Whirlwind Affair

morning. You know how anxious they are to run in the park.' She beamed a smile at her babies. 'Don't worry, darlings. Mama promises to bring you for a nice, long walk this afternoon.' The boys' tails swished across the deck like a trio of mops at the happy news.

Warmth stole through Allie. She genuinely liked the baroness, whose bright green eyes and rounded elfin features reminded Allie of a grandmotherly sprite. She was grateful to the woman for hiring her as her traveling companion. Without the baroness, she wouldn't have been able to afford the passage to England. And there was no denying that the baroness's lively, talkative nature and her energetic pets had relieved some of the loneliness Allie had lived with for so long.

'You were looking for me, Lady Gaddlestone?'

'Indeed, my dear. I wanted a private moment to thank you for your excellent companionship on this voyage. My previous companion who accompanied me to America proved most unsatisfactory.' She leaned closer to Allie and confided, 'Several times I detected the odor of brandy on her breath. Most shocking. But worst of all, she had no patience with the boys. Edward, Tedmund, and Frederick could not abide her at all. Oh, that Mrs. Atkins was simply horrid, wasn't she, boys?' The baroness wrinkled her nose and shivered, and the boys narrowed their black eyes and growled their agreement. Allie could almost hear them saying, 'Yes, Mama, she was horrid, and if she ever dares come back we'll bite her ankles, chew her shoes, and piddle on her bedclothes… again.'

'But you, my dear,' the baroness continued, smiling warmly at Allie, 'you are what I call a 'dog person.' Not everyone is, you know.'

'I enjoyed your company as well, Lady Gaddlestone.' She looked down and winked at the trio of mischief- makers. 'You and the boys.'

'Yes, well, I hope you enjoy your visit to my country.' Her gaze flicked over Allie's black mourning gown. Sympathy softened the woman's features, and reaching out, she clasped Allie's hands. 'Clearly you adored your David, but three years is long enough to mourn, my dear. I understand perfectly that it's difficult to move on. Heavens, I never thought I'd recover when Gaddlestone passed on. But time does heal those wounds.'

Allie pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling. 'Some wounds can never truly heal,' she said quietly.

'I understand how you feel, my dear. But you're still young. Don't close your mind to the possibility of finding happiness again. The Season is well under way. A mere word from your friend, the duchess of Bradford, could offer you entree into any soiree you wished to attend. 'Twould do you good to socialize a bit.' Her gaze turned speculative. 'I recall you saying that the duchess's brother-in-law will meet you at the dock?'

'Yes.'

'Very handsome young man,' the baroness mused. 'Known him since he was a boy. Always high-spirited, and quite the charmer. Of course there was that trouble several years ago; some transgression or another…'A frown creased her brow. 'I cannot recall the details. I was traveling in the north at the time, and my mind isn't what it used to be. Most vexing.' Her expression cleared. 'Oh, but you know how these gossipy things flare up, then fizzle out once the next enticing on dit comes along. I remember most clearly that Lord Robert's incident occurred just before Lord Feedly's only daughter eloped with one of their footmen! Oh, such a scandal! That news usurped all else at the time, and reached me, even all the way up in Newcastle. And I do recall that Lord Robert's misconduct did not concern a young lady, so you've nothing to worry about. Lord Robert has always been a perfect gentleman.' She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. 'Naturally, young men are prone to find themselves knee-deep in at least one mishap, and this happened a long time ago. I'm certain he'll prove an entertaining escort during your journey to Bradford Hall.'

The baroness gave Allie's hands a final squeeze, then released them. 'Come along, boys,' she said. ' 'Tis time for your morning snack before we disembark.' As the boys pulled her away, she called to Allie, 'I'm sure we'll see you on the pier, my dear.'

Alone again, Allie reached into the deep pocket of her skirt, withdrawing the last letter she'd received from Elizabeth, who was now the duchess of Bradford. The brief missive had arrived two weeks before Allie sailed to England.

Unfolding the thick vellum, she reread the words, although she knew them by heart.

Dear Allie,

I cannot tell you how excited I am at the prospect of your visit. I am so eager for you to meet my wonderful family, most especially my husband and darling son. Unfortunately I will not be able to meet you in London as Id planned-but for a very happy reason. At the same time your ship is scheduled to arrive, Austin and I shall be awaiting the imminent birth of our second child! Indeed, by the time you arrive at Bradford Hall, I may already be a mother again. Please do not worry that your visit will be inconvenient. I recovered from James's birth with what Austin calls 'alarming speed,' and as you know, I am most robust. And do not worry about your journey to Bradford Hall. The estate is only several hours from London, and I have already extracted a promise from Austin s brother Robert that he will meet your ship and escort you here. I've enclosed a sketch of Lord Robert, and I shall give him one of you so that you can easily find each other at the pier.

I am counting the days until we see each other again, Allie. I've missed you so!

Wishing you a safe journey, your friend,

Elizabeth

Allie stared at those last two words that always brought an ache to her heart. Your friend. Yes, Elizabeth, you have always been my friend. If only I had appreciated and understood that more… I bless your forgiving nature.

Drawing a deep breath, she slowly slid the letter behind the second sheet of vellum and stared at the sketch of Elizabeth 's brother-in-law. Elizabeth 's considerable talent with charcoals had only grown over the years, and the image all but leaped from the page.

It would be easy to pick this man out of a crowd. She perused his features and her stomach knotted. He reminded her of David in so many ways… his crooked smile, his laughing eyes, the boyish charm so evident in his expression. Except Lord Robert Jamison was even more handsome than David, something she would not have thought possible.

She recalled Lady Gaddlestone's words regarding Lord Robert. There was that trouble several years ago; some transgression or another. What had he done? The instant the question popped into her mind, she shoved it aside. It did not matter. His past was of no concern to her. Nor did it matter what he looked like. He sparked no interest in her other than the fact that she wanted him to get her away from the docks and the menace she'd felt, as quickly as possible. Still, guilt pricked her at the thought of his wasted trip to fetch her.

How would he react when she told him she had no intention of traveling to Bradford Hall with him?

********

Robert Jamison stood on the pier watching the Seaward Lady's crew secure the majestic vessel to the berth. He dragged a deep breath into his lungs, and a smile eased across his face. Damn but he loved the docks. Loved the sight of crewmembers working in perfect unison hoisting sails and securing ropes. Loved the cacophony from the vendors hawking everything from meat pies to bolts of colorful silk. He even loved the harsh medley of smells that combined with the pungent salty air to create a scent that could be found nowhere else in England.

He scanned the faces of the passengers waiting to disembark, but saw no one resembling the smiling young woman in the sketch Elizabeth had drawn. Of course it was impossible to distinguish faces at this distance. Like everyone else meeting passengers, he waited at a safe distance away from the swinging winches unloading the travelers' trunks and the ship's cargo.

Slipping the sketch from his waistcoat pocket, he gazed upon the face that had piqued his interest from the first time he'd seen it months ago, when Elizabeth had given him the drawing along with a request to meet Mrs. Brown at the dock. It was one of the most attractive faces he'd ever seen-lovely not simply because of the pleasing features but due to the joy that flowed from her smile. The warmth and laughter shining in her eyes. And the sense of mischief and fun that seemed to radiate right off the vellum. He would have no trouble recognizing this woman in