Authors: Nichole Matthews
“
One can never be overly prepared.” Piper’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “And it is a far cry from a dungeon. It’s actually quite cheery.”
“
You should be using your dwindling time formulating a plan to catch a respectable husband,” Chester replied in all seriousness. “You are getting a little long in the tooth.”
“
I beg your pardon? I’m not even twenty yet, I’m hardly ancient.” Piper flashed Chester a barely tolerant look. “You’ve been talking to Parker haven’t you?” She retorted wryly. “Why must all the men in my life be so provoking?” Even though deep down inside an overwhelming longing for a family welled up in her soul. “What is it about men and marriage?”
Agnes spoke up, “I believe it is so they can secret us away. Then we cannot bother them while they pursue their useless activities.”
Piper chuckled.
“
After Poppy’s shocking display this past summer, I believe Parker has every right to be uneasy,” he remarked languidly. “I am in awe that you have not been shackled to your companion for safe keeping to avoid any further scandals.”
“
Of course, considering the only reason you are aware of her
shocking display,
Chester, is because I informed you fully of the details.” One delicate eyebrow arched sardonically in response. “I believe the
display
you are speaking of actually turned out reasonably well.” She smirked. “And by the bye,” she snorted inelegantly, “when have I ever done anything remotely scandalous? That is more than likely the reason I remain unwed. I’m dull as dirt.”
“
I don’t know why we are wasting time on this subject; I thought you despised the institution of marriage?”
“
No Chester, I do not despise the institution of marriage.” Piper took a dainty sip of her tea, fighting the temptation to laugh, before continuing. “I despise the institution of forced imprisonment, which is all marriage is to a woman.”
Miss Harris gasped at the boldness of Piper’s offensive comparison.
Auntie Adele coughed to cover up the spurt of laughter that erupted at Piper’s harsh assessment of marriage.
Chester made a noncommittal sound as he stretched his long legs out before him admiring his shiny new boots. An impatient look flittered across his face as if he were waiting for one of the ladies to comment on his glossy new acquisition. “You’ve no notion how to make yourself agreeable to any other gentlemen besides your brother’s or me. When someone pays you a compliment, you assume he is doing so in order to obtain your money.”
“
I have every right to be wary,” Piper countered quietly. “Most gentlemen only seek a broodmare or a purse.” To all outward appearances she was composed, but inside she was restless. She knew she didn’t want to be alone forever. She believed in love. She had witnessed it first hand with her own sister this past summer. If ever a couple were an example of real happiness, it was Poppy and Declan. They were the very epitome of true love and a catalyst for Piper’s hopes.
“
I suppose.” Chester sounded distinctly unconvinced. “Not all men are despicable beasts.”
“
And not every man is a fortune hunter,
ma petite
,” said Auntie Adele, who had been listening calming to their impassioned interchange.
Whenever Piper allowed herself a moment to consider her future husband only one man drifted through her mind. And being a realist, she knew they could never be together. But she couldn’t help but dream. Thinking of his smoldering gaze and rakish grin always made her weak in the knees. If ever there were a
mésalliance
, this was indubitably it.
The last she had heard, he had been embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of the previous season and surely to have married over the anvil. Just her luck or lack thereof, the only man who had captured her fancy over the last three seasons was forced to marry and it was not to her. His honor was at stake and it would devastate her more than anything if he were willing to compromise his honor. At least she would have that, the idea that he was truly an honorable man and not just a rake.
“
Besides, I have yet to find anyone that I find as delightful as you.” She tapped Chester teasingly on the chin, then stood and wandered to the window of the salon to gaze out at the street, watching the comings and goings of the
ton
. She felt as if she had been living in a fog, one that would not dissipate until she at least caught a glimpse of him.
Piper moved the curtain aside to secure a better view of the activity of
le beau monde.
The clatter of passing hackney carriages filled the silence as she watched all the lovely women in a variety of colorful dresses being escorted by fine-looking gentlemen, nurses pushing prams with cooing babies, and rambunctious children racing towards the grass to play.
Giggling, she felt like a child with her nose pressed eagerly against a shop window pining for a toy or sweetmeat that she had been denied. Pointlessly watching everyone go about their mundane business that is until a
certain
fine-looking gentleman made his way closer; sitting elegantly astride his large grey. His exquisitely molded riding coat emphasized the bulging muscles in his shoulders and arms. Tall and powerfully built, he had the sort of hard, tough physique of a farmer; not at all what one would expect from a gentleman of privilege. There was not a thing on earth that could pull her eyes from him. They strayed of their own volition to the well-defined muscles of his legs shown to great advantage from his seat atop his magnificent horse.
He had no desire to please others, thinking very little of the opinion of the
ton
. It was obvious by the way he carried himself. Puffed up and arrogant, or strong-minded and unbending. Shockingly enough these traits in particular were what drew her to him. His wild, reckless nature, his wicked comings and goings secretly intrigued Piper’s more staid demeanor.
Piper watched
him,
squinting to gain a better view
.
She couldn’t help it. Her eyes were drawn to him at her very
first
ball of her very
first
season three years ago and every occasion since.
Straightaway her friends and acquaintance felt it their duty to inundate her with words of warnings. He was after all a
roué
.
A profligate rake of the worst order. A libertine. A debaucher of women
. She had heard it all, but none of those words of caution stopped her pulse from leaping with glee at the very sight of him. He made her feel giddy and breathless, and this afternoon was no different. Tingles of anticipation coursed down her spine the closer he came, the way the muscles in his legs bulged, the way his biceps stretched his superfine to the limits. Thoughts a properly bred, unmarried woman should not even contemplate. At this moment she wished she were anything but.
At that moment he turned his head towards her salon window, reining his horse to a stop. The corners of his mouth curved into a roguish grin as if he had been searching all day and upon seeing her, finally found what he had been looking for all along. Even from this distance, his amber eyes looked as if they belonged to a man who found only humor in life. Not a care in the world and only wicked thoughts.
Staring at him for a moment longer, she could feel the warmth of her blush. She knew at that moment a faint pink tinge was covering her from neck to cheek. Her body sufficed with an almost suffocating heat, she yanked her spectacles from her eyes and leaned her hot cheek against the cooling glass. Her left palm rose of its own will and pressed against the glass at the same moment his hand rose and touched the brim of his high-crown beaver in salutation; removing any doubt that his eyes were trained on her.
Helplessness washed over her in the face of the ungovernable longing she felt. It was all more than she dared contemplate. Overwhelming. And God help her, at that moment she knew she would do almost anything to be near him. To eradicate the glass and space that separated them.
She was such a ninny.
It figures that she would be the one caught staring at the object of her infatuation, galling to say the least. It was all she could do; it wasn’t as if she had ever spoken to him. She couldn’t figure out why she was tongue tied? She came from a well-respected family. Why, the Peregrine’s had been around for centuries. There was no reason why she should feel inadequate. But over the years, Piper had watched as woman after woman clung to his arm, and it was truly a marvelous arm, and she felt deficient to compete.
This infatuation was becoming quite vexing now. She was fixated to the point that she didn’t see any other males. They might as well be invisible when they called. Completely ridiculous that she act as a girl back in the school room with her first infatuation. She was a well-educated woman of exquisite breeding; it was high time she started acting as such. Now if only she could remove the cotton wool from her mouth whenever he was near and actually speak to him. Perhaps then she would be able to do so much more than stare at him from her large picture window where the whole of London could watch her make a fool of herself.
Aware of the silliness of her thoughts, she flung herself out of view of the street and pressed her back firmly against the wall; her hands covering her overheated cheeks. Her heart slammed ruthlessly behind her ribs in what she knew to be a dire warning. Taking a deep breath to calm her shaking, she willed her mind to empty and only think upon tea and embroidery and…new boots.
Graydon stopped, his eyes narrowed, watching from the crowded street; he stared at the now peculiarly empty window.
Fascinating.
Gathering the reins into one strong hand, he nudged Thunder with his knees in the direction of his mother’s for their weekly luncheon. Emptying his mind of everything and preparing himself for talk of brides, marriage, and heirs.
Agnes rolled her eyes unseen towards Piper, “Have you purchased some new boots, Lord Chester?” she queried encouragingly, deliberately changing the topic of conversation.
Chester nodded several times, grateful for her notice. “As a matter of fact, I have.” Standing, he made a pass in front of the ladies showing off his gleaming new boots by Hoby, turning this way and that with obvious pride. “How kind of you to notice,” he responded with a proud smile.
Piper replaced her spectacles, then stared at her cousin in wonder.
How could he be so pleased with a pair of boots?
They were just a pair of boots, after all. Men were such peculiar creatures.
“
Chester, didn’t you acquire a new pair of boots just last week?” Piper queried.
Chester gave her a withering glare. “My
prior
acquisition was Hessians, my dear cousin.” He raised his brow haughtily. “These are top-boots. Obviously very different.” Looking down his nose drolly at the ladies, he continued with his censure, “At least to the discerning eye.”
Piper blinked her blue eyes innocently. “Pardon me,” she returned with a faint lift of her own brows. “I am sure you are the envy of all of your acquaintances.” Piper’s mischievous grin peeked out revealing the enchanting dimple on her right cheek.
“
Piper, you minx.” Chester chuckled good-naturedly. “Little is forever fretting now.” He spoke with a definite hint of fondness for his valet. “He would prefer that I don’t wear ‘em at all. That I should keep them wrapped in my cabinet, can you imagine?” He plopped back on the settee. “I directed that they should be polished with champagne just as Brummel. Show them the respect they deserve.” He guffawed good-naturedly. “He had the audacity to inform me that I did need see him adequately compensated to endure such a time consuming and arduous task.”
“
I am all astonishment.” It required great effort on Piper’s part to keep the smile from her face. “What sort of life would that be for your treasured boots? Doesn’t he believe they should have the opportunity to fulfill their purpose for existence?”
“
Your acerbic remarks are growing tiresome, Piper. With each remark spewed from your mouth I’m beginning to now comprehend your lack of a husband. They are probably scared that you will cut them with your sharp tongue.” Chester rolled his eyes, glancing at the ormolu clock on the mantel. “Are Parker and Peyton not joining us this afternoon?”
“
How humorous you find yourself.” Piper drawled. “They have been holed up in Parker’s study all morning,” Piper replied with a shrug. “I have no idea what their plans are for the rest of the afternoon.”
“
I have heard Peyton’s being watched like a hawk. Parker’s not very pleased with the appalling rumors traveling from Kent.”
That brought Piper’s head up. “Chester,” she hissed with a quick glance towards Miss Harris and Auntie Adele.
“
What?” he whispered back with mock innocence.
……………………………………………
.
Meanwhile in the study, Parker, the Marquis of Ashford sighed and ran his fingers through his dark curls, disturbing them considerably. “Just what are you trying to accomplish with these games you are playing?” Well over six foot, dark wavy brown hair, and the same piercing blue eyes as the rest of the Peregrine siblings. Handsome and with the death of his father almost four years ago, the title Marquis of Ashford, he was a considerable prize to be won. “Is this all an attempt to deliberately irritate me?”