Chapter 7

Victoria rolled to her side and groaned. In all her life, she could not recall one moment where her head had ever hurt so bloody much. She cursed. Why had she thought drinking so much brandy would ever be a brilliant idea? Overindulging in any sort of spirts showed a lack of intelligence, and she'd willingly ignored her own exceptional acumen in favor of foolishness. She had regrets. So many regrets, she'd lost count.

She stared around her room and blinked several times. A small stream of sunlight crept its way into her bedchamber through a crack in her heavy curtains. Even that small amount seemed too bright. Victoria groaned again and blocked the light with the back of her hand. Then she sat up as a thought managed to slide into her pain muddled brain. How had she found her way back to her bedchamber. More importantly, she stared down at herself, how had she found a way out of her dress and stays? She never would have been able to do any of that on her own. Suddenly, she had many questions. So many she was afraid of what those answers might be.

With a sigh, she forced herself out of bed. She stood, swayed a bit, then grabbed the bedpost to keep herself upright. Victoria closed her eyes and took a few deep fortifying breaths. She needed to ring the bell for her maid. If she had any chance of surviving the day, she had to have a hot bath and help dressing. She reached for her dressing robe and quickly donned it. As she tied it securely around her, a knock echoed through the room. Who the blazes could that be?

Victoria opened the door a crack and peeked out. The earl stood there looking well rested and more gorgeous than he had a right to be, and she almost hated him for it. "Why are you here?" She narrowed her gaze. "You should know better than to come to a lady's bedchamber."

"But I've already been to yours," he answered in a congenial tone. "Consider this another rogue lesson." He grinned. "Let me in love," he coaxed. "You know you want to."

"You have not been in my bedchamber," she said. Had he? She still did not know how she'd made it to her room the night before. "Go away before someone sees or hears you."

"Come now, love," he began. "Open the door and let me in. But if you want to draw attention to my presence, all you had to do was ask. I'd be glad to moan as if in throws of blinding passion. That's sure to draw a crowd."

"You wouldn't dare…" She glared at him. Victoria did not need this. Her head ached and he was not helping. At all.

"Don't you know already?" He winked. "A rogue dares anything."

He wasn't going to disappear. There was no helping it. She'd have to allow him inside. Slowly, she opened the door wide and then yanked on his coat to pull him behind the door. She shut it and turned to him. "Why are you here," she asked again?

He held up a small basket. How had she missed that he'd been carrying that? "What's inside?"

"That, love, is a surprise." He strolled to the other side of the room and lounged in a chair. He crossed his legs and set the basket on the floor. "Are you ready for another lesson?"

"I'm still recovering from the last one." She lifted her hand to her head and moaned. "I am uncertain if I can survive another one of your lessons."

He nodded. "I understand," he replied in a soothing tone. "You've decided against this folly. I'm glad." The earl stood. "If you're ready to admit it's all too much for you, then I'll gladly leave you to rest."

"No," she said. "Don't go." Victoria couldn't allow him to believe she would ever admit such a thing. She would not give up. She would not lose. "I want the next lesson." He would not convince her that she shouldn't become a rogue, or more importantly, that seducing him would never work. She fully believed she could have him, at least as a lover if not as her one and only love.

"Very well." He nodded. "If your head is paining you, I can suggest a few remedies that may help."

"Oh?" She was curious. "Are these remedies a rogue might find useful?"

"Some," he said cautiously. "But I should warn you. They're not pleasant."

She didn't like unpleasant things, but she couldn't very well tell him that. Victoria was supposed to be working her way towards becoming a rogue. She had to attempt to sound enthusiastic about these remedies. "Tell me." She motioned for him to continue. "I wish to know what they are."

"All right," he said. "Some gentlemen believe raw eggs with a little garlic will cure what ails you."

She wrinkled her nose. "Why that's…"

"Disgusting?" he supplied. "In that I agree."

"I was going to say rubbish. I don't believe for one moment someone would willing consume such a thing." She narrowed her gaze. "You're mocking me."

"I assure you I am not." He grinned. "I'll have the concoction sent to you from the kitchen if you'd like."

Victoria didn't believe him. He was right, though. It did sound disgusting. She did not want to even think about putting raw eggs into her mouth. She nearly gagged at the very idea, and it did not help the queasiness that had already settled into her stomach. "I will have to decline your very generous offer." She placed a hand over her stomach. "Food of any kind doesn't sound appealing."

He stared at her hand that she still held over her stomach. It had tightened her dressing robe over her breasts. His eyes almost appeared a little glassy as he stared. Then he shook his head as if clearing something away. "That will pass," he said. "Your appetite should return soon."

"I'll have to take your word on that." She frowned. "Was there a reason you felt the need to attend me in my bedchamber?" Then a thought occurred to her. "How did I make it back here last night?"

"Oh," he said, then shrugged. "You stumbled mostly. Until you almost fell. Then I had to intervene less you break your neck."

That did not sound as if she'd been graceful in the least. She was horrified. "And what precisely did you do?"

"Well," he said casually. "I carried you." He picked up the basket and headed to the door. He'd said that as if it were perfectly normal for him to carry her anywhere. She wished she could remember it. "Dress quickly, Victoria. Then meet me in the foyer." He opened the door, then turned to her. "Dress for walking. We're going on an adventure." With that, he exited the room, leaving her reeling from the entire encounter. She forgot to ask him how she'd come to be undressed. What if she'd missed him removing her gown. Now that would be a tragedy…

David strolled down the stairs and reminded himself that he couldn't kiss her yet. She had been so adorable and clearly suffering the ill effects of too much brandy. The bright sunshine would not help her in the least; however, they were still going on this adventure. She'd enjoy it once she started to feel better. Her discomfort should ease as the day progressed. He kept the basket firmly in his grasp as he headed to the kitchen. He hadn't actually added anything to it yet, and he'd been thankful that she hadn't asked to see what was inside it. The basket had come from a maid he'd encountered as he strolled toward Victoria's bedchamber. The maid had gladly retrieved it for him. Now that he'd had a little time with Victoria, he knew exactly what to include inside the basket.

He strolled into the kitchen and found a kitchen maid. "I need a few items for a picnic."

"Of course, my lord," she said and took the basket from him. "We have some fresh bread, a bit of cheese, and berries picked fresh this morning. Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

"Is there any cold chicken?" They'd had that the night before for dinner. "Lemonade and a bottle of claret." It was much safer than brandy and he wanted her to have options. "Do you think you can add that?"

"Yes, my lord." She curtsied. "I'll have it ready for you straightaway." She wandered off to gather items he'd asked for. He did not know how long they would be away. David wanted to ensure they'd have plenty of food and drink. Just in case their little adventure ensured they remained gone for the entire day, and perhaps even the evening. This was an important rogue lesson. Perhaps the most important one that she could learn. The art of seduction… He had decided that it would be necessary to fully complete these lessons. She had to be his, and she needed to be convinced. He'd gladly do just that.

The kitchen maid brought back the basket and handed it to him. "Will there be anything else, my lord?" she asked.

"No. Thank You." David smiled at her. "You've been very helpful." He nodded at her and then left the kitchen. Hopefully, Victoria would be ready to go on their adventure. Not that it would be much of one. It wasn't as if he could take her on a real excursion or even a voyage. At least not anytime soon. Perhaps sometime in their future he could. If all went well…

Victoria strolled down the stairs. She wore a cornflower blue day gown. Her dark hair had been plaited in a simple style and wound around her head and secured almost like a crown. David was tempted to unwind the plait and let her hair loose over her shoulders. He'd never seen it that way, and he was desperate to run his fingers through those glorious locks. Even this morning it hadn't been loose, and that had surprised him. Perhaps she had been too inebriated the previous night to allow her maid to do much with it. He'd likely never know either way.

"All right," she said in a grumpy tone. "I'm here. Where are we going?"

He grinned. "It's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises," she told him. She narrowed her gaze. "Tell me."

"Or what?" He raised a brow. "You won't come with me?" David shrugged. "If that is your wish. Then, by all means…return to your bedchamber. I don't need you to accompany me. You're the one that wanted lessons."

"Has anyone ever told you how difficult you are?" She glared at him.

"No," he said in an innocent tone. "But then," he began. "You would know. As you're quite difficult yourself."

"I am not." She narrowed her gaze. "Are you teasing me?"

"If you have to ask." His lips twitched a little. "Then perhaps you're not paying attention."

"Oh." She pushed him. "Stop."

He held out his arm to her. "Come now, love," he said in a cajoling tone. "You adore me. Admit it."

"I'll admit no such thing." She sighed and placed her hand on his arm. "Take me on this adventure."

"That I will," he said. Hopefully, her mood lightened as they walked. He did not like that she was clearly uncomfortable, but she wouldn't learn not to drink strong spirits if she didn't try them herself. Some lessons could only be learned through experience. He wanted her to explore everything. Perhaps then she'd realize this rogue wallflower notion was indeed foolish. "I promise," he said in a steadfast tone. "You will enjoy this."

"Will I?" She blew out a breath. "Then I'll have to endeavor to suffer through it won't I?"

He grinned. "Suffering does not equate enjoyment, love."

She tilted her head to the side. "Perhaps," she said in a cryptic tone. "Suffering is what we must do to discover true enjoyment."

"That is an auspicious outlook," he told her. "At least you think you might enjoy it. What part must you suffer through? My company?"

"Not at all," she told him. "You're the enjoyable aspect of this adventure."

That took him by surprise. "Am I?" He tilted his lips upward into a smile. "Then I'm glad I'll be spending the day with you."

They continued on in companionable silence. He led her through the woods and down a path. There was only one destination in mind, and it was some distance from the main house. It was the marquess's secret hideaway. The cabin he'd spoken about in hushed tones. They had all been carousing there the night before, but had come back to the manor this morning, all content with their night of wickedness. He'd asked Ardmore if they were returning there again that night. The marquess had said no, and that he was welcome to use it if he needed a night away. Now he was leading Victoria to that cabin. They could explore the cabin, and each other, if they so chose.

He really hoped she desired him. Because if so, he had plans. So. Many. Plans.