Juliet waved her hand. “How did we get on such a subject?” Then she sat up straighter. “It’s unfortunate you and your friends can’t stay longer. If you did, then we could hold a ball.”
He blinked, wondering if she’d listened to a word he’d said. They’d been discussing what was wrong with such pursuits, not how they should have more of them.
But then he shook his head. He wasn’t here to teach the Moorish clan about the pitfalls of society. Nor did he intend to bare his soul. Rather, he only needed to book passage out of this place to attend his preferred activity of bedding willing women. And in the meantime, perhaps have a bit of fun. Which meant agreeing with Lady Juliet. Perhaps if he did, he’d be rewarded later with a kiss. He ignored the voice that said Juliet didn’t capture his interest at all and gave her a small wink. “I quite agree. It’s unfortunate we aren’t staying longer otherwise a ball would be a delightful idea.”
She nodded, letting out a long sigh. “I’m so glad you agree. The dancing would be such fun. Do you waltz, Lord Crestwood?”
“Of course.” He leaned toward her, giving himself a mental shake. He should be excited that he’d made progress with Juliet. This was what he did, coerced women into his arms, but somehow the idea of doing so with Juliet had lost the thrill. Then he looked over at Adrianna. Or perhaps, he’d simply picked a different mark. Then he smiled. He had his answer. He wanted to kiss Adrianna. His little minx presented a real challenge. Excitement coursed through him at the idea and he sat back in his chair. This was going to be fun.
The party moved from the dining to the music room. Adrianna stood behind the settee trying to plan her next move. Or perhaps she didn’t need one at all. Lord Crestwood had shifted at some point during dinner from troublesome rake to thoughtful gentleman. He’d stopped looking at her sisters, ceased winking and grinning like a fool. He’d grown quieter and she had to confess, at least to herself, she’d been enjoying the challenge he’d presented. His new, more sedated self was somehow…less interesting.
Right now, he sat alone, blandly watching Cordelia play the pianoforte as Bianca and Juliet danced. His gaze did not even flicker toward her sisters. Was this a new plan on his part or had he given up? Had she been victorious already? She spun about and made her way to the doors that led to a series of balconies off the music room. They were open to allow the warm spring air into the house.
She stood breathing in the scent of sea as she stared out into the night that had fallen. She should feel victorious. She’d bested the rake. But somehow, she either didn’t believe she’d been successful, or he was plotting his next move.
Or perhaps, she’d just been having fun.
Stepping out onto the balcony, she held the rail as she drew in another breath. There was some truth to what Bianca had said. Their lives here were so quiet. So she’d eagerly accepted Chase’s challenge to thwart the rakes descending upon her household and village. Her whole life, she’d considered herself clever, tough. This had been her chance to prove her own opinion of herself.
The curtain behind her shifted and she looked over her shoulder to see Lord Crestwood leaning against the frame of the door. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?”
She turned away again, looking out over the black night as the sound of waves crashed in the distance. “That’s the beauty of the country. There are many.”
He chuckled as he stepped out, joining her at the rail. The curtains blew in the breeze, exposing and hiding them at regular intervals. “I suppose it is.”
“But you don’t like the country?” she asked, not looking at him. She wanted to hear his answer rather than see his pretend façade. It wasn’t because he was so handsome, he might steal a woman’s senses, she reasoned with herself.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him lean a hip on the rail. “I like the country just fine, except for the fact there are not enough people. Or perhaps there just isn’t enough variety in the type of person you meet.”
She turned to look at him then. His hair had the most perfect wave in the breeze, his cheekbones strong with the half smile that pulled his mouth. His neck was thickly corded where it met his broad shoulders. She swallowed down a lump in her throat. “You don’t like the ton but you want to be around people. What variety of people do you want to be around, then?”
He raised a brow, leaning closer. “The kind that have full pouty mouths that look perfect for kissing.”
Was that a thrill of anticipation or irritation skittering down her spine? She took a step back, as she stared at him. So the rake was still here after all. “Whom might you be referring to, my lord?”
He moved closer, his body taking on an almost predatory stealth. “You know very well of whom I speak.”
“You know that I would never kiss you, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “I was talking about Bianca.”
The devil! Did he think to make her jealous? She reached up and gave his chest a small push, thinking to show him just how little regard she had for his kind, but something odd happened the moment she touched his skin. His muscles were so firm under her fingers, sculpted and strong. Currents of energy zipped through her as she touched him. “I would never allow you to get close to my sister.” Her breath sped up, making her chest rise and fall rapidly.
He cocked a brow, staring down at the hand still touching his jacket. “Jealous?” he asked, moving closer despite her hand on his chest. To her complete surprise and irritation, her arm bent to allow him to bridge the gap.
“I am not jealous,” she hissed back, her voice catching on the last syllable. “You don’t fool me, Lord Crestwood. You may hold the title of lord, but you’re not a man of worth.”
He stepped back suddenly, pushing against the side railing. “That is very true.” His brow crumpled as if he were in pain, and he clenched his jaw, a muscle pulsing. She instantly regretted her words and reached up a hand to tell him as much.
But he turned toward the open doorway, clearly going to leave her company. Adrianna took a step toward him. She’d heard the hurt in his voice and she was sincerely surprised to have dealt such a powerful blow but before she could say so his spinning heel caught between two metal bars that made up the floor of the balcony.
His arms flew up in the air and without thinking, she reached out and grabbed the lapels of his coat, pulling him toward her with a force she didn’t know she had.
His large, hard body careened toward hers and crashed into her front, sending them both flying backward and pinning her to the opposite rail. He circled her back with his powerful arms and crushed her to his chest to keep her from bending out over the open rail.
Her breath pushed from her lungs in a force she hadn’t thought possible her gaze flew to his. “Are…are you all right?” She could barely push the words from her lips.
“I’m fine, thanks to you. Are you? How’s your back?” He gave her a light squeeze, his gaze intent upon her.
“I’m fine. Just…” Her heart beat wildly in her chest. “Scared.” Was that the reason the offending organ refused to slow?
Chapter Three
Damn if this woman didn’t feel good pressed up against him. Luke fisted his hands into her dress, pressing her body closer to his. She fit perfectly against his much larger frame. “I wouldn’t have fallen. You needn’t have put yourself at risk on my account.” He swallowed, wondering how close she’d been to falling over the edge of the balcony when he’d slammed into her. She’d been at a much greater risk than he had been. His muscles tightened even more about her just thinking about the danger.
Then again, based on his reaction, perhaps he was in more danger than he’d first realized. Not physically. But he didn’t worry about women. Protecting them was the first step in caring and he never allowed himself to do such a thing. Not since her.
“I…” she looked up at him, her lips clearly trembling. “I didn’t think. I just saw you lose your balance and...” She wove her arms around his back as she shivered in his arms.<
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He could lean down and kiss her, he realized. All his worries evaporated as her soft lips were parted almost in invitation, her throat and chest open and exposed, her body so close to his he could smell her scent. He drew in her feminine aroma, taking a deep breath through his nose. It was subtle, floral, slightly sweet. Like…violets. Exactly like her, a beautiful flower, exotic in color but understated in its size. Not as showy as roses or lilies. If a man wasn’t careful, he might pass by such a treat.
“Well, I’m glad we’re both all right.”
“Adrianna,” her father called. “Are you out there still?”
Luke stepped back, reluctantly letting go of her as the air rushed between them. Her chest rose and fell, and his eyes cast down to her bosom. Had he thought it too small? It looked delightful just now. Her eyes widened as she looked up to him, not answering her father.
The last thing he wanted was to arouse any suspicion. “She’s fine, Mr. Moorish. I nearly fell from the balcony and Miss Moorish aided me.”
Then he reached for her hand and took her fingers into his much larger palm, gently pulling her toward the door. He wasn’t certain why he hadn’t kissed her just now. Perhaps it was that he couldn’t take advantage of a woman who’d put herself in harm’s way for his sake. Or, it might even had been that he’d gotten too caught up in just looking at her. But either way, he’d made his choice and now the moment had passed.
Probably better, really. The fun he’d wanted had grown more dangerous.
She curled her fingers into his, her body pressing against his arm. Odd. He looked down at her, trying to decide what was happening, when he noticed her shallow breath. “I’m sorry. Suddenly I feel…” She looked up at him, her eyes even wider as her skin took on a pale hue in the rising moon.
She gave a slow blink, pressing deeper into him. He wrapped his arms about her again, concern knitting his brow. “Adrianna.” He pulled her up as he realized she was sinking down, sliding against him. “Stay with me, now. We’re all safe, there is no need to faint.”
Her fingers dug into his arms. “My apologies. I was fine and then you stepped away. I’m not sure…”
He held her tighter as her father appeared in the doorway. He gave Mr. Moorish a quick glance before he focused on Adrianna again. “You’re all right,” he murmured, holding her a bit tighter. “Take a nice deep, slow breath.” He’d seen this before. But somehow, worry still tightened his chest. It wouldn’t do any good to show that feeling, however. She needed him to be calm now.
“What’s wrong?” Mr. Moorish gave a worried yell, reaching out to them. “Should you bring her inside?”
“Wrong?” He heard a female cry from the inside.
“Something’s wrong?” another called, the volume rising.
He looked to Mr. Moorish, giving the man a calm smile. “She’s fine and I think the air out here will do her good.” He lightly stroked her back. “I gave her a scare and you know women and their corsets. She can’t catch her breath.”
Adrianna nodded. “That’s it exactly, Papa. If I could just slow my breathing.”
Mr. Moorish gave a slow nod. “I’ll go get you water. The two of you stay here.”
The moment her father turned, she dropped her head against Luke’s chest. “I don’t normally have this sort of feminine weakness. I don’t know…”
“Shhh,” he said, dropping his nose into her hair. The smell of violets wrapped about him as the silky strands tickled his nose. This was so dangerous. He’d kept every relationship light and meaningless for the past five years. She fit against him in the nicest way. Fortunately, he was leaving tomorrow. “While I don’t know you particularly well, I can say you are one of the least likely females I’ve met in some time to suffer from fainting spells.”
She laughed a little, making a gasping sound. “Thank you for that.”
“If I could, I’d loosen your corset.” He stroked his hands up and down her back.
She paused for a moment and then quietly said, “I knew you were a rake.”
Rubbing his cheek along the top of her head, he cradled her neck. “And you’d undoubtedly be right, but this time, I simply think you need more room to catch your breath.” Calm and low he spoke to her as he filled his chest. “Try to slow your breathing and your heart.”
She shook, her nose pressing into him. “That is difficult with a man like you holding me so close.”
He slid his hands up, grasped her shoulders, and pulled her back just a bit. So. His little minx was not immune to him after all. Satisfaction slid down his spine. Normally, he’d take advantage of such a situation, but tonight, he couldn’t. Still it was good to know. “In that case, we should get you to your room and far away from me.” Then he leaned down and whispered into her ear, “But if I ever find you in my arms again, make no mistake, Miss Adrianna Moorish, I intend to kiss you. Thoroughly.”
An hour later Adrianna sat at her vanity, staring in the mirror, not at herself but at her sister, Juliet, who lounged on her bed. “Lord Crestwood is terribly handsome,” Juliet sighed, flopping back.
Adrianna attempted not to roll her eyes. She only partially succeeded. “His Grace told me the man is a rake. And he’s obviously lying about why he’s travelling north.”
Juliet stared up at the canopy, lost in her own thoughts. Adrianna turned more fully around to stare at her sister. Finally, Juliet looked back. “So what?” she asked, her hand swirling in a small circle.
“So what?” Adrianna stared at her sister. “So he’s dangerous.”
Juliet propped back up on one of her elbows. “I don’t want to marry him, Adrianna. I just want to use him for a bit of practice. We’ve hardly met any young eligible men in Seabridge Gate. Has it occurred to you that he might be able to teach us a thing or two about how to catch a husband?”
Adrianna blinked at her sister, hardly able to believe her ears. Why that was a rather decent plan, and honestly, not that far from what Adrianna herself had been doing. While she hadn’t been trying to practice feminine wiles on Lord Crestwood, she had been hoping to sharpen her sparring skills and a new opponent had been…fun.
Well, that was until he’d pressed her close. Then he’d stolen her breath and quite honestly, she’d learned a lesson or two about feminine wiles herself. For example, she’d become aware that a man softened when a woman was in need. Or that he’d liked the scent of her hair.
Unfortunately, all that knowledge had only made her predicament worse, as had the feel of his chest, and breadth of his shoulders, and the way…
“Well?” Juliet asked, sitting up. “Had it?”
“No. It honestly hadn’t,” she said, looking down at the floor. “I considered him a danger to all your virtues.”
Juliet lay back down, her gaze thoughtful as she gazed at the canopy. “I suppose he is. But a bit of danger is…exciting.”
Adrianna could hardly disagree. In fact, she was a bit disappointed in herself that she’d been so affected by his charm. Still, she’d upheld her intentions. He’d remained far from her sisters and she’d proven a worthy adversary, hadn’t she? “Well, regardless, he leaves tomorrow.”
Juliet huffed. “I know. I was there, remember. And it irks me a bit that you kept him all to yourself. I might have lost my only chance.”
Adrianna’s mouth parted as she stared at her sister. She hadn’t thought of it that way a stab of guilt pierced her chest. “I was trying to protect you.”
Juliet gave her a sharp look. “You are my baby sister. I hardly need your protection. And after what happened, perhaps I should have been protecting you.”
Adrianna sat straighter, irritation replacing her guilt. “Well, if it had been your goal to protect me, you did a terrible job of it. He had his hands all over-—” She stopped, not wanting to reveal too much. Juliet would tell the entire family and if her father found out, who knew what ideas he might get in his head.
Her sister looked over, arching a brow. “See. I told you that you kept him al
l to yourself.” Then Juliet pushed up and off the bed. “But if I can’t have any practice, perhaps you should.”
Adrianna shook her head. Despite what Juliet seemed to think. Lord Crestwood was not a man to trifle with. He’d nearly undone her tonight with his handsome looks and his gentle touch. He was a danger to a virtuous woman for certain. “I don’t want any more practice and regardless, he’s leaving.”
“On one of Papa’s ships…” Juliet inserted, stroking her chin.
“Juliet,” Adrianna warned, also standing. “Please tell me you’re not concocting a scheme.”
Juliet shrugged. “Not only could you practice on Lord Crestwood but there are two other lords. If none of them left then…”
“What are you planning,” Adrianna hissed, crossing to her sister and grabbing her arms. “Those men should leave Seabridge Gate.”
Juliet slipped from her sister’s grip. “Don’t worry. They will.” Then Juliet gave her a bright smile. “You’ve had a difficult evening. You should rest.”
“Now I don’t want to rest. I want to know what little scheme you’re hatching.”
Juliet pushed out her bottom lip. “I never scheme. Now off to bed with you, little sister. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”
Adrianna watched her sister leave, her gaze narrowing. What was Juliet planning? But then she relaxed. Not even Juliet could stop one of their father’s ships from sailing, could she?
Chapter Four
Luke woke with the first rays of light brightening the sky and dressed, heading out to the water’s edge to watch the sun rise. He’d seen quite a few in his day, but most of them had been at the end of a night of heavy drinking. Which meant he hardly remembered any of them.
As the sun bathed the beach in hues of pink, yellow, and orange, he didn’t see it as disgustingly wholesome, but rather inspiring and beautiful. Which frightened the feck out of him. But also, somehow, made him calmer inside too. He’d spent most of his time the past few years, bouncing from one party to the next, preferring meaningless pleasure over substance.
Romancing the Rake: Seven Regency Romances Page 11
