Page 27 of Sir Durham’s Disarming Asset

Rafe gave Simpson and James a shift of his eyes. They knew the look and disappeared to the back servants’ stairs. “No. I do not need it. But you must not leave the house without informing me.”

“Why?” She jutted out her chin. “Are you now my jailor?”

He narrowed his gaze upon her. “That is unfair.”

She considered the marble floor. “You are right.”

He approached her. “Where are you going today?”

“Inès invited me to tea.”

“Oh, that is a good thing.” He blessed the idea with a genuine smile. “Anyplace else?”

“Fortnum’s.”

He arched both brows. “You like their tea?”

“I like their jams and biscuits that Cook has served here. More than that, I like walking along the street and feeling free.”

“Also a good idea.”

“Nothing wrong with any of it, then?” She was peeved.

“Why are you angry with me?”

She lowered her brows and sulked. “Not with you. I am sorry. Not you.”

He wanted to reach out and touch her, bring her into his embrace, but he knew the problems he would have with that. He would want to pet her and kiss her, stroke away whatever hurt her. Keep her close, too close, and she would feel that his paternal actions were not avuncular, but something stronger. All of that was just as dangerous to his sanity as to her serenity.

“I read the morning’s Mayfair Register.”

A terrible gossip rag—and he knew her particular problem with it today. “In its entirety, then?”

“I did.” Her golden gaze shone with her misery. “They write about me.”

“They do. You are the new morsel for the ton to chew on.”

“They speculate why I am in London. They hint I am your mistress.”

“We knew…I knew that would come. That’s why you need a companion. You must hire one, mon petit chou.”

“I don’t like any of those whom I’ve seen.”

Right. He swallowed his retort. “Ask Inès for a recommendation.”

“Gus and Amber will be there. They have invited a few I do not know. Vivienne, Lord Appleby’s wife. Another lady too. A German who is married to an Englishman.”

“Baroness Fournier. It must be. Good. She is also the Crown Princess of Rittenburg. So then, this is wonderful. You will have the benefit of all those ladies’ advice.” He took both her hands. The vitality in her seduced him as it always did. He could not help himself, and put both her hands to his lips.

When he lifted his gaze, she watched him with a look of longing.

He let go of her hands slowly when all he wished to do was embrace her. Take her into the alcove or, better yet, the small nightwatchman’s closet and kiss her until she sighed, lift her skirts, and…

Impossible.

“You will feel more like yourself once you visit with all your old friends.” He smiled with compassion. “Go. Enjoy yourself. Take their recommendations for a companion, and when you go to Fortnum’s…?”

“Yes?”