Regency Rakes 02 - Rescued By A Viscount (7 page)

“What? Never? How very controlled you are, Miss Belmont.”

She refused to acknowledge those words or the meaning behind them, so she ignored him and ran a finger down the baby’s soft cheek.

“Excuse me for a moment. There is a matter I must attend to.”

Simon and Claire nodded to Mathew, and then he left the room with the footman at his heels. At least one of her problems had gone.

“I like to be in control.” Claire knew she sounded defensive, yet couldn’t help herself.

“Surely there are times when you can let someone else take up the reins?”

She always felt he was saying one thing and meaning another. The man was very taxing to converse with. “I prefer to handle my own reins, thank you, my lord.” Claire took the tiny fist Georgia waved at her and opened the fingers to press a kiss on her palm.

“I have quite a steady hand on the reins, so I’ve been told, should you need to share.”

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Claire looked up into his twinkling grey eyes. “Can you never be serious?”

He did not answer straightaway, and Claire held her breath as she waited for a response.

“If you’ll remember last night, Claire, I was very serious.”

Babies presented the perfect opportunity to avoid answering difficult questions, so Claire ignored Simon and began to tickle Georgia under the chin until the little girl gurgled back at her.

“It constantly amazes me that such a small creature can captivate a room full of adults. She is a constant delight, isn’t she? I swear she holds my heart right there in that tiny palm.”

The sincerity behind his words touched Claire, and for that brief moment as they looked at Georgia, she knew they were of one mind. This little girl meant so much to both of them.

“It is no different for me, my lord.”

“I know,” he said and then handed her Georgia. “Don’t you think it grossly unfair that when she belches, moves her bowel, or makes a lot of noise, everyone applauds, telling her what a good baby she has been, yet if I did the same I would be run out of town?”

Claire had always kept her distance from Simon Kelkirk because there was something about him that unsettled her. He wasn’t like other men; he didn’t observe the correct distance when conversing or dancing with a woman, nor did he guard his tongue. In fact, he was the opposite of everything she strove to be, and she had never known how to handle him. He was the darling of the ton, perhaps because of his uniqueness and perhaps because everything he did was usually accompanied by a smile. Even the hardened old tabbies loved him.

Their relationship had started with her provoking him and had never really changed. He was to her like the stable master’s son had been growing up. He had thrown things at her, pushed her over and generally tormented her, and because she had thought him the most handsome boy she had ever seen, she had done the same back. Of course, she didn’t think Lord Kelkirk the most handsome man she’d ever seen; he just produced the same reactions in her.

“I hardly think that is something that should be discussed on a morning call, Lord Kelkirk.”

He studied her so thoroughly that Claire held her breath again, and then he bent down and spoke to the baby. “Aunty Claire will be gentle with you, Georgie. It’s just men she doesn’t like.”

“I…I do so like men!” Claire spluttered, clamping a hand over the baby’s ears.

She was subjected to another steady look. “So it’s just me you don’t like, then. I had wondered.”

Claire had worked hard over the years at not losing her composure. She rarely blushed. The few times she had, she’d been in this man’s company. She hated the heat that stole into her cheeks at his words now. It suggested he could unsettle her, which obviously, he did. “Perhaps if you were not hellbent on provoking me, we would not constantly be at each other’s throats,” she snapped, ignoring the heat in her cheeks. “And my name is Miss Belmont.”

He gave her a wide smile that showed off his white teeth and made him look far too handsome. Horrid beast. He knew what his smile did to a woman–not her, of course, but the more foolish of her sex. “Is that your way of telling me that if I was nicer, you would like me, Claire?”
“I neither like nor dislike you, Lord Kelkirk. We are acquaintances.”

Suddenly he looked serious. His eyes lost their friendly sparkle, a sight she had rarely seen. “I had hoped we were friends, Claire. Friends who are there for each other, should we be required.”

She suddenly felt warm all over, as if him saying he was there for her had lit a torch inside her and was heating all those places that had never been warm before. “Don’t…please.” Claire stumbled over the words as she looked down at Georgia nestled against her.

“Don’t what, Claire? Tell your brother I saw you in a distressed state yesterday and you will not tell me why? I’m concerned for you–can’t you understand that?”

She shouldn’t feel a rush of joy just because he was worried about her, she told herself. The baby must have felt the tension between them, as she started to fuss. Lifting her over her shoulder, Claire rubbed Georgia’s back. How did she answer him? “There is nothing wrong with me, Lord Kelkirk, and the reasons I was there are mine alone. Now if you will excuse me, I have neglected Eva for too long.”

She hurried to sit next to the duchess, who did not notice her agitation, having eyes only for the child she instantly took onto her lap. Ignoring Simon as he moved to take the seat beside her, Claire started to chat about the previous night’s engagement until tea arrived.

“How do you take your tea, Lord Kelkirk?” Claire said, looking down at the pot in her hands.

“Milk and sugar, Claire.” He said her name slowly, drawing out the single syllable to make it sound as though it had four. “And I will take one of those biscuits. Perhaps two,” he added.

Claire placed the cup and plate on the small table to his right.

“You are, indeed, kindness itself, Miss Belmont.”

“And you are are bloody irritating,” she hissed before she could stop herself. His laughter followed her back to her seat.

“Daniel has been called to Stratton, Claire, and I have decided to accompany him. We are to leave in three days.”

“How long will you be gone?” Claire said, looking at her friend. She would miss her dearly, and her daughter, too.

“Only a week or two but I had wondered if you would like to accompany us? Daniel thinks the rest will do you good.”

Claire replaced her cup on its saucer slowly. “Why does he think I need a rest?”

“He said he caught you yawning several times behind your hand last night, and that you had smudges beneath your eyes, if one got close enough to notice.”

He hadn’t said anything, but she felt the intensity of Simon’s gaze sharpen on her face as Eva spoke. Whereas before he’d been listening with one ear while his mind had seemed to wander, as most men’s did when women gossiped, now he was focused fully on the conversation she and the duchess were having.

“I had not realized I looked so haggard.” Claire tried not to make the words sound shrill, yet they did, anyway. She suddenly felt panicked. First Simon and Mathew, now Daniel. Had anyone else seen the smudges and yawns?

“Now, darling, you know that’s not true–it is simply that Daniel knows you better than most and was concerned.”

Claire felt small for her peevish behavior. She took the hand Eva held out towards her and squeezed it briefly.

“I’m sorry, and, yes, I have been a bit weary. Perhaps the break is just what I need. However I will need to ask mother first–”

“Ask mother what?” Lady Belmont sailed across the room. She wore her favorite color of blue, and her hair was immaculately arranged. As usual, she presented an elegant picture. Her smile widened as she saw Georgia. “Give me that baby at once!”

“The duke and duchess are going to the country for a few days and wished my company on their travels, Mother.” Claire realized she really wanted this break–nay, needed it.

Lady Belmont picked up Georgia and took the seat beside Simon as Claire poured her tea. “We have just received an invitation for the Botheringham house party, which is in three weeks, so perhaps a break now will do you good, Daughter. I think you should go with them and this delightful child.”

Claire felt her heart sink to her toes. House parties were horrible for her because if she was having a sleepless night, she was confined to her room in case other guests came across her wandering the halls in the early hours of the morning.

“We are all going to the Botheringhams’, aren’t we, Simon?” Eva said. “Lady Botheringham has asked that I bring Georgia, too.”
“I can hardly contain my excitement,” Simon drawled, looking at Claire.

Why, after so long in his acquaintance, was she struggling to find her usual poise?
Because he saw you in that lane and he suspects something, although he’s not sure what.
Suddenly, she felt exposed and vulnerable.

There was only one way to deter Simon and his suspicions, and that was to throw him off the scent. To do that, Claire needed to do what she always had. Provoke and challenge him, make him think of something other than seeing her in that lane.

“Of course you can barely contain your excitement, Lord Kelkirk–there will be everything you love at that house party.”

Simon uncrossed his knees and braced his hands on them, giving her his undivided attention. Grey eyes fixed on her face, he said, “And what do I love, Claire?”

Me.
Claire had no idea where that thought came from and quickly banished it as ridiculous. “Flirtations, food, and attention.”

Eva and her mother laughed, as she had meant them to.

“You think you know me so well, Miss Belmont?”

He was smiling, yet his eyes were still serious, and Claire realized that, in all honesty, she didn’t know much about him other than what she saw when he was in public. She knew he was the most loyal of friends to Eva and Daniel, and that he would protect both of them and their daughter with whatever means it took, but what else was there to this man?

“Of course.” Claire forced a laugh. “Have I not witnessed your behavior almost nightly for the past few years?”

More laughter, but not from him. He just gave her a gentle smile. “I hope there is a bit more substance to me than that.”

“Of course there is, Simon,” Eva soothed. “You are the most wonderful man I know besides my husband. Some woman will be extremely lucky to have you as her husband one day.”

“Thank you, darling, and I assure you that you are first equal in my affections, also,” he drawled.

“And who is the other lucky recipient of your adoration, Lord Kelkirk?” Claire held her breath as she waited for his answer. It wouldn’t be her, obviously, but the thought of another woman holding his affections did not sit well, for some foolish reason.

“My aunt,” he said with a knowing smile, almost as if he had guessed her thoughts.

“It is time you married, my lord. Perhaps I may offer a few suggestions to you?”

“Mother, I don’t think–”

Simon held up one hand towards her. “I would love to hear your mother’s suggestions, Claire. After all, I am not getting any younger, and she is a woman of great sense and discerning tastes…unlike her daughter.”

The last was said so softly that only Claire heard it. “I have great sense!”

“Pardon, dear?”

Claire waved her hand about and then gave Simon a foul look, which he returned with a smug smile.

“Miss Tarlton,” Lady Belmont said. “Her family is highly regarded, and she has pleasing manners, Lord Kelkirk.”

“Too tame for me, I’m afraid. I cannot have a wife who will trot about obeying my every command, Lady Belmont. As your daughter will tell you, I am already conceited.”

There was silence after this. Even Georgia appeared to be pondering the situation.

“Miss Stamford. She is beautiful and sweet-natured, yet has a strength to her personality that I am sure you will find pleasing, Lord Kelkirk.”

He replaced his cup carefully before answering, and Claire found herself leaning forward, eager to hear what he would say. Of course, she didn’t care whom he married or when.

“I could not sit across the breakfast table and bask in such unblemished beauty day after day, my lady. Miss Stamford has no flaws. Even the tone of her voice is melodious. Alas, I am a severely blemished man and could not hope to compete.”

“Now you’re just toying with me, my lord.” Claire watched her mother titter.

“Indeed, I am not, as my years are progressing, and matrimony is most definitely a consideration soon.” He looked at Claire again, his eyes running over her face before returning to her mother. “I will marry, Lady Belmont, but the woman I marry will be the partner of my choice, as I plan to spend the remainder of my days in her company.”

“Men always say such things, Lord Kelkirk,” her mother scoffed. “But inevitably, they find their clubs and other arenas of pleasure.”

Claire shot her mother a surprised look. She rarely spoke so candidly and never in company. Lady Belmont was jiggling Georgia but looking at Simon, her eyes deadly serious.

“Mother–”

“It’s all right, Claire. Your mother and I are well acquainted, and she can speak freely with me. In fact, I appreciate a woman who speaks her mind,” Simon said, nodding to Lady Belmont. “And I will add that my wife will never have cause to question my fealty to her. She will be the only woman with whom I share my home and heart.”