Page 100 of Cocky August Rake

Sail away?

Like hell.

He’d asked Rose to come with him, for God’s sake. How could anyone believe he meant to abandon her?

In all his years at sea, Reginald had never asked anyone to join him. Never imagined another person beside him when he pictured the horizon. To him, the words had meant more than he had known how to say.

But had Rose understood that?

Come with me.

It was not a proposal. Not a promise of marriage or any kind of permanent home. Only an invitation to abandon everything she knew and follow him into a life he had not bothered to define.

But she knew his heart, didn’t she?

“You’re wrong,” he said quietly.

Mrs. Smith’s brows lifted. “Then what was it?”

“I need to speak with her.” His voice nearly broke. “Please. Tell me where she is.”

Mrs. Smith’s expression shifted, and she studied him for a long moment.

Then, after what felt like hours, she dipped her chin.

“After you refused her final appeal to keep The Domus open, she went to the only other person who’d listen.”

The only person…

Of course.

Reginald marched out of The Domus, but he did not return to the ship.

Instead, he hailed another hackney and directed him to Regent Street.

BROTHERS

The very proper butler admitted Reginald at once, taking his hat without a word. Almost as though he had been expected.

Then the study door opened.

Harry, known to the world as the Duke of Malum, intimidated nearly everyone in his midst. Tall, dark, and severe, he possessed the sort of presence that left most English gentlemen shaking in their Hessians.

Harry had never frightened Reginald. The disappointment in his eyes this morning, however, came closer than anything else ever had.

“Tell me you weren’t about to turn these people out without warning.”

For a moment, Reginald nearly forgot about the debacle with Sedgewick.

HIs brother’s expression hardened.

“Of course I wouldn’t.” Reginald dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m not. Sedgewick, damn his eyes, acted too soon. But the fault is mine. I did not make myself clear enough.”

Harry studied him. “But now?”

“Now I make it right.”

And before Reginald could ask the question burning through him, his brother provided the answer with a frown. “Nell sent Miss Darling to see if I’d step in.”