Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero (10 page)

Without even looking at him, she turned to the door and reached for the handle, fully intending on doing herself a favor and removing herself from the awkward situation she had just created, when she felt his strong arm snake around her waist, pulling her back towards him and onto his lap. Adel was grateful that her back was towards him and that he couldn’t see the deep red stain that she could feel creeping up her face.

His breath was warm against her hair. “Why did you do that?”

Adel shivered as his other arm slid into place around her, resting just below her chest. She dropped her head and stared at the foreign sight of a man’s arms around her. His hands were large, covered with black hair that disappeared into his coat sleeves.

“Has my kiss rendered you mute?” he asked when she didn’t respond.

“
Your
kiss, my lord? It was I who initiated the kiss.”

“So it was,” he whispered huskily behind her ear. “But why?”

Adel’s senses were on alert, hyper aware of everything about him, from the way he smelled to the hardness of his chest against her back. “I couldn’t stand seeing you so forlorn. I was hoping to cheer you, my lord.”
“If you are brave enough to kiss me, surely you are brave enough to use my Christian name once more,” he goaded. “I much prefer that to my lord. Especially now that we are friends.”

“Very well,” she answered, almost ending it with my lord before catching herself.

Turning her deftly in his arms, he used one hand to turn her face to his, enjoying the embarrassment he saw on her face as well as the remnants of a blush. “Well, you succeeded Adel, for I no longer feel so sad. Now perhaps I can help you.”

His head lowered to hers as he slid her more comfortably into his lap, pulling her tightly to him. With the slightest touch of his warm lips, her embarrassment melted away, being replaced by something else entirely. The kiss he bestowed upon her was nothing like the simple kiss of an inexperienced girl that she had given him. No, this kiss was perfectly executed, evoking in her all sorts of new feelings.

Long before she wished it to be over, he pulled his lips from hers, though his face was still close. “Do you feel better?”

Not trusting herself to speak, she simply nodded. He reached up and wound a tendril of loose hair around his palm before tucking it behind her ear. “I like this friend business, I am glad you suggested it.”

Adel colored. “I do not go around kissing all of my friends. Please forgive my boldness.”
“No forgiveness needed, for I have no complaints. Do you?” he asked as he searched her face with his penetrating black eyes.

Adel was quick to answer, “None.” But though it was true, it did not mean she didn’t harbor any regrets. For what could her kiss possibly mean to him when she had given it so boldly and so wantonly? And how would the kisses they had shared change their tentative friendship? She wasn’t quite sure.

By the time Adel arrived at the Wilkenson ball, she had determined that she would focus the entirety of her time on trying to gather more information about Lady Grace and Lord Crestin. She felt an urgent need to get Mr. Bell and her readers the information that she had promised them, at least that is what she told herself. If she was being honest, a large part of her motive was to avoid Lord Straton and the unsettling feelings his kiss had evoked.

Her neck began to feel stiff as she held her head straight, forcing herself to look forward instead of turning to scan the ballroom for Griffin, which she found herself eager to do. After walking halfway around the room with Aunt Tabitha, she finally realized that if she refused to look anywhere but in front of her, she would never find Lady Grace or Lord Crestin either. Perhaps it would be fine to look across the dance floor, she rationalized, as she turned her head to survey the room.

Unfortunately, she didn’t spot either one of them. “Aunt Tabitha, are you acquainted with Lord Crestin?”

Her aunt’s wrinkled face scrunched together, producing even more wrinkles as she thought. “I can’t say that I am. Why do you ask?”

Adel had to think quick. “I read about him in the gossip columns and was curious who he was; that’s all.”

Aunt Tabitha chuckled softly. “Child, do not waste your time being enthralled with such nonsense. No one mentioned in the scandal sheets is worthy of your acquaintance anyway.”

“But that is not entirely true, for the Earl of Danford has been mentioned aplenty yet we still desire his acquaintance.”

“‘Tis true,” Aunt Tabitha conceded with a thoughtful look. “But he has managed to redeem himself. Or perhaps it is more apt to say that his wife has redeemed him.”

“I think you are correct,” Adel agreed. “He did not seem to make the drastic change from unfashionable half-wit to expertly attired gentleman until he was wed.”

“It is amazing what sort of influence a good woman wields over a man. And speaking of men who could use a woman’s touch, one is coming this way right now.”

Sure enough, Lord Straton was walking their way right at the very moment. Adel briefly made eye contact before dropping her eyes to the ground. How was a girl supposed to react to a man after they had shared a kiss? She wasn’t quite sure, but she knew it left her feeling all sorts of awkward.

“Good evening, Lady Adel. I have been looking all over for you.”

“You have?” Surprised, she looked up into his eyes.

“Would you do the honor of joining me for this next dance?”

“Of course,” she answered nervously as she took his extended arm, but instead of leading her to the dance floor, he escorted her to the edge of the room.

“Are we not going to dance?”

“Of course we are, but I wanted to tell you that the kisses we shared in my carriage—“

“Well, well, if it’s not my favorite brother-in-law,” an arrogant voiced boomed behind them, cutting Lord Straton off mid-sentence. Adel wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or annoyed.

Adel turned, curious to see the man that surely must be Rose’s husband, but it wasn’t just a man who had approached them, there was a lady as well. The Baron Moncreif was a stalky man with a nearly bald head, save it be a few wisps of greasy hair combed over the front to make it appear as if he had more hair than he actually did. Adel glanced from his bulbous nose, not wishing to spend much time on that unsightly feature, down to the dark shadow of hair across his jaw and figured he was the type of man whom, regardless of having just been shaved by his valet, still appeared slightly unkempt. How unfortunate that his head did not have the same ability to grow hair as his face did.

What stood out to her more than the man’s appearance, however, was the lady clinging intimately to his arm. She was dressed in a tasteless dress that exposed an indecent amount of cleavage, her neck dripping with jewels. She wondered if they were a gift from the baron. She had heard of men giving extravagant things to their mistresses, though she had no knowledge of it firsthand.

“Lord Moncreif, how…interesting to see you,” Lord Straton bit out as he stiffened next to Adel. “Especially with this lady on your arm instead of your wife.”

Adel watched Lord Moncreif shrewdly, curious to see his response. The man had the audacity to not even appear slightly flummoxed.

“Unfortunately, your sister has taken ill and wasn’t able to attend tonight.” It did not escape notice that the baron failed to introduce the woman on his arm.

“I know that is false, for I just called upon her this afternoon and her health was fine.”

Lord Moncreif coughed nervously into his hand. “Yes, she was feeling fine all day. Then suddenly, as she was being readied for the ball, she came down with a headache. Such a disappointment for her, since I know how much she was looking forward to attending.”

Adel could practically feel the anger rolling off of Lord Straton’s body, and she certainly did not fault him, for Lord Moncreif’s blatant lies were upsetting her as well. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two men. For a brief moment she was afraid that Lord Straton was going to call the man out. Her respect for him multiplied when, instead of issuing a duel, he took her arm and led her away, giving Lord Moncreif and his mistress the cut direct.

As soon as they were out of earshot, he turned to her and said, “I’m sure that scene will find its way into tomorrow’s gossip columns. I’m not sure what I was thinking giving my brother-in-law the cut direct. All I know is that it was the most polite thing I could think to do at the moment.”

Adel knew that if such an incident were mentioned, it would not be in her column, for she had no desire to embarrass him for his actions which she found rather noble. “I’ll confess that I am rather proud of you for choosing the higher road. I was worried for a moment that things were going to turn violent.”

“Oh, do not imagine that I haven’t fantasized about killing the man, for surely I have more times than I can count, but I couldn’t live with myself if I were to actually go through with it. I hope that doesn’t make you think less of me.”

“Quite the contrary. I find it rather dignifying.”

Lord Straton smiled down at her, “I must insist you cease with the compliments. I find them quite disheartening. I will never be able to live up to your lofty views.”

Adel actually laughed, causing the remaining tension from the encounter with the baron to dissolve completely. “If you do not mind my boldness, I must insist you claim your dance at once, for I have some business I need to be about tonight.”

“Business?” he asked, confused. “This is a ball, surely you have nothing more important to do than to dance and flirt and steal away into the gardens for some secret kisses with your lover.”

Adel blushed and whacked him solidly on the arm with her fan. “My lord, you know I do not have a lover.”

His eyebrows rose perceptibly. “You could if you wished it.”
A raw hum of desire vibrated between them, but Adel wasn’t sure if it was radiating off of him or if she was the source. “My lord, you are too brazen. First you ask me to be your wife, now your lover?”

“I did not ask you to become my lover, just implied that if you were seeking, I was willing.”

Adel would have slapped any other man who dared be so bold with her, but the startling thing about Lord Straton’s offer was that for a moment, she actually considered accepting. Perhaps that is why she didn’t react in the way she ought to have.

“I’m surprised you haven’t sought to inflict bodily harm on me yet,” he commented when she failed to respond at all. “Or flat out refused my intentions.” His hand sought her face, tilting her chin up so that she was looking into his eyes, eyes so dark they were hard for her to read. “Perhaps you are more tempted by my suggestion than you let on?”

Adel blushed as she swallowed loud enough for half of the room to hear. “I thought we were friends,” she managed to barely squeak out.

“Oh, but we are. But let us not set limits on what that can mean, or where that friendship could lead.”

“What do you mean?” She hated the way her voice sounded, so weak and unsure.

“I’m beginning to think quite fondly of you, Adel. That is what I mean. Is that acceptable to you?”

“I suppose,” she managed to mutter, then wanted to curse. What kind of an answer was that?

Lord Straton laughed heartily as he scooped her into his arms and quickly joined in the waltz that had just begun, leaving her breathless. “I’m beginning to wonder what it will take to impress you. You refuse my direct proposals and remain unmoved by my admissions of fondness. Perhaps you are eager for flowery poetry and lavish gifts. Is that what it will take to move you?”

Adel was thoughtful. Truth be told, his abrupt proposal had been off putting, but his sincere admission that he was growing fond of her had delighted her more than she had let on.

Taking her silence as agreement, he continued, “I must warn you that I am no Byron with the pen. I am afraid my attempts at poetry would only insult you. However, I can procure lavish gifts with ease.”

Adel seemed to find her voice. “You cannot give me lavish gifts without raising concern and causing a scandal. It wouldn’t be appropriate unless we were to be wed, or I was your mistress, which of course is insulting.”

“I’m relieved that you don’t find the thought of wedding me insulting.”

Adel rolled her eyes. “You are missing the point. It would not be appropriate for you to bestow upon me gifts of great worth.”

“If that is what it would take to secure your affections, I would do it regardless.”

“Oh Griffin,” Adel sighed, afraid he was getting the wrong impression of what kind of person she was. “I do not wish for your gifts, for things have never impressed me overly much. I’d much prefer your honesty and friendship to diamonds and bonnets.”

“But I have already given you those things,” he reminded her gently.

“And I treasure them above all the jewels in the world, I assure you.”

***

Adel’s mind kept wandering back to her conversation with Lord Straton as she scrutinized the occupants of the ballroom. Once again, Lady Grace and Lord Crestin were suspiciously not in attendance, unless she had somehow managed to miss them in the shifting crowds of people. She reached her hand up to rub her temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. She was debating whether she should tell Aunt Tabitha that she was ready to retire when her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Lady Adel, I must tell you how much I simply adore your gown. Periwinkle is a very becoming shade of blue for your complexion.”

Adel turned and smiled with delight at the sight of Lady Danford. “Madam, you are too kind. I would ask you how you have been, but it is apparent that being married suits you.”

Her friend blushed. “It is the grandest thing I have ever done; there is no doubt about that.”

“I am so happy for you,” she replied honestly, before shifting her eyes once more around the room. If she wasn’t able to obtain any further information on Lady Grace and Lord Crestin, she must find something else of importance to report.

Lady Danford was quick to notice her distraction. “Are you looking for someone?” she pried.