Jacob looked at her. “Why did you run out of the kitchen?”
“I…” Nothing, absolutely nothing, came to mind.
“She caught her fingernail with the knife and was worried she’d cut herself but she’s fine.” Rex gave an easy smile.
She looked at him, her breath catching. Not only was he handsome as sin but the man was a complete liar.
* * *
Rex followed her back to the kitchen. His body a riot of pulsing need and watching the sway of her hips as she walked was not helping. Holding her hadn’t been wise either nor had it been very smart to watch her lick her finger. Though he’d go to his grave remembering what that luscious mouth looked like as she’d cleaned the digit.
I should just marry her. He gave his head a shake. He couldn’t marry her, it wouldn’t be fair. He had proven himself the worst kind of husband and Petal…she deserved the best.
But he could protect her from the rakes of the world. Who knew them best but a man who had been one? Been one? He was one currently. And protection would require him to stay in England. Would he have someone manage his Barbados holding the way his English ones had been run? Bloody hell, what was happening in his head? He blamed those hips. Those luscious, curvy, tempting-beyond-sanity hips. Or perhaps it was her mouth, whether licking things or throwing bards, it was a cacophony of delights.
He wasn’t marrying, and he wasn’t staying in England. He was returning to Barbados after his friend’s wedding to let the sun burn away his past regrets.
Returning to the kitchen, Jacob looked in the stove. “Looks ready,” he called.
“Time to stuff the bird?” Petal looked over at him, her luminous brown eyes so innocent. “We’ve rubbed the skin down already.”
He held back a growl of frustration. She’d licked her finger to torture him, was she doing it again? He pictured himself rubbing her skin down and then filling…
Her expectant look was completely innocent as she turned to him.
“Yes,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.
With a nod, she reached into the stuffing and then began to fill the duck. “Cooking is more fun when you’re not worried you’ll burn down the entire street.”
Jacob laughed. “All of Mayfair thanks you for the lesson, Rex.”
“No need for that,” Petal returned but rather than looking angry, she gave her brother a delightfully affectionate smile.
“Happy to help,” Rex answered, watching her finish. Then tying up the bird, he placed the entire pan in the oven.
“What should we make next?” Jacob asked. “How about cranberries? Or mayhap some pudding? It’s been ages since we had anything like that, hasn’t it?”
Petal gave a little clap. “Could we? Is that something you could teach us?”
He paused. No one cooked cranberries on a ship but how could he tell them no? Their matching looks of enthusiasm squeezed his heart and made him want to do more for them. “We could try.”
They both cheered and Jacob danced over, hooking his arm in Petal’s to give her a spin about. Rex tried to remember a more lighthearted moment in his past but nothing came to mind.
“Rex is the best. Rex is the best,” Jacob chanted.
Rex shook his head. He wasn’t the best but the words made him lighter. He tried to remember when he’d made a connection with other people the way he had with both Petal and Jacob. Not since Theo. And before that? Certainly not his parents and definitely not his wife. What would life be like if it were filled with this sort of affection?
Those thoughts were silly. He was returning to Barbados, the only place he’d ever been even close to happy.
But Theo would be staying in England. He was marrying. And Petal and Jacob? They had never been anywhere else.
Why did he have the feeling that all the warmth was in cold, rainy England?
Chapter Eight
That feeling of belonging there pervaded the entire evening. They ate what was decidedly a delicious meal and then retired to the library where Petal played the pianoforte, Jacob read, and he drafted a letter to Theo detailing the trip so far and his plans to leave in five days.
He left out the fact that Petal was the most beautiful woman in all of England, but he supposed that information was subtly present. He’d made mention of the fact that Lady Daffodil would be easy to match. So as not to alarm Theo that he was showing favor to the lady, he’d also said that Jacob would be exceedingly easy to tutor and was sure to be a success.
Finishing the letter he dusted the ink and then carefully folded the paper, placing a seal on the outside. Tomorrow, he’d hire a stable boy to deliver it. He’d also mentioned to Theo that he’d take Jacob to see his solicitor. He might be overstepping, a trip such as that was likely Theo’s job, but Rex wanted to start them down a better path. When he was gone, he’d know that he’d helped them back on their feet.
Gone. The word rang in his head to the upbeat tune that Petal played. It must be a recent number, he didn’t recognize it. He liked the melody immensely, however, and tapped along with his toe as he watched her hands move effortlessly over the ivory keys. He sat admiring her profile from his place at the desk. How many hours could he spend just so? A great many, he imagined.
Like everything about her, her playing was filled with an effortless grace, pluck, and joy that made him smile from deep down inside his chest.
His chin rested on his hand as he listened and watched, the rest of the room fading away. She swayed slightly, and a lock of hair slipped from her simple chignon, brushing her shoulder and resting across her chest.
He tightened as his gaze followed its path. He’d like to touch that hair, allow it to slip through his fingers as he followed its trail down her body.
By the saints, he was going to be damned to hell. His imagination, however, would not be tamed and he pictured slipping off her dress, exposing her skin. He’d like to kiss every inch of—
The music stopped and Jacob began a robust clap. “Bravo, Petal.”
Rex clapped too. “Delightful.” He met Petal’s large brown eyes. What he wouldn’t give to cup her cheek, brush his thumb along those petal-pink full lips. “We should call it an evening. I’ve a meeting with my solicitor tomorrow, and I’d like to take Jacob with me.”
“And then we’ll do house chores?” Jacob asked bouncing to his feet.
“Of course. A promise is a promise.” He stood and Petal followed suit, tucking the bench she’d been sitting on back under the pianoforte.
“Jacob, would you escort me upstairs?” She nodded Rex’s way before slipping her hand into her brother’s elbow.
Rex narrowed his gaze. He’d meant what he’d said earlier. They’d discuss Rathemore tonight. He now knew he couldn’t scale her garden wall. How was he going to talk with her privately?
* * *
Daffodil lay in bed listening to the silence. Well, truthfully she was listening for the sound that would break the quiet but she only heard the distant chimes of the grandfather clock in the hall.
Rex had said they would talk privately this evening. She wouldn’t seek him out, but she couldn’t fall asleep either. Would he come? A thrill raced down her spine. She clucked her tongue. This was the sort of thing she had to stop hoping for.
A light knock sounded on her door and she bolted out of the bed, flying across the room. “Petal?” Rex whispered, lightly tapping again.
She carefully turned the knob so that the door cracked open without a sound. Tamping down her excitement, she gave herself a tiny lecture. Return to being cold toward him. Do not do anything else to encourage him.
Then she rolled her eyes. Opening the door was likely encouragement enough. ”What is it?” she whispered through the crack.
“I wish to speak with you,” he replied.
“Rex.” She dared not open the door any wider. “It wouldn’t be wise to let you in.”
“I suppose it wouldn’t,” he said. Despite speaking in hushed tones, she could clearly hear him
. He must also be pressed against the door. That thought made her shiver. “But how am I to hear about what happened with Rathemore?”
She was silent for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “It isn’t a story I should share with anyone ever.”
“Tell me one thing tonight and then I will learn the rest another time. Did he do anymore than kiss you?”
He was so close, his breath blew across her cheeks. She could smell his cigars, the whisky he’d consumed, and his deeper male musk. “No. Just the kiss.”
“You’re sure?” His voice dropped low.
“I’m sure.” She paused, wincing, though he couldn’t see it. “I came to my senses in that moment.” Truth be told, the kiss hadn’t been very enjoyable. It was rather…wet and…slimy. She’d nearly thrown her reputation away or, worse, been saddled to a man who kisses were…repulsive. “Despite my momentary lapse in judgment in the kitchen today, I have behaved with the utmost decorum ever since.”
The issue was that she was drawn to rakes. She’d known Rathemore had a reputation, but she’d believed he’d changed. He’d told her about his great affection and immense respect. That was until his hands and mouth had been all over her. When she’d pulled away, he’d sneered and declared that he’d always known she wasn’t that exciting She should have been hurt but, honestly, she’d been relieved.
“How did you meet him to begin with? You’re not even out in society yet are you?”
The heat in her cheeks blazed to an inferno. She couldn’t tell him. “No, I’m not.”
“Then how?” The knob of the door pushed into her belly.
She allowed it to push her back, her thoughts on the past. “I don’t want to say,” Daffodil said, pressing her hand on her cheek to cool her skin.
“I told you that I left my wife and allowed her to die. Whatever you say can’t be worse than that.”
Her voice stuck in her throat. Clearing it, she finally answered. “He was my sister’s suitor.”
“That complete horse’s arse,” Rex growled out gently, pushing the door open wider and stepping into the room.
Daffodil shook her head. “I knew it was wrong. I’m a terrible person. But he said he loved me, and I thought he meant it.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “It’s why I cannot be around you, Rex. I don’t think I can make the journey with you. I can’t be trusted to make the right decisions.”
“Petal,” his voice was soft. “You were a young lady with no experience. He, however, knew exactly what he was doing. Everyone in London and probably all of England knows his reputation.” He placed his large hands on her shoulders. “You’re being far too hard on yourself.”
More tears flowed from her eyes. She wiped at them, trying to gain control. “Violette saw the whole thing. She was livid. It’s how my family found out, and I still don’t think she’s forgiven me.” Then something occurred to her. It was a terribly wonderful plan. “Maybe you can escort me after all.”
“Of course I can. You’ll not miss your sister’s wedding. Especially if she’s angry with you. That would not help.”
“You’re right. I can’t explain that I missed her wedding because I’d fallen prey to another rake.” He was holding her at arm’s length but she reached out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer.
He moved toward her. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just insult me so I can hear what you’ve got planned.”
“I only came to my senses after the kiss. So if I kiss you, maybe…” The rest of the words died on her lips. His chest brushed hers in her night rail. It allowed so much more sensation than her normal layers of clothing and her breath sucked in at the light touch. It was already wrong. Rathemore’s touch had made her shiver in revulsion when he’d gotten this close. But with Rex, the feeling running down her spine was pure excitement.
She’d already tilted her face up toward his and one of his large hands came up to cradle her cheek. He dropped his mouth to within a breath of hers. “Maybe what?”
She was powerless to do anything other than melt. “I…”
“Did you like the kiss?”
“No,” she answered, feeling as though her entire soul was bared to him.
The other hand, the one resting on her shoulder, slid down her back and stopped in the hollow. Their bodies pressed together. “Petal, when I kiss you, it will be the beginning not the end.”
His breath skimmed up past her nose, over her eyes, where he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then he slowly backed away moving silently out the door until it clicked behind him.
She hadn’t moved a muscle until the door clicked and then she looked at its massive wooden panels. When? He’d said when I kiss you not if I kiss you. Did he have plans?
Chapter Nine
Rex crossed the hall and closed himself in his room. His blood roared in his veins. Bloody hell that had been close. That woman was full of surprises. He saw a different version of her each and every time they met. He loved it.
He tossed himself into the chair next to the fireplace. Scrubbing his face, Rex knew he wasn’t supposed to love anything about her. He was just transportation. Nothing more.
How could she not understand how sweet and innocent she actually was? Everyone made mistakes. The important part was that a person learned from them, grew better for having made them.
His breath stopped. Could the same be said for him and his past?
Standing, he threw another log on the fire and then untied his cravat. It was a question too weighty for tonight.
After readying himself for bed, he slipped under the covers, preparing to sleep. The moment, however, the blankets weighed down on his chest, his mind replayed every soft touch Petal had just given him. Her aroma, like spring flowers, still filled his nostrils and the sounds she’d made replayed over and over in his mind. Her little gasps, the squeak she made when she didn’t want to share information.
Flipping over onto his stomach, he buried his face into his pillow. He’d never sleep at this rate.
Which was why the crowing of the cock took him by surprise a few hours later. He must have drifted off and he dragged himself out of bed. Being an early riser, normally he’d made an early appointment. There was nothing to do but get out of bed.
Besides, he didn’t trust Petal to make breakfast.
He dressed then made his way down to the kitchen to light the stove.
He was nearly done with breakfast by the time Petal arrived. She was back in her work clothing today and she carried a bundle in her arms.
“My apologies for leaving you to prepare breakfast,” she said. “I was attending Mrs. Fields.”
Her eyes were puffy as though she hadn’t slept either. “Good morning, and no worries. I enjoy the mornings and the cooking.”
She set down the bundle she carried into a chair and then glanced at the doorway, craning her neck. Stepping closer, she whispered, “About what I said last night…” She clasped her hands, twisting them over and over. “I shouldn’t have told you about Rathemore or any of it.”
“Yes you should.” He moved closer too. “Have you ever considered that you did your sister a favor? Rathemore is known for promising to marry eligible ladies and then ruining them. Your sister might have felt more compelled to submit to his advances because of the promise of marriage and then have been ruined. Now, she is marrying a duke.”
She started, her head snapping back as she met his gaze. “I hadn’t thought of that.” Then she gave him a wide smile. It lit her whole face as she threw her arms about his neck and pressed close.
He didn’t hesitate, pulling her against him so they pressed together.
Her breath stuttered and, just as suddenly as she hugged him, she pulled away, her palms rubbing up and down her skirt. “But I also should apologize for what I suggested…” She swallowed. “Though you claimed to be a rake, it is I who acted inappropriately.”
He chuckled. “This is new for me and I rather like it.” He reached for one of her hands. “Your hear
t was in the right place, unlike mine on many, many occasions.” He’d not share the number of women who decorated his past. “But I would appreciate that you not ask me to kiss you again. Next time, I don’t know I’ll be able to say no.”
Her cheeks turned the loveliest shade of pink as she gave a stiff nod. “Of course.”
“Breakfast is nearly ready. Can you wake Jacob and bring a tray to Mrs. Fields?” He turned back to the stove as he heard her leave the kitchen. She might have been right when she said travelling together was a bad idea. How would he spend two days trapped in a carriage with her and not kiss her senseless?
They ate their breakfast in a companionable silence and then he and Jacob left. It was a short carriage ride to his solicitor’s office and the streets were quiet as they made their way.
Jacob sat next to him, unusually quiet.
“Get any sleep last night?” Rex eyed the boy from the corner of his gaze as he drove.
“I did all right.” Jacob shifted in his seat. “What is the solicitor going to tell me today?”
“Well…” Rex glanced over. Jacob’s face was drawn in tight lines. “He mostly gives legal advice in terms of drawing up contracts and helping me to acquire property, etcetera. Today I am purchasing a coal mine. I believe it’s the way of the future and they are inexpensive now.”
Jacob’s mouth twisted. “I’ve no money to write a contract to purchase anything. I mean I could sell the house but then where would I live until I could afford a new one?”
Rex scratched his chin. “What you need, young man, is a loan.”
“Who would loan a boy money?” Jacob’s shoulder’s hunched.
“I would.” Rex gave Jacob a nudge with his elbow. “I’ll give you excellent terms and I’ve every faith that you will do great things with the money.”
Jacob straightened, his shoulders snapping back. “Why would you do that?”
“It’s a sound decision for both of us. You’ll get an asset that I am convinced will make you money. Once it does, buy another. I will earn interest on the money I lent you. We will both make a profit.”
My Wicked Earl: Wicked Lords of London Book 6 Page 5
