“Also correct.” His smile widened.
And he’d just stepped into the trap. “Then how do you intend to get the stones back? You can’t buy them and won’t steal them.”
The smile on his lips faltered. “You are troublesome, do you know that?”
“My father informs me daily.” She waved her hand to dismiss the charge. “Also, what do you gain out of this arrangement? I can’t see how it benefits you.”
He pulled her tightly up against him again. He was being rather persistent. “I am a destitute Earl in need of funds, with a unique knowledge of your stones’ whereabouts…”
Understanding dawned and her head snapped back. “You want me to pay you?”
He looked down at her, his gaze darkening. “A small finder’s fee. There are other benefits. Your father assures me that you will improve my social standing. Perhaps I could even marry a woman with a nice dowry that will rid me of my financial woes. But to make that happen, I will need some sort of financial stability.” His gaze darkened further. “And I am being gentlemanly…for a rake. I haven’t touched you in nearly any of the ways I want to.”
Her breath caught. She almost asked how he wanted to touch her but thought better of it. “You don’t need me to marry another woman.” She leaned further back to meet his gaze. It was likely a mistake but she couldn’t glance away from their dark depths. “Your looks and charm alone would provide you with the answer to your financial woes. Speaking of, why didn’t you marry rather than becoming indebted to the marquess?”
“You’re lovely, do you know that? Beautiful, well…endowed…intelligent. A man could lose himself to you.” He leaned in as though he were going to kiss her and then stopped a breath away. She was certain that she ceased breathing. No one had ever said anything like this to her. The fact that it was him, the most handsome and tempting man she’d ever met, made her nearly forget what they were discussing. But the jewels were important. She couldn’t be distracted. She needed to remember them, they were the only piece of her beautiful mother she could have back.
“That’s not a real answer.” She took a deep breath.
“It is. I get to spend time with you. That is the bonus out of this arrangement.” And then he did what he swore he wouldn’t. He kissed her. It was soft and achingly sweet. Just a gentle press of his lips.
Her knees buckled, his arms holding her up. She slid her arms about his neck. “You promised not to do that.”
“I did,” he was still so close, he filled all her senses. “And I am sorry that I broke it. But now I need you to promise me. Say that you will stay out of it and let me get the stones back.”
She hesitated for a moment as if she were really considering it. “I promise,” she whispered. But he wasn’t the only one who could tell a lie and break promises.
It wasn’t that she’d formed any specific plan. She hadn’t; but she didn’t quite trust him either. With all of this new information, she abandoned her plan to watch him from afar. With access to him, she could see whom he met with. Find out his schedule and keep an eye on him and use the information she learned to aid her investigation. She certainly had no intention of staying out of it.
He narrowed his gaze. “Swear it.”
She raised her brow, and sighed deeply. Ignoring the niggle of guilt pulling in her chest, she squared her shoulders to hide it. She would not feel guilty, he’d promised her not to kiss or touch her, both of which he’d broken. He shamelessly used her attraction to him to pull her off guard. And her purpose here was to retrieve those stones. She ignored the voice that said she liked his touch and she liked him, that was why she felt guilty. “I just promised. What would you have me swear on?”
He looked to the side, seeming to think, then he whispered close to her ear. “If I catch you breaking your promise, you owe me a kiss. A real one.”
Why did that only make her want to break her promise more than she already intended? Her guilt evaporated. “You are a terrible rake, do you know that?”
“I’ve been told.” He gave a casual shrug. “But you taste like nectar from a flower and I’d have a real drink before this business is done.”
Her breath caught. He knew she was lying and he didn’t care. She was both relieved and intrigued. He wanted to kiss her. She should be worried. She was making a deal with a man who’d just admitted to being a rake. So why had this entire business gotten more fun? She tried to remember the last time anything had been pleasant. Pleasurable.
But the thought of kisses, the knowledge that they’d continue this push and pull of wits, filled her with anticipation. The hope that he was telling the truth and could return the jewels made her lighter than she’d been in months. Or perhaps she could still find them on her own.
“So, I will pay you a sum and in return you will find my mother’s jewels?” She caught her breath at the next part. “As a cover, we will pretend to be courting?” It allowed her access to the potential thieves as well, though she didn’t share that part with Will.
“Correct,” he rasped in her ear.
“Promise me something too,” she said before she could stop the words.
“What?” he asked.
“I need those stones back. Without them, I’ve nothing of her…” she stopped, for the first time in months, she found herself close to tears again. “Please don’t fail me.”
* * *
Will’s chest tightened. Bloody hell, her large blue eyes were huge as she softly bit at her own lip. That light kiss was all he would allow himself. Because he had made a promise and he’d already broken it. But in that moment he wanted to kiss away her worries. “I will help you get those jewels back.” He gave her a squeeze before he shifted so that there was more space between them. She took several shuddering breaths next to him. “Would you tell me about her? Your mother?”
She was silent for a minute and then she cleared her throat. “She was beautiful.”
“I see where you get it from,” he said without thinking.
“Oh no, far more beautiful than me. Her hair was a much lighter blonde and her skin perfect. Even as she aged…” Rose trailed off. “She was kind to everyone and my father fell in love with her from the first moment they met.”
Will raised his eyebrows. She didn’t think herself capable of inspiring the same sort of affection. She hadn’t come out and said it, but it was implied. He supposed he hadn’t noticed the first few days he was here, but she’d gone out of her way to avoid him. To see without being seen. The moment Rose had stepped in front of him, he hadn’t been able to look away. He wasn’t in love, of course, but she was capable of inspiring a great deal more lust than he’d felt…possibly ever. “You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
She waved her hand as if to dismiss his words. “They loved each other from that moment, until the day she died. Their affection filled my life with love and joy, it surrounded us.” She paused and Will felt a stab of both pain for her and a touch of jealousy. His own childhood hadn’t been nearly so happy. “I know I should be thankful for the time we had. But since she left, I’ve been empty. Waiting to be filled and, I know they aren’t her, but to hold the jewels she loved so much would bring some piece of her back to me.”
If he could have, he would have dropped to his knees and pressed his cheek to her midriff. He’d promised to keep her safe but now, he wanted more than just her safety, he wanted to get the diamonds so that she might be happy. He wanted to hold her close and comfort her. “Rose, I swear—” he started but she stopped him.
“Thank you. You don’t have to say it again. You already promised.” She touched his cheek and trailed her fingers over his jaw. “I just wanted you to know why it was important to me.”
She backed away, but he wanted to continue to hold her close. A noise outside the door distracted him. He brushed by Rose and pressed his ear to the door. Two maids could be heard conversing. “More guests,” one murmured.
“Who is it this time?” another asked. “The hou
se is to near bursting with guests.”
“The Baron and Baroness Bridgeton but a duke and duchess are supposed to arrive later today,” the first maid said.
“A duke?” the other girl croaked.
The other answered but he didn’t hear her response. They had moved down the hallway. A duke and duchess had not been on the guest list. His intuition told him that they were connected to Barrington in some way. Why else would a duke unexpectedly appear at an earl’s house party?
“Who is it?” Rose had come up just behind him and her breath blowing on his back caused the hairs on his neck to stand on end.
Which was likely why, he tried and failed to come up with an adequate answer. “I…I…” he started.
“Who is the Baron of Bridgeton? Do you know him?” For the first time, since he’d met her, he wished she wasn’t so blasted intelligent. Once she’d become more adept at lying and, honestly, sneaking about, she’d make an excellent spy.
“Bridgeton is a…” Did he tell her the truth? He honestly couldn’t seem to formulate a falsehood, which was odd for him. She had just promised to stay out of it. “Former associate of the Marquess of Highwater.”
She gasped and her hands clutched his biceps. He both regretted and rejoiced his choice to tell her. Her touch, the heat of her hands, and the fact that she’d wanted contact with him in her distress made him want to turn and gather her in his arms. “Do you think he might know where my mother’s jewels are? Is he a thief? Are you well acquainted with him? Does he think you’re a thief? Does he know you were just indebted to the marquess? Do you—”
“Rose.” He cut her off as he gently pried her fingers off his upper arm so that he might turn and gather her close. “He might have some details that will help. He is dangerous, which is why you should stay far away from him. He does know about the debt, but he also likely thinks I am a thief.”
“But why—”
“Sweetheart,” he leaned down. “We should get down there so that I might greet him.”
“Oh yes,” she said, fisting his shirt against his chest.
He’d like to strip the shirt off and feel her fingers on him the way they’d been on his cheek earlier. “Let’s go.”
He stopped her. “I will meet you down there, and then as a man seeking your courtship, I can certainly stand with you. But, we likely shouldn’t leave my room together and travel about the halls.”
Her mouth fell open for a second before it curved into a smile. “Thank goodness you are still thinking clearly.” Then her hands loosened from his shirt and smoothed it in the most adorable way. “Shall I go first?”
“I think so,” his lips opened to add, my love, to the end. Love? Why would he think a word like that? He didn’t love anyone. Even his parents. They’d bore him because it was their duty to do so and they’d raised him for the same reason. They hadn’t been cruel, not even unkind. Just distant.
Without warning, she reached up and wrapped her arms about his neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed closely as she squeezed him. Lightly, she placed her lips against his. “Thank you for giving me hope.”
Then she unwound her arms from his neck and cracked open the door. Before he could say another word, Rose slipped out of the room. He had the distinct feeling that he didn’t want her to leave, that he’d like to keep her there forever. How absurd. Even if he hadn’t just considered marriage, this courtship was as fake as the rest of his life.
Chapter Six
Rose stood on the drive as the carriage came to a stop. Strictly speaking, guests were not required to greet other guests, though it was polite. A fact for which she had never been more grateful. She would not have missed this introduction for all the world.
Someone gave her back a subtle brush. She knew it was Will without looking. No one else touched her so and even if they did, her body tightened with anticipation, recognizing his touch.
Will…he was confusing her to no end. Half the time, her rational mind swore she shouldn’t trust him, while her more emotional side wanted to launch into his arms and stay there.
Thoughts of Lord and Lady Bridgeton flooded her mind as they exited the carriage. Lord Bridgeton was a portly fellow, balding and wearing spectacles. She nearly choked because he looked very nearly as she’d pictured Will might before she’d met him.
Even more astonishing was Lady Bridgeton. Twenty years younger than her husband, she was even more stunning than the widow, Lady Ashburn. Tall and fair the woman sparkled as she moved, a graceful smile set upon her perfect lips.
In fact, she was so beautiful Rose nearly missed the sparkling earbobs decorating her tiny ears. Rose would recognize those stones anywhere. A nauseating sensation spilled into her stomach. They were her mother’s.
A broken gasp fell from her lips before she could hold it in and her knees wobbled, threatening to cease supporting her.
“Rose?” Will’s voice was close to her ear, its deep rumble holding the question he didn’t actually ask. He placed his hand at her back again, holding her up. Thankfully, they were toward the back of the group and no one glanced back.
She turned to look at him, words failing her. His forehead creased and his mouth turned down as he looked at her. Somehow, his worry made her relax. Will would help her. “Her ears,” she mumbled.
He looked up and she watched his frown deepen. “Bloody hell,” he murmured.
“Exactly,” she replied. “What are we going to do?”
“You are going to dance and dine, and enjoy yourself.” He gave her waist a little squeeze. “I actually hope she’s got the entire set here. It will make our search easier.”
She started. To have the jewels back by the end of this trip? In her wildest dreams she’d pictured searching Will’s room and finding them there. But she’d never actually expected to find them here. Seeing them again brought a vision of her mother dressed to go out in the evening adorned with the jewels. Her memories sharpened as though her mother stood in front of her again. Rose reached her hand to grab Will’s. Thankfully they were toward the back of the group and no one seemed to notice. “Do you really think you could get them back?”
“Yes.” He was still leaning close to her ear. “Do you think you can stay out of trouble?”
That made her smile. Honestly, probably not. Though she did trust him far more than she had this morning but this investigation still belonged to her and, well, it was quite fun. With Will helping, she had this feeling that he’d keep her from any real trouble. When had this happened? When had she started believing in him? “I’ll do my best.”
He chuckled. “Remember the price if you don’t.”
She remembered. She thought about the feel of his lips, the things he’d said to her. Intelligent, he called her. Beautiful as well. “Hmmmm,” she murmured. “That would be dreadful.”
He gave her a grin but eased his hand from her waist. Part of her wanted to pull his hand back but that would be a foolish thing to do. Someone would notice.
Instead, the group moved inside and Rose did her best not to stare. It was terribly difficult. Those were her earrings, her family’s heirlooms, that that woman wore. The nerve.
Will said little and he didn’t touch her again which was for the best, though it also filled her with disappointment.
Several of the guests were greeting the newest members of the party when her father stepped up to her right.
“Are the last of the guests arriving?” he asked jovially. “It is Friday. Lord and Lady Perrault have been rather generous in allowing so many people to arrive so early.”
“Indeed they have,” Will answered in his usual affable tone. How did he do that? How did he keep his voice so calm and steady no matter the circumstance? “I’ve been friends with them for years and their generosity never ceases to amaze me.”
Lord and Lady Bridgeton approached and Rose’s spine straightened. She wished she’d asked him for lessons on how to remain so even-tempered. Right now, it was a chore just keeping the smil
e upon her face. How would she speak?
A piece of her wanted to scream, those are mine, and rip them from the other woman’s head. She would, of course, ruin her reputation completely, but it might be worth it. A quick glance at Will and she gave it a second thought. His brow furrowed as he gave his head a subtle shake.
The couple approached and Bridgeton greeted Will. “Lord Addington, always a pleasure.”
Will gave the man an easy smile. “And you as well. You know Lord Reagan and his daughter, Lady Rose.
“Of course,” Bridgeton tried to lift the corners of his mouth but failed and Rose watched as he glanced at the bobs in his wife’s ears. “I didn’t know you were to attend, my lord.”
Reagan addressed her father but when the marquess didn’t answer, Rose gave him a quick glance. Her father’s eyes were trained to the jewels sparkling in Lady Bridgeton’s ears.
Rose stepped forward. “I convinced him.” She pasted a smile on her face and took her lead from Will, the way he always pretended nothing was wrong. “I have to confess, that I heard a certain eligible lord would be in attendance.” She gave a little glance toward Will.
Lord and Lady Bridgeton gave a low laugh and she watched Bridgeton relax considerably. She was fooling the old git. “Quite right,” he murmured, giving her a wink. He knew those stones had belonged to her. Of course, if she’d confronted him, he’d deny it and say he bought them in a shop but now she was putting him at ease. It would make it that much easier to search Lady Bridgeton’s room later and—
“I must confess that I hope you are talking about me.” Will stepped next to her and the Bridgeton’s laughed again.
Rose looked over at Will. For a moment, she’d forgotten that she was supposed to allow him to find her jewels. Her chest tightened. What if he wasn’t successful and they slipped away again? Could she take that risk? “You?” She gave a tiny shrug, hoping it accentuated the curve of her shoulder. “Surely, I was discussing some other highly eligible lord.”
Dashing Dukes and Romantic Rogues Page 74
