Chapter 4
Stage Three: Physical Reactions
Mechanism: Involuntary Autonomic Response
Aim: To prove that blushing, trembling, and accelerated pulse are symptoms of hysteria, not “sparks.”
Method:
Physical touch with Subject. (A brush of a hand, a waltz)
Measure pulse before and after proximity to Subject.
Compare to adrenaline-inducing stimuli (exercise, fear, or sport).
Expected Conclusion: The body reacts to stimulus, not sentiment.
“I would never do the physical stages with anyone!” she protested but her unsteady breath and red skin proved her wrong.
Alexander chuckled. He should have known she would not give in that easily. He had mastered the art of seduction with many, but even within the brief time of knowing this woman he could tell she was not like most others.
Miss Dowell.
He did not need her to tell him her name; it was written elegantly at the back of her notebook. Alexander wondered if she knew who he was. Surely, Anna had told her. But regardless of their names, he decided to stick to calling her a sorceress.
She is quite enchanting.
“Are you reneging on our deal already, sorceress?” He teased.
Her shoulders scrunched at the mention of his nickname for her and a warm sensation rushed through his body.
Toying with her will be fun.
She lifted her chin in defiance that stirred something deep and primal within him.
“While the physical act is on my list of stages it is not one I aim to pursue just yet… or ever,” she added quickly.
“I am curious…if you are not interested in the practical side of your experiment, then why did you ask me to kiss you?” He raised a dark brow at her and struggled to suppress his amusement.
“The opportunity presented itself at the right moment, time, and place so I agreed to it.” She argued stubbornly as her skin blossomed with color.
Alexander’s eyes roamed over the petite woman in front of him. So far, he’d only had two conversations with her, yet she continued to intrigue him in ways he never thought possible.
“Is that so?” He leaned back just enough to see her expression. “I thought you would want to conduct a thorough investigation into this love nonsense. Would that not include experimenting with all of your proposed stages?” He quipped with a rakish smile.
Her cheeks reddened even further at his comment. He watched as she narrowed her eyes and her hands balled into tight fists at her sides. She was definitely more upset over him questioning her ability to conduct an experiment properly than insinuating improper behavior.
“You are making me regret our agreement. I specifically laid out my proposition.” Her voice was firm, yet he sensed a bit of intrigue.
Alexander could not help himself. He smirked when she said “proposition.” She noticed his smile and clearly did not appreciate it because her lips turned down into a scowl.
“Stay on task, Your Grace,” she threatened.
Alexander fought his widening smile.
So, she knows me after all.
Miss Dowell was quite the sight when she was riled up. But he was enjoying this conversation too much and, if he pushed her too far, she might end it. He raised his hands in apology.
Two can play this game.
“My apologies, sorcer- uh, Miss Dowell. Please, continue.”
At the mention of her name her eyes blanked and her mouth made the most perfectly round ‘o.’
“You know my name?”
Alexander nodded. “Of course, and I am sure that Anna told you mine. I make it my mission to know the women who I am interested in pursuing.”
Her eyes dilated and she crossed her arms over her heaving chest. “You are not interested in me.”
Alexander looked around the room. “I am here, am I not?”
Theodora continued to stare at him angrily. Her mouth opened and closed. He could see her mind being overwhelmed with information it did not know where to store.
“You are here, but you…” Confusion clouded her eyes.
Alexander stood straighter. “I am what?”
There was something about how her dark green eyes trailed up his body that made it feel as if there was a line of fire along their path.
She looked at him as if she were dissecting everything about him at that moment.
That was a rather unsettling notion to Alexander, but one that fascinated him, nonetheless.
When her eyes finally connected with his, she sucked in a small gasp that went straight to his groin.
His fingers flexed. He itched to touch her again, but would need to control himself, so he rested them at his side.
Normally, at this point with a woman of interest, he’d have her underneath him. But Miss Dowell was different. His instinct wasn’t to dominate her, not yet anyway. No, this time, instinct was telling him to play along, to tease her.
“You are… you are…” Suddenly her eyes cleared and the fogginess was replaced with clinical scrutiny.
“You are a scandalous rake, is what you are!” She pointed a delicate finger in his direction.
Alexander laughed. “Need I remind you that it was you who begged me for a kiss.”
“Thank you for your help with the kissing stage,” she said as she ran her hands down her dress, brushing away the wrinkles.
“I consider that stage done and checked off my list. It was not a big deal; therefore, I will not ask about it from anyone again. Good night!” With that she turned, opened the door, and slammed it shut behind herself.
Alexander allowed the smile he’d been holding back to break free. Meeting this sorceress was rather refreshing. She was certainly not like most of the women he chose. Those women were coy for the sake of the game and quickly give into his charm.
But this woman is determined not to fall in love.
Miss Theodora Dowell presented a challenge and there was nothing Alexander Kendall, the Duke of Hawthorne, appreciated more.
* * *
“Bloody hell, where have you been, man?” Spencer reached out and shoved Alex’s shoulder.
“Careful, Wutherton, you know I’m always up for a good spar but considering this is your anniversary party I do not think your beautiful bride would appreciate it,” Alexander said with grin.
Spencer rolled his eyes. “That is just it. It has been constant congratulations about the anniversary and the baby; I am positively itching for a normal conversation. Where have you been?”
Alexander reached down and picked up a glass to pour himself some punch. He usually didn’t drink this drivel, his palate rested in more of the scotch variety, but when in Rome and all.
He lifted a shoulder. “Socializing. Is that not what one is supposed to do at these things?”
Spencer narrowed his eyes as he shook his head. “You must think I am daft. I have been stuck in this room for hours talking to every single person here. You were with me at one point, then you disappeared. If you were socializing, it was not of the proper kind.”
Green eyes, light auburn hair, and a brush of freckles across alabaster cheeks flashed before his eyes and Alex licked his lips as his sorceress haunted him.
“I assure you, Wutherton, everything I have participated in tonight was above board and no innocence has been threatened.”
Spencer still scrutinized his friend as he gave a gruff, “Hmph.”
Alexander chuckled. “Believe what you will. I have been nothing but a perfect gentleman. If anything, I think I was propositioned.”
Now it was Spencer’s turn to laugh. “Ha! As if someone here,” he gestured to the highbrow aristocracy parading around in front of them, “would be so forward.”
Just then Lady Quinton twirled in front of them in her trousers, with her white linen shirt tucked in and her white periwig shifting off her head.
“Good evening, boys. I see why you lot love your trousers. Look at all the movement one can do!” She teetered off to join the merriment on the dance floor, leaving the Dukes to stare in amusement.
Alexander and Spencer exchanged a look before they laughed heartily.
“You are the one who decided to throw a masquerade ball. You know how people are when they are finally given the freedom to express themselves,” Alexander jested as Spencer shook his head.
Once again, he was transported back to the library. Miss Dowell seemed like someone who never hid who she was, whether she was dressed in plain clothing or attired for an evening with royalty. Something told him she would be as outspoken and inquisitive no matter her surroundings.
“Not my idea, old boy, my wife’s. I love her with all of my heart, but I could do without all the fanfare. If it were up to me… well, we would be having a more private celebration.”
Alexander nearly spit out his drink. “My God, man,” he said laughing as he dabbed at his lips. “She is already pregnant, give the woman a break!”
Spencer shrugged. “Between the pregnancy and my sister, there is a lot going on in our house. There is nothing wrong with spending some alone time with one’s wife.” Spencer wriggled his eyebrows.
“How is your sister?” Alexander asked. Spencer’s sister was half-blind and had a child of her own. Her life had not been an easy one.
Spencer sighed. “She is getting along quite well.” Spencer’s eyes drifted out across the dance floor. “Speaking of sisters, were you able to get Rosalind to join us?”
Alexander’s shoulders dropped as he rubbed his brow and thought about Rosalind who sat quietly in their London house as if she were hoping that no one would notice her existence and the walls would slowly swallow her up.
“You know the answer to that,” he finally replied.
Spencer patted his friend on the back. “Still does not want anything to do with anyone?”
Alexander had tried everything to get her out of the house and socialize but she refused. In fact, it seemed, the more he pried, the further she regressed into her mind.
“I honestly do not know what to do.” He looked down on the drink in his hands. “I see her retreating further into herself every day and it is frustrating.”
Spencer thought for a moment. “Perhaps she needs someone to come to her?”
Alexander looked back up at his longtime friend with an inquisitive stare.
“Perhaps you are going about this all wrong,” Spencer continued. “You have been trying to get her to go out. What if someone came in? And I know firsthand how lovely your company is, but it would help if it was a young woman, someone around her age. Not her brother.”
Alexander looked to the side of the ballroom where he caught Miss Dowell talking with Spencer’s wife, Anna.
She happened to glance in his direction at the same time and their eyes met.
He saw the surprise in her eyes before she turned back to Anna.
An idea began to take hold on how he could help Rosalind.
He just needed to get a certain sorceress on board.
Alexander smiled. “Excellent idea, Wutherton. I think you may be right.”
Spencer took a step back in mock surprise. “What is this? The Duke of Hawthorne has accepted that someone else could be right?”
Alexander rolled his eyes. “May I remind you that your wife is pregnant and it would be a shame for the child to be fatherless.”
He set down his drink and turned towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Spencer called out. “I was just joking, mate!”
Alexander turned and raised an eyebrow. “I need to think. There is only one place I can do that.”
Spencer frowned. “Now? Tonight? But it is our anniversary party!”
Alexander lifted his shoulder. “When an idea strikes it is best to strike back on it. Enjoy your night, brother!”
Spencer shook his head disapprovingly as Alexander bounded out the door and into the night.