.
Alexandra looked up as Rose came into the back room of the library.
The room was dim with only the windows for light. Alex had refused to light a lamp, not wanting to draw the attention of the staff. They knew who she was, and Alex knew they’d sell her location to the first newspaper writer they met if they could.
She was at the Montgomery Circulating Library where Rose worked.
Alex had had no time to go elsewhere. As soon as her friend at the toy store had rushed toward her with a million questions, Alex had fled to the first safe place she could find, leaving her reticule and money behind. The library and the toy store were just around the corner from one another, and Alex had known it would be a good place to hide.
No one looked at her as she entered. Dressed in her working garb, the library’s staff kept their gaze fixed on the customers who paid a subscription to get their hands on the latest books. She’d slipped into the back room where she knew Rose would be and hadn’t had to tell her friend what was happening.
Rose had known.
They’d spoken about the situation earlier in the day. Alex had expressed her uncertainty about the article, not fully understanding her own feelings on the matter. Then Rose had left her in the room while she’d gone to help at Chris’ shop. Alex had busied herself by going over the menu for their yearly musical presentation to Best Homes’ biggest benefactor, Lady Charles.
Each year, since before Alex could remember, Lady Charles allowed the children to perform for her, her family, and a few other sponsors who’d been close to Mary Elizabeth. Alex didn’t know what year it had all began, but over time Lady Charles had begun funding music lessons as well for those she thought truly gifted.
The woman loved music, and though Alicia thought the money could be better used for things like new clothes and furniture for the children, she did not fight with the old woman. For as much as one knew better than to fight with Mary Francis, one knew just as well not to fight with Lady Joan Charles.
Alex was not musically inclined at all, but she helped where she could. For the presentation, she would prepare the food—this was the only talent Alex had that Lady Charles truly loved.
Rose had returned later to tell her that Nash and Reuben had also arrived and to give Chris assistance with the growing crowd. Nash was working the counter with Rose, and Rose made comment at how good she thought Nash was in the position.
“He manages to get people to buy all sorts of things they don’t need,” Rose had said while at the same time telling her that Reuben was scary, standing at the door and turning away those who dared to ask for Alex.
This time Rose had returned to bring her food.
Alex was anxious to hear the latest news.
Rose came closer to the light and took a seat in the chair at Alex’s side.
The room was small but big enough to hold a small round table with five chairs, a shelf of books that seemed to be either very old or falling from the seams, and another shelf with books from authors who published exclusively with Montgomery’s library.
Rose settled in and said, “There was a gentleman at the door who told Rueben that he knew your father.”
Alex was not surprised by this. She’d had plenty of time alone with the newspaper to imagine what was happening on the streets of London.
She was the illegitimate daughter of a viscount. “Everyone of good breeding knows him, I’m sure.”
Rose shifted closer. “Yes, but this man said he owed your father a debt. His father is dead as well, and there seemed a sadness in his eyes when he mentioned it.”
Alex felt sympathy for the man but still didn’t know how to feel about her own father’s death. She’d never known him. He’d never met her. He was simply another deceased member of a group of men and women who contributed very little to the world while taking everything.
The door opened and Alex stilled, hoping it was one of her brothers and not anyone who worked at the library. She should have found a way home when she’d had the chance, but she'd been sure her neighbors had already given her address to the public, so she’d remained at the library where Rose could inform her on whatever happened at the toy store.
A tall shadow came in, followed by another. Both were men. They moved slowly into the room.
Rose pulled in a tight breath and stood. “That’s him,” she whispered.
Alex followed likewise, standing as the strangers both stepped into the light.
Alex looked from one man to the other and didn’t know what to make of them, except for the fact that they were gentlemen. As someone who’d never had clothes of her own until she’d left the orphanage, she could always spot a well-dressed gentleman. Though the suits on these two were soaked, it did nothing to hide their obvious wealth.
Or their handsomeness.
The one who stood slightly behind the other whispered, “That has to be her.”
The one who stood closer to the table simply held Alex’s gaze and said, “Yes.” His eyes were just as soft as his voice. She couldn’t tell the hue of his irises from the distance and without proper lighting, but she received a better look at him as he rounded the table and came to stand before her.
They were a pale green that held a hint of gold, and his hair a soft brown, still wet from the rain.
Her eyes traveled the length of him, and Alex found herself impressed by his statuesque figure, how broad his shoulders were, and the squareness of his jaw. Growing up with men as handsome as Chris, Nash, and Reuben, attractive men had stopped catching her off guard, but this one startled her.
She instantly loved his eyes. With his tanned skin and thick dark lashes to emphasize them, she thought them amazing.
Staring at him made her feel warm.
“Justin,” the man behind him called.
The man who'd caught her so off guard frowned then blinked. Alex barely had a chance to lean back as his head came down with a short bow. “Ms. Alexandra Smith. I’m Lord Chantenny.”
“Chantenny?” She’d heard the name before. She’d seen it written in the papers, but she couldn’t remember what had been said about the man except that he was a mystery, a name whispered as though one were conjuring a ghost.
She was sure Rose would know more about him, however. Rose read the papers. “Lord Chantenny.”
“Yes.” He bowed. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, though by the end of this meeting I’m sure you’ll be glad that I found you.” A knowingness brightened his eyes, and Alexandra's heart leapt before irritation followed it. Peers always thought they knew best.
“Are you a baron?” she asked.
His lips twitched, and the man behind him began to cough.
“No.” Justin’s smile played in his voice. It was obvious he was laughing at what he thought was her ignorance. “I’m an earl.”
“Ah.” She placed her hands in front of her and then pulled her eyes away from the earl to look at the man behind him. “And are you an earl as well?”
“Yes, actually, I am,” the other man said with a grin. “Gerard de Grey, Earl of Obenshire.”
She’d been joking. “Ah.” Then she had a thought. “Oh, I’ve heard of you before.”
“You have?” Gerard moved slightly forward. He was very handsome when he smiled, and something about him put her immediately at ease. He had pale brown eyes and hair a shade darker than Justin’s.
“You ride,” she told him.
Gerard smiled and nodded. “I do. I race.”
“Yes.” She knew this. Chris was obsessed with the races. “You’re very good, I hear.”
Gerard was cut off by Justin. “He’s only here because I came looking for you.”
Alex blinked at Justin. “Shall I curtsey now?”
Obenshire started choking again.
Justin put on a full smile that stopped Alex’s heart. “Well, since we are conversing with very few witnesses, I don’t believe that will be necessary.”
“Oh, are you to bow over my hand?” She thrust her hand forward and was amazed when Justin all but leapt back as though she’d offered him a snake.
His smile fell away, and the air around them seemed to cool. “That won’t be necessary either.” His brows became pinched, still staring at her hand.
Gerard, who’d managed to avoid Justin when he jumped back, moved and took Alex’s hand. “Lovely to meet you.” He bowed over it and offered his own grin in Justin’s place.
But Alex didn’t see it. All she saw was the look on Justin’s face as he continued to frown at the hand that his friend now held, his brows lowering further.
She tried to not feel offended but couldn’t manage to do so. It was clear he thought her beneath him, not worthy of his touch even with his gloves on. She sometimes hated it when she was right. Now, even more than before, she wanted him gone.
“Alex,” Rose whispered with a small nudge, seeking an introduction.
“This is my sister, Rose,” Alex announced.
Justin gave a flourishing bow to Rose, which made Rose blush, which in turn made Alex slightly less irritated with his presence. “I didn’t know Lord Wint had more children.”
“He didn’t,” Alex said.
Justin nodded in understanding. “You share a mother then.”
Alex changed the topic of discussion. “Why are you here?”
The borrowed lines that had formed between Justin’s brows slid away as his expression grew serious. “I’ve come to offer you my assistance.”
Alex shook her head. “Oh, I don’t know what to say, my lord. Thank you, but—”
“Our fathers were friends and though both have passed, I believe they’d have thought it right that I see you well situated. You shall live with me,” he went on in a way that began to irritate her all over again. He held his hands by his side as he rattled on. “I shall become your protector until your cousin can be found. You’ll be given all the provisions of a lady, and I will set a dowry on you that shall see that you are perfectly matched.”
Alex nodded her head very slowly as she played Justin’s words over and over again in her head.
She remembered why she hated the Beau Monde so very much.
They never cared about how anyone else was feeling. They simply ran right over people and never looked back to ensure that the victim was all right. Justin was the perfect example of a well-bred man, and she decided in that moment that she wanted nothing to do with him.
Alex smiled. “Thank you, my lord, but—”
“We should hurry if you wish to be ready in time for dinner,” Justin went on. “I’m not sure how quickly a seamstress can work, but I’m sure one of my sisters can loan you a few dresses for the time being.” His eyes drifted down her and never came back to meet her eyes as he said, “Though we’d have to get them altered.” There was a dark quality in his voice that said the thought of it pleased him.
“I don’t see your sisters allowing that to happen,” Obenshire murmured loud enough for her to hear.
Justin frowned, but Alex thought Obenshire correct. What woman wanted to share her clothes? Alex owned exactly one good dress that no one else had ever worn, and she’d go a round of fisticuffs before she’d let anyone near it.
“My lord,” Alex said. “I thank you for your brave and heroic rescue, but it’s not necessary.”
Silence filled the room.
Justin tilted his head slightly and just when Alex had been sure he could not grow more adorable, he did. “I don’t understand.”
She sighed. Confusion seemed to make him that much more attractive. She could stare at his expressive face for days, but she knew better than to allow that. “I’m refusing your offer,” she said plainly. “Good day, my lord.”
When he didn’t move, she added a curtsey, though she was certain she’d done it wrong and in too much haste.
When the earls still didn’t move, she put on an encouraging smile, even forcing it to reach her eyes.
“You refuse?” Justin finally managed to get out, disbelief taking over his entire face. If he kept on, she knew she’d kiss him. He was simply the most adorable man she’d ever seen.
She had to get away from him. “Yes, I refuse,” she said with annoyance. “Now please leave.”
Justin did the opposite and moved closer. Rain, mixed with linen and his cologne, filled her nostrils. The scent was intoxicating. “Why do you refuse? I’m offering you what any other woman in London would fall on their knees for.”
“Alex, maybe you should think about this,” Rose whispered, loud enough for Justin to hear.
Alex didn’t need to think about this. She needed to get away. “I’m only ever on my knees for two reasons.” She held up her fist, so he could follow. His eyes went to her hands. “To clean.” She popped one finger up. “And to pray.”
His eyes returned to her and she went on. “And since you are neither my employer nor my God, I think I’ll stand. Good day, Lord Chantenny.” Then she spun and started for the door.