Rescue Me Please

by Nichole Matthews

  Persephone allowed herself to relax a bit and inhaled his wonderful scent. Sandlewood and a multitude of spices she couldn’t define that assailed her nostrils.

  Parker pushed off with graceful movements and made his way up the remaining distance to the landing to stand next to her. “Said that it reminded him of us when we were children.” He bowed beautifully to her, the epitome of graciousness, and she curtsied back giving him a tentative smile.

  “What a lovely story.”

  His father had been dead many years now, but he could still feel his throat close up at the memory.

  She noticed the slight twitch near his eye as he stared at the tapestry. “I can see that you miss him dearly.”

  He reached out as if to touch the tapestry but stopped short dropping his hand back to his side. “I will miss him until the day I die.” He turned to her with sad eyes that changed with a blink. “I didn’t meet you to bore you with old family stories, Persephone.”

  She stepped aside. “Don’t let me keep you from your destination.”

  His genuine laughter echoed in the cavernous hall and on impulse he raised her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. “But I have arrived at my destination, my dear.”

  She stiffened at the same time her startled gaze rose to meet his and he saw her telltale bush. “My lord?”

  He didn’t correct her this time for addressing him with his title. He knew that it would most likely take time for her to truly trust him. “I was coming in search of you, Persephone. We feared you had become irretrievably lost, never to be heard from again.” His blue eyes sparkled, one corner of his mouth tipping up in a wolfishly lazy smile. He leaned in and whispered, “There are tales from my youth of weary travelers wondering through these dark halls, never to be seen or heard from again.”

  “You’re teasing me, my lord.” Averting her eyes from his forceful gaze, she turned back towards the tapestry and replied, “I was only temporarily distracted by all the beautiful pieces, my lord.”

  He leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, just watching. “It was thoughtless of me to allow you to find your way through this monstrosity alone.” Amusement lit his eyes, then his lips quirked up. “My manners are sadly lacking.”

  Her brow furrowed, he was dallying with her, making her belly flutter. She raised her hand to her hair, touching one of the artfully arranged curls Nancy had pinned there and sighed. She had forgotten her hair was no longer hanging in limp shanks around her head. That she actually looked like a lady not a penniless beggar, gave her strength.

  “You look beautiful, Persephone.” When he spoke he dropped his voice.

  She wrinkled her nose as if she doubted his words.

  He just grinned. “Perhaps after dinner you would appreciate a look at our portrait gallery.” He wanted to prolong their time together. “Perhaps take a gander at some of the past Peregrine reprobates?” Somehow she appealed to him. Galahad? Was he only interested in rescuing her? That had never been the case in the past. Why would that inclination surface now at the ripe old age of thirty?

  Every fiber in her urged her to flee, to run back to her room and claim a megrim. Her hands fisted at her sides. I’m not a coward. I’m not a coward. I’m not a coward. “I would like that, my lord.”

  Parker’s big hand touched the small of her back, then slid to her waist, curving over the top of her hip as he turned her and her skin went cold. She froze, unable to move. She took a slow and steady breath, then another. I’m not a coward.

  He immediately removed his hand at her skittishness. “Persephone?”

  When she raised her eyes, his gaze was tender, concerned. She was amazed at how attuned he was to her reactions.

  He stood and folded his arms across his chest and waited with infinite patience. When she didn’t say anything, he rubbed his knuckles over her cheek. “Are you afraid of me?”

  Persephone stood there with her eyes wide, unblinking. Not moving until a flutter tickled her chest, like running her hands over the finest fur, this time not fear, which surprised her how quickly the feeling changed. She shook her head. “No,” she whispered, a slight quaver in her voice.

  “I desire most of all for you to not be afraid. I want you to feel safe.” He held out his arm and waited. No sign of impatience.

  She stared at his arm for what seemed an eternity, then laid her hand over the hard muscles and sighed with girlish longing. They made their way down the stairs surprised that she would long for any man’s touch after what she had endured. He guided her toward the Rose Room, the warmth of his hand still lingering at her waist. She was afraid that she would be unable to stand once she was no longer holding his arm. Her legs had turned to jelly at his touch. His touch comforted on a deeper level she didn’t quite understand. Just the polite gesture of placing his hand at the small of her back to guide her in the direction of their destination affected something inside her that had been paralyzed with fear for so long. She was surprised that such a simple action could have a profound impact.

  He cocked his head to the side and studied her. “Especially since I now know that you enjoy fine art.” He grinned. “Our gallery boasts some masterful renderings of my ancestors.” He slanted a playful glance her direction. “Do you like dogs, Persephone.”

  “Yes.” Her brow furrowed as she tried to figure out his reasoning and the abrupt change in topic. Paintings, then dogs? “I had a dog when I was a girl.” She lifted one red brow in question.

  To him she was still a girl. She seemed so innocent. “Where is your dog now?” he asked conversationally.

  She averted her gaze and tried to think of how to respond. “She was found dead one day.” Her eyes grew sad and her voice was bereft. “Her neck was broken,” she added without inflection.

  “Bloody he…” He stopped in the middle of their descent down the stairs causing Persephone to stumble. He caught her around the waist with an iron-hard arm to keep her upright and caught himself before he finished his words. “I’m sorry, Persephone.”

  “It was a few years ago now.” She shrugged. “It happened a few months after the death of my parent’s.”

  Her arm now trapped against his body was rigid and he could feel her hand ball up into a fist. “How old were you?” he asked, resuming their descent down the stairs.

  “Seventeen.” Her chest constricted painfully her eyes wide as they looked into his gentle blue gaze.

  “Still a girl,” he said in an even tone.

  She shook her head suddenly afraid that he could see into her soul. That he knew everything she had done. “Not for long,” she murmured tearing her gaze away.

  Parker frowned at her words, feeling the shiver that ran through her body. “I’ve thought of getting a dog.” He felt her relax at his turn of the conversation to what he hoped would be a more innocuous subject for her. He was right. He could see her breathing ease from the corner of his eye. “Poppy took her pug with her to Allingham Park after she wed. I hadn’t realized how much time I spent with the spoiled mongrel until he was gone,” he admitted.

  Persephone looked at him.

  “While you are here, would you be willing to assist me with choosing a suitable pet?” His eyes crinkled.

  “That’s not my place.” Her cheeks heated under his scrutiny and she looked away, suddenly uneasy with his attentions.

  He touched her hand and she stiffened and he instantly felt protective. “It’s only a dog, Persephone.” His keen eyes focused on her face.

  She paused on the stairs, forcing him to stop. “But it will be your dog. You do not need my opinion.”

  His eyes narrowed on her pale face. “It is always good to have a second pair of eyes, Persephone,” he said after a pause. “Other’s opinions put things in better perspective.”

  She stared down at where his hand held hers. The heat of his hand almost burned her flesh. She just breathed, in, out, in, out, over and over until the panic that threatened to rise subsided.

&n
bsp; He stooped down to eye level and looked her square in the eye, acknowledging her fears but not yielding at all. His blue eyes gentle. “You are safe, sweetheart.” He said in his soothing tone, watching her with observant eyes. Her size made him feel powerful. She made him feel as if he could slay all of her dragons. She was tangling herself into his life without any effort on her part.

  For a long moment she simply stared at him. He had a line between his brows and his mouth had tightened, but his eyes were level with hers and she knew he could see into her soul. Could see her heart in her eyes, he gave her no quarter. He gave her no space for prevarication, so she nodded and allowed him to lead her to the sitting room forcing one foot in front of the other. “Thank you.”

  He stopped and looked at her before turning to the only other occupant in the room. His rough-tipped fingers stroked over the back of her hand. “It is my pleasure.”

  “Aunt,” Parker greeted when he stepped over the threshold. He first saw to Persephone’s comfort. Insuring she was relaxed, sitting near Adele’s chaise on the rose velvet settee before he poured himself a brandy. He gestured to his aunt’s empty glass of Madeira. “Would you like me to top off your drink?”

  “Thank you, dear.” Her shrewd eyes followed Parker’s walk across the room, then she returned her gaze to where Persephone was situating herself on the settee.

  Persephone was overwhelmed by the room. Pink? She shuddered. Not her favorite color.

  Parker studied her reaction to the room. “Are you not a fan of the color pink, Persephone?” He slanted a glance at his aunt and smiled smugly. “I believe I have found a new champion for my cause.” The laugh lines beside his mouth deepened.

  “Oh pooh!” Adele swatted at him.

  Persephone tensed and looked at them with a furrowed brow. “Champion?” She shifted uncomfortably.

  “I advised my aunt not a week past that I intend to redecorate this parlor.” He nodded his head. “I feel that since my sisters no longer reside at Rosebriar, I would like to begin this project with this room and rid myself of this god awful color once and for all, but my aunt believes my sister’s would be devastated by the change and therefore I should leave it be.”

  “Why would your sisters be devastated, my lord?” She bit her lower lip as she waited.

  “This room was our mothers,” he clarified. “She died while giving birth to Piper and Poppy.”

  "I see.” Persephone’s eyes wandered over the room attempting to view the room through a man’s eyes. Pink velvet settee, chintz covered spindly-legged chair with tiny red roses and pink stripes, pink-veined marble fireplace. Definitely a room fit for a woman, not a man. But she also tried to look at it through the eyes of his sisters. It was more than a room; it was a museum of sorts. It was a portrait of who their mother had been and still was in their minds.

  “My father never had it changed even after her death,” he added. “Over the years we’ve just had it refurbished.” He looked around the room once more taking in all that it contained. All the memories that haunted each piece housed in the room. He hoped he hadn’t spoken to soon. Why did he have to feel anything?

  “It is a lovely room, but perhaps not suitable for a bachelor’s home.”

  Parker’s brow rose at Persephone’s confirmation and his lips quirked. “See aunt, a woman after my own heart.”

  “Have you thoroughly considered your sister’s reaction to the change, my lord?” Persephone tried hard to keep her tone light.

  “They no longer live here,” he reminded Persephone and his aunt.

  Persephone glanced at the portrait above the pink-veined marble fireplace. “Is that a portrait of your mother?”

  “Yes. That would stay.”

  Persephone bit her lip before she continued, “I had not taken you for a man to disregard someone’s feelings.” Her throat went tight as she braced herself for his disapproval. She had spoken out of turn. Had she given her opinion too readily?

  One corner of his mouth tipped up. “Thank you for pointing that out, Persephone.” His eyes narrowed, studying her face. “I would hate to lose your good opinion.”

  Adele watched their exchange with interest.

  Persephone lowered her eyes. “It is all they have left.” Her hands shook, so she locked them together to hide their trembling. “It is important to them.”

  He sat quietly as if considering her argument for his sister’s feelings. His quick smile was like glimpsing the sun on a cold, winter morning. “You have made a valid point, Persephone.” Parker caught her in his gaze. “I will give it heavy consideration before I make any definitive decisions to change.”

  Persephone raised her eyes and smiled, her eyes twinkling with pleasure. Her body warmed under his praise.

  Parker sat back and watched her glow under his minute praise, pleased with how easy it was to add a sparkle to her eyes.

  Adele reached over and patted Persephone’s hand. “It is so good to see you out of your room.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Persephone flashed such an obvious look of relief at being out of the room that Parker chuckled, a deep, soothing sound. He stood. “I feel like a new woman.”

  “I’m glad.” Adele smiled. “I thought we had agreed to be more informal?” Her voice low.

  Persephone watched in her peripheral vision as his tall, muscular frame moved to the chaise and lifted the delicate glass to replenish the Madeira before dinner was announced. He turned towards her and asked, “Would you care for some Madeira, Persephone?” Parker held up the bottle. “It is my aunt’s favorite.”

  Looking up, Persephone realized he had drawn much closer, he held her gaze for a moment as she considered his request. “A small taste would be lovely, Parker.”

  He filled the elongated tapered bowl one third filled with the rich wine and passed the stemmed glass to her before he sat next to her on the settee.

  Adele glanced sidelong at her. “Parker tells me you are from somewhere in Berkshire?”

  “Yes, Adele.”

  “Our Poppy lives in Berkshire at Allingham Park.” She smiled. “She married the Duke of Hawksley this past year.”

  “Congratulations,” Persephone said in almost a whisper.

  “We are so happy with the news of Gabriel’s birth,” Adele added.

  “Babies are such a blessing.” Persephone smiled.

  “Yes, my dear.” Adele beamed. “We are all on pins and needles for more information. I’m sure Hawksley is over the moon. A son. ”

  “Dinner, my lord,” Dobbins stated from the doorway.

  ***

  Anger coiled hotly in Granville’s stomach, a growing monster biding its time before bursting free. Where the fuck was she? Hell, he wasn’t thinking clearly. He rose to his feet so quickly, he slammed his chair back against the shelves behind his desk with a loud crash.

  He was running out of time. They were going to string him up before too long if he couldn’t contain this little problem.

  Fucking bitch!

  She made him look weak.

  He in turn would see that she looked weak. He lifted the whip that lay across the corner of his desk with his right hand and caressed the hard leather handle with his left. Then he expertly flicked his wrist and listened to the hiss, then crack as it stretched out in front of him. Soon she would bear another mark of his anger. Soon.

  CHAPTER NINE

  One, two, three, four, five,

  Once I caught a fish alive,

  Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,

  Then I let it go again

  Parker leaned back in his chair as a footman served an additional portion of lake trout onto his plate. He glanced up, the hint of a satisfied smile played at his lips. “Dinner this evening was caught by my own two hands, Persephone.” He wiggled the fingers on both his hands in front of him.

  Persephone couldn’t hide her smile at his proud statement. “It is quite delicious,” she commented before dropping her gaze.

  Parker’s sensual lips curled up at h
er praise even though he had not been the one to prepare the meal.

  “Are you boasting on yourself?” Adele questioned humorously.

  Parker winked. “If I don’t, then who will?”

  “You are a man full of many surprises,” Persephone replied, taking a bite of the fish. “You catch fish and rescue damsels in distress and their charges.”

  Parker studied her; then his lips curved in a faint smile. He was pleased that she was able to find humor even after her recent ordeal. The past week had definitely altered his daily routine dramatically, yet he was enjoying the intrusion.

  Persephone avidly watched the exchange between nephew and aunt with a smile in her eyes. She missed the easy camaraderie she had had with her parents and their relaxed interaction brought the pain back to the surface.

  She sat back, attempting to eat all the food on her plate, but the lump in her throat and her profound awareness of Parker sitting so close to her, made the task practically impossible.

  Parker watched her as she made a half-hearted attempt at eating. She pushed her food around, her nervousness obvious in the way her eyes skated to him constantly and her muscles tensed each time he moved. He was fascinated by the humor he had seen lurking behind her eyes. Her green eyes. He desperately wanted to kill the bastard who put the fear in them, masking their vibrant emerald hue. He cocked his head to the side. She charmed him with her fierce protectiveness towards her daughter, the mystery of where she came from, and her vibrant red hair. He was mesmerized by the red lights that flickered when she moved her head distracting him from his meal. His eyes narrowed. All in good time.

  Persephone felt the lump growing in her throat and put her useless fork down. She hoped this uncomfortable meal would end soon so she could escape to her room and have a good cry. She was a practical woman. She knew that the feelings flowing through her body were a reaction to his rescue, that had he not taken such great care of her and Tillie, she wouldn’t be feeling anything at all. She knew that the attraction she felt for him must be put aside, a thing to be taken out only late at night and romanticized upon.