. He was able to manage his business affairs, run his estates, and send flowers to his latest hostess, all with the correct degree of good manners.

And yet Allegra knew that something within was carefully concealed. On several occasions now she had seen behind the very public facade into the depths of what she believed might be an extraordinarily passionate man.

The fact that she would give her all to be the recipient of that passion was something she was going to have to consider at length, perhaps while lazing in a bath of ice-cold water.

Teased by the girls for staying seated in the carriage, Pip and Allegra reluctantly joined them on the grass and paired up for yet another stroll. There were, after all, at least twenty friends that the twins had yet to greet.

Sighing, Allegra prepared to follow the girls, and was surprised to find her arm taken by Pip himself.

“My duties, you know, so busy,” he grinned, reminding her of their earlier conversation.

“I am glad of the company, my Lord,” she answered politely. She ignored the tingle she’d felt when he’d placed her hand on his arm. His body was warm through his jacket, and she tried very hard not to think about that, either.

She concentrated on the knot of girls a little way ahead of them, noticing that Gloriana had joined them and was glancing back at Pip and Ally.

Luckily, Gloriana’s manners were somewhat better than Lady Blanche’s, and she stayed conversing with the group of young people who were merrily laughing and chattering as they walked across the soft green grass.

Gloriana’s presence brought another question to mind, and Allegra unwisely blurted it out without thinking. “Who is Ariel?”

Pip’s head snapped around. “What?”

“I’m so sorry, but I noticed Gloriana and started thinking about that night when we met the Rajah. His words distressed me and were a bit uncanny, and how he came by his knowledge is beyond me, I must confess. So I wondered if what he told you was also meaningful in any way, or if what he said to me was just a random guess?”

The look in Pip’s eyes changed slightly and Allegra felt her lungs fill with air as she found she had been holding her breath.

“No. It was no random guess or generalised prediction. Our friend the Rajah has somehow managed to glean some very personal information about several members of the Ton, myself included, and has caused quite a stir with his ‘visions’. I would give a lot to know where he got his facts, incidents that are quite accurate have been mentioned, such as my...er... my acquaintance with Ariel, which dates back some eight or nine years.” Lord Allenbridge’s eyebrows moved towards each other as a frown slowly appeared on his usually calm face.

“It’s clearly personal and none of my business, I am very sorry I asked you an embarrassing question,” apologised Allegra. She desperately wanted to wipe the frown away. Did she break your heart?

“Not at all,” answered Pip. “It was a logical thought, and believe me, I haven’t forgotten about that night. No, the Rajah Gupil is of interest to me, and I might as well tell you that I have set a few discreet inquiries into motion, I trust you will hold this information confidential?”

Allegra raised her eyebrows thoughtfully.

“Well, now you come to mention it, I was thinking of running ahead and telling Penelope and Grace, and then possibly writing a note to the Times when we get home, followed of course by another letter to the Jamesons letting them know you’re investigating their guest.” A quirky grin crossed her lips as she raised her eyes to the man opposite her.

A spurt of laughter was surprised out of Pip. “Good God, woman, you do jump on what a person says without mercy, don’t you?”

A flame of pleasure coursed through Allegra’s veins as she watched him laughing. “Well, Cousin, we poor women are sometimes capable of keeping secrets. All I ask is that if you find out anything of importance, you let me know? Especially if there is anything about this Rajah that could be dangerous to Grace or Penelope.”

“Dangerous...that’s an odd word to use, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It just slipped out, I didn’t think...but somehow there seems to be something about the Rajah that is not right. Unsettling might be a better word to use? Silly of me to feel this way, but nevertheless, I do.”

Almost involuntarily, Pip’s hand moved to cover Allegra’s where it rested contentedly on his sleeve.

Blue eyes gazed directly into hazel eyes, and there was a moment of silence when it seemed as if the whole world held its breath. Allegra was staggeringly conscious of the warmth and strength of Pip’s fingers and what his touch was doing to her body and her mind. She dropped her eyes to keep him from seeing the dangerous feelings he was arousing in her.

“I will not permit danger to threaten any member of my household. Do you hear me?”

Allegra raised her gaze from their intertwined hands and looked into his eyes. Something was blazing in their clear blue depths, something that she daren’t put a name to, but that struck a responsive chord in her.

Their gazes locked for a long moment and then Pip removed his hand. Allegra heard him draw a ragged breath as he turned his gaze back to the Park and the people who surrounded them.

She looked down, wondering if her skin was marked with the imprint of his fingers. The firm grip had seared itself so vividly, she could have sworn it should have shown something of his touch.

Then she recalled something else. He hadn’t answered her question directly, she still had no idea who Ariel was or had been, and now she had an overwhelming urge to find out.