In the Heart of the Highlander (17 page)

Looks could be deceiving. She knew that firsthand after masquerading as her aunt these past four years.

Oliver emerged from the bathroom. “It’s ready when you are, Mary. I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”

“We’re leaving first thing tomorrow morning,” Mary said, sitting up on the bed holding up the bits and pieces that covered her.

“I think that’s wise. We’ll go directly to Raeburn Court, yes?”

Mary paused. Was that where she wanted to go? Was it not safer to take an express straight back to London and put all of this misbegotten adventure behind her?

She had come close to being robbed of her most sacred self. She once had thought to offer that part of her to Alec Raeburn, but did she really want to go through with it? What if his touch was every bit as disgusting as Bauer’s had been?

“I don’t know, Oliver. I’m going to have to sleep on it.”

If she
could
sleep.

Chapter

21

A
lec had argued—quietly, so as not to upset Mary—with Oliver, but the boy was obdurate. No way was he going to permit Alec to see Mary tonight, and that was final. The door had not been slammed in his face due to the late hour, but it may as well have been.

It had taken Alec some time to get Bauer packed up and sent on his way, wherever that might be. Alec didn’t care where the doctor wound up as long as the hotel driver he’d roused ferried him far enough from Mary Arden. It was now after one o’clock, and Alec’s bruised knuckles stung. Bauer had not gone without a tussle.

But he had gone without his hotel skeleton key. Alec had confiscated all the photographs and letters hidden in the man’s sock drawer and turned his pockets out just in case he’d missed anything else incriminating. The key had elicited a gleam in Bauer’s eyes, which boded ill for the safety of any future guest. Alec was determined to detach Bauer legally from the consortium. In the meantime, he’d see to it the doctor could not sneak into anyone else’s room.

The cold key burned into Alec’s palm. Dare he disturb Mary and incur Oliver’s wrath? He had a near virulent need to see that she was well and safe.

And a need to apologize. He’d subjected her to the predations of a monster. No paycheck was worth what she had gone through tonight, and Alec vowed to make it up to her somehow. Thank God her aunt had left else he’d be wearing his guts for garters.

Edith had written nothing of being drugged in her diary. Perhaps Bauer did not do that to every victim—some must have been more of a sure conquest than others. But Alec should have suspected what Bauer was capable of.

Alec sagged against the hallway wall. He should go to bed and try to put the past behind him for just one night. Maybe Edith would not come to him in a panic in his dreams, and if she did, he would listen this time. Vengeance was cold comfort when he was failing another woman in his care. Mary Arden had made a narrow escape, and it was his fault for underestimating Josef Bauer.

He had to see her, even if it meant just watching her sleep. Alec fitted the master key in the lock and turned the handle. A brass lamp was still lit at her bedside, making his job easier. She looked terribly small in her bed, her face as white as the coverlet. There was a groove between her brows, as if her dream were a puzzle she had to solve, and her braid looked darker. Alec reached out to touch the end that curled on the pillowcase—it was damp. She must have bathed after he left, to wash the stain of Josef Bauer from her skin, even from her hair. His heart contracted with pity.

Alec wondered if she always slept with a light on, or if the evening’s events had frightened her so she saw danger in the shadows. Another burden on his doorstep.

Well, he’d seen her and would have to be satisfied for now. He took a step backward to leave and stumbled over something soft. A pillow. Its harmlessness did not prevent him from uttering a quick curse. His whispered oath had the unfortunate result of waking Mary, and she sat straight up in bed, eyes wide.

Blast. No quick escape, and from the look on her face, he was about to receive a well-deserved set-down. “It’s only I, Mary. Dinna fash yourself. I’ll just be going.”

She blinked. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

She had the sense to whisper. Oliver would be in here like a shot if the connecting door was still unlocked. Alec didn’t want to hurt the boy if he had to defend himself. Mary might rise up and bash him, too.

“I came to see if you were all right. Are you?”

“I was. Go away.” The groove on her forehead deepened.

“I canna. Not until I’ve said my piece. I am so sorry for what happened tonight. To have put you in danger as I did—I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself.” Could she hear his sincere shame?

“Is he gone?”

No need to ask whom she meant. “Aye. I put him in the wagon myself.”

She glared at his hand. The silver key glowed in the lamplight. “And stole his key.”

“To protect you, and anyone else.” Alec dropped it on her bedside table. “I only used it because Oliver wouldn’t let me in. He told me you were settled in for the night, but I had to see you for myself.”

“It took me forever to fall asleep,” Mary said, sounding grumpy.

“I’ll sit with you until you do again.” He could hold her, keep vigil.

Try to keep his hands still.

Mary lifted a gingery brow. “Oh, yes, that will be relaxing. A great hulking man like you at the end of my bed watching my every breath and twitch.”

He couldn’t even be angry at her description. He was a clumsy clod. “I swear I won’t say a word.”

“You won’t have to. I’ll
feel
you there.” She pushed a loose strand of wet hair behind her ear. “I suppose we should talk anyway. About Monday.”

Alec’s heart lurched. He’d already worked it out in his head—she wouldn’t be ready to engage in an affair with him or anyone by Monday, if ever. “We don’t have to do anything. I promise not to even touch you, unless you ask, and I don’t expect you to. After your ordeal here, I don’t imagine you have much faith in men.”

Her mouth formed a perfect o. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“I’m not a complete dunce. If I were in your shoes, I’d be throwing breakable objects at my head for dragging you into this. But you deserve a holiday after what happened. We may not be fully staffed, but I shall see to your comfort personally.”

“You want to be a lady’s maid.” She almost smiled.

“Not just any lady, Mary. Yours.” And damn, if he didn’t mean it. Her current fragility appealed to his honor, though he well knew her boldness was lurking in abeyance.

She wore a very prim and proper white lawn nightgown that was buttoned up to her chin. Alec thought it was the most alluring thing possible, and cursed himself for it. If he wanted her to trust him, he’d have to get control of his primal urges.

She’d nearly been raped. Of course she didn’t want to go to Raeburn Court and carry out her crackpot idea. He sat down gingerly at the edge of her bed, trying hard not to hulk. “It will be all right, Mary. A few days in the mountain air, some good food—”

“I thought your housekeeper left.”

Blast. He really would be offering her potluck. Maybe he could kidnap one of the cooks from the hotel for a week. “We’ll manage. There’s a girl. Katie. And my man Mackenzie is a dab hand in the kitchen, a regular jack-of-all-trades. The only thing he doesn’t want to do is drive.”

“You have a car?” There was definite interest in her voice.

“To be sure. Two, in fact. I keep one in town and one up here. My two-seater Pegasus is in the hotel garage at the moment. I thought we’d drive over to Raeburn Court in it tomorrow. We can send a carriage back for Oliver and Mac. I haven’t lost anyone from my stable yet.” He had a passel of young grooms who were eating more than his horses.

Her frown deepened. How he’d like to erase it with a thumb. “I don’t know if that’s wise. It might look like collusion.”

“What could be more natural than me offering the Arden family a respite from their ruined stay at the Forsyth Palace Hotel? It would be the least I can do as a hospitable Highlander. You cannot want to stay here.”

“Well, no, naturally not.” She shifted back against the pillows. “Actually, I was thinking of returning to work. To London, that is.”

That was an insupportable idea. Alec took her hand firmly in his. “I won’t hear of it, Mary. You need to rest.”

“I seem to recall I was finally doing that before you barged in.” There was no sting in her words, though, and she made no effort to pull her hand away.

He looked down at it, plump and white and ringless. It was a capable little hand, safe in his palm. Holding it made him feel safe, too. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“You didn’t actually. You don’t scare me at all.”

“You are a brave woman, Miss Arden. I—I admire you.”

“Thank you, Lord Raeburn. The feeling is mutual. You have stopped a vicious predator, and the hotel management should be grateful.”

He’d send off his letters to the members of the consortium on Monday. Gossiping tongues could be unleashed and the trust Bauer had from society would be in tatters. The threat of exposure from Rycroft’s newspaper and possible legal action from Judge Whitley and his barrister friend should be enough to detach Bauer from the business.

And Edith’s secret was still safe.

“I understand why you want to put all this behind you, but I wish you’d consider staying with me for a little while.”

Alec could practically see her thinking, the little gears whirring behind her forehead. He gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry. I’m being a nuisance, aren’t I? I’ve got no right to badger you about anything after what you’ve been through. Forget I said anything. Forget I came.” He started to stand, but she didn’t let go.

“Shh. Don’t go off in a wave of nobility. Did you mean it when you said you’d stay with me until I fell asleep?”

“Aye.”

She scooted over. The bed was narrow and he was not. “If I could put my head on your shoulder . . .”

“My shoulder would be honored.” Between them they arranged the pillows and blankets.

“You should take your tie off.”

So he should. It had blood spatters on it anyhow. His jacket and shoes followed, but he sensed that was all he would be permitted. He angled himself, not quite sitting, not quite lying down. Mary nestled against him in the crook of his arm and sighed.

And that was all. There was no banter or chatter or kissing, and certainly nothing else of a warmer nature. Alec had never spent the night with a woman in such a chaste, almost brotherly way, and chuckled to himself. Pray God she couldn’t feel his erection or the erratic beat of his heart.

He listened for her steady breathing, which was not long in coming. How Alec envied her being able to fall asleep again after the night they’d had. He reached over with his free arm and extinguished the bedside lamp, plunging the room into murky grayness. It would not be too many hours before the sun climbed over the mountains and the new day began. Alec looked forward to driving Mary on the winding road that led to Raeburn Court. He was proud of his home, from the miniature castle gatehouses at its entrances to the acres of slate roof he’d played on as a boy, much to his nanny’s displeasure. He and Evan and Nick had been wild little things, and were not really so evolved now.

Well, Alec was trying to be less wild. He had a young woman in his arms and had not even unfastened a button or stolen a kiss. Mary trusted him to keep her safe, and he would do anything to earn her regard.

He shut his eyes and concentrated on the dark around him. He smelled Blenheim Bouquet and laundry soap. Heard soft little snorts. Felt Mary quake against him. He held her tighter and rested his chin on the top of her head, counting sheep and clouds and blades of grass. Nothing set his mind at rest, and his body burned for what could not be his yet. Perhaps never, and it was entirely his fault. Women were sensitive creatures—look how they acted when they saw a harmless mouse. Leaping up on chairs and screaming. Mary had been Bauer’s helpless victim, unable to leap and scream. She might not ever get over her fears.

Edith had never gotten over her fright of Alec, even when he’d bent over backward to give her everything he thought she wanted. Maybe he was doomed when it came to the weaker sex.

Ha. He imagined Mary Arden’s sharp elbow in his gut. She might be small, but she was not weak. Tomorrow they could start fresh and put Bauer and the Forsyth Palace Hotel out of mind.

Chapter

22

Sunday, June 12, 1904

M
ary woke from a jumbled dream, awash in perspiration. Someone had turned off the light. The blanket was stifling, and so heavy it must be made of lead. She couldn’t seem to push it off either.

Then the blanket snored. Of course. She was squashed halfway under her knight errant, Lord Alec Raeburn, and too damp to enjoy it properly.

He’d offered to stay with her until she fell asleep, but they both had been in the arms of Morpheus these past few hours. Mary wasn’t sure when his shoulder had given way to the lace-edged pillow or when his large hand landed on her left breast, but apart from the heat she was quite comfortable. His breaths tickled her scalp, and it seemed a shame to wake him.

She didn’t really want to. How cozy this was, spooning in her single bed. All panicky thoughts of Josef Bauer had disappeared, at least for the time being. Mary was not going to permit herself to fall into fear. Bauer had not managed to really harm her last night, and she wouldn’t let his bogey do the job now. Alec had promised to keep her safe, and while they’d both underestimated Bauer’s vileness, she was still intact.

Did she wish to remain that way? That was the question. Alec Raeburn was nothing like the doctor. While he probably had more female conquests, his women had been willing—nay, eager if rumors were to be believed.

It was only Edith who had thrown herself away on Dr. Bauer, and then out a window.

Mary should feel more pity for the girl, but if she was honest with herself, what she felt was anger. Edith Raeburn had hurt her husband in a fundamental way. She had to know her death would blight his life forever.

But Edith hadn’t cared. She’d chosen Josef Bauer over Alec, which only proved the girl must have been mad.

Mary burrowed a bit deeper into the haven of Alec’s long body. A woman could get used to this warm strength beside her. Alec was solid everywhere. Hard. His only sign of softness was the adorable dimple in his chin.

Mary squinted at the crack between the drapes. It was not yet dawn, but she felt refreshed. Where would she go today, and who would she go with? Oliver was game for anything, he’d said as he tucked her in last night. He’d been just like a real brother to her—no, better, because she’d never live long enough to see such a kind expression on her real brother Albert’s face. Now if she’d been a mis-shelved tin of biscuits or an aging loin of pork, Albert might concern himself with her. To him, she was just an extra pair of hands in the store and at home with his boys.

Well, that was one thing settled—Mary would not be going back to Oxfordshire.

To London? Revitalized Aunt Mim would have everything shipshape by Monday morning. She could terrorize the giggling typists as Mary had never been able to do. Before she left the hotel, Mary would write a note to encourage that governess she met in the woods yesterday to apply for Oliver’s position. The girl seemed competent enough to run the entire Evensong enterprise in five years’ time.

So, that left Raeburn Court. Mary could go there and go through with her scandalous proposal. Or not. Alec had assured her she could merely rest for a few days to get the taste of Josef Bauer out of her mouth.

Alec wouldn’t touch her. He had promised.

He was touching her right now, though. True, he was unconscious, but his fingers were definitely surrounding her nipple and his hips were cradling her derriere. He was, if she was not mistaken, rather harder in one spot on his body than the rest. If the man were awake, he’d know he’d miscalculated by several inches, thrusting dreamily against the small of her back with a gentleness that was quite at odds with what Mary suspected he was capable of. But she enjoyed his tentative touch. Even in his sleep, Alec Raeburn was a desirable man.

She had nothing to worry about. There were layers of clothing and some bed linen still between them. Mary did not have to decide right this minute how far she’d let Alec go when he woke up. She didn’t know yet, but had decided the Pegasus alone was enough motivation to get her to Raeburn Court. She owned shares in the motor car company, and had a keen interest in seeing how the automobile handled the primitive Highland roads.

And if Alec permitted her to drive it, all the better. She hadn’t dared to do anything but be a passenger the few times George Alexander took her for a spin before she invested in his company. He’d been surprised at the amount she had handed over to him, but she’d always been careful with her money. Mary had had little leisure time in which to spend it these past four years, and the Evensong Agency fees were rather exorbitant. Aunt Mim always said rich people were suspicious if they weren’t asked to pay enough, so Mary asked, and asked a lot. Most were happy to pay, and frequently they forked over a bonus if Mary had been able to accomplish what had originally looked like an impossible task.

Nothing was impossible. Well, of course Mary couldn’t flap her arms and fly, but she was sure one day a proper flying machine would be built. Just a few months ago two American brothers were reported to have had sustained periods of flight in a glider until a gust of wind smashed it up.

Mary was interested in the modern age. Science. Engineering. Things a mere woman was supposed to be ignorant of. She’d spoken at length to the lift operator at the hotel, wondering if such a device could be installed in Mount Street. Why shouldn’t she learn about things that would make life more convenient? One never knew when such information should prove useful.

Mary had an inquisitive, generally tidy mind, much like a set of file drawers where everything was put in its place for future reference. She wasn’t sure where she’d put Alec Raeburn, however. He would not fit in any drawer, and it wasn’t because of his size.

He grumbled and stirred behind her, his hand pressing more firmly on her bosom. Mary hoped he wouldn’t be embarrassed when he woke up to find that he’d so thoroughly immobilized her. Not that she wanted to jump out of bed—Alec’s closeness made her feel protected. Cherished.

But she probably should try to extricate herself and go to the toilet. Brush her teeth and make some semblance of order to her hair. Call room service for some coffee and sweet rolls, maybe even eggs. She was famished.

Send Alec back to his room.

She flattened herself in an attempt to slide out from under his arm with no success. His grip grew tighter, and he moaned in a rather intriguing way. There was nothing to be done but wriggle against him and give him a shove.

The result was not what she expected. Alec flipped her on her back and nuzzled her neck. His breath was hot, and sent chills straight to her toes. That did not make any sort of scientific sense at all.

“Be still, you naughty wench. It’s too early,” he mumbled, giving some attention to her right breast now.

Mary was many things, but a naughty wench was not one of them. Did he even know who she was?

“Lord Raeburn, unhand me.” The sharpness of her voice could have cut diamonds.

His face was close enough to hers to see his brow furrow, his eyes blink beneath their lids but not open. She put a hand on his rough cheek and pinched him.

He reared backward and nearly fell off the bed. “Ow! What’s that for then?”

“You are taking liberties,” Mary said, feeling somewhat out of charity with him.

“Liberties! Don’t be daft. You didn’t complain when I—” She knew the moment he was fully awake; his body was in full retreat, scrambling to the edge of the bed.

“Holy hell. Forgive me, Miss Arden.”

“I think you might as well call me Mary again. You did sleep in my bed.”

“And that’s all I did, if I remember correctly. I’ve still got most of my clothes on, don’t I?” He tried to smooth his wild hair down to no avail. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. I was having a dream and got carried away.”

“And thought I was someone else.”

If there had been more light in the room, she could have seen whether he had the grace to blush. He probably found himself waking up in a woman’s bed on a regular basis. Mary had not had a male in her bed save for the time her nephew Eddie had the chicken pox and she was supposed to keep him from scratching all night long.

Alec sat up and pulled the lamp cord. His hair was even worse than she thought, his face shadowed by black bristles. He looked dangerous and, if she were honest, decidedly delectable in a shipwrecked pirate sort of way.

“I am sorry. I promised to keep watch over you and I’ve failed.” He sounded contrite.

She shrugged. “I never expected you to stay awake looking at me. That would have been silly.”

“Nevertheless. You put up with enough pawing last night without me adding to it this morning.”

Mary did not want to talk about Bauer. Not this morning, possibly not ever. She had made a miraculous escape and was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. What good would it do to dwell on the terror she had felt, her limbs useless, her voice hard to find? She’d been encased in drugging amber.

“Enough,” she said briskly. “
Bauer
may not be a four-letter word, but for our purposes it will become one, not to be uttered unless one wants one’s mouth washed out with soap. I have no wish to relive last night and be tormented with your remorse. It will be I who will have to keep assuring you that it’s all right, and my bravery may falter. I don’t want to be brave. I don’t want to think about what could have happened. I want to be normal. I am just fine.”

Alec raised a dark eyebrow. “No tears and recriminations?”

What was the point? Is that how Edith behaved? Mary was not Edith. “None. I knew there were risks when I—when Aunt Mim proposed the job to me. I wanted a bit of travel and adventure.”

“And got a little more than you bargained for.”

Her mind was made up. There was to be no more foot-dragging or hand-wringing. She wasn’t getting any younger. “I do hope so.”

Now both brows were raised. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Mary gave him what she hoped was a naughty wench smile. “I might be. Let’s just take all of this one day at a time. After breakfast I will pack and you can drive me to Raeburn Court. We’ll see what happens.”

Alec picked her hand up from the counterpane and kissed her fingertips. “I shall endeavor to give you all the travel and adventure you can bear. I presume young Oliver will be accompanying us?”

“Yes.” Oliver had spent some time at her bedside, ultimately confessing he had been flirting with Alec’s valet. Mary wondered why the boy was always attracted to the help, but decided it was none of her business. Oliver could have his own travel and adventure, as long as he was careful about it. She wouldn’t want Alec to fire his servant—he had precious few of them as it was.

“Capital. I guess I’d better sneak off before the corridors become crowded. I’ll meet you in the lobby. Can you be ready by ten o’clock?”

She could be ready now if Alec wanted her in a damp, clinging nightgown.

Before she had the chance to agree, an unearthly howl sounded in the hallway and bells began to ring.

“Fire!” Alec scooped her out of the bed and ran to the door.

Mary sniffed. “I don’t even smell smoke!” She put a hand to the wood but it was simply room temperature. “You should put me down. Go wake Oliver.”

That proved unnecessary. Oliver burst through the connecting door, wearing a handsome Chinese robe and nothing else. He stumbled to a stop at the sight of Alec in his wrinkled evening clothes, Mary in his arms. “I say. Good morning. Let’s evacuate, what? But I think you should let me carry Mary. I’m her brother and all. Or supposed to be.”

Mary rolled her eyes. “Nobody needs to carry me. Alec, put me down. Oliver, fetch me my slippers. They’re under the bed.”

Suitably shod, she followed the men at a run down the staircase. Alec had a death grip on one hand and Oliver the other. The shrill alarm and endless bells had done their job. Other scantily clothed guests, some with suitcases, tumbled down the stairs after them. Bleary-eyed hotel staffers directed all of them out the double doors to the sloping front lawn of the hotel.

Once they were outside, everything appeared completely normal in the misty morning light. Flames were not leaping behind windows, smoke was not billowing. Of far more interest than the building to Mary were her fellow guests, who in their state of dishabille did not look like titans of society and industry. Several ladies and gentlemen were missing their wigs and teeth, and, in one case, eyebrows. Some were wrapped in sheets only. Mary thought it a very good thing that there were no Brownie cameras to be seen in the crowd.

“What’s happening?” Alec asked a young waiter who seemed to be assigned to their section of lawn.

“One of the maids spotted a fire outside a tower suite. Nothing damaged but a bit of carpet and a scorched door, but old Prescott thought he’d better sound the alarm just in case. They put it out quick enough, but every corner’s being checked. There will be hell to pay today. You lot don’t like to have your peace cut up.”

“At these rates, who could blame us? But I don’t expect you get your fair share,” Alec said in sympathy.