22. Chapter 22
The unseasonably warm weather made escaping to the small garden behind the house easier.
At least Javenia had not needed to ask for her cloak from one of the footmen.
She wandered to the far back corner to the Fortescues’ famed water fountain.
To her surprise, it was still running even though most fountains had already been prepared for the cold December days.
It was not as elaborate as many claimed, its three tiers not reaching above her head, but the basin it drained into was at least ten feet across and two feet deep. She sat on the lip, careful to keep her dress from the chilly water.
The gurgling sounds of the fountain filled her ears, and she closed her eyes, allowing the running water to wash away her irritation so she could enjoy a moment of peace and solitude.
She’d held up under scrutiny during supper, faltering only once when Lord Hamdon asked if she was all right.
His concerned demeanor, opposite of the person he presented to Society, made her want to blurt out the injustice of the whole situation.
Here he was, a decent man who seemed genuinely interested in her, and all she could do is think of the man who apparently was not… at least according to what Lady Plum had revealed.
Javenia scowled, the peacefulness broken by her memories. When had Lady Plum ever done her a kindness? More than likely, she’d happily have shoved Javenia in a ditch if it meant she had a story to tell to anyone who would listen.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel path, and Javenia stiffened. The time had come. What she’d hoped would be a possible relief for her burdened heart would now be the ending of an era. It was time to put Algenon in her black books forever.
The full moon crept higher in the sky, making it easy to see Algenon as he approached, a full smile in place. His delight irked her. How could he be so happy after what he’d done? She turned away.
The light from several lanterns at the back of the house reflected off the water in the fountain, glowing like streaks of fire. Javenia stared at them for a moment, gathering all the angry words she wanted to hurl at him.
“It’s a lovely fountain.” Algenon’s words were unusually hesitant.
“It is small and unimpressive,” she countered.
“Maybe to some, but things do not have to be large to bring joy.”
She stood and faced him. “You are correct. Sometimes the larger the fountain the fouler it becomes, growing green moss below the surface and smelling rank even as it fills the air with useless noise because it cannot stop running its mouth.”
Algenon’s head jerked back. “Why do I get the feeling we are no longer speaking of fountains?”
“Were we ever?” She crossed her arms and stared at him.
He sighed and his shoulders slumped. “You are angry because I did not defend you against my father.”
Javenia lifted her chin, hoping her haute demeanor would convey her contempt. “And?”
“And what?”
“What else have I to be livid about?”
“Livid is a strong word, Vee.”
“Don’t call me that. You have no right. You are not my family, and you know how much I protect that right.”
He stepped closer and she stiffened. “You are right. I am sorry. I had no right to use your nickname, and I should have done something when my father told you about his presence the day of your—” he cleared his throat. “The incident with Penwick.”
She stepped back, heart pounding in her chest so hard it echoed in her ears. “What are you talking about?”
“At the Tower of London, I should have—” he stopped. “Wait, was that not what my father said?”
Javenia turned, blindly stumbling toward the house. The pounding in her chest had moved to her head, bringing with it a bout of nausea. She gripped her skirt between two fingers and furiously rubbed the material.
His father had been there? No wonder Lord Roberts didn’t want her to marry his son. He knew she was ruined and not in theory only. While Algenon had stopped the worst of things, no one would believe that she’d not encouraged Duncan, that she’d been opposed to his advances. No one but Algenon.
A hand wrapped around her arm.
“Javenia, wait.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She choked out through angry tears.
“Because I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Didn’t want to hurt me?” She let go of her skirt and gestured to herself. “Does this look like you saved me? Do I look rescued from heartache?”
He let go of her arm and stepped back. “No.”
Silence stretched between them as hot tears dripped down her face.
“No,” Javenia finally said. “Is that all you can say? No. You keep a secret that great, one that would have made all these years of dislike bearable and you have nothing to say for yourself?”
Algenon’s jaw worked back and forth.
“Well?”
When he didn’t answer, she threw up her hands and paced back to the fountain, then whirled around. “You promised to protect me.”
“Which is exactly what I have been doing,” he bit out.
“You made me promise to never tell a single soul what happened. You said you couldn’t stand it if anyone else knew.
So why would I tell you my father knew? It hurt you, just as I always knew it would.
I was saving you from that hurt for as long as possible, even if that meant I had to swallow my own pain from the havoc it caused in my life. ”
“Your pain? What pain? You have been able to prance about in Society, simpering and flirting to your heart’s content.”
He stalked forward. “Is that what you think?”
Javenia took a step back, but he kept coming.
“For the last seven years, my father has controlled me with that one secret. Made my life a living hell. Yes, I was allowed to go about in Society, but the one thing I wanted in all the world was forbidden.”
Javenia swallowed when he came nearly nose to nose with her, her heart stuttering in response.
Her skin heated at his nearness, but she would not be distracted or intimidated.
“Yes, well, at least you were not ruined because your friend left off propriety and created an expectation in Society. You will walk away from this whole situation free of speculation, able to live a full life.”
His voice dropped dangerously low. “Will I, Javenia?”
She took another step back, trying to put space between them. Algenon’s cinnamon and sandalwood scent was muddling her thoughts and cooling her temper, but she couldn’t let that happen. She needed to hang on to anger, if for no other reason than to protect herself.
“Of course you will. Especially since you’ll not have to worry about me in it.”
He growled. “Do you really think that is what I want? Can you not see my desire in every move I have made, every look we’ve shared, every time I’ve rearranged my life to be there when you needed me?
” He stepped forward and she stumbled backward, her leg hit the edge of the fountain at the same moment Algenon said, “I lived for years under my father’s threats because I loved you too much to allow anyone to hurt you. ”
A weightlessness filled her at his proclamation of love, like by some ethereal means her whole soul had been allowed to take flight.
Then she tipped back and realized the light feeling was not only from his words but from being knocked off balance by the edge of the fountain. The last thing she saw was Algenon’s hands shooting out to grab her before her head submerged under the water.
Algenon tried to right himself, flipping over in the fountain to take his weight off of Javenia. He’d meant to save her from the fall, but she’d only pulled him off balance with her. Once on his hands and knees he pulled her head above water, helping her sit upright as she sputtered and coughed.
After a couple of firm pats to the back she waved a hand to stop him, her teeth chattering.
They were sitting in two feet of water, in the dark, temperatures being above freezing but not at all what one would wish for a late-night dip.
Carefully, he pulled away several of the curls plastered to Javenia’s face. She blinked up at him, eyes wide.
She looked like a frightened doe, ready to flee at any moment.
“Did you mean it?” she whispered unevenly.
“Mean what?” he asked softly, swiping back one more strand of hair before trailing his fingers down the side of her face and along her jaw.
“Lady P-plum said you announced to p-people that you had n-no intentions of pursuing me.”
So Lady Plum was at fault for the shift in Javenia’s mood after she delivered the note. He should have known. Nothing good ever came from her and Mrs. Cline.
“Did she also tell you she was the one who ambushed me and made me stumble over my words so as to make it sound like I was not in pursuit?”
Javenia frowned. Wrapping her arms about herself, she tried to stand.
Algenon put a hand to her elbow to guide her.
The fabric of her dress was soaked clear through, the layers clinging to her body and accentuating every curve.
He glanced away, willing himself to think of anything but the picture of womanly health that Javenia made.
Why did this year’s fashion have to be so blasted thin?
“Then you meant it?” Her left hand clasped his arm just below his bicep.
He thought he’d answered the question, but apparently he’d misunderstood what she asked.
“That you love me,” she said softly before ducking her head.
A slow, easy smile spread across his face. “Was there ever any question in that?”
She wrapped her arms tighter around herself and tried to glare, but it was halfhearted at best. “Yes. Many questions in fact. Especially when you gave compliments to other girls so thick a carving knife might never make its way through to anything of substance in your conversation.”
He chuckled, removing his jacket. The bottom half was wet, as were the sleeves, but he’d managed to keep the shoulders and back dry. It wouldn’t provide much warmth, but it would be better than the cold night air. He draped it on her shoulders, pulling up the collar to protect her exposed neck.
She gazed up at him, closely watching every movement.
He needed to get them out of the fountain, but the water felt strangely warmer on his feet than the night air on his skin.
A drop of water broke free from Javenia’s hair and traveled down the side of her face, passing her eyebrow, going over her cheek, and missing her mouth by only an inch or so.
Her lips were slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but had stopped mid thought. His gaze slowly rose to her eyes and she closed her mouth and swallowed. He let go of the coat collar and allowed his hands to trail over her shoulders and down her arms.
“We should—” she began, then stopped.
He should get her into the house and out of the cold, find a way for no one to see the mess he’d made of both their clothes, but he’d waited so long to claim another kiss from Javenia. To taste the lips he’d hungered for since his youth. He couldn’t wait one more moment.
Bringing a hand up, he slipped it around the back of Javenia’s neck and lowered his lips to hers.
They were cold at first but warmed quickly as he moved gently over them.
Javenia responded right away, her arms wrapping around his waist. The coat began to slip and he swiftly clasped his arm around her back to keep it in place.
Warmth erupted between them, as they clung to one another, their lips moving in a blissful dance of give and take.
Javenia’s arms tightened around his middle and he melted into her.
The front his shirt that had previously been dry grew moist, but he didn’t care.
Kissing Javenia was the most exquisite experience of Algenon’s life.
In all his years of imagining another kiss with her, he’d never once come close to realizing how gloriously whole and complete it would make him feel.
Like he’d been made to be the other number of a fantastical equation, the perfect stick pin to match a well-tied cravat, the other half of Javenia’s world.
She was everything he’d ever wanted and more.
Her body fit snugly against his like it had been made to be there, her lips moving with a hunger that he completely understood.
They had waited so long, restraining themselves with a strength that made Hercules appear weak, and now at long last they could feast on the love they’d hidden.
A gasp filled his ears, followed by, “I told you I saw each of them sneak out here.”
Javenia broke the kiss, sucking in a breath. Algenon squeezed his eyes shut but did not release her. Why were these ladies everywhere at the wrong time?
Mrs. Cline’s irritating voice filled the night air. “Scandalous I say, completely scandalous. Why, she’s barely dressed.”
“And Mr. Roberts is not much better,” Lady Plum said.
“Roberts!”
Algenon’s eyes popped open and his gaze shot to his father who stood with Lord Falcross. Javenia pushed him away, so he stepped back. Quickly she slipped her arms into his coat and pulled it tight about herself, guarding her modesty.
“What the devil is this all about? How dare you go against my wishes? Do you know”—Lord Roberts’s hand came up to clutch the side of his head. “Do you know, but view…” The left side of his father’s face began to droop. “How could…”
Several more unintelligible words came out of his mouth.
He grasped the side of his head until his arm fell away and he stumbled forward.
Javenia lurched like she might try to catch him, but Algenon was way ahead of her, jumping over the edge of the fountain before his father could fall and hit his head.
With arms wrapped around him, Algenon slowly lowered him to the ground. His father’s eyes were wide as he tried to say something, gesturing with his right hand, his left lying useless by his side. All Algenon could make out was pain, he knows, and mother.
“Somebody run for the doctor,” he yelled as a small crowd began to assemble.
A man in livery turned and ran back into the house.
Algenon recognized Lord and Lady Upton among the few that had come to investigate the commotion.
Lady Upton stared wide-eyed, first at him holding his father on the ground, and then at her daughter.
A flicker of fear crossed her face before she rushed over and helped Javenia the rest of the way out of the fountain.
Once Javenia’s feet were firmly on the ground, Lady Upton slipped an arm about her daughter’s shoulders and guided her quickly through the garden and down a staircase that led to the servants’ door. Lord Upton followed close behind.
Algenon wanted to protest. It was his job to protect Javenia. He needed to declare his intentions to marry her, to save her from any further speculation. But his father also needed him, and unlike Javenia, he was the only one the mighty Lord Roberts had at the moment.
So he stayed.
It broke his heart, but he stayed by his side, waiting for the doctor.