Chapter Three
Ruarke knew hehad badly botched his encounter with Miss Alwyn yesterday, and now he could not draw near her without her flinching or finding an excuse to skitter away.
Blast the girl.
But he was as much to blame for phrasing his intentions awkwardly and making her believe he wanted to have his wicked way with her.
Well, the thought of having her in his bed had crossed his mind. But that pleasure would remain firmly in his fantasies and nothing more.
He might look like a frightening beast to the girl, but he would not hurt her for the world. In truth, he was worried for her safety.
She had seen the ghost.
Perhaps he should have told her then and there, but how did one start such a conversation when they had never spoken to each other before?Ah, by the way, Miss Alwyn, that girl you saw by the Singing Caves does not exist. So, keep away from her because she is a phantasm who will lure you to your death the moment you draw near those caves.
That would have been interesting.
No, he could not tell her about the ghost.
Forbidding her to go near those caves ought to be enough.
Still, he needed to watch her and protect her.
It troubled him that she had seemed to be under the enchantment of the Singing Caves when he came upon her by the cliffs. She had taken forever to notice him, and might never have been aware of his presence had he not broken the silence.
Enchantment.
The term suited the girl, for she was beautiful. A quiet beauty, not the sort to make a grand entrance and dazzle everyone. But for him, her impact was more potent. The sight of her yesterday, her dark gold locks drawn back in a fat braid down her back, and her big eyes, as green as meadow grass, looking back at him, remained vivid in his mind.
Legend had it the caves were haunted by a young girl of about seventeen years who had dark gold hair and green eyes. Was she somehow connected to Miss Alwyn? Perhaps this was why he had been so disturbed by the sight of her standing by the cliff’s edge.
He needed to learn more about his aunt’s companion, but this would require their spending time together. That could not happen while everyone’s attention was upon him. Still, he was determined to find a way to be alone with her. He had no intention of waiting until next Wednesday afternoon to approach her.
“Miss Alwyn, get up and fetch me another sherry,” his aunt commanded, purposely sending her away as Ruarke strode toward them. “Go on! Move along, girl.”
The evening’s festivities were about to begin.
They were in the parlor, the men now joining the ladies after having imbibed their after-supper brandies and engaged in a hearty political debate. As the night wore on, they were to be regaled by an opera singer and afterward would organize into pairs to play cards.
“A moment, Miss Alwyn.”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace,” she said, looking down at her toes in order to avoid meeting his gaze. “Lady Audley requires her sherry.”
She scurried past him.
“Lazy girl,” his aunt muttered as he took what had been Miss Alwyn’s seat beside the old crone.
“She isn’t lazy, Aunt Lydia. I’ve seen how attentive she is toward you. She treats you better than you deserve.”
“And how does she treat you, nephew? Quite nicely, I’m sure. Have you got her into your bed yet?”
“I am warning you, Lydia. I will not hear a disparaging remark against her. If you chase Miss Alwyn away as you did your other companions, I will cut you off without a pence and discharge your entire staff. I’ll wager you won’t last a day fending for yourself.”
“How dare you threaten me? We are in company and anyone might overhear your boorish remarks. Do you wish the world to know what a brute you are?”
“Everyone thinks it already.” But he said no more, for he hadn’t approached her to provoke a confrontation. “Tell me what you know about the girl’s father, the former baronet, Sir George Alwyn, and his wife, Lady Alwyn.”
His aunt pointed her nose in the air and gave a disdainful sniff. “I know nothing about them. Why do you care? The man was not a peer. Who knows how he obtained his title? I would not be surprised if it was through his connections in trade. I am sure his wife’s family was no better. What has the conniving girl told you about them? She is one to put on airs.”
