Jacquie ’Alessandro - Not Quite A Gentleman

Her face paled. “You believe my father is in some sort of danger?”

“I don’t know.” He shot her a significant look. “I’m certain that the letter he sent me via your portmanteau contains the answer to your question.”

“I read the letter. There was no mention of danger. Indeed, it read only of-” She snapped her lips together. After a pause she said, “It did not mention danger.”

“Not that you or any other lay person would be able to discern. Your father would have written to me in code.”

A long, strained silence stretched between them. Finally she lifted her chin, her eyes troubled. “What if Father is hurt-or worse-while I’m so far away?”

The worry in her eyes unsettled him in a way he couldn’t explain. All he knew was that he wanted that look to vanish. “Your father is an extremely clever and resourceful man,” he said quietly, “with great resources and manpower at his disposal. I’ve no doubt he will outwit whoever challenges him.”

A strangled sound emerged from her throat. “That does not sound at all like my father, but obviously you know him far better than I.” Some of the worry faded from her gaze, replaced by speculation. “ ‘Tis clear you’re more than the simple country doctor you pretend to be.”

“I’ve never pretended to be a doctor. I am one. A damned good one.” He inclined his head. “ ‘Tis clear you’re more than the empty-headed heiress you pretend to be.”

“I’ve never pretended to be an heiress. I am one. Nor have I ever been empty-headed-that is just your arrogance and unfounded assumptions talking.”

“I want that note, Lady Victoria.”

“Yes, I know. How unfortunate for you that it is in my possession.”

“I cannot hope to protect you without knowing what danger your father fears is imminent.”

“You? Protect me?” she said in a scoffing tone. “You who are as deaf as a post? What is your plan to protect me-order your hens and ducks to nibble into submission ‘he who would threaten my safety’?”

Good God. Had he ever considered her attractive? Surely he was mad. She was infuriating. And clearly toying with him. Bloody hell, she was nothing more than… an infuriating toyer-wither. And his patience had officially been stretched to its limit.

With his narrowed gaze steady on hers, Nathan demanded, “Why are you refusing to return the note to me?”

“I haven’t refused.”

“Then you’ll comply with my request?”

“No… at least not yet.”

“I’m not the sort of man to dance to your merry tune, Lady Victoria.”

“I never said I wanted you to dance to a merry tune.”

“Good. But clearly you want something.”

“I do.”

“How fortunate I am not prone to swooning at hearing shocking statements. What do you want?”

“I want to be included. I want to help you.”

“Help me what?”

“Accomplish the mission my father assigned to you. To recover the jewels.”

Luckily his jaw was attached to his face or it would have landed on his boots. As it was, he couldn’t contain a bark of incredulous laughter. “Absolutely not.”

She shrugged. “Well, then I’m afraid I cannot give you your letter.”

“Why would you want to involve yourself in something that is not only none of your concern, but could potentially be dangerous?”

“Seeing as how both my father and myself may be in danger, and that that letter is the reason I was dispatched to this godforsaken end-of-the-earth place, I believe this is very much my concern. It is now clear to me that I have been subjected to lies and secrecy for more years than I care to contemplate. I refuse to be subjected to them any longer.” Her expression hardened, turning angry. And resolute. Two expressions that would put any man immediately on his guard. “Do you know what it’s like to be lied to, Dr. Oliver?”

He did. And he had not enjoyed the experience. He inclined his head to acknowledge she’d scored a point. “But you cannot be so foolish as to harbor anger because your father did not tell you things that would have compromised the security of this country.”

“No, although I cannot deny feeling foolish-and resentful-that I clearly know very little about the man I grew up with, who I thought I knew and understood extremely well. I am, however, very angry that he did not tell me he might be in danger.”

“I told you-he can take care of himself. And more efficiently if he wasn’t distracted by worrying about the safety of his daughter. He wanted, needed, you to leave London. He obviously thought you would not if you knew the truth.”

“He took away my choices,” Lady Victoria said hotly. “I deserved to know. To be given an opportunity to help him. To know the real reason why I was being sent away. To know I might be in danger as well.” She huffed out a breath. “At least that would have granted me the opportunity to prepare myself. To raise my guard. But no, instead I was patted on the head and toddled off to the wilderness to be looked after by a man I barely know and whom I haven’t seen in three years, as if because I’m a woman I’m helpless.” Her entire demeanor exuded stubborn determination. “Well, he made an error. I am a Modern Woman. I will not be shunted aside and treated as if I am a feeble nitwit. I have devised a plan, and unlike you and my father, I am willing to be honest and share it with you. It is a simple plan, one even you won’t have trouble understanding: I have your note. I will return it to you if you agree to include me in your mission.”

“And if I refuse to agree?”

She smiled brightly. “Then I shall not return it to you. See? I told you it was simple.”

Nathan stepped away from the fireplace and moved slowly toward her, like a jungle cat stalking his prey. Her smile faded and she slowly backed away from him. He kept pace with her retreat, shifting so as to maneuver her toward the corner-exactly where he wanted her both physically and strategically. She took another step back and her shoulders bumped into the vee where the two walls met. Surprise flashed in her eyes, then she drew herself up and raised her chin another notch, her eyes wide but meeting his gaze unflinchingly. If Nathan had not been so irritated with her, he would have admired her pluck at realizing she was trapped and braving her way through it. She might be a thorn in his side, but she wasn’t a coward. Surprising, as he’d have wagered the word “danger” would have sent her running for the hartshorn.

“You’ll not bully me into giving you the note,” she said, her voice not displaying the slightest tremor.

Nathan planted a hand on each wall, bracketing her in. “I’ve never had to bully a woman into giving me what I want, Lady Victoria.”

Her gaze flicked to his arms, positioned near her head, before returning to his face. “You’ll never find it.”

“I assure you I shall.”

“No. It’s hidden in a place where you will never locate it.”

Nathan hid his triumph at her inadvertent admission that the note was still intact and that she hadn’t destroyed it. He allowed his gaze to wander slowly down then up her form. When his gaze once again met hers, he said softly, “You’re wearing it. The question is, is it tucked into one of your garters, or…” He glanced down at the swell of creamy skin rising from her bronze bodice. “… or nestled between your breasts?”

Her startled expression, coupled with her furious blush, confirmed the accuracy of his guess.

“That was the most ungentlemanly scrutiny I have ever been subjected to,” she said, sounding as if she’d just darted up a flight of stairs.

He brushed a single fingertip slowly over her cheekbone, memorizing the silky texture of her warm skin and the sound of her quick intake of breath. “If you think I’ll believe this crimson stain is the result of mere maidenly outrage, you underestimate me, Lady Victoria, and that would be a mistake.”

She swallowed, hard, then said, “Of course I am outraged. And since you clearly are not aware, a gentleman asks for permission before touching a lady.”

“I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman.” Because he couldn’t resist, he glided the pad of his thumb over that enticing blush once more before resettling his hand against the wall. “I prefer to ask for forgiveness afterward-if it’s necessary-than to request permission beforehand.”

“How convenient for your conscience-although I’d wager you do not possess one.”

“On the contrary, I do. In fact, right now it is instructing me to ask if you would have granted me permission to touch you.”

“Certainly not.”

“Ah, then you can see why my method is much more preferable.”

“Yes-for you.”

“Then I shall ask for your forgiveness.”

“Denied.”

Nathan blew out a long put-upon breath and shook his head. “It appears you are determined to deny me in all matters this evening.” He moved a step closer to her, then leaned down so his lips hovered just above her ear. The subtle scent of roses filled his head, and his hands fisted against the silk wall covering. “You’ll have to remove your clothes eventually, my lady. And now you’ve given me a great incentive to make certain that I’m present when you do.”

She sucked in a hissing breath. He leaned back, cursing the alluring scent of her now branded in his mind. “That will never happen, I assure you.”

“Never say never, Lady Victoria.”

Today’s Modern Woman must realize knowledge is equal to power. It is therefore essential to discover everything she can about a gentleman, be he friend, enemy, or lover. The more she knows, the more power she will be able to wield in the relationship, and the less likelihood that she will be taken advantage of.

A Ladies’ Guide to the Pursuit of

Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment

by Charles Brightmore

Gritty-eyed from a troubled night filled with much thinking, exhaustive pacing, and little sleep, Victoria requested a breakfast tray in her bedchamber. After a light repast of tea, toasted bread, and eggs-eggs she glared at wondering if they came from his hens-she rose. Wanting to be alone with her thoughts, she didn’t summon her maid, and dressed herself in her favorite forest-green riding habit. After ensuring that the much contested letter was safely concealed, she set off for the stables. A brisk ride always helped clear her mind and improve her mood, and heavens knew she needed both.

And it was all his fault. That doctor posing as a spy posing as a doctor. No wonder he hadn’t given her or their encounter three years ago a second thought. He no doubt had women in every town, village, and hamlet. She’d provided nothing more than a momentary diversion to an accomplished scoundrel. Recalling how she’d flirted with him at their one meeting, she inwardly cringed. He’d no doubt been highly amused. Well, she had no intention of amusing him again.

After Dr. Oliver had departed her bedchamber last evening, she’d locked her door-and shoved a chair beneath the knob for good measure-then spent hours poring over the letter, trying to find some secret meaning, some hidden pattern of words or letters, but could find nothing. How could a letter that spoke of nothing but art, museums, and the weather translate into a tale of danger and jewels? She finally admitted defeat when the words swam before her eyes from fatigue. But she would make another attempt after she returned from her ride, renewed and refreshed.

Even more frustrating than her failure to decipher the note, however, was the unfamiliar disquiet she felt. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d been so bombarded with conflicting emotions. Indeed, until this journey where she’d discovered the note in her luggage and then Dr. Oliver in her bedchamber, her life had consisted of a pleasant but unbroken pattern of Seasons in Town, summers in the country, and yearly holidays in Bath. With the exception of that stolen kiss three years ago, nothing extraordinary had ever happened to her, and her life had progressed precisely on the course she’d set for herself.

But now it felt as if she were being buffeted on storm tossed waters, her emotions awash in turmoil. Worry for her father’s safety warred with a sense of confusion, disbelief, and betrayal at learning of his secret life. Thrown into the seething tempest of her emotions was her anger at Father for treating her like a child. Dozens of questions buzzed through her mind, and by God, she intended to demand answers from him the instant she returned to London. How long had he been involved with the Crown? Had Mother known? Most likely not. Victoria could only imagine that such a revelation would have been met with a case of the vapors that spanned months.

Yet underlying all that was the undeniable thrill and pride she felt at asserting herself and standing her ground with Dr. Oliver. The teachings she’d absorbed from the Ladies’ Guide had served her well, and although she had to alter her plans to accommodate the new turn of events, she’d managed to set up a challenge for Dr. Oliver while still affording herself the perfect opportunity to exact her revenge on him. Forcing him to accept her help in his mission would ensure they’d spend ample time together so she could entice him to kiss her again. Then she would return to London, marry one of her earls, and take her place in Society as she’d always planned. Only this time she’d make certain it was a kiss, an encounter, Dr. Oliver wouldn’t soon forget.