Whirlwind Affair

likely not the last.

Relieved that he'd settled everything back into the proper perspective, he took another step backward. 'My apologies, madam. I meant no offense. In truth, I thought you'd meant to kiss me.'

'And why would I possibly want to do that?'

Amusement, rather than offense at her question and tone, nudged him. 'Perhaps an American greeting custom?'

'Absolutely not. I'd merely intended to ask you something, in a discreet manner.'

'Ah. You wished to whisper in my ear.'

'Precisely.'

'And what did you want to-'

' Alberta! There you are, my dear.'

Robert turned toward the high-pitched voice. A short, plump, fashionably dressed matron walked crookedly toward them, trying without much success to control three small white dogs that seemed intent upon jerking her in three different directions. Even if he had not recognized the formidable Lady Gaddlestone, there was no mistaking her dogs, those mischievous little charmers he clearly recalled from the last time he'd seen them when he'd mentally dubbed them Sir Piss-a-lot, Sir Bite-a-bit, and Sir Hump-a-leg.

'Tedmund! Edward! Frederick! Cease at once!' The baroness pulled back on the leads, barely halting the trio before they dragged her past him and Mrs. Brown. One of the beasts promptly lifted its leg and watered a weed that had sprouted between the cobblestones. The other two pranced about, one eyeing his ankle as if contemplating a nibble, while the other regarded his calf with an unmistakably lustful gleam.

Raising his brows, Robert intoned, 'Sit.' Three canine bottoms instantly hit the cobblestones, and three sets of shiny black button eyes gazed up at him.

'Marvelous, Lord Robert,' the baroness said, her breath puffing in exertion. 'Although I must say it is quite vexing that the boys will listen to a near stranger rather than their mama.'

'Ah, but Teddie, Eddie, Freddie, and I are old friends, are we not?' Robert crouched down and tickled his fingers over their silky fur and was promptly presented with three tummies to rub. 'We enjoyed several invigorating strolls during your last visit to Bradford Hall.' He arose, much to the boys' dismay, and made the baroness a formal bow. 'A surprise and pleasure to see you again, Lady Gaddlestone. I was not aware you'd sailed on this ship. I see you are already acquainted with my sister-in-law's friend, Mrs. Brown.'

'Indeed. Alberta proved a wonderful traveling companion. A stroke of genius on my part, hiring her.'

Hiring her? What was the baroness talking about? He glanced at Mrs. Brown and noticed that although a blush stained her cheeks, she lifted her chin and regarded him with an expression that would have done Prinny proud, almost daring him to look upon her with disfavor for undertaking employment. Which he did not. Still, the fact that she had, surprised him. And whetted his curiosity.

Before he could think upon the matter further, the baroness continued, 'I would have been utterly inconsolable if she'd drowned this morning.'

Robert stared at the baroness. 'Drowned?'

'Yes. La, it was frightful!' A shudder shook Lady Gaddlestone's ample frame. 'The dear girl was hit in the back with a runaway winch, and over the side she went. Thank heavens the boys saw the entire incident. They nearly barked themselves into apoplexy. Captain Whitstead performed a brilliant maneuver and the crew pulled dear Alberta from the sea. Bless the saints she can swim like a fish.'

The baroness waved her hand in front of her face, and Robert prayed she wasn't about to swoon. He recalled that the baroness was not prone to draping herself artistically over a fainting couch and ringing for her hartshorn- thank goodness-and true to his memory, she rallied. Once assured that she was steady on her feet, he turned his attention to Mrs. Brown. 'I'm sorry you suffered such a terrible ordeal. Were you hurt?'

'No. Just frightened.'

'Oh, but you never would have known she was!' Lady Gaddlestone interjected. 'She was utterly marvelous, remained perfectly calm, bobbing on the surface like a cork. Heavens, I would have screamed like a banshee, then sunk like a rock. Captain Whitstead was most impressed. As for me, I'm certain I'd have succumbed to the vapors for the first time in my life if I hadn't needed to rescue one of the other passengers from the boys. All three of them quite inexplicably threw themselves upon Mr. Redfern's ankles! Oh, such snapping and snarling as I've never witnessed from my babies! Luckily Mr. Redfern was very understanding when I explained that all the excitement had adversely affected the boys' delicate constitutions. Of course, his trousers will never quite be the same, I'm sure.'

She drew a quick breath, then plunged on, 'Now we can only pray that dear Alberta does not suffer any lingering affects, such as a congestion in the chest.' She pinned a stern glance on Mrs. Brown. 'You must take a hot bath the minute you're settled, then take yourself off to bed.'

Mrs. Brown nodded. 'I-'

'And you,' the baroness intoned, swinging her gaze to Robert, 'shall make certain she is well taken care of until she is in the duchess's care.'

'Of course.'

'Excellent.' Lady Gaddlestone nodded, clearly satisfied that her dictates would be obeyed. 'Now I understand the duchess is close to giving birth. Has the child arrived yet?'

'Not as of this morning.' A laugh rumbled in Robert's throat. 'But Austin has already paced a ditch in the drawing room.'

'Well, I shall expect to be informed when the babe arrives so I may schedule a visit. I just adore purchasing baby gifts.' She gave Robert a thorough up-and-down inspection. 'You're looking quite fit, young man,' she proclaimed with an approving nod. 'Hard to believe, but I dare say you're even more handsome than when I saw you last. You've the look of your father about you. That same devilish gleam in your eye.'

'Thank you, my lady. I-'

'Perhaps you can cheer up Mrs. Brown a bit,' the baroness plowed on. 'Poor dear is still in the doldrums over losing her beloved David. Laughter is what she needs. I've told her at least a dozen times that she's far too serious by half, have I not, Mrs. Brown?'

Mrs. Brown had no opportunity to reply, for the baroness continued, 'She enjoyed the boys, however. They managed to coax a number of smiles from her. Remarkably pretty woman when she smiles, which is of course not to insinuate that she isn't remarkably pretty when she isn't smiling, which is sadly most of the time, but when she smiles she is very remarkably pretty. Tell me, dear boy, don't the duke and duchess have a dog?'

'Yes. They have-'

'Excellent. Canine company will do Mrs. Brown a world of good. And now, dear boy, tell me, are you married yet?'

'No.'

'Betrothed?'

'I'm afraid not.'

The baroness raised her brows and pursed her lips, and Robert could almost hear the gears turning in her head. 'Excellent' was all she said, and Robert was not certain he wanted to know what she meant by it. She glanced beyond Robert and waggled her gloved fingers. 'My carriage is ready to depart.' She extended her hand and Robert obligingly bent and brushed a kiss over her fingertips.

'Always a pleasure, Lady Gaddlestone. Welcome home.'

'Thank you. I must say it is a relief to have both feet planted back on English soil.' She turned to Mrs. Brown. 'I shall see you again before you return to America, my dear.'

'I hope so,' said Mrs. Brown.

'You may count upon it.' Giving the leads a slight tug, she set her brood in motion and was nearly yanked off her feet. 'Good-bye for now,' she huffed as she staggered away.

The instant he judged her out of earshot, Robert turned to Mrs. Brown and offered her a sheepish grin. 'I rather feel as if I were rolled over by a runaway carriage.'

Allie looked up at him, at his striking countenance, lopsided grin, and mischievous eyes, and her throat tightened. With his ebony hair and dark blue eyes, he looked nothing like blond, brown-eyed David, but his teasing manner, his easy smile… they were so achingly, hauntingly familiar. Clearing her throat, she said, 'Lady