Page 129 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘You look serious,’ Simon said, leaning forward and stroking her forehead between her eyebrows. ‘What are you thinking about?’

‘How the course of my life changed completely in the space of one evening.’

‘It did, didn’t it?’

‘I suppose none of us can know what life has in store for us.’

They lapsed into silence, and Alice wondered if Simon was thinking about all the uncertainty in his life. She wanted him to see that he was not the only one who did not know what would happen. He might have the same condition that had killed his father and his brother, but equally he might not. Even if he did, it might not strike him down for decades. There were so many dangers in life; people were caught up in unpredictable scenarios all the time. Simon had reason to be more worried than most, but it did not mean she agreed with his approach to hold everyone he loved at a distance in hope that they would not suffer as much when he did die.

She looked at him and bit her lip. Despite her stern words to herself and her best efforts, she knew she was falling in love with Simon. She felt more than desire, more than physical attraction. She wanted more than he could offer her. It was a sure way to get hurt, but it wasn’t something under her conscious control.

Chapter Eighteen

The next week passed in a blur with one day running into the next. They spent a large proportion of their time in the bedroom. Simon could not keep his hands off Alice, wherever they were. He sought her out in the drawing room or at the breakfast table, and she was always as happy to kiss him as he was her. As the week progressed they stopped pretending to even try to do anything else and gave in to the pleasure of acting like newly-weds.

‘I need to get dressed today,’ Alice said on the morning of their eighth day together. ‘Mrs Phillips from St Benedict’s Orphanage sent a note yesterday saying she had spent some time thinking about what would be really helpful to the orphanage. She invited me to meet with her for an hour or so this afternoon.’

Simon frowned. ‘I have an appointment with my solicitor that I cannot miss this afternoon, to go over a few land issues that have come up during my absence.’

Alice trailed her fingers over Simon’s naked shoulder and then lowered her lips to kiss it absently. ‘It does not matter. If Drummond takes me in the carriage I will be perfectly safe. I will ensure he drops me off right outside.’

‘One of those street children had a knife.’

‘I think that is probably true of many people in our beautiful city.’

‘None of them have threatened you.’

‘That is true.’ She considered for a moment. ‘How about I take Frank Smith with me? He is young and strong, and his background means he is used to the tricks and schemes of the street urchins.’

‘I would prefer to come with you myself, but I suppose that is a fair compromise. With Drummond and Smith, you can hardly get into too much trouble.’

‘I promise to go straight there and straight back,’ Alice said, smiling. ‘No matter how many pallid pickpockets I run into and feel sorry for.’

‘No pallid pickpockets, and no diversions.’

She leaned in and kissed him, feeling a thrill of anticipation for the day ahead.

‘I shall be back home around five, then we have dinner with the Dunns later.’

‘Then, I have plenty of time to persuade you we should send our apologies and have dinner at home.’

‘You would choose to stay home every night of the week,’ Alice said as Simon’s arm snaked around her waist.

‘Tell me you’d rather spend the evening with dull old Mr Dunn droning on about the time he almost joined the navy or Mrs Dunn trying to pretend she has early knowledge of the fashions coming out of Paris, and I will admit defeat now.’

‘You are being uncharitable,’ she said as he pulled her down for a kiss.

‘You have a choice. Either we can spend the evening with the Dunns or we can cancel and I will count how many times I can kiss your body before you beg me for something more.’

‘You are not playing fair, Simon,’ Alice said, mock reproval in her voice. ‘You get to persuade me with kisses. Mr Dunn only gets his tales about the navy.’

He kissed her again.

‘When the stakes are this high, it is best not to play fair.’

Reluctantly Alice stood and moved over to the mirror. She needed to go to the modiste today too, after postponing her appointment for a fitting of a new dress earlier in the week.

‘I will consider your proposition, but now I am going to have to insist you leave. I have neglected my errands for too long.’