Chapter Five
Hyde Park
God, what a coil.
As William sat on the bench of his medium curricle with Miss Primrose beside him, so close that her right side was practically pressed against his left, he couldn’t help but think about that scandalous and probably quite damning book that currently rested beneath the pistol box under the bench.
What had his damned mistress been thinking to have such a book published?
He shoved the thoughts away and concentrated on his companion of the moment. “Are you expecting a maid at some point today?”
The giggle that left her throat was a melodious sound that went straight to his stones. “I am not. In fact, I argued my mother down about even taking one today, saying that I was indeed on the shelf so far that no man wanted me, and that should give me a bit of freedom.”
“How did they respond to such a tart-mouthed reply?” He didn’t really remember her father from his time in the Lords, but truth to tell, he didn’t pay that much attention to anyone while doing his duty to parliament. It was dreadfully dull on the best days.
“My parents were shocked, I think.” She played with the strings of her reticule, of a same daffodil color as her dress.
In his opinion, it was far too young a color for her.
Someone like Charlotte should wear vibrant jewel hues that would set her apart from all the other women in London.
“I’ve found that age does have its privileges, however.
One can say something shocking and no one knows what to do about it.
And, if my parents continue to treat me as if I’m naught but a burden that needs handing off to a husband, then I’ll have my fun wherever I can find it. ”
“What a refreshing way of looking at life.” In her response, he hoped that would spill over to other, more pleasurable endeavors, for he seemed likely to agree to scandal.
Since he didn’t wish for her to see the book just yet, he needed a distraction for them both, also because he’d nearly been out of his mind with desire at the auction.
Near one of the entrance arches, he threw his reins to a young man waiting there to take vehicles to the nearest mews.
A cluster of them loitered, and he’d been here many times before to take advantage of the assistance they provided.
And tipping handily ensured his carriage would, indeed, be returned to him.
After climbing down, he went around the curricle and then put his hands on either side of Miss Primrose’s waist. As he assisted her out, he held her in such a way that her body slid along his with languid ease and a bit of cheeky touching.
A tiny gasp escaped her. “For shame, Lord Wolcott. We are in public.” Yet her palms lingered on his chest for a couple of seconds after her feet touched the ground.
“That we are.” As if that had ever stopped him before. Reluctantly, William released her. He then tossed a coin to the young man. “Another when you bring the vehicle back in an hour.”
“Of course, Your Lordship!” With a jaunty touch of his hat brim, the young groom sprang onto the driver’s bench.
William offered his arm to her, bent at the elbow, and when she laid her fingers on his sleeve, he offered a small grin. “As we stroll, we’ll talk. I expect you have questions.”
“I have a few, but I’ll wait until you wish to broach the subject naturally.”
“Ha.” That made him chuckle. She was far too polite, and he couldn’t wait to introduce her to wicked things merely to see how she’d react.
Would she come undone quickly or would he need to work at it?
Either way, he would enjoy the challenge.
Did it disturb him that he desperately wanted her in his bed when he knew next to nothing about her?
Perhaps, but that wouldn’t stop his pursuit, and she was interesting besides.
“Broach the subject naturally.” It wasn’t a question.
“I didn’t want to pry.”
“Yet I can see the curiosity in those expressive eyes of yours.” In fact, if he were any other sort of man, he’d pen poems and prose to her eyes alone.
God, what is wrong with me?
“Pry all you want. It is a very unusual situation.” And one he suspected would do more harm than good to his already battered reputation.
She nodded. “How long have you known this book existed?”
“Well, shortly before I sent my last mistress packing, which was at least three months ago. She must have known the relationship had run its course, for she tried to blackmail me with the publication of the book.”
“Clearly, you didn’t take the bait.”
“I did not.” He frowned, for this was rather a sordid subject, especially for a fresh-faced innocent such as Miss Primrose, even at her advanced age.
“Quite frankly, I figured that society already knows what sort of man I am, so I had nothing to fear. Additionally, I never thought any decent publisher would take on such a project. She must have secured a private source of funds and pursued publication herself.”
“That might be so, especially since there were so few copies printed.” For the space of a few heartbeats, she remained silent as they navigated the bridle path. “Do you know the other two men allegedly mentioned in the book?”
“I would have no idea, since I haven’t read it yet, but if my former mistress was willing to give up secrets from the bedroom about other men in addition to me, she must either be quite petty or extremely desperate.”
“Perhaps she thought having the book out there would bring her more high-profile clients.” Charlotte patted his arm.
“I wouldn’t worry about it. It will only make her look bad in the public eye.
Yes, it might prove quite the sensation for a time, but I can’t imagine you’re a stranger to rumor and gossip. ”
“I am not, in fact.” With her on his arm in such a public setting, her own reputation might be tarnished merely because they walked together or had arrived in the same vehicle.
“However, I find myself slightly pleased that I’ve managed to avoid scandal for the past few months.
In fact, it is one of the reasons I believe I’m experiencing ennui. ”
A soft snort came from her. “So you are bored because you haven’t been the center of attention for a bit.” It also wasn’t a question.
“Touche.” Her smart mouth made him grin. “Perhaps that’s it, but there is a feeling of restlessness I’ve not experienced before, and that troubles me.” Why he’d chosen to be honest with her when he wasn’t even that with Scarborough or his other friends, he had no idea.
“Then you are ready for a change in your life.”
His grin disappeared in the face of a frown. “How do you know that?”
She shrugged. “Because that is what I’m feeling as well.
” When she turned her head and inclined her chin to meet his gaze, there was nothing but honesty in her eyes behind the spectacle lenses.
“I think we grow tired of stagnating at times. That, or we have matured and want something new, something… more substantial than we’ve had before. ”
“You could be correct.” Though he wondered. “You mentioned earlier that you are not inclined to marry. Does that mean due to the men your parents have selected for you, or does that mean in general?”
Why the hell do you care, Wolcott?
A hint of a blush stained her cheeks, and he couldn’t help but stare at her lips when she spoke. “I’ve only met the candidates my parents continue to throw at my head. Outside of my now deceased fiancé, I haven’t known many interesting men.”
One of his eyebrows rose in question. “Your fiancé was interesting, then?”
“He was… more of a comfort than interesting.” When she shrugged, she once more met his gaze. At least she didn’t dissemble. “Scott was handsome to a fault, but he was very mild-mannered. And he was properly starched, so worried about what society would think of him.”
“I assume he died in the war?”
“One would like to think that. Unfortunately, he was struck by a runaway mail coach on a winter’s afternoon. He was doing nothing except crossing a street. Apparently, he’d just bought a posy of flowers for me. They were found crushed in the mud after the fact.”
God, how terrible. “I’m sorry for your loss.” More to the point, he truly was.
“Thank you.” With a sigh, she focused her gaze straight ahead.
“That sounds truly tragic and unfortunate.”
“It was.” When she would have dropped her hand from his arm, he caught it and pulled it through his crooked elbow. “One thing you should know about me is that my life has been quite unlucky, possibly since the day I was told I’d need to wear spectacles if I wished to see anything.”
“And since then, everyone has thought you odd, correct?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “No one since Scott has thought me worth their attention. I suppose men of distinction don’t wish to potentially marry a woman with a flaw as bad eyesight since that might be passed down to children.
” Annoyance and longing mixed in her tone.
“But beyond that, there have been little runs of bad luck throughout the years, so my family has jokingly said I was born under a raincloud or a dying star.”
William couldn’t help but chuckle. “Believe it or not, I have lived an unlucky life as well. All the men in my family had died early and of unusual causes. We’ve had a few fires in the family connection over the years.
One of my female cousins unexpectedly vanished without a trace several years ago.
And there was the year when a whole herd of sheep on my country estate died of an unexplained illness. ”
“Good heavens. That’s horrible.”
“I agree, but it is my life, and I must live in it.” Perhaps that was one reason he’d wished for superficial relationships with women.
Carnal endeavors were a distraction and helped him forget about how sad and unfortunate his existence had become.
Frankly, outside of Scarborough and a couple of others, he didn’t truly have close friends.
I just can’t chance that I’ll lose them.