The Rebellious Rake (The Notorious Nightingales #4)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“ I ’m sure you meant to nod,” Ivy said. “We will put our heads together, but I have a few names already that you may like.”

“No, thank you,” Flora said firmly. She turned, bracing a hand on the window ledge to look out as Ivy continued.

“Ramsey Hellion would make an excellent match.”

The hand slid, and she fell forward, banging her nose on the glass.

“What? Absolutely not. I will never again fall for a man who cares more about his appearance than mine, and he’s far too forward in his….” She waved a hand about, trying to find the right word.

“Ways?” Harriet asked.

“Advances?” Ellen added.

“Morals,” Flora added, unsettled.

She was subjected to four pairs of eyes with varying expressions of censure. Flora refused to squirm.

“He is a friend, and a good one,” Ivy said gently. “Ram is a man you can rely on and someone who will do anything for anyone. He is trustworthy. ”

“I’m sure he is. However, he is not the man for me.” Even if the memory of his kisses had robbed her wits and made her limbs feel weak. “I’m not even sure I wish to marry anymore.”

“Perhaps” was all Ivy said.

“After what happened the other night, I should imagine Ram has a great deal more on his mind than finding a bride,” Harriet said.

“What happened the other night?” Flora’s eyes went around the carriage.

“It was the day Alex showed Ram through the house. He left Crabbett Close on foot, and some men attempted to grab him again, but another stepped in to help, plus Curaidh,” Ivy said.

“Good Lord.” Someone had tried to harm Ramsey again on the day he’d kissed her for the second time. She pressed a hand to her belly, as it clenched. “But surely he was not foolish enough to have walked about London on his own?”

“You sound like Gray,” Ellen said. “And yes, he was, but the man who came to his aid was his uncle.”

Flora frowned. “I thought there were only two siblings? Ramsey’s father and a brother, I believe someone told me,” she added quickly, not wanting anyone to think she’d been prying into Ramsey Hellion’s life.

“Gray didn’t even know about him. He simply disappeared when Ram was a child. No one has seen him for years apparently, but it was he who stepped in. It seemed that after he’d helped Ram, he disappeared before he could question him further. Ram came straight to Gray and received a lecture that lasted well into the tea tray arriving,” Ellen added. “Curaidh was given a big plate of food, as he’d been a hero during the entire incident.”

“Dear Lord,” Flora whispered. She felt queasy over the thought of something happening to Ramsey .

“So they are now trying to find whoever is behind this?” Harriet said.

“Yes, we are. We hope that we get some messaging or Leo needs to find things.”

“I will help where I can, as will Charles,” Flora said.

“But it is much better now he is living closer,” Harriet said. “Everyone can keep an eye on him.”

“Pardon?” Flora looked around the faces.

“Ramsey moved into the property next to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. It’s almost diagonally across from 11 Crabbett Close,” Ellen said. “Surely you knew?”

Flora couldn’t get out a word, so she shook her head vehemently.

“Well, he has, and Gray is feeling more relaxed now that the Nightingales and Mungo can keep an eye on him,” Ellen added. “Plus there are the residents.”

“You have been out showing Charles around London, so perhaps you were not there when we had discussions about Ram moving into Crabbett Close,” Ivy said.

“That must be it,” Flora said calmly, when inside she was furious.

They moved onto other subjects, much to Flora’s relief. When she saw Ramsey Hellion again, she’d have a few words to say to him. She’d planned to purchase that house or lease it. Charles had even agreed.

“It was already furnished, so it took only Gray and Uncle Bram to assist him, as the others were busy. As yet, I have not visited, but I plan to soon,” Ellen said.

“It seems to have happened quickly, after all it was only two weeks ago he visited the house,” Flora said.

“Yes. After the incident with his uncle showing up, he decided to expedite matters,” Ellen said. She then leaned in to look at Flora. “You seem annoyed about this. ”

“Oh no.” She managed a smiled. “I hope he is happy there,” Flora added with no sincerity.

“I’m sure he will be,” Harriet said.

Soon Mungo was stopping the carriage, and they were on the street. Flora exhaled slowly and told herself it did not matter that Ramsey had purchased that house. If she’d wanted it, she should have moved faster.

“You’ll not go anywhere but this street nor talk to anyone you ought not,” Mungo said, staring down at them from his driver’s seat. “I’ll come by every twenty minutes until you need picking up.”

“Thank you,” Ivy said, smiling up at him.

“After this business with Ramsey, we cannot be too cautious.”

“We will show caution,” Cyn said solemnly.

The women then walked away from the scowling Scotsman.

“It’s best to agree with Mungo and then do what you want,” Ellen said after they’d left his hearing. “He feels like we are listening to him, then, even if we are not. It’s a game we’ve always played.”

Flora laughed.

“Oooh, it’s snowing,” Cyn cried.

Lifting her face, Flora realized she was right. It wasn’t falling hard, but it had started to snow.

“I love winter, but mainly when I am seated in front of a fire eating and drinking,” Harriet said.

“You and Alex are extremely well suited,” Ellen added.

Even with the conditions as they were, people were out and about wrapped in their warm clothes. Shop windows provided displays that lured shoppers in to look. Christmas was all around them, and it felt magical.

The buildings rising high above them and the rattling of carriages all made for an atmosphere she was unused to in Willow Hill, but she found she liked. Life there had been enjoyable enough, but here Flora felt like she was part of something. Something she’d missed out on most of her life.

In Willow Hill she’d been the youngest Thomas sibling. She’d done what was expected of her as the vicar’s daughter and behaved, for the most part, when she was in public. Here, she felt anonymous and found that appealing. She wasn’t walking past a villager who had known her since she was born and was happy to report her actions to her parents.

“That’s a nice smile, Flora,” Cyn said, taking her arm.

“I like being in London.”

“Because?”

“Because no one knows me but my family here,” Flora said.

“And that’s a good thing?”

“Oh yes. In the village where I was raised, everyone knew everyone’s business.”

“Ah, I see,” Cyn said. “And that made life uncomfortable after your engagement ended.”

“Yes.”

“Well put it aside now, dear. We are going shopping for gowns that will dazzle our men.”

“I have no wish to dazzle anyone, Cyn.”

“Very well, but you shall dazzle us.”

She was happy with that, Flora thought. She definitely had no wish to dazzle Ramsey Hellion. But she did want him to stay safe. Even though they’d kissed, she did not want to be another pawn in that man’s games. She enjoyed bantering with him, but there it would end.

Everyone said Ramsey was a gentleman, but he was not that with her. He was often scowling and saying things in a terse tone when she was near, which, if she was honest, she provoked .

The scoundrel was also living in her house, after telling her he’d never live there!

Also, this put him closer to her, and she wasn’t feeling at all comfortable about that.

The women entered the shop with the elegant cream facade and gold lettering in the window that stated it was Madam Florence’s boutique.

“Ah, Mrs. Nightingale.” A beautiful woman came toward them, hands outstretched. “You and your lovely ladies, come this way.”

Elegantly dressed in cerise, the woman led them to the rear of the shop, and as she moved, her musky scent wafted over them.

“Isn’t she exquisite?” Cyn whispered. “Everyone wants to look like that in a dress.”

“She’s so beautiful, it’s intimidating,” Flora whispered back.

When Flora left the boutique over an hour later, she was smiling. For a brief time, her worries had disappeared as she simply basked in the whole experience. She’d been draped in fabrics, and styles were discussed. She’d drunk tea from little gilded cups and eaten dainty French pastries. Never had she done anything like it. Right then and there, she decided she would make sure to do it again.

After that, the day took on a dreamlike quality for Flora. They returned home and entered to find the scent of the large tree filling the entranceway. The children and men of the family were busy making decorations. The ladies immediately joined them, and she couldn’t remember a time she’d had so much fun.

Biscuits were baked and hung, with many eaten. Garlands of popping corn were made and strung. Ramsey had come to 11 Crabbett Close when the ladies were out—a fact Flora was happy about—and brought four fans decorated with ribbons and sparkling paste gems. He’d helped the children hang those.

The adults were now standing with cups of mulled wine, looking at their efforts. It was surely the most wonderful Christmas tree in all of England.

“I think we need to stay in London, Flora.” Charles came to stand beside her when they’d finished the decorating. He slid an arm around her waist, and she leaned into him. “I think we need to be part of this family to heal.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Flora said, laying her head on his shoulder.