Regency - Chapter 15

Beth felt the shift in Alec's mood. She couldn't quite explain it, but she knew something was changing between them. She just wished she knew what it was.

Before she could worry further, he removed his hand and lightened the mood with a question about their evening plans. He already knew, of course, that she and her family were engaged to go to the theatre with a friend of her mother's and the woman's two very eligible sons.

"I wonder how Tufton will manage to insert himself?" Alec said ponderously.

"Probably much the same way you will," Beth teased. "Attending with another party and coming to visit at intermission."

Alec grimaced. "Not very inventive, is it? Perhaps I should come up with a more interesting plan."

"Certainly. I think you should get yourself a mask and pull us over on the road, then trade our safety for an invitation to join us."

He laughed. "What a clever idea! But perhaps there is an easier way. I don't want to wait until intermission, fight my way through the rabid crowd, and only get a few minutes with you."

"Am I not worth the effort?" Beth was mostly joking, but his words stung.

"Of course you're worth the effort. You misunderstand me. Were that the only course available, I would brave any number of foolish dandies to get to your side, even if only for a moment. But I would rather find a way to spend the entire evening with you."

Beth's lips lifted in a tentative smile. "I would prefer that as well," she admitted.

Alec smiled and they walked in silence until they caught up to Alex and Arella, who had stopped to wait.

"Lord Watford," Arella said with her best pout. "Mr. Tufton says that it would be quite impossible for me to attend Vauxhall Gardens in the evening with a party of other young women. Surely he is mistaken?"

Alec shot her a smile that was more avuncular than anything. "Mr. Tufton is correct," he answered. "However, if you are in need of gentlemen to accompany you and your friends to Vauxhall, I would be happy to volunteer my services. I am sure Mr. Tufton would be more than willing to join us as well."

"Oh could we?" Arella could hardly contain her excitement and she bounced on her toes for a moment before remembering herself and restraining her joy to a level more acceptable for a her age.

"Certainly. Just name the evening," Alex answered gallantly. "Lord Watford and I will rearrange our schedules accordingly." He shot Alec a challenging look and Beth wondered if her old friend considered Alec a threat to his courtship.

The thought nearly made her giggle aloud. Clearly Alec only paid Arella the minimum of polite attention. Just because Arella was intrigued by his title and his lack of interest in her did not mean that Alec felt the same about her.

Of course, people in love are not always wise, she thought as she watched Alex's fierce but brief glaring match with Alec.

At Beth's subtle prodding, Alec broke eye contact with Alex and suggested they continue their walk. He pulled Beth forward rather forcefully before Arella or Alex could speak.

"I apologize for pulling you so roughly," he murmured when they were a few steps ahead of the others. "I did not want to give your sister a chance to suggest a change in partners. Perhaps I am flattering myself, but she was looking at me with rather too much interest today."

"She looks at you with interest every day," Beth answered quietly. "But I believe her interest is growing as your attention to her decreases."

"Does she think I'm playing hard to get?"

Beth pondered the question for a bit. "Very likely, yes," she decided.

Alec raised his free hand as though to run it through his hair, but paused before he could mess up his orderly blond locks. Dropping his hand, he shook his head. "What can I do to divert her interest elsewhere?"

"If you remain aloof and polite, as you are, I'm sure she will eventually lose interest."

"I certainly hope so." Alec paused for a moment. "You know, I didn't pull you away just so we could talk about your sister. I wanted to request your help."

"What can I help you with?"

"As you know, I followed Tufton last night. He did not just go to your house. He stopped at a very disreputable club first where he met with two very rough men named McGin and McGor."

Beth's brows furrowed in thought, but the names meant nothing to her. "I have never heard of them."

Alec laughed. "I did not think you had. What I hoped you might help me with is simply keeping an eye on your friend. He claims that he has changed and perhaps he has, but hanging around such coarse characters does not augur well."

"That makes sense," she agreed.

"I want to keep an eye on him. If he has changed, it will do no harm. If not, I do not want him hurting you or your sister, or any other innocent young lady."

Beth nodded.

"Will you help me watch him? He will make great efforts to be near your family, so you should have ample opportunity to keep an eye out for any questionable behaviour."

"I can certainly do that." Noting the anxiety in Alec's eyes, she placed her free hand on his arm, pulling herself closer to his side. "I think it's wise to keep watch on him. I hope you know how much I appreciate your concern for my family. Thank you, Alec."

"I am not as altruistic as you believe," he said, meeting her eyes with a heated gaze. "I do it for you more than for your family."

Beth wasn't sure what to say to his impassioned response. She could see, behind the heat, the need for reassurance, the need to know that he had a chance. She wasn't sure about her feelings for him yet, but she could at least provide some comfort.

"We have not known each other long, but I feel very comfortable with you. I already trust you and consider you my dearest friend. I cannot predict the future, but I see no reason we will not continue to grow closer with time."

It was the closest she could get to promising him her heart.