The Scandalous Son (2 page)

            
 
Gage couldn’t believe his eyes! Leaving the art gallery to try to get a closer look at St. Vincent, he’d followed him all the way to the dance floor, where he was currently dancing with none other than the beautiful Alice Rutledge. That minx!

To think that just minutes ago they had been sharing a heart stopping kiss and now she was in the arms of his father, Jason St. Vincent, Earl of Devonshire!

              Gage was appalled by his anger. What was wrong with him? It was just a kiss, nothing more. But he felt like there was some sort of connection between him and Alice, maybe he was wrong. As he tried to get his emotions in check, he couldn’t help but be entranced by the way she moved around the dance floor. Her graceful movements and swaying hips beckoned him to come closer. As soon as the dance was over he made his way to Alice.

              “Excuse me, Miss,” he interrupted.

              Alice turned around and smiled once realizing who it was. “Well, good evening again.”

              “I was wondering if you were free to dance the next set with me.”

              “Why that would be delightful,” Alice beamed. “Mr. Albright, this is the Earl of Devonshire.”

”Good evening, Mr. Albright. You will no doubt enjoy dancing with this one. I know I most certainly have,” St. Vincent said as he lifted Alice’s hand and kissed it.

Gage was silently fuming as he led Alice back to the dance floor. But once he took her in his embrace for the waltz that was starting, he forgot about everything except for her.

              Being in Gage’s arms was like being in heaven. Alice silently wished that they could stay like this forever. She was positive that they were too close to each other and that his hand was too low on her back, but she didn’t care. His eyes were glued to hers. Those eyes were dark with some untold emotion. Alice had to look away before she did something stupid like kiss him again.

              Trying to make her voice sound normal she said, “You are a wonderful dancer, Mr. Albright.”

              “It’s all in who you choose for a partner.”

              Alice smiled at his compliment, and at a loss for words, she simply enjoyed the beauty of their dancing.

              The sun was overcast, but it was still a beautiful day. Alice smelled the flowers as she made her way past them. Each had their own unique smell and it was a favorite game of hers to try to guess the flower from simply smelling it. She was in the process of deciding when her thoughts were interrupted by his voice.

              “You make a lovely picture, just standing there with your eyes closed like your enjoying something private.”

              Alice kept her eyes closed, not ready to face him yet. “What makes you think that I’m enjoying it?”

              “Your lips,” he said as he ran his finger down her cheek. “They form this little half smile, like your keeping a secret just to yourself. Care to invite me in and tell me what you’re thinking?”

              Alice opened her eyes and started walking again. “Some things are too precious to be shared.”

              “Very true, Miss. Do tell me, how is the Earl these days? Quite well I assume?”

              “There is something to be said for the solitude of a private walk in the garden, Mr. Albright,” Alice replied. “You never did mention what brought you out on such a fine day as this.”

              Gage smiled, “Nothing but the pleasure of your company.”

              It was Alice who laughed this time. “Ah, why yes, how could I forget. One might even go so far as to call you charming.”

              Gage smiled in answer and watched as Alice paused at a white rose. She again closed her eyes and inhaled the perfumed scent. She then opened her eyes and proceeded forward. Gage continued to silently watch her as she repeated the action over and over again at each different flower.

              It was then that an older woman walked by with another older lady and the two looked positively chummy together. They were too busy talking to even notice Gage’s arrival.

              “And who would that be?” Gage asked after they were out of earshot.

              “The one with the gray hair is my Aunt Millie, and the brunette is her neighbor, Maurine Bixby. Maurine is the neighborhood gossip.”

              “Ah, well that explains it,” Gage smirked.

              “My Aunt Millie has graciously offered to help me this season. You see, Aunt Millie and her husband never had any children, so when he passed he left all of his fortune to her,” Alice explained. “She truly is endearing even if she does tend to spoil me a bit,” she smiled.

              Gage quietly admired Alice’s smile. She was captivating as she spoke. “Tell me about your parents,” he said.

              “Well,” Alice said as they continued to walk along the path. “My father was a captain for a shipping company for many years. My mother is a wonderfully sweet and gentle soul. It’s just the three of us and we lived comfortably in a nice sized home. That was until my father broke his leg one day while abroad his ship.”

              “Both the break and the healing process were very painful for him and he became a bit out of sorts. He couldn’t return to work and soon times got lean and we had to downsize to a smaller cottage. This is why they sent me to come stay with Aunt Millie for the season. It is their hope that I will land a nice young man with a secure future. They just want a better life for me. Oh, but listen to me, just going on and on. How bored you must be,” she said.

              “I could never be bored with you,” Gage said as he assured her with one of his charming smiles. “I’m truly sorry about your father’s accident and everything that transpired because of it.”

              They turned as the small path moved left and they found themselves in another section of the garden, a more secluded area. They came upon a bench and decided to sit for a bit before they kept going.

              Alice sat down first and arranged her dress so that it was spread out next to her instead of bunched up underneath her. Gage politely waited for her to get settled and then he sat next to her, purposely sitting just a bit too close to her. Once again, he couldn’t help himself.

              Alice sat quietly and gazed at the beautiful scene in front of her but Gage couldn’t take his eyes off of the heavenly creature sitting next to him. Her pale blond hair and blue eyes were captivating enough but it was her wit and charm that held him rapt.

              “So tell me,Mr. Albrigh
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”

              “Please, just Gage will do,” he stopped her.

              “Alright then, Gage,” she said, liking the sound of his name on her lips. “I’ve shared my story, would you care to even things out a bit and tell me about your family?”

              Gage sighed. “My mum actually passed away not too long ago and my father wasn’t really a part of my life,” he said somberly.

              Alice felt horrible for him. She couldn’t imagine losing one of her parents. “I’m so sorry, Gage,” she said as touched his shoulder, comfortingly.

              Gage liked the feel of her hand on him but he knew that he couldn’t dwell on that. “It’s alright, my mother was one of the best parents a child could ask for. We used to have so much fun, just the two of us. One day, we spent an entire afternoon at the park and just watched as the world went by. We would come up with these incredible, fantastically absurd stories about what they were on their way to do. It was lovely.”

              Before Alice could comment on his father, he got up and offered his hand. “Shall we continue on?” he asked.

              “Yes, I think we should,” she agreed as she put her hand into his. He released it once they were standing and they continued to walk down the path.

              It was easy to get caught up in her charm, and Gage was enjoying it, but the mention of his father has upset him. Thinking about his father put a damper on his mood and the remainder of the walk was a quiet one.

              “I’m sorry I put a damper on your stroll today, it was not my intention,” Gage apologized when they reached the house.

              “Not to worry, it was lovely.”

              “I do hope that we may again walk another time?”

              “Quite certainly,” Alice answered.

              Gage brought her hand up and lightly kissed her knuckles. “Good day, Miss.”

              Continuing his pursuit of his father, Gage had paid one of his father’s servants to find out his schedule for the day. After learning that he would be going to Hyde Park today, Gage had decided to go for a ride dragging Dermont along with him.

              Dermont was unaware of who Jason St. Vincent really was and Gage hoped to keep it that way for a bit. Gage knew that if he explained everything to Dermont then the questions would be never ending. His best mate was under the assumption that Gage had wanted to come to see a girl he had met the other night at the ball.

              Just thinking that made Gage’s mind wander to Alice and their walk yesterday. Scenes flashed before his eye
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her eyes closed as she smelled a flower, her little half smile, them sitting next to another on the bench, her hand on his shoulder, him kissing her hand when he left.

              Alice was a beautiful distraction and almost made him forget his plans for his father… Almost. But just as fast as he would forget, it would come rushing back with such force and remind him that she was also attached to the man that had ruined his mother’s life.

              And wasn’t that the problem. The one girl that Gage actually wanted to spend time with wanted another.  But he couldn’t blame her. As far as husband hunting went, James St. Vincent was a prime catch. She wouldn’t want for anything, just like her parents had hoped.

              Gage felt a burn in his chest at the thought of Alice marrying his father. Dispelling the notion, he turned his attention back to his friend.

              “I hate to say it mate, but you look damn good out of black today,” Dermont said cheerily.

              Gage stopped and stared at his friend. Dermont wasn’t flamboyant but he was constantly concerned about clothing and the latest fashions. Needless to say, he was always commenting on Gage’s wardrobe choices.

              Shaking his head in mirth, Gage kept going. “I’m delighted that you approve.”

              The two continued to chat as their horses walked side by side, leisurely strolling. Gage was waiting for a sign of St. Vincent.

              He was about ready to give up on his mission when a carriage with a familiar crest came into view. Gage’s heart picked up and he readied himself as the carriage moved closer.

              It was still a shock to Gage to know that he had a real father. For so long he had hated this unknown man and now he had a face in which to focus his hatred. But Gage hadn’t counted on the onslaught of emotions that he felt every time he came close to St. Vincent. Yes, hate was at the forefront, but there was a bit of admiration there too. Gage cleared his throat trying to dampen the unwanted feelings for the man.

              “Say, isn’t that the gel you danced with the other night?” Dermont asked, bringing Gage’s attention back to the encroaching carriage.

              Gage had been so distracted by his father that he hadn’t yet noticed the second occupant riding with him. But it only took one look to confirm Dermont’s question. Gage would know that blonde hair anywhere and he was only slightly surprised to see her with him.

              “Quite right you are,” he answered.

              “Sorry ‘bout that mate,” Dermont shrugged.

              “Don’t be too quick to count me out,” Gage countered.

              “Oh, this is going to be good,” Dermont laughed. “Wait, here they come.”

              Gage and Dermont stopped where they were while the carriage slowly rolled by. St. Vincent raised his hat in acknowledgment and Alice simply had a look of shock on her face before she quickly schooled her lovely features.

              “I was wrong before,” Dermont said after the carriage had passed. “This isn’t just going to be good. This is going to be so bloody amazing. I mean, did you see her reaction to you?” he laughed. “Perfection!” he said as they started to ride away.

              “Do you feel better?” Gage crassly questioned.

              “Almost there,” Dermont continued to laugh.

              Gage couldn’t help himself, he laughed too.

              Alice carefully collected herself before she turned her attention back to St. Vincent. She hadn’t been expecting Albright to be here and it had momentarily caught her unaware.

              St. Vincent had invited her to go for a ride in Hyde Park and she had quickly agreed. Who wouldn’t though?

              Alice had dressed in a light green dress, with pink and white flowers decorating the hem line. Her long hair was still visible underneath the beautiful ivory lace bonnet she was wearing. And her slippers matched the dress perfectly.

              St. Vincent had commented on her beauty when he’d arrived. Lifting her hand and placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles. That was the first time she had compared him to Albright, because Albright’s same kiss had sent goose bumps up her arms, where as St. Vincent’s hadn’t.

              But that didn’t mean that St. Vincent didn’t have anything going for him, because he did. He was wealthy, titled, handsome for his age, and he had impeccable manners, all of which were exceptional qualities for a potential husband.

              St. Vincent waved and said hello to a few people as they continued their ride and Alice simply smiled, not knowing who each person was. She had a feeling that this outing was more for his purpose than hers.

              They had actually stopped to talk to an older couple who were impeccably dressed. And it wasn’t until she heard them mention a house party that she really started to pay attention to what was being said.

              “We would love for you to be there St. Vincent,” the older woman said. “I’ll send you an invite this afternoon. And please bring this lovely young women with you,” she said as she winked at Alice.

              And that was how Alice found herself packing for a week long house party.