Lord Heartless (13 page)

Her head tilted forward. “So your youth?”

“Ah.” He took a deep breath. “Not so dissimilar.”

“Really?”

“My father dealt with antiquities. He was gone much of the time to the Middle East, places like Egypt, Rome, and Athens.”

“So it was just you and the countess?”

Landon nodded. “I think I still resent his absence. I should have liked to have had a father who at least came to see me.”

“Is that why Alexander studies at home?”

Landon looked away. “Yes. I want my son to know his father.”

“Hm.” Juliet rose and walked toward the fountain.

“Hm? Is that a compliment, or a murmur of disapproval?” he asked, following her.

“Perhaps a bit of both. I believe it is wise for a son to know his father, but do you want Alexander to know all? The rumors? The innuendo?”

“Perhaps he should not, but I am not perfect. Should he not know that?”

Juliet took a deep breath. “Yes, well, one would think. I do know a child places their parent upon the pedestal because they are the hero who brought them into this world.”

“Ah, duly noted.” Landon nodded. “I shall have to clean up my act and become a better example.”

“Tell me, what happened to your father?”

Landon stared at the water. “He passed away from some fever in a small village outside Athens. I was a mere lad of twenty. I took over my father’s ships, and we brought his body home. He is buried near the abbey where the racing stock is kept.”

They grew silent until she reached for his hand. “It must have been hard becoming the man of the family under such circumstances.”

“It was the end of my wild ways.” He placed his hand over hers. “But then you know that as well.” He cocked his head to one side. “We are kindred spirits.”

“It appears so.” A grin of understanding tugged the corners of her lips toward her eyes.

Landon stepped to the side and plucked an unopened rose from a nearby bush. He brought the soft velvet of the petals to her cheek. “Ah, look, the same delicate shade.”

Juliet lowered her lashes. “You flatter me.”

“There is not enough flattery to equal your beauty, my wife.” He stepped close and instead of handing the flower to her, placed it in to the intricate twist of her hair. The air around them seemed to change. The scent of the flowers grew heavy as he gazed down into her upturned face. All the women since Alexander’s mother seemed to fade in comparison to the woman before him. Those ladies did not expect commitment. They wanted to be courted, played fancy to, then left alone as they moved on. Now, his heart was called into question. Did he have to courage to let go and give it willingly to the woman before him?

He swallowed the lump in his throat and brought his hand along her cheek in a gentle caress. “Dear Juliet,” he began as his desire intensified. Their gazes locked. Words were lost as he read the unbridled longing in her eyes. His heart twisted then let go. He stepped closer. She did not flee, instead she lifted her chin and he watched, in deep fascination, as she dampened her lips.

The gesture called him to act.

His left arm stole about her waist. The fingers of his right hand opened to cover her neck while his thumb stroked the edge of her jaw. The gentle urge caused her to angle her head as his lowered. The soft brush of her breath warmed his skin. For a second, his mouth hovered over hers. Her lashes lowered to brush her cheek as he captured her lips.

Soft, sweet, her mouth molded to his as his arm tightened, pulling her closer to his body. Her hand found the sleeve of his jacket as he tilted her slightly to the left to rest securely in his arms. His body leaped to respond to the deepening kiss. He could feel his member press against the softness of her gown. Heat spiraled between them.

His hand that guided her head, moved downward, across the expanse of her shoulder, to her upper arm where it found its way to the bodice of her gown. Using a feathery touch, he skimmed the neckline and brushed the fullness of her breast. Satin made a delightful friction against the pads of his fingers and skin it held at bay. She groaned. Landon flicked his tongue over the opening of her lips as his hand captured the orb.

She trembled slightly as his fingers moved down her breast to the puckered nipple that pushed erect over the edge of her corset. Her arousal only served to intensify his own desire. The urge to take her then and there in the garden unnerved him. His mouth left hers and blazed a trail of kisses toward the lobe of her ear. He could hear the rush of her breath. His tongue lavished the sensitive spot just below her earlobe. Her fingers grasped the wrinkle in his coat as his mouth followed the slope of her neck to the rise of her bosom. Her head fell back. He pressed his hand below the stays of her corset. The flesh rose and he kissed his way to the valley of her cleavage. Then he slowly thrust his tongue between the tender mounds of her breasts, twisting it teasingly. Her hands moved to ensnare his head and hold him captive. Her breath turned to pants. Her body tightened in his arms. Oh, how he wished they were upstairs, for this was no place to further his exploration. With the deepest of regret, he released her.

She clung to him for a moment as her strength returned. Only when her arms pressed him away did he ease his support away from her.

“A rose garden is no place for seduction.”

She nodded and pressed the front of her gown down. The tulle that sculpted the front was askew. Her face flushed from the excitement.

“Perhaps,” she began with a shattered breath. “Perhaps another time.”

He turned slightly so she would not see how her kisses affected him. “Yes,” he agreed. “Another time.”

“If you’ll pardon me, I shall go check on Alexander.”

He nodded, and to his surprise, he let her walk away.

With each step toward the house, her heartbeat returned to normal and the strength returned to her limbs. Landon’s kisses had so scattered her thoughts she might have so easily let him plunder more than her lips. Juliet stepped onto the terrace and hazarded to look back. “If only you could love me. I fear that this is no more than a challenge for Lord Heartless. If only you could give me one soft word of hope.” She blinked back the sudden onset of tears that threatened. Returning to the house, she made her way up to the nursery to see Alexander.

Nanny greeted her as she opened the door. “Lady Montague.” Her eyes widened with surprise.

“I came to check on Alexander.”

The nurse turned and looked toward the other door. “I’ve checked on him. He is sleeping.”

“May I?”

“Of course.”

Nanny stepped out of the path and Juliet opened the door. In a large bed, a small figure lay curled in the moonlight that streamed through the two large windows. Maneuvering past the lines of tin soldiers, Juliet made her way to the bed and sat down beside him. The child stirred when she placed her hand upon his cheek. “Alexander?”

He rolled over onto his back and rubbed the deep sleep from his eyes. “Lady Montague.”

“I came to see how you were feeling.”

“I am better. You heard I had pie?”

Her lips twitched. “That you did, dear Alexander. What possessed you to eat the whole thing?”

“It was good.” He paused. “In the beginning. Is Father mad?”

Juliet shook her head. “No. Your father loves you very much. Sit up,” she told him. She placed her back against the tall oak headboard and opened her arms. “Now, lay back.”

Alexander did so and she brushed the dark curls from his forehead as he lay in her lap gazing up.

“I think I shall tell you a story.”

“A story? Will there be pirates?”

“Certainly not, they are much too violent for bedtime. No, this story has a little boy in it just like you.”

***

Landon climbed the stairs to the nursery. Standing outside the door he heard Juliet’s voice speaking low. Stepping inside, he caught Nanny going toward the door. Shaking his head, he raised his fingers to his lips and silenced her. With soft steps he moved to the doorway and peeked in.

His eyes focused on Juliet holding his child in her lap and stroking his brow with tenderness. Listening to her words, he realized she was retelling the story he had told her earlier. Alexander listened enraptured. Landon stepped back and leaned against the wall just outside the opening to listen. He didn’t want Juliet to know he was there. How tender she was with his child. How kind. Closing his eyes he could almost feel the soft strokes of her hand across his own brow. A pang of jealousy made his heart skip a beat and he wondered if Alexander realized just how lucky he was. Something he would address the next time the two were alone. His son’s next words made him forget himself.

“So I am like my father?”

“You are that,” Juliet agreed. “You are just as handsome, just as roguish, just as frustrating. Moreover, your taste in pies is exactly the same.”

Landon peeked around the corner.
So, I am handsome as well as frustrating
. His lips twitched in delight as some of his wife’s feelings came to light. Alexander gazed adoringly into Juliet’s face and seemed to take satisfaction in her words. He angled his head so he could look into her downturned face. Her soft smile was more potent than Cupid’s arrow. Landon seemed to lose his breath.

“Do you think I should weed the garden, too?” Alexander asked.

“I think a smart young man like yourself might swallow his pride and ask Cook for her forgiveness. You gave her quite a scare. She was sure the countess might sack her on the spot when she found there was no dessert.”

“Oh.” Alexander’s chest lifted in a heavy sigh. “The gardener usually fills her wood box every morning after breakfast. I think I should do so for the rest of the week.”

“If you feel that is a suitable punishment.”

“Yes.”

“Good then, I will let you go back to sleep.” She slipped from behind him to stand. Straightening the covers, she tucked them around his body to ward off a chill.

“Lady Montague?”

“Yes, Alexander.”

“Would you come here every night to tuck me in and tell me a story if I asked?”

Her hands stilled. “I think I shall try. I know that there are some nights I must accompany your father and the countess out.”

“I should like for you to come then, when you are able.”

“I will be honored.” She bent down and kissed his cheek and Alexander drew his arms around her neck, burying his face against her cheek.

“I am glad my father married you and brought you here to Broadmoor. He has stayed closer to home these past few days.”

“You like that?”

“I do. You love him, my father, I mean?”

Landon’s heart skipped a beat as the room grew still.

“That is a deep question, Alexander, and it may not be so easy to answer.”

“I heard Mr. Black say it was a marriage of convenience.”

“Hm, I shall add eavesdropping to your list of charms.”

Alexander loosened his hold and placed a hand upon her arm. “Do you? It would be a shame if you did not.”

“There is no shame, Alexander.”

In the dim light, Landon could have sworn his son seemed crestfallen.

“Sometimes,” she began. “I have learned that love is a one-sided affair. I cared so deeply for my own father, but I could not save him from his downfall.”

“Do you love my father?” Alexander asked again.

“I care deeply for your father. I hope one day he will return the favor. But as for love, we shall have to see what the fates yield. You need not worry. I shall always be here for you, Alexander.”

“I am glad.” Alexander yawned.

Landon turned away and retraced his steps to the hall. Instead of taking the main stairs, he moved to another door and took the servants’ stairway to the bedrooms below. With each step, Juliet’s awkward admission rang in his ears.
One day, I hope he’ll return the favor
. Opening the door, he found Simmons laying out his nightclothes.

“Oh, evening, milord.” He stepped to the side and took Landon’s jacket as he removed it.

“The countess made out all right after I left?”

“Yes, milord, she retreated to her rooms about twenty minutes ago and rang for her maid.”

“I see.” Landon reached up and began to remove his cravat all the while studying the reflection in the mirror. 
She thinks me handsome, roguish, and at the same time frustrating
. He took a deep breath and dropped the cloth on the dresser. He removed the rest of his clothing and with Simmons help drew his robe across his body. Grabbing the sash, he looped a tie.

“Will there be anything else?”

“No.” He turned away. “Get a good night’s sleep, Simmons.”

“Thank you, milord.”

The door closed and Landon took to his armchair to think. Staring down into the coals glowing in the hearth, he brought his hand up to his chin and stroked the skin beneath his bottom lip. All his life, he had enjoyed mocking the entanglements to love created by the Ton. He willfully flirted and played the seducer to women whose husbands had done their duty and moved on to other pleasures leaving their wives’ arms empty. Did he want the same for Juliet? Then there was Alexander and the comment about him staying close to home. His father had abandoned their family for other pursuits.
Are the sins of the father destined to be repeated?

He cut his gaze to the door and thought about the woman across the way. He alone had the power to change his course of action. It would require the baring of his soul and a change in his actions if he had any hope that she might forgive him. Landon could only hope he had the courage to rise to her expectations.

***

Landon hurried down the stairs and out the back door in search of Aaron Bell, the head gardener. Last night’s sleep was long coming, but now he at least had somewhat of a plan. Rounding the corner next to the laundry room, he stopped at the sound of two voices.

“So, you want to do the stack, ey?” The gardener’s deep brogue echoed in the early morning stillness.

Landon peeked around the corner. Alexander stood, his back straight, his hands clasped behind him like the master of a clipper ship. Mr. Bell looked over Alexander’s head and caught his eye. Landon nodded.