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r skin, causing the hair on her neck to stand on end.
“You’re a rogue, sir,” she replied, softly so that Jacob couldn’t hear. She didn’t want to alarm him as he trailed just behind.
“Guilty,” he replied. “But on my honor I am only here to help you.”
She had no choice but to place her hands on his shoulders and pull herself up so that she wasn’t quite so vulnerable. “The honor of a rogue?”
* * *
Rex pushed down another chuckle. He would not laugh again out of respect, but honestly, this had been the most eventful meeting with a woman in his entire life. And that included the belly dancer he’d met in a port in Spain. First of all, Daffodil was everything and nothing that he thought she’d be. He’d heard of her beauty and she didn’t disappoint. Dark hair and warm brown eyes, with delicate features that called to everything male in him, and a body made for sin. Though he hadn’t actually seen her figure, he could feel every curve pressed up against him.
In fact, as she pulled herself to sitting in his arms, her rather large breasts pushed into his chest. They were…glorious. She wasn’t wearing a corset, which was odd for a lady of her station. Unfortunately, this was one of his many questions and it was inappropriate to ask. At least not yet.
What he hadn’t expected was for her to be funny, quite charming really. Most beautiful women he met didn’t take the time to develop any qualities of character. They were too busy admiring themselves in some form or another.
She pursed her full pink lips as her eyes narrowed. It only added to, rather than detracted from, her beauty. “Put me down.”
He ignored her, hiding his grin. He’d knocked on the front door of the Chase townhouse for several minutes before he’d realized it was open. The moment he walked in, he could smell the smoke. It hadn’t taken long to follow the scent to the kitchen. “I’ve been tasked with safely delivering you to the Duke of Waverly and I take my duties very seriously.”
“I beg your pardon.” She sat up straighter and her chest pushed further into his even as her behind wiggled against his hand. Hellfire, not even a saint could withstand the assault. He tried to remember a woman who’d felt better in his arms but he was having trouble remembering…well any of them, really. “The Duke of Waverly sent you? Why?”
“He is marrying your sister. I am to deliver you to the wedding,” he answered simply. He didn’t add that it was a fake wedding. That Theodore, or Theo, had already married Violette in a secret ceremony over a week ago. He’d leave that bit for Violette to share, or not share, with her sister.
Those beautiful brown eyes widened and her lush lips fell open. “Marrying a duke?” Then she blinked several times before she drew in a ragged breath. “Stop,” she said suddenly.
He halted his brow scrunching as he looked at her. Why had they stopped? Why was she crying? Why had she been cooking, how had she burned it so completely, and why wasn’t she wearing a corset? Was she always this interesting or was this a unique situation? He gave his head a little shake to rid it of the list of questions that threatened to send his mind reeling out of control. “Why?”
“You’ve gone past our sitting room,” she answered looking to a door just behind him.
“Is it the only one? The house appears large enough to hold multiple.” He simply had to let one question out and it seemed the safest though he likely already knew the answer. He knew Daffodil’s sister had been actively seeking a match because their financial situation was desperate. But this bad?
She looked down then nibbling on her lip. He wanted to nibble it too. Fire shot through his body, settling in his loins. “It’s the only we’ve kept in good enough nick for guests.”
A little pang made his chest tighten. He turned and entered the sitting room. He wasn’t looking forward to setting her down. “Of course, Petal, my apologies.”
She let out a little huff, her sweet breath blowing across his face. “I am Lady Daffodil to you, sir, whoever you are.”
He couldn’t hold back the grin this time. “Lord Casterly, if we’re going to be formal.”
She paled and he watched her swallow. “My apologies, my lord. I did not mean to be…” her voice trailed off.
“Impertinent?” he asked, unable to help himself.
She clicked her tongue, eyes darting back up to his. “One of us is impertinent.”
He full-out laughed. “Well played.” Reluctantly he set her on her feet but he kept his hands at her waist. He liked them there and, honestly, after the coughing she’d done, he was worried.
Her hands were still at his shoulders and she tilted her head up to look in his eyes. With her face tilted up to his, he had the mad desire to kiss her. “My sister. Is she all right? Is she excited about the match?”
Rex blinked. He did not lower his head as he wanted to, but he did tighten his hands at her waist. “She is very happy. They make a wonderful couple.”
Her pulse fluttered rapidly at the base of her throat and then she lowered her forehead to his shoulder, her breathing ragged. He didn’t understand her reaction, another question he’d like to ask. “Did you hear that, Jacob? Happy with a duke.”
Rex glanced over, to see Jacob nod. “We’ll find you a duke too, Petal.”
Bloody hell. What was wrong with an earl?
Chapter Two
