A Most Unconventional Courtship

Something turned hot and tense inside Chance’s chest and he hurriedly looked away across the garden to where Zagrede was lounging in the shade next to Frances and Helena. There was something familiar about that shrub…

‘Should I warn the Count about lying in that particular place?’

Alessa looked across and gave a gurgle of laughter that turned the heat to molten desire. He turned, and knew from the way the amused smile froze and faltered that she had seen his feelings in his eyes. To hell with waiting until they were back in England and she had found her feet. She thought he was not taking her seriously, she had just said so. That must be put right. He took her hand, feeling it tremble for a moment before she regained her calm.

‘Alessa, there is something I need to say to you. This not the place, but when we leave, contrive to walk at the back, with me.’ Could he trust what Voltar had said so surprisingly on those last few hundred yards up to the monastery? Trust your instincts, my friend, hazard a little, surprise yourself, he had concluded, his habitually mocking tone making light of serious advice.

She looked away, then down at her hand clasped in his. The little shiver ran through it again. ‘Why?’

‘Because I have a proposition to make to you, and I would like a little privacy to make it in.’

‘No.’ She said it quietly, but with a vehemence that shook him. ‘After what was said on the terrace yesterday, I can only assume you are mocking me. I made a grave mistake in allowing myself to…to yield to temptation to the extent that I did. I deeply regret it. But there is nothing else, nothing, that can be between us.’

Confused, he shook his head. ‘I thought from what the Count said that you might consider—’

‘Never! He has no business meddling, and he is quite wrong. I would never accept.’

Before he could stop her, Alessa wrenched her hand free and jumped down. Her face was pale beneath the soft golden glow the sun had given her, and her teeth were shut hard on her lower lip. She swept over to where the two older women were sitting, their backs to the courtyard, looking out over the sweep of sea.

‘Would anyone like anything more to eat, or shall we visit the church?’ she called, her voice light and cheerful.

She can turn down an offer of marriage, and sound so carefree? Damn it, how could I be so wrong? She did not even hesitate. Chance watched Alessa blithely rounding up the little party. How could I have misjudged her so?

How could he! How could I have misjudged Chance so? I never truly thought he would have cynically set out to make me his mistress. But the Count was right. Damn the man for interfering—hadn’t I been definite enough that I would not consider such a thing? ‘Do mind your head under this arch, Aunt Honoria.’ He must have thought I was protesting for form’s sake. The Count certainly has divined the truth of my feelings for Chance. ‘Here on the right, Frances, isn’t that a wonderful icon of St George and the dragon? Such rich colours.’ I was right that he was dangerous, and so wrong to give him even a hint of encouragement. ‘Ladies, we must stay here, although the men may pass through the iconostasis.’

Alessa told herself that she made an excellent guide to the little church, and was pleased to see a generous number of coins fall into the collecting box by the candles. Lady Blackstone looked scandalised when both her niece and the Count took candles and lit them, then Lady Trevick followed suit, exclaiming, ‘How very pretty they look; I really cannot see the harm.’

Although Lady Blackstone did not go so far as to light one herself, she did not protest when Frances added hers, turning instead to lay her hand on Chance’s arm ‘I see you do not follow the local custom, my lord. Perhaps you could assist me out—it is so very gloomy in here and the incense makes my head ache.’

Alessa heard her voice, low bu

t penetrating as the two ducked out through the door into the sunshine. ‘I must say I prefer the reverent simplicity of an English country church. But you do not light a candle?’

‘I do not think I am in a suitable frame of mind,’ Chance returned.

Alessa looked around, her lips tightly compressed against a word that would be highly improper in such a setting, and found Voltar Zagrede regarding her quizzically. ‘How could you?’ she hissed at him, taking him firmly by the arm and pulling him out of the church. Her aunt and Chance were talking over by the well, so she dragged the Count to the other end of the courtyard and behind a spreading tree.

‘My dear Alessa,’ he purred, ‘I am flattered—’

‘No, you are not,’ she snapped. ‘How could you give Chance the idea that I would accept a carte blanche from him?’

He shrugged. ‘But that was not my intention. I thought to indulge in a little matchmaking.’

‘How, exactly?’

‘I told him I thought you were very much attracted. Perhaps I gave him the wrong idea, exaggerated the extent of your passion, perhaps. But I will go and explain, make it right.’

‘You will do no such thing! I have already put right any misapprehension the Earl might be harbouring about my willingness to agree to what he wants, and I would be obliged if you do nothing, absolutely nothing, to interfere again.’ She knew she was being both rude and abrupt, but as the man seemed impervious to hints, and was a stranger to tact, only a bludgeon would do.

‘My dear, you have my pledge. Not a word will I utter.’ Zagrede lifted her hand and pressed it to her lips before she realised his intention. ‘I am your most devoted slave.’

A gasp behind them made Alessa turn, her hand still trapped in the Count’s. The three young women had emerged from the church and were all staring at her: Frances and Maria with expressions of delighted shock, Helena with a look of wounded betrayal. And to put the cap upon it, her aunt and Chance turned from their conversation at the well to see what the small stir was about.

Alessa snatched her hand free and stepped back, only to find herself virtually standing on Lady Trevick’s toes. Her ladyship smiled serenely, tucked Alessa’s hand under her elbow and strolled off towards the terrace edge. ‘Do come and tell me what the striking building I can see over there is, Alexandra dear.’

She pointed vaguely along the coast, lowering her voice and adding, ‘Do not be too discomposed. The man is an incorrigible flirt and I am certain you have not had the experience to either expect such advances, or know how to deal with them.’

‘I am sorry, Lady Trevick. Your daughters and my cousin saw…’