“Very well,” he assured her, attempting to throw her off the scent. If Prinny believed it then why wouldn’t she?
Her hands rested on those lush hips as she cocked her head to one side and assessed him. “Why is the prince so well acquainted with a failing earl?”
He had to admit it was a valid question. Triumph lit in her eyes and he nearly grinned back. “I wasn’t always a failure.”
Chapter Five
Rose tried not to huff out a breath. She’d thought she had him. She’d backed him into a corner and victory had never tasted sweeter. Well, in fairness, he tasted sweeter last night when he’d kissed her. Like whisky and a hint of cigar, and something deep and masculine. Why was she thinking of that now?
He leaned in closer. She knew he was doing it on purpose. It distracted her and he knew it. Blast the man. “And, despite my recent lack of success, I still have many allies.”
“Allies who didn’t help you? Who allowed you to become a slave to a criminal?” She could barely think. If he touched her, she’d be done for. She tried to back up but his hand reached around her waist. “You promised,” she gasped, even as a ripple of pleasure made her knees weak.
“I did.” He pulled her closer. “There is more to the story, but I’m not at liberty to share it yet.” Her body came in contact with his and everything tightened. “But there is more I need to tell you today. I can find your mother’s diamonds.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and she found herself, once again, clutching at his shirt. Her physical response coupled with her intense desire to believe those words left her mind spinning. “What?”
“I was there the day they were auctioned and I have a pretty good recollection of who won them. I will get them back for you if you promise me two things.” He leaned further in with every word until they were so close, they could kiss if he’d only just tilt his head the slightest bit. Which should not have occurred to her. Because those jewels were all that were important. But her body didn’t agree and somehow the news he could find them made her want to be closer to him.
“You were there? You saw them?” She croaked out, her voice hoarse with tears.
He cupped her cheek with one of his hands. “I will get them back. But you have to promise me to stop investigating them yourself. Men are coming here who pose a real danger to you. I can’t have you getting caught up with them.”
That made her start in surprise. It cleared her mind of both the emotion and the attraction, though she still clung to him, his support somehow more important than lust. “Other men? The thieves?”
“Rose, stay out of it, remember?” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I know I already told you that your father has asked me to pretend to court you.”
She stepped back then, ripping away from him. “What does that have to do with anything?”
He reached out and gently pulled her back against him. She was acting like a skittish deer, and he was clearly trying to calm her. “He wants me to teach you the value of male companionship, and were I to guess, stir a little jealousy among some of the other eligible bachelors.” His lips were back at her ear, and she had to confess to be rather fond of the tickly feeling it created. “I don’t care his reasons, I want you to allow it so that I can make sure you stay out of trouble.”
Rose skimmed her hands up his chest, admittedly because she liked the way the ridges of muscle felt. “So you want me to allow a fake courtship that will not result in an engagement so that you may keep an eye on me? And you want me to stop pursuing the diamonds? And in return, you will find the diamonds and return them to me?”
He leaned back and gave a relieved smile. “That is correct.”
“But you’re not a thief?” she tried to keep her look innocent. “Just a destitute earl?”
“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 house 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 b
ecause 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?”
My Earl's Entrapment (Wicked Lords of London Book 3) Page 5
