Chapter Eleven
The carriage pulled up before the cottages in Ashford and Alice jumped down, not waiting for her driver to open the door. Already she could hear the hammering of wood and nails, and as she stared at the buildings, a cart full of timber rumbled down the road and stopped before the houses. The air smelled of pine and she breathed deep, liking the scent and all that it meant for the houses before her. New roofs, walls, and furniture. Wonderful things.
She watched the few men who worked. Scaffolding was being placed along the front of the dwellings and already some men were working on the roof, pulling down the leaking thatch roofing to be replaced with the new slate tiles Alice had chosen.
A man stepped outside and spoke with the cart driver, and it took Alice a moment to recognize him. Joy, unlike she’d ever known, shot through her and she couldn’t stop the smile that bloomed on her face. Lord Arndel turned and nodded in welcome. Alice stared like a besotted fool. Dressed in laboring clothing that was the polar opposite to what he normally would wear, the sight left her speechless.
She’d not thought he could become any more handsome than he already was, and yet here was a man who would turn any young woman’s eye. Not that she was looking at him as a husband. After his atrocious behavior, his lordship would be lucky if they ended up as friends. Who am I fooling? She liked him. Surrey Bandit or no.
He started toward her, and she sighed at the sight of his tan breeches and black knee-high boots that only accentuated his fine form. Alice ought to chastise herself for being so crass, but she did not. Her behavior was not that of a lady and she should be ashamed of herself, but she wasn’t.
His lordship swiped off his hat and pushed back his unruly hair, that spiked a little, due to a sheen of sweat that covered his forehead. Her knees betrayed her and, for a moment, she fought not to faint.
“Good morning, Lady Alice. I hope you’ve come to work hard.”
The glint of amusement in his eyes made her smile. “You changed your mind? I didn’t think I would see you here today.”
“I’ve conceded on a couple of your requests, but not all, and we’ll discuss those changes a little later over lunch. I’ve booked the private parlor at the inn for our use.”
Alice nodded, excited at the thought of dining alone with his lordship. Well, other than the presence of her maid. “I look forward to it.”
He ushered her into the first cottage, Benny’s old home, and headed to where the kitchen was located. They discussed at length the changes that would take place and going over the plans, decided the table could also be built into the house’s design to save more room and additional cost for the families who would call these cottages home.
The builders nodded in understanding, but continued to work, every now and then talking to Callum and taking direction from him.
“I see you’ve settled in quite successfully as foreman.”
“I came early, before they arrived. I suppose they assumed I was the one they should listen to when they saw a lord dressed, ready for work, and giving orders before they’d strapped their tools to their belts.” He laughed. “It was a plan that seems to have worked.”
They walked up the stairs and came to the children’s room. “I thought the beds would be best beside the window, two bunks on either side so they have a view and sunlight, of course.”
“Bunks? What are those?” Alice had never heard of such a thing, but they sounded interesting, and if the item was helpful to the family, she was grateful for any suggestions or advice Lord Arndel could give her.
“They’re beds that stack on top of one another. We had them as children, due to our house being only a small cottage, much like this one. Space was utilized well.”
The thought of Arndel growing up in a cottage seemed at odds to where he now lived and the title he claimed. “How is it that you grew up in such circumstances? You’re a viscount now, surely your upbringing had to have been better than this,” Alice said, waving her hands about the room.
“My mama, God rest her soul, married for love, which meant she did not marry for money. My father was the third son of a vicar who couldn’t afford to send anyone other than his eldest to university. My father had to make his own way in the world. Mama’s family disowned her and cut her off without connections or funds when she married him.”
Alice touched Lord Arndel’s arm as he seemed to grapple with saying such things out loud. “I’m so very sorry for her. That must have been very hard and upsetting to lose one’s family merely for loving someone not worthy in their eyes.”
“Surprisingly, Mama bore it very easily, as I don’t believe the Arndels were very loving to begin with, so she missed only the finer things in life. My grandmother, who’s still alive, refuses to come to Kester House now because I’m a viscount. I wish Mama were alive to enjoy such theatrics. She would’ve relished having the upper hand on all the snobs.”
Alice laughed. “I think I would’ve liked your mother, my lord.”
He nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “You remind me of her with your wild ways and spontaneity. And like my mother, you’re always trying to make other’s lives better. She did, too, although most of the time it was us taking charity and not the other way around.”
They stood in silence for a moment, before Alice said, “So these beds, there would actually be two in total space, but four beds overall?”
“That’s right,” he said. “And you could make it that the beds could hold yet another on top, making six beds in total. Of course, the higher beds are for the older children, with safety rails to keep them from falling off.”
Alice pictured the beds in her mind’s eye and marveled at the ingenious use of space. It was brilliant. “I cannot wait to see them, and I know the families going into these cottages are going to burst with excitement at seeing what we’ve done for them.” Without thinking, Alice hugged Lord Arndel in thanks, excited about the future prospects of these homes and his help in achieving those dreams.
…
Callum stilled the moment her arms reached about his neck, and his heart beat a crescendo that made his breath catch. The first thing he noticed was her scent—roses, rich and sweet, intoxicated him—and he chastised himself for the fool he was being. Next, he would be writing sonnets about the minx.
Her beautiful blue eyes widened at the realization at what she was doing. “Forgive me, Lord Arndel. I should not have done that.”
A light blush rose on her cheeks but instead of letting her go, he pulled her closer. More surprising than her impromptu embrace was the fact she did not pull away. In fact, she met his forwardness with a little defiance, and the urge to kiss her into submission roared through him.
“There are other ways in which to thank a gentleman for his clever ideas.” Callum hoped she understood that his meaning was not the one most innocent misses would conclude.
She laughed, tipping her head to the side in thought. “I will not kiss you again, my lord.”
Callum barked out a laugh and let her step out of his arms. He shook his head, once again confounded by the Lady Alice Worthingham. She was much too smart for him, and, therefore, absolutely perfect. “You think scandalously,” he said, teasing her. “That was not my meaning at all. I merely meant you could’ve thanked me verbally, or sent me a bottle of your brother-in-law’s finest whisky from Scotland.”
“Henry’s?” she said, throwing him a teasing grin. “I’m sure he would, should I ask. He’s most doting on Beth and would do anything to please her sisters.”
Callum couldn’t help but think to not please a Worthingham lady would not be worth your while, and should one be so lucky as to win their love and affection, one would give the world to ensure they were forever happy and content. “Thank you,” he said, wishing more than he ought that her thanks had been a kiss.
His mama, although poor, had been rich in love and support from his father, and through their marriage, he had learned what it took to make such a union last and thrive. His first marriage had been one of love and affection, and he would forever love Maria and the beautiful daughter she’d gifted him.
But all things come to an end, and it was time for him to move forward and marry, find a woman who could guide Amelia through her future in the ton as a strong and independent woman, like the one standing before him.
“I will let you explain to the workers how to make these bunk beds, shall I?” Alice laughed, heading for the door and walking across the small hall to the parents’ room. Callum followed her. The roof of this room was missing, and they could see up into the clear blue sky.
“So this is where the parents will sleep. I had thought to place the bed here,” she said, pointing out a square on the wall opposite but facing the window. “What do you think?”
“I think that would be fine. The position does not hinder the door, and it gives them a pretty view of the sky first thing upon waking.”
“I’m going to have doors placed on the upstairs rooms as well, for privacy.”
Callum cleared his throat. “That would probably be wise.” He walked farther into the room, assessing it. “You could also build in some cupboards for storage, should the families going in here not have much furniture. It wouldn’t be a difficult task, nor expensive to do so.”
Alice leaned against the window frame and studied him a moment. “Do you mean building chests of drawers?”
“No,” he chuckled, “nothing as extravagant as that, but merely shelving along one side of the room.” Callum watched as she looked about, thinking on his suggestion before she nodded.
“I think that could work, and as the foreman, I’ll leave the details of this in your capable hands, as well.”
The following few hours were filled with similar conversations through all the cottages, as some were in worse condition than others, and needed alternate plans and ideas, although the original architect’s drawings were always adhered to, they simply added extras to make life more comfortable within the dwellings.
Callum introduced Alice to the workers, having met some of them when he’d first inherited Kester House in its deteriorated state. A few of the men working for Lady Alice had fixed the most pressing jobs on his home—as much as he could afford, before he’d been saddled with his cousin’s debts.
Alice seemed pleased with the first day’s progress and by noon the roof of one house was off entirely, and the men were fixing the beams to ensure they could hold the new slate tiles.
They walked out onto the street. Locals stood outside their houses watching the building works, and some children yelled out questions to the men busy on the roofs.
“Well, I don’t know about you, Lord Arndel, but I’m famished. Shall we have luncheon?”
Callum held out his arm and Alice took it. He was surprised at how comfortable she seemed to be with him, considering who he was and what he’d done. He’d thought after she found out the truth, his future would’ve held nothing but the walls of Newgate or possibly worse, banishment on the other side of the world in the penal colonies of New South Wales.
The inn was bustling with patrons, mostly men of all kinds who took the opportunity to include liquor with their lunch. Upon entering, the barman nodded in welcome and waddled over, gesturing them toward the private parlor. The whole time it took them to walk from the front room to the parlor, the man expelled his gratitude the Lady Alice Worthingham had chosen his establishment to dine.
Alice smiled kindly at the older gentleman. Callum held out a chair for her to take and seated himself beside her. Although there were chairs on the other side of the table, he wanted to take advantage of the window that ran the length of the room and gave them a good view of the town’s main thoroughfare.
That was what Callum told himself. It had nothing to do with wanting to be near her.
And yet, by the time the desserts had arrived, Callum had to decree that lunch was a diversion he had not needed. To watch Alice laugh, smile, and enjoy her food, licking her lips after devouring a delicious strawberry tart, was, in his estimation, too much to bear.
Again, her small perfect lips slid over the spoon, licking a drop of cream that sat at the side of her mouth and Callum adjusted his seat. Never would he eat with her again. He tore his gaze back to his own tart and demanded he get hold of his sensibilities.
“May I ask you a question, my lord?”
Her words pulled him from his inappropriate thoughts involving her mouth and he nodded. “What do you want to know?”
“You lived in Northumberland before Surrey. Do forgive me if I’m being too forward, but it sounded as if you had a comfortable life there. And yet, you’ve mentioned your parents struggled financially in their life.”
“We were poor, that was true, but Maria, my wife, came from a respectable family. There was some peerage in her ancestry, but her father bred thoroughbreds for the well-to-do. Beautiful horses that the toffs of London fought to purchase. When I started courting Maria, and we fell in love, her father made me an equal partner in the business. And during the three years we were married, the business became more successful.”
She eyed him a moment, a small frown line between her brow. “The debt of your cousin is surely not such a large sum, that with all these assets, how could you not have paid it off and be done with it. How is it that it’s caused you so much trouble?”
The memory of what Maria’s father had done chilled him, not to mention how the moneylenders had threatened his daughter to get what they wanted from him. He shivered. “On Maria’s death, her father blamed me, cursed me to the devil, and tried to take Amelia away from me. Our agreement was not legally binding since no documents were ever signed over the partnership. He cut me off without a dime, and when I wouldn’t allow Amelia to live with him, he had us kicked out of the house he’d gifted Maria and me. I fled with the few horses I had purchased with my own income and moved into Kester House when I inherited. It was not a good time.”
“Is your father-in-law still living?”
“No,” he said, regret churning his gut. And he would never forgive himself for not making amends with a man who’d been brought low by grief. “He passed away only last year.”
She squeezed his arm and he nodded. “I’m so sorry.”
So was he, and yet, there was little he could do about it now, all of that was in the past, and now he had to look to the future and figure out a way to get himself out of his current mess.
“You said earlier that you would not comply to all of my demands. Would you care to elaborate on your decision now, my lord? We’re alone as you wished to be when discussing the matter.”
Callum looked over to where the maid sat before the window, where she, too, partook in the same luncheon, her attention wholly fixed on the goings-on outside.
Unable to bear the little bit of cream at the side of her mouth a moment longer, he passed her a linen napkin. “Before I start, I want you to know that my decision is final and not negotiable.” And he hoped she would see sense enough to understand why and not fight him on it. After the wonderful morning they’d had with each other, he would dislike it very much if they fought now.
“Go on,” she said, pouring a cup of tea while placing yet another tart on her plate.
He cleared his throat. “You wished me to help you with the cottages, and as you can see, I have agreed to do this. No matter what you think, I do wish to make amends to you and your family for what I’ve done, and helping to build these homes, giving what advice I can, will achieve that.”
“Are you looking at this as a form of punishment?” Her bright blue eyes met his, and he read the concern in them.
“At first, I may have thought this a punishment, although, I must admit, that today has been nothing but enjoyable, so I no longer think in that vein.”
Alice took a sip of her tea. “I’m satisfied that you’re trying to right a wrong, even if only through manual labor. It is enough for me, and of course, Victoria agrees.”
She leaned closer to him and the smell of roses met his senses, making him wish she’d move closer still. “You are in need of funds, my lord, and I’ve removed the asset that would’ve given you the blunt you needed,” she whispered. “For the honest work such as you started today, as discussed, I’m willing to offer a wage in lieu of the goods.”
“I cannot take money for goods I never owned in the first place. Furthermore, I don’t want your money, although offering it is more than I deserve.”
Her lips thinned and she sat back, watching him. “So it would seem you’re a changed gentleman, a man who has seen the error of your ways.” She paused. “Tell me why you stole, Lord Arndel.”
He sighed, the sound filled with regret. “It’s no secret my cousin had run up debts I could not pay. The debts were, frankly, beyond my reach, even if I sold what was not entailed. I refused to lose the estate under my control, but it was looking less likely every moment that I could keep it.” He paused, not sure how much he should tell her of his troubles. “I will find a way forward, and in a legal sense, I promise.” The way ahead would encompass him insisting the last amount due to the moneylender be in cash, not an emerald brooch. Would it be enough for the criminals who haunted his shadow? He didn’t know, but he hoped so. It had to be, before the thugs arrived on his door, and made good on the threats against his daughter.
After thinking over Alice’s proposal, he’d concluded he could not take anything for the work. It would be wrong, and if he was to prove himself not the cur on Society, he had to stick with this decision.
…
Alice didn’t doubt that Lord Arndel had pride, but perhaps in this instance, too much was on hand. “So you have debts, why not marry an heiress and have her dowry settle your financial woes.” Her maid seemed a little less interested in the street beyond, and more on their conversation. “You may go for a walk if you like, Mary. If you could call back for me in ten minutes, we will return home.”
“Yes, my lady,” her maid said, bobbing a quick curtsy and leaving.
“I don’t want my wife to think the only reason I married her was to gain her money. And you cannot tell me that should a gentleman offer you marriage under such a guise and you became aware of the fact, that it would leave you happy.”
“Of course not.” Alice would hate such a truth becoming her reality, but it was common enough through the ton for those who had little option. “I know I’m lucky in that my brother is a duke and I’m forever secure in my position, married or not. And I know others are not so fortunate, but we still have a choice, if given the option, when truth is involved.” His eyes narrowed and Alice wondered what he was thinking. If only she could be so forward as to ask him.
He cleared his throat, turning to look out onto the street. “Furthermore, I do not wish to be honored at the ball. Under the circumstances you’re well aware of, I do not feel comfortable at such praise.”
“Of course you are to be the guest of honor. Not only would not doing so seem odd now that the invited guests know why we’re hosting the ball, but because you have repented. And…right at this moment you are trying to redeem your actions as the Surrey Bandit.” He raised his brow and she frowned. “Your past career as a highwayman was a momentary lapse of concentration. Your neighbors wish to meet the new Viscount Arndel, and let’s not forget, should you choose to continue your horse-breeding enterprise, the connections you make at the ball can only help, not hinder.”
“After all that I’ve done, you would still welcome my company?”
Was that trepidation in his voice? “We all make mistakes, my lord. And I believe everyone is entitled to a second chance. Of course you’re welcome.”
“Thank you,” he said, placing his hand over hers.
Alice stilled, having not expected such a thing. She pulled away, fussing with her napkin in her lap, before slapping it onto the table. “You may tell me to mind my business, as I know you’ve been more than honest with me today, but what will you do with the debt your cousin left you. How will you pay it?”
“That is not a concern I wish to lay at your door, but be aware that I’ll not be marrying any rich miss for it.” He finished off his drink and Alice watched as his throat worked while swallowing.
Her mouth dried at the sight of stubble across his jaw. Her fingers itched to touch him. Was it hard and prickly, or would it tickle her lips just as it had the last time they kissed?
“Very well,” she said, standing to distract herself.
His lordship followed her lead. “There is one thing I wish to know, Lady Alice.”
“Just Alice would be fine, my lord. I think we know each other too well for such formality.”
He laughed, nodding. “I believe you may be right.”
She looked up at him, smiling. “What is it you want to know before I bring this delightful day to an end?”
“What story did you concoct to explain the magical appearance of your mother’s bauble?”
Alice grinned. “We told Mama we found her brooch on the side of the road on our way back from Ashford.”
“And the duchess believed you?”
Alice fought to roll her eyes at such an absurd notion that she would not. “Of course she did. Our mama had no reason not to believe our tale.”
“I do not doubt it.”
They walked outside and Alice spied her maid walking toward the inn. “Are you going to be present at the cottages most days, my lord?”
Arndel looked in the direction of the buildings, squinting a little with the sun starting to drop in the western sky. “I shall of course, as I said I would.” He stepped closer and Alice had to look up at him. “And you may call me Callum when we’re in private.”
Callum… Alice decided she liked the name. “Good day, Callum.” She grinned and headed toward her carriage, hearing Mary’s steps following close behind. Alice could feel the heat of his lordship’s attention on her, right up until the point she stepped up into her vehicle. She enjoyed that notion.