A Lady’s Christmas Rake

by Andresen, Tammy

  A quick peek around Drew’s shoulder showed that Harry approached, his eyes hard on Drew’s back.

  “I tripped and fell,” Dani said, giving him a saucy glare. “Lord Maddox just made sure that I was all right.” Then she turned and continued down the hall toward the powder room. She needed composure now more than ever.

  Chapter Six

  Drew held the newel post with his hand and Dani with his gaze as she hurried away. Part of him screamed to follow, take her in his arms, and kiss her again until they both forgot reason or consequences. But the saner part of his mind held him still. He needed to sift through the deluge of thoughts and feelings.

  Marriage was for his parents and his brothers. He wasn’t going to let his family tell him the right way to live his life. He was tired of their advice. He’d live life on his own terms.

  The only problem was that he had not satiated his thirst for her, rather fed it. More interestingly, was that it did not frighten him a bit. Not that he was ever scared of passion, but commitment was another thing entirely and a man did contemplate experiencing real passion with a woman like Dani without understanding the two went hand in hand.

  His hand tightened on the post. He supposed some rogues didn’t understand that…perhaps, he was his father’s son after all. He frowned. What would his father think of what he’d just done? Why did he suddenly care?

  “What do you think you are doing?” Harry’s voice was low and menacing, sounding a great deal like their father’s. That didn’t fill him with resentment as it normally would. Instead, it was like a voice or reason ringing in his head.

  “Harry. How did you know that you loved Sophie? That it was more than just passion?” Drew didn’t look at his brother. Instead his eyes were trained on the spot where Dani had disappeared.

  Harry stopped walking, silent behind him until he finally cleared his throat. “You told me. Don’t you remember?”

  “Did I?” Drew looked back at him. “How clever of me. What did I say?”

  “You said that I couldn’t take my eyes off her because it was more than just a minor infatuation. That I wasn’t acting the part of rogue, but that I was falling in love.”

  “Be honest. Did you kiss Sophie? Before you were engaged?”

  Harry’s face spasmed. “Yes.” He paused, staring at the Christmas tree below. “I couldn’t stay away. The problem was that every touch just made me crave her all the more.”

  Drew’s chest tightened. He understood perfectly. “And now. Do you feel that way still?”

  Harry reached out and placed a hand on Drew’s shoulder. “More every day. I can’t get enough of her.”

  Drew looked back down the hall. Was that how this would be? With every touch would he just crave more? Was he in love?

  * * *

  Danielle smiled and nodded all through dinner. Her neck was liable to snap from all the nodding and her cheeks to break from the strain of faking her merry look.

  Festive decorations filled the dining room, and the fire glowed brightly in the hearth while candles danced with warm light all about. Happiness should have been easy. Two men paid avid attention to her, hanging on her every word.

  Drew sat silently at the end of the table, staring at her with a dark glare. It was not the heated glance of before, his eyes didn’t slide down her body, they bore into it. Perhaps he had cured his passion after all.

  She was inexperienced. Her lack of ability likely dried up his desire. Or one kiss was all he needed from any woman. But either way, his behavior toward her had shifted.

  She bit her lip as she stared into her lap. She found she didn’t like it. Not one bit. She missed his roguish behavior, wanted his heat and his passion. Drat it all.

  Neither Keene nor Marks made her feel a tenth of what Drew effortlessly inspired. She was doomed.

  As dinner finished, the men retired to smoke and the women to the music room. Danielle could have sighed with relief. She desperately needed a reprieve from suitors and, even more than that, she needed to talk to Sophie and Emily.

  She’d not tell them about the kiss, of course. But she could discuss her feelings. They would surely have some insight into how she should proceed with Drew and the other two men to whom she should give her attention.

  As they settled in, Danielle tried to decide how to begin the conversation, but Sophie spared her the trouble. “So, how does it feel to have three men panting for your attention?”

  Emily covered a giggle as Danielle rolled her eyes. “Oh please. No one is panting.” Well, actually, she had been earlier this evening but that wasn’t up for public discussion.

  “Drew is definitely panting.” Emily said, leaning forward. “I’ve never seen him like this.”

  Danielle froze even as hope swelled like the tide in her chest. She pushed it back down. “He’s a rogue. Isn’t his full-time occupation panting?”

  Emily and Sophie both laughed and even Danielle’s shoulders relax a bit. Talking helped ease the tension.

  “I believe his full-time occupation is landowner. A role he is quite good at. Bar mentioned the other day that profits are up and Drew will use his proceeds to purchase more assets. As a businessman, he’s following in the Maddox footsteps.” Emily tapped her chin with her finger. “And I have to confess, I’ve never actually seen him show any interest in a respectable woman before so…”

  Danielle frowned. “His attention distracts me. I can’t focus on either Lord Marks or Mr. Keene.”

  Sophie cocked her head. “Is it distracting because his attention makes you uncomfortable?”

  Uncomfortably warm and unbearably curious. “In a sense.” She scooted forward in her chair. “I can’t think about either of the other two men romantically when…” She didn’t know how to say she pictured Drew kissing her every time they were in a room together.

  Emily patted Danielle’s knee. “If Drew can distract you from Lord Marks and Mr. Keene then I doubt either of them are a love match for you. Not that they have to be. Many women marry a man who is a sensible choice rather than the one of the heart.”

  Her mouth turned down. Danielle tried to picture marrying a man who didn’t fill her with excitement and energy. “I suppose being around Drew makes it hard to consider the sensible options.”

  “Oh dear.” Sophie gave her a soft smile. “You feel for him too, Dani.”

  Danielle drew her brow together. “Don’t smile. It’s not as though anything good will come of it.”

  Emily sighed. “He’s my brother-in-law but I am afraid you might be right. I love him, but do not allow him to ruin you. And if anything inappropriate does happen, you must let me know so that Bar can set it to right. Their father has picked out some American woman for Drew but if he’s untoward…”

  Danielle’s insides twisted with guilt and jealousy. They’d chosen a bride for him? Dani closed her eyes. She’d already done enough to be ruined. What was more, she had every intention of telling no one ever. Logically, he was free to choose whomever he wanted but inside, her stomach twisted. The knowledge that he might marry another was worse than thinking him a rogue. “Much as I’d like to be married and settled, I don’t see how either Lord Marks or Mr. Keene is the man for me but I’ve no idea how to go about the rest of this trip knowing that’s the case.”

  Sophie’s mouth twisted in thought. “You’re not one to tell them straight out so I’d opt for the cold shoulder. They’ll get the message. Do stop smiling as though you’re deranged. It frightens me.”

  “Smiling like I’m deranged?” Danielle squinted at her cousin.

  “At dinner. You looked wild. I’ve never seen you like that before.”

  Danielle sighed inwardly. That’s because she’d never received a life-altering kiss before. “I didn’t know how to act.” She looked out the window into the inky blackness of the night. “I’m never going to find a husband, am I?”

  Chapter Seven

  Drew sat at the window not even pretending to pay attention to the conversation
. He was thinking about the kiss, Dani, his future.

  Mr. Keene’s nasally voice cut through the room, grating on Drew’s nerves. “Society’s problems would be cured with hard work. Plain and simple.”

  Marks scoffed. “Is that a dig on the upper class? I’ll have you know that lords work just as hard if not harder than—”

  “Bah,” Keene cut him off. “Look at that one over there. You’re telling me his face is all banged up because he was out working? No, he’s been drinking, carousing, probably fighting over some tavern wench or some such foppery.”

  Drew clenched his teeth. Why did Keene’s remarks bother him? The words were accurate, and he’d heard the barbs a thousand times from his father. Today, however, they dug deeper. While he worked and he worked hard for his financial future, what else had he done of worth? What was he doing of value?

  He didn’t have a chance to respond before Harry cut in. “You’d do well to remember whose house you are in currently, sir.” His brother straightened in his chair. “What Drew does is manage land that feeds over five hundred people.”

  Drew appreciated his brother’s words. Still, since meeting Danielle, his pursuits had begun to feel empty. Meaningless. Danielle had brought an awareness to his life that he hadn’t experienced in ages. How had he repaid that? By kissing her in a move that might have ruined her reputation.

  He deserved every word that his father had uttered about him. “Mr. Keene is right. I could stand to drink less and act more responsibility.”

  Harry’s eyebrows went up. “Are you feeling all right, brother?”

  Bar blew out a ring of smoke. “Of course he is. In fact, I’d say Drew has never been better. What do you say? Shall we finish our cigars and join the ladies?”

  A collective agreement rang out in the room. Drew frowned. He wondered if he could stand any more time with Dani. The woman drove him mad with her sparkling eyes and her soft lips.

  Of course, even worse would be to stay away while the other vultures circled her.

  He followed behind the other men, tension making his body taut and his stride strong. He flexed and unflexed his fingers attempting to relax. As they approached the music room, a jaunty ditty filtered down the hall. Someone was at the pianoforte.

  As they walked in, Drew spotted Dani sitting on the bench, her fingers flying over the keys, her face lit with excitement. His heart stopped in his chest. He loved seeing her so animated, full of life and energy; her enthusiasm infected him.

  Marks crossed the room and replaced Sophie as page-turner. Instantly, Drew realized his mistake in pausing to watch her. Now Marks sat close, looking at Dani as though he’d like to devour her. The tension returned full force and he started stalking toward the instrument.

  “Drew,” Bar called out, his voice quick and cutting. “A word.” His brother turned and headed for a quiet corner.

  Drew let out a long breath as he changed directions and followed Bar. “What is it?”

  “I could ask you the same. You’re acting strange.” Bar’s eyebrows went up. “It’s not like you to make such a public fuss over any woman. Let alone a respectable one.”

  Drew turned his head, cracking a bone in his neck. “No, it isn’t.”

  “What are your intentions?” he asked even quieter. “You have to declare or step aside.” Bar reached for his shoulder. “Not only for your sake and Danielle’s but mother and father will be leaving America soon and bringing you a bride.”

  “Bloody bullocks, they’re doing what?” Bile rose into his mouth. If he’d married, the choice would be his. No one else’s. He had to make a decision.

  * * *

  Danielle tried to pay attention to the music. Drew had disappeared out of her line of sight, which should have been a relief, but Lord Marks was clearly drunk and his hands wandered in all the wrong places while she played.

  He pretended to be turning the page, of course. But then he’d slide his hand over her arm, then her stomach. When he brushed one of them across her breasts, she faltered, sending out a shower of random notes that screeched across the room. All conversation stopped. “Pardon me,” she gasped out. “Perhaps someone else should play.”

  She started to rise but Marks’ hand came to her waist. “Stay. This is too much fun to stop.” And he pulled her back down on the bench.

  She gave her head a little shake, attempting to scoot away. “I think it best that I stop. I…” His hand squeezed tighter.

  “I disagree.” He pressed his chest to her side, his breath reeking of liquor. “We’ve only just started. I’d no idea you could be such fun. I may—”

  “I may break each of your fingers if you don’t remove them from Miss Frazier’s waist,” Drew said behind her, his voice even deeper than normal, rumbling across the room with a low fury.

  “Now don’t be like that.” Marks shifted to look at Drew, sliding his fingers down her hip. “We’re just getting to know each other, aren’t we love?”

  Before Danielle could answer, Drew had Marks by the collar and hauled him off the bench dragging him toward the center of the room.

  “Apparently you need a lesson in manners.” Drew’s hand was up ready to strike when Danielle regained her senses. The fog in her head cleared and she drew in a sharp breath.

  “That’s enough,” she called out, standing. “You’re not to hit him.”

  “Why not?” Drew looked at her, his brows drawn low, his face taut even as he barred his teeth. “What he did was disrespectful, and I’ll not stand for it.” He held Marks as the other man, clearly outmatched, struggled to rise.

  She cocked her eyebrows. She didn’t want to point out the irony, that he was the most inappropriate of them all. “You’re acting no better. Brawling in front of ladies. Let him go.”

  Drew shoved him to the floor but let his collar go. He straightened as he stared at her. “Fair point.”

  “Dani.” Sophie stood. “Are you all right? I never hear you like this.”

  “Like what?” Danielle asked but her voice caught. She knew what Sophie had noticed.

  “You,” Sophie started, her hand rising and then falling again, looking a bit like a butterfly. “You never tell anyone what to do.”

  Drew scoffed. “Please. She’s full of directions.”

  Sophie’s eyebrows went up, but Danielle looked away. She didn’t want to face the truth in Sophie’s gaze. She was falling in love with a rogue.

  Chapter Eight

  Drew lay in his room on the floor thinking. It had to be three in the morning, he should be asleep but he’d grown restless in the bed. Six months he hadn’t been able to touch another woman. He’d dreamed of Dani nearly every night, couldn’t keep his hands to himself whenever he did see her.

  He had to face the plain truth. He’d fallen in love.

  The question he asked himself now; what did he intend to do about it?

  He’d always enjoyed his freedom. Even more, he’d liked needling his father with his life choices. But he suddenly couldn’t remember why for either. Why be free and why torment his father? The man constantly told him how to live. Tried to force him to marry a woman he’d never met. So what? Drew was clearly strong enough to do as he chose despite his father’s distant interference. He was a grown man, and as such, he could let go of his childish defiance.

  Danielle might need him too. She was alone, shy, and quiet. He could help make her life better. If his parents had taught him one lesson is was the right partner could make you gloriously happy. He rarely gave his father credit for choosing a woman so well. His mother was the perfect man for his father. Not that he meant to allow his father to choose for him. That would not be happening.

  He rolled over. If ever a woman had that potential, it was Dani.

  After rising from the bed, he tugged on clothes and headed down the hall. He didn’t mean to end his walk outside Danielle’s door but suddenly he found himself staring at her closed door. Before he could change his mind, he knocked. Softly, he rapped twice more an
d waited.

  Several seconds passed before she answered, “Drew?”

  “Yes, love. It’s me.”

  The door opened a crack. He could see the crisp white of her night rail and the delicate skin of her hand. “I need to ask you something,” she said.

  “What?” He reached out brushed his fingers down the soft skin at the back of her hand.

  “Would it frighten you to know that I like it when you call me your love?” The door opened a bit further.

  “No.” He filled his chest, stepping closer, then took her hand into his. The door still blocked most of her from view, but her fingers curled into his. Her touch was all that mattered.

  “Would it scare you if I said that I wanted all of you?” she asked. “Not just your body but your heart too?” The door opened another inch and her face appeared framed by wood on either side.

  “No, Dani. It doesn’t scare me.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. As he pulled back, her mouth clung to his. His body ached with the control he exercised but he’d do treat her with respect. It was time to be the man he was supposed to be.

  She slid the door half open, her hand slipping out of his. “Tomorrow, I have to leave.”

  “Leave?” he asked, blinking. “Why?”

  * * *

  “I know who you are, Drew. I’ve always known. If you’re not afraid of my feelings than you’re even more dangerous to me.” If he’d been frightened by her growing affection, he might have left her alone. But she didn’t think she could stop herself from wanting him, allowing him to kiss her. If he didn’t want to stop either, she was doomed.

  “You don’t know everything.” He straightened up. “For example, you don’t know that I am considering marrying you.”

  She blinked. Was his statement of considering marriage supposed to make her feel better? “You’re at my door in the middle of the night. You’ve entered my room, you’ve kissed me in the hall. That’s three times you could have ruined me. I’m glad to know you’re considering protecting my virtue. How far will this go before you’ve made a final decision?” She pulled the door tighter to her body. Her spine stiffened and she notched her chin. She had to be strong now. “I can’t afford to wait for you to decide if I’m ruined or saved. I’ll leave to save myself.” Her chin trembled but she snapped it closed, clenching her teeth. “Goodnight, Drew, and goodbye.”