Chapter Nine

“You look peaked tonight, m’lady. I have heard you left Lord Hanover’s indisposed yesterday evening.”

Rebecca forced a wan smile for Bradleaf. “Yes. I have not recovered yet, but Elizabeth insisted getting out would do me good.” In fact, she had chosen to go to the Drendens’ ball in hopes that a man would catch her eye and sweep her off her feet—right into a marriage bed before he realized her deception. Unfortunately, her heart wasn’t in the hunt.

His voice sounded strained. “I have also heard you left in the company of Lord Hanover.”

“He was kind enough to see me home.”

William shook his head. “His reputation is unsavory, m’lady. You must be careful.”

She bit back the hysterical urge to laugh. “He was a perfect gentleman, Mr. Bradleaf.”

“Surely you have heard the rumors?”

She lifted a brow. “Rumors?”

“They say he made the money to start his company by plundering vessels when his brother refused to share the family fortunes.”

“A pirate, you say?” She shrugged. “I had not heard that nonsense, but I cannot imagine it to be true.” She frowned when he took her hand, instinctively trying to pull away.

His grip tightened. “I beg you not to fall for his charms. Allow me to save you from yourself.”

Rebecca succeeded in extracting her hand from his. “What are you speaking of?”

“May I call on you tomorrow after I speak with Philip? He is your guardian while in Boston, is he not?”

“I suppose, but why must you speak with him?” She took a sip of her drink, trying to disguise her concern. There were few reasons why Bradleaf would seek out Philip, and none of them could be good.

“To plead for your hand.”

The punch sputtered from her mouth when she choked. When she had regained her breath, Rebecca stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”

“I want you for my wife.”

“You do not know me. We have met less than a dozen times.”

He placed his hand against his chest. “I know I love you.”

She snorted. “More likely, you love the thought of collecting the ever-growing pot from the local gentlemen’s clubs if you succeed in persuading me. I am certain my inheritance is added incentive.”

He looked wounded. “I had nothing to do with that ridiculous wager, Lady Stanhope. As for your inheritance, it would not matter to me if you had not a pound to your name.”

She grimaced. “There is no way to prove that, sir.” Rebecca tried to bite her tongue, knowing it was stupid to sabotage his proposal. Yet, the thought of being his wife and sharing his bed nauseated her. She could not accept him.

He took her hand again. “I must have you.”

“I would refuse any offer, so do not waste your time.” She snatched her hand from his and marched away. She paused to glance over her shoulder, catching the dark look he sent her before he turned and strode from the ballroom.

Rebecca stopped near a pillar, using it for support. She took a deep breath, then another, before her heart stopped racing. The confrontation with William Bradleaf had her rattled.

“I see you have a taste for rakes.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she whipped around to glare at Alex. “Must you creep up on me?”

He ignored her question. “You seem to have angered Bradleaf. I have heard he has a most unpleasant temperament. Among gentlemen, such tales run rampant.” Alex glanced off in the distance. “He is said to have peculiar tastes, and many brothels will not serve him because of damage inflicted to their girls. He is dangerous, Rebecca. Not just to soiled doves but to the foolish and naïve of society, as well.”

“Interesting that he was just saying much the same about you.”

Alex arched a brow. “Warning you off, was he?”

She shrugged. “And proposing.”

His light-blue eyes turned frigid. “Are congratulations in order?”

“Of course not. He is much too insistent for my tastes.” She shuddered. “I suspect he is one of the fools behind the wager circulating throughout the city.”

His expression warmed. “Ah, yes. Who shall capture the lady and penetrate her icy shell?” His voice lowered to a whispered breath across her bare neck. “We both know the answer to that, do we not, m’lady?”

She stiffened. “I thought we had an arrangement. My silence for yours?”

He waved a hand at the clustered groups. “None are near. Only your ears and mine hear of what I speak.”

Rebecca moved away as he moved closer. “I do not care to be reminded of the incident.”

He chuckled. “Tell me, do you waltz?”

“Upon occasion.” She gasped when he took her hand. “No, I…not here, with you.”

“Smile and pretend you are fond of me, m’lady.” He swept her onto the dance floor as the music for the waltz began. Most of the older couples had stopped dancing, but the younger ones threw themselves enthusiastically into the dance.

She held onto him as they spun around the floor, carefully following his footsteps. “Mama does not approve of this dance, so I have had little opportunity to try it,” she said the third time she trod on his dress shoes.

“You are doing fine. Do not concentrate on the steps so much. Look in my eyes and let your body feel the rhythm of mine.”

A blush swept across her cheeks as she immediately thought of a different type of rhythm. Their gazes locked, and time seemed to stop at that moment. She was aware of moving around the floor but wasn’t sure how they managed. All she could feel was his solid presence so close to her. She could smell him—this time a heady aroma of sandalwood and something unique to him that reminded her of their last time together.

“You learn quickly.”

She nodded, tearing her eyes from his. Rebecca took a deep breath as she realized how hot it was in the room. She took her hand from his shoulder to flick open her fan.

He frowned down at her. “Are you alright, m’lady?”

“It is unbearably hot in here.”

“Fresh air,” he decreed, leading her from the dance floor to the gardens outside. He pulled her down onto a stone bench beside him and handed her his handkerchief.

She blotted the perspiration from her face as she sucked in air. Nausea welled up, and she struggled to force it down. Rebecca continued to fan herself until she had a tenuous mastery of her body once more. “I apologize if we were a spectacle.”

Alex shrugged. “It is unimportant. Are you feeling better now?”

She gave him a wan smile. “I think I shall retire early once more. I see it was unwise to venture out tonight while feeling poorly.”

“I shall see that your sister is informed, as it would not be proper for me to escort you home two nights in a row.”

Rebecca looked up at him, sensing he wasn’t being honest. His words made sense, but there was a sense of falseness to them, as if he had other reasons besides what society might think for avoiding the task. Did he wish to avoid spending more time in her company? Was she so unpleasant?

She pushed back her hurt. “There is no need. I will find her myself.” She stood, intent on hurrying from his presence, but a wave of dizziness caught her by surprise. “Oh, my.”

“What is it?”

“I do believe—” Before Rebecca could sit down, she felt herself falling but didn’t reach the hard stone ground before fainting.