Red Roses Mean Love

turned, she saw the two men talking in the distance. Stephen was scowling and she wondered what they were saying.

* * *

'A very unusual woman,' Justin remarked.

Stephen pulled his gaze from her retreating form and looked at his friend. 'Yes. Very unusual.'

'And extremely intelligent.'

'Indeed.'

'Quite lovely as well,' Justin mused, placing his boot into the stirrup.

Suspecting there was something behind Justin's seemingly innocent observation, Stephen said carefully, 'I suppose.'

Justin swung into the saddle. 'How old do you think she is?'

Now Stephen knew something was brewing. 'How the hell should I know how old she is?' he asked, unable to mask his irritation. 'And why would I care?'

'She did save your life, Stephen. I must say your attitude is nothing short of churlish.'

'Only because I get the distinct impression you're trying to make something out of nothing-'

'Not at all,' Justin broke in smoothly. 'I was merely stating the obvious, and wondering how old the lady is. You're just touchy. Quite touchy in fact.' A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. 'I wonder why.'

'There's no mystery to that. I'm in pain. My head hurts, my ribs throb, and my arm aches like all bloody hell. I'm stiff and sore and had a devil of a time getting dressed without Sigfried. By God, I'll never take my valet for granted again. Even though I firmly believe staying here is the best course of action, I cannot say I relish the thought of all this forced rustication with a houseful of noisy adolescents.'

'Well, you'd best get used to the noise, my good man. Either that, or teach them to be quiet. You are a tutor, you know.'

Stephen sent Justin a withering glare. 'Very funny.'

'I'll come back a week from today and fill you in on what's happening in London. If anything of importance develops before then, I'll either come earlier or send a message.'

'Thank you, Justin,' Stephen said quietly. 'I appreciate all you're doing for me while I sit out here in the country and do nothing at all.'

Justin cocked a single brow and cast a meaningful glance at the house. 'Is that what you're going to be doing? Nothing at all? I somehow doubt that very much.'

'I assume you're making a point?' Stephen asked in his frostiest tone.

'Yes. I quite like that woman, Stephen. I hope you keep in mind that you'll be leaving here in several weeks. It would be a pity indeed if Miss Albright were to lose her heart to you and then be abandoned. In spite of my teasing, it would be best if you left her alone.'

Stephen glared at his friend. 'Are you utterly mad? I have no intention of seducing her. While I'm grateful to her, she is not my type at all. She's too tall, too outspoken, and much too unconventional.'

'From what I can see, she's caring, artless, friendly, and warm. Your normal type is cold, calculating, and morally corrupt.' He regarded Stephen with a thoughtful expression. 'Perhaps I shouldn't be concerned that Miss Albright will lose her heart to you. It's more likely you will lose your heart to her.'

'Like bloody hell,' Stephen muttered.

'Think you have no heart to lose, my friend? That's what I thought about myself. Then I met your sister.' Justin shook his head in a bewildered fashion. 'Meeting Victoria resulted in a feeling similar to being stampeded by a herd of elephants.' He reached down and clasped Stephen's uninjured shoulder. 'Till next week, my friend. Good luck.'

Justin applied his knees to his mount's flanks. Stephen watched his friend disappear down the road. Walking slowly back to the house, he recalled Hayley's words. He's not really moody, arrogant and cynical at all. Just lonely.

A sound of disbelief erupted from his throat. Miss Hayley Albright might be intelligent, but she was way off the mark in her analysis of him. Lonely? Stephen shook his head. Daft is what she was. He had more people surrounding him on any given occasion than he cared to count. Valets, butlers, footmen, and other assorted household help dogged his every step.

In the evenings he was surrounded by members of the ton at whatever function he attended, and gentlemen gravitated toward him at White's when he visited his club. Sometimes even the clinging arms of his latest paramour stifled him. It seemed there was always someone demanding something from him.

Until now.

He paused, jolted by the realization. He glanced around, breathing in the subtly, fragrant flowers. Green grass and tall trees covered the landscape as far as the eye could see.

He was alone. No one kowtowing to him, bowing, scraping, eager to gain the Marquess of Glenfield's favor. The Albrights had no idea who he was. To them, he was simply Mr. Barrettson, tutor. They had opened their home to him with an unselfishness that amazed him. He'd had no idea such kindness truly existed. While he enjoyed the luxury his wealth afforded him, he suspected he might enjoy the temporary freedom from responsibility this stay in the country would allow him.

Unbidden, Justin's words jumped into his mind. It's more likely you will lose your heart to her. Stephen laughed out loud, relishing in the freedom to do so. What an utterly preposterous idea. He knew all too well that women were nothing more than devious, faithless opportunists. His mother was a classic example of such women-silly, frivolous creatures who engaged in illicit affairs and collected pieces of jewelry from their lovers. No indeed, no woman would ever win his heart.

No matter how lovely, kind, and intelligent she may be.

And certainly no matter how lush and kissable her lips.

No indeed.

SHAPE * MERGEFORMAT

Chapter 7

'Your friend Mr. Mallory was very nice,' Hayley remarked when Stephen returned to the patio. He noted the open book and cup of tea on the table in front of her. 'Have you been friends for a long time?'

Stephen lowered himself into the chair across from her and stretched out his legs. 'We've been friends for more than a decade.'

Without asking, Hayley poured him a cup of tea, and Stephen nodded his thanks. He actually had a hankering for a glass of port, or perhaps a brandy, but he doubted Miss Albright kept such things in her house. He had never drank so much tea in his life. He glanced at the book in front of her.

'What are you reading?'

'Pride and Prejudice. Have you read it?'

'I'm afraid not.'

'Do you enjoy reading?'

'Very much,' Stephen answered. 'Although reading for pleasure is something I don't often have the time to do.'

'I know just what you mean. It's not often I find myself unoccupied and able to simply sit and read.'

Stephen suddenly realized they were quite alone and that it was blessedly quiet. 'Where is everyone?'

'Aunt Olivia, Winston, and Grimsley took the children to the village for a shopping excursion.'

'You didn't care to join them?'

'No. I much prefer reading to the shops.'