He certainly was being ridiculous. All they’d done was escape to the bell tower—and they’d kissed, but that was something Angelo would never know.

  Once they were on the walk, the coachman hurried off to retrieve the carriage. It was odd because didn’t the coachman usually remain with the carriage?

  Gaia decided not to ponder the matter as she was far more concerned with what Angelo may do to Lord Lydell.

  “Your companion did not remain with you, Gaia.” Angelo glanced to the young woman. “Perhaps she should be replaced with a servant who understands the importance of providing proper supervision.”

  Carina hitched an eyebrow, not the least bit intimidated by Angelo.

  “As you are not my guardian, you cannot decide who I have as a companion.”

  “A proper chaperone is present so that they can chaperone,” Angelo bit out. “Where was she when Lydell took you to the bell tower?” he demanded.

  “It was I who took Lydell up there,” Gaia argued.

  Perhaps she’d said the wrong thing because Angelo then turned his anger on Lord Lydell. “Yet you followed,” Angelo ground out. “Do you wish to see her ruined?”

  Lord Lydell straightened, shoulders back, chin lifted and stared into Angelo’s eyes. “You insult me, my friend.”

  The last two words were delivered so coldly that a chill raced down Gaia’s spine.

  Goodness, she certainly didn’t want Lord Lydell and Angelo to come to blows, or worse.

  Yes, she knew she shouldn’t have disappeared with him, and that Carina should have remained present, but Gaia truly hadn’t seen the harm. Further, she certainly didn’t regret what she had done, especially since he had kissed her so…

  Gaia quickly smothered the thought so she wouldn’t accidentally say anything since Angelo would take issue with what had occurred.

  “I was wrong,” she blurted out. “An error in judgement. Lord Lydell only accompanied me because I insisted on going to the tower and he didn’t wish to see me harmed or unprotected.” Oh, she hated to lie, but she’d hate it even more if Angelo blackened Lydell’s eye or bloodied his nose.

  “That is not the truth, Lady Gaia,” Lydell said as the corner of his mouth quirked. “You need not protect me from your brother.” He looked to Angelo. “Or your brother from me.”

  “How often have you lied to me, dear sister?” Angelo demanded.

  “Never!” she exclaimed. “This is a first and it was poorly done.”

  “Not so poorly that you haven’t had a bit of practice,” he responded with suspicion.

  “I swear, I only utter near falsehoods when Mother is being persistent and I promise something I have no intention of doing simply so she will move on to another subject.” Gaia drew an “X” over her heart. “I promise.”

  “Yes, well, we are both guilty of that habit,” Angelo muttered and looked back to Lydell. “Have a care and do not let me catch you alone with my sister again,” he ordered before he took a step closer. “Don’t make me regret that it was you who I chose to see to my sister and not one of my other friends. She was to be safe with you.”

  As Lydell’s carriage came to a stop before him, Angelo looked to Carina. “Do not leave her side.” Then with a nod, he sauntered down the street.

  “Something must be done about my brother,” she grumbled as Lydell assisted her into the carriage.

  The companion scurried inside and took her seat as far away from Gaia as possible before Lydell joined them.

  “He has the right of it,” Lydell offered. “We should not have been alone. I would not have your reputation called into question.”

  Gaia sucked in a breath. Was she now going to have to suffer through two gentlemen dictating what she could and could not do and censuring her on proper behavior? If so, she’d not have it.

  “Are you saying you regret our climb to the bell tower, Lord Lydell?”

  The corner of his lips quirked. “Not at all,” he assured her as the green in his eyes darkened. “However, it wasn’t wise.”

  “Enjoyable escapades are often not very wise.” Gaia turned to look out the window to the passing scenery. “Such a pity.” Then another question occurred to her, and she returned her focus to Lord Lydell. “Why did my brother ask you to tea and not one of his other friends?”

  Heat stole into his cheeks and while Zachariah would answer her honestly, he’d not tell Lady Gaia the whole of her brother’s reasoning. “He feared his other friends might bring harm to your reputation. He trusts…trusted me.”

  She leaned closer to him. “Then it is a good thing he doesn’t know what we did.”

  Zachariah shifted his eyes to the companion and prayed that she hadn’t heard.

  “I can assure you that Carina never speaks out of turn.”

  “Yes, well, has her position ever been threatened before?” Lydell reminded her.

  Lady Gaia frowned. “Carina, do you fear being sacked?”

  The companion turned to them and blinked innocently. “For what, my lady? You are the decorum of modesty and Lord Lydell is most respectable in your presence. If I continue to assure your mother that nothing untoward has occurred, I am certain she will keep me on.”

  Zachariah hitched an eyebrow. She talked as no companion he’d ever met. “How did you come to be Lady Gaia’s companion?” he asked out of curiosity.

  “We shared a chamber at school when we were only girls,” Carina answered. “When my father died and my family was ruined, Lady Gaia asked me to be her companion.”

  “She is also my friend,” Lady Gaia added. “And I wish her circumstances had not been reduced.” She turned to Zachariah. “Carina will not even let me introduce her. Had she been allowed to attend the functions in London with me, I may not have retreated to the wallflowers.”

  Had she not joined the wallflowers, Lady Gaia may have met someone, been courted, and then married. And while he felt badly for Carina and her reduced state, he was not sorry that Lady Gaia had avoided bachelors at balls.

  However, Bolton had trusted Zachariah, yet within three days he found himself alone with her and today had kissed her deeply. He mustn’t do so again, or he might lose his friend. Further, he certainly couldn’t count on the companion to chaperone.

  Yet, even as he vowed not to be alone with Lady Gaia or kiss her again, it was all he wanted to do, and more.

  “Will you be joining us for tea this afternoon, Lord Lydell?” Lady Gaia inquired.

  He would like nothing better, but it was probably unwise as Bolton was still angry. “I fear that I must return to my estate.”

  He noted the disappointment in her blue eyes and almost changed his mind and assured her that he’d be there. But he also knew that he could not spend the whole of his day by her side or her parents would expect a declaration that Zachariah was not yet ready to make. Therefore, he returned her and Carina to her father’s home and continued on to his estate. Accompanying him were thoughts lingering on the kiss he had shared with Lady Gaia and the almost immediate physical reaction.

  Their kiss had been far from chaste, but heated, yet that didn’t explain the shift that had occurred within. He was no saint and perhaps his reputation in Boston may have rivaled the one Bolton holds in England, but that kiss was unlike any he had ever shared with a woman before. The action may have been no different from any other kiss, but it usually took far more for his heart to throb heavily in his chest or his blood to heat. Thankfully, he had had two hundred and twelve steps to descend, which allowed his body to cool and everything to return to normal, for no doubt Bolton would have called him out.

  He wanted Lady Gaia. He wanted to pull her close, delve and explore every curve and bury himself so deep that they were truly one.

  Zachariah shifted as his clothing became uncomfortable.

  The only way that he could satisfy that need was if he were to marry her. But how the blazes could he even think of doing so when they’d had a total of four encounters.

  It was madness to even consider such.

  One did not marry because of desire and passion. One married for love!

  Therefore, he had but one choice and that was to consider the option of a mistress to at least satisfy his physical desires.

  Except none of the women he had met at the Courtesans’ Ball held any interest. Further, any satisfaction he received from such a union would be temporary because it was Lady Gaia whom he truly wanted.

  Zachariah pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned, having come full circle. He had only one option and that was to court her at every opportunity and either his desire would wane, or he’d offer for her.

  He then groaned a second time when he noted Bolton’s carriage in his drive.

  “Why are you here?” Zachariah demanded as he stepped into his library where Bolton had made himself quite at home by settling into a leather chair and sipping Zachariah’s brandy.

  “Did you kiss my sister?”

  Zachariah stared at him but did not answer. Instead, he crossed to the sideboard and poured a glass of whiskey.

  “I will take your silence as a yes,” Bolton said.

  Zachariah still did not answer but noted that Bolton was rather calm. Not nearly as angry as he had appeared in Bath Abbey or out on the walk. Had Bolton been given enough time to realize that he’d overreacted or was this the calm before he challenged Zachariah?

  “What are your intentions?” Bolton asked.

  Zachariah turned to him.

  “They are honorable.”

  “That is not what I asked. What are your intentions toward Gaia?”

  Zachariah looked Bolton in the eye in hopes of gauging his reaction to the answer. “I wish to court her.”

  “One kiss in a bell tower and you are set on courting?” Bolton nearly laughed.

  Zachariah said nothing, as he would never admit to the kiss that nobody had witnessed.

  “Perhaps you should engage a mistress because having been without a woman for so long has addled your brain.”

  “I’ve given it some consideration,” Zachariah admitted. “However, I have the same duty as you. Marry, heir and spare.”

  Bolton grimaced. “You don’t even really know my sister.”

  “Is that not the reason for a courtship?”

  Bolton tipped the glass back and took a deep drink.

  “Do you have objections to my courting Lady Gaia?” Was he good enough to be a friend, but not worthy of Bolton’s sister?

  “No,” Bolton quickly answered. “Surprised. When I asked you to tea and to dance with her at the ball, I honestly didn’t expect anything to develop and simply hoped you got on well enough that she’d stop being a wallflower.”

  “Then I will continue to call on her, unless you believe your parents will have an objection.”

  Bolton snorted. “They will be thrilled that someone is finally showing an interest and that Gaia is allowing the same.”

  “I will approach your father tomorrow.” Zachariah knew that he really shouldn’t embark on an official courtship without the blessing of Lord Dargate, whom he had yet to meet.

  Zachariah’s stomach churned. What if Lady Gaia’s father had an objection because of what his cousin had done and the gossip, or because he was an American?

  “I’ll speak with him today on your behalf. I promise that he will have no objection.” Bolton drank the rest of the brandy and then pulled himself from the chair. “A word of warning, however.”

  Bloody hell! What now?

  “You will not hurt my sister.”

  “It is not my intention to do so,” Zachariah assured the gentleman.

  “You will also behave honorably.”

  “Of course.” Zachariah narrowed his eyes. “Will you continue to follow and spy on us?”

  “Do you intend to kiss her again?”

  “I have not admitted to kissing,” Zachariah countered. “However, would you ever consider courting a lady you have not kissed?”

  “I would not consider courting a woman I have not bedded. Unfortunately, Society frowns on such.” Bolton chuckled, then sobered. “As for you, if I learn that any part of your body touched hers besides your lips on hers or her hand on your arm, you will live to regret your actions.”

  With that, Bolton turned on his heel and marched from the library. It was only after he was gone that Zachariah realized that Bolton had avoided answering the question as to whether he would continue to follow them.

  Though, perhaps it was for the best as Zachariah would be on his best behavior if he feared that Bolton could appear at any moment.

  Chapter Eight

  Gaia linked her arm with Carina’s as they left the milliner, quite happy with the ribbons she’d purchased. Carina had declined such frivolities and reminded Gaia that she was a companion, a servant. Except, when it was just the two of them, Gaia carried on as if they were friends.

  They were friends. The best of friends and the reason Gaia had insisted on Carina becoming her companion when her only other option was a workhouse, or worse.

  It was Carina who retreated to the position she had chosen for herself when there were others around.

  “Shall we continue on to the bookshop?” Gaia asked.

  “Yes, please,” Carina said. “I have already read everything in your father’s library, and I do not wish to do something so boring as embroidery while I chaperone and remain unobtrusive the next time Lord Lydell pays a call,” she teased.

  Just thinking about Lord Lydell warmed Gaia, and an excitement swirled in her belly. She’d never experienced such with anyone before and she anxiously anticipated where it might lead.

  “It is a shame Felix cannot join us in the parlor,” Carina mused. “Then I would have no need for a book or stitching.”

  “You are above a coachman,” Gaia gently reminded her friend.

  “No, Gaia, I am not. My father ruined the family. He was a barone who fell into bankruptcy, lost everything, and suffered a violent death that destroyed my mother.”

  This would be the first year that Carina would have none of her family for the holiday. Her mother had died last January after a long illness, which Carina blamed on her father for leaving them destitute.

  “I am sorry,” Gaia said.

  When Carina was going to be forced to leave school, Gaia’s mother had offered to pay for Carina to remain, but her friend refused the charity. It was then that the compromise of Carina being Gaia’s companion was struck, and her education continued. However, Gaia had never thought of Carina as a servant, only as a friend.

  “I have accepted my place,” Carina offered. “It is you who cannot.”

  She was correct, and Gaia knew that it was useless to argue with her friend. Neither one of them would change their mind on the matter and she understood Carina’s pride in accepting her need to earn her way.

  Once they entered the bookshop, the two separated. While Carina hunted for the next books that she’d like to read, Gaia wandered, and glanced at the shelves, though nothing caught her interest. With a sigh, she turned the corner and walked right into the chest of a man.

  His hands came up to steady her, clasping her elbows. An awareness swept through her being as warmth spread up her arms. Taking in a breath, Gaia looked up and into the green eyes of Lord Lydell.

  She’d known it was him before she ever saw his face. She couldn’t explain how or why, only that she had an awareness of his touch. The moment his hand cupped her elbow, she knew who she had bumped into. Had Gaia looked up into the face of a stranger, she would have been quite shocked.

  For what seemed like the longest moment, they simply stared at each other, at a loss for words, which rarely happened to her.

  “My pardon, Lord Lydell. I should have been more aware,” she finally murmured, still looking into the warmth of his green eyes.

  He smiled down at her, and Gaia’s knees grew weak.

  “I have no objection to you running into me.”

  Her face heated. They stood very close as he had yet to let go of her. Nor did she wish him to, except they were standing in a bookshop, and they were not the only people within. Pulling her gaze away, Gaia took a step back and put a proper distance between then.

  “I had not expected to run into you.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Despite what some may believe, we Americans do read.”

  Her face grew hotter. “I did not…it is that…” Blast she’d not meant to insult, and of course he could read.

  Lord Lydell chuckled. “I am only teasing.”

  Thank goodness, for she didn’t wish to fall out of favor with him, but this was the first time that she’d ever become flummoxed in the presence of another person, especially a gentleman.

  “Are you in search of reading material?” Gaia nearly groaned at her ridiculous question. Of course he was or he would not be in a bookshop.

  Lord Lydell was going to think her a ninny. Why didn’t she think to ask what kind of book he was seeking?

  “I find there is nothing else of interest at home,” he answered. “I spend most of my evenings reading.”

  While she enjoyed reading on occasion, the fact that he spent most of his evenings as such sounded rather lonely. “What do you enjoy reading?” She finally managed to ask a sensible question.

  “Anything, to be honest. Much knowledge can be gained from scholarly works, and much enjoyment from fiction,” he answered. “Are you looking for a particular book?”

  “I have no interest in purchasing a book today,” she answered, then watched as his smile slipped and questioning filled his eyes.

  “I am with Carina. She wishes for something to read,” Gaia quickly explained before Lord Lydell thought her daft for wandering about a bookshop while having no interest in books.

  “While I enjoy an adventurous tale, I prefer mosaic art.”

  “I understand that such can be viewed in the bath houses.”

  Her lips quirked. “Not viewing, Lord Lydell, but creating.”

  Gaia knew that it was an unusual pastime, but ever since she had first placed colored glass on an old tray as a child and then created a picture, she’d wanted to create more. Since that small project, her creations had grown with the use of not only glass but stone, tiles, and marble.