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Dropping like a stone, Rathemore curled into the fetal position. He saw men standing up out of their chairs, a few approaching to see what was happening and he knew he didn’t have much time. He gave Rathemore a swift kick in the back and then bent down over him. “Stay away from Lady Daffodil, you bloody bastard.”
Then, straightening his cravat, he turned toward the exit just as two other gentleman had arrived. “What is the meaning of this?” the older of the two asked. Rex didn’t answer, his blood still thrumming through his veins, as he headed for the door.
* * *
Daffodil hunched over the oven assessing the piece of wood she’d placed in its belly. Was it coals? Would she burn the leg of lamb that Rex had purchased for them to eat?
Straightening, she turned toward the kitchen door as it creaked open. “Jacob.” She gave her brother a wide smile. “Is this ready for the meat?” She pointed into the oven.
Jacob bent down scrunching his face as he studied the wood. “Looks perfect to me.”
“Excellent,” she said. “Today is the day I cook meat without setting it ablaze.”
“Good for you, Petal.” He patted her shoulder. “I’ve got to go change and start on the hay. Tell Rex where I am as soon as he returns.”
“Returns? He isn’t with you?” She grabbed the lamb and stuffed it into the oven. Then closing the door, she turned back to her brother.
“No, and I’m not sure why.” Jacob shrugged. “One minute we were discussing the meeting and the next he told me to come home without him.”
Daffodil looked at the oven. Was it too soon to check it? “I’m sure he simply remembered another errand he needed to do.”
“He promised to help me with the hay,” Jacob’s face twisted as his mouth turned down.
“He will, don’t worry. Go change, and I’ll fix some lunch for you before you head out to work.” She turned to start prepping the plate. When had both she and her brother grown so accustomed to having Rex about? She rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. He had ridden in like a medieval knight. He’d waved sides of meat rather than a sword, she supposed, but to her and her brother he’d been a savior.
Of course, he also confused her terribly. He was the exact sort of temptation she’d been attempting to avoid but she’d have to work harder at it for Jacob’s sake.
Jacob returned and devoured his lunch, then raced out to the barn. He’d no more left when the door creaked again. “Did you forget something?” she called as she bent over the oven to check the lamb. It was beginning to brown and nothing was even smoking.
“Put another log on now, it’s ready,” a much deeper voice rumbled behind her.
Her entire body began to tingle. Rex. It would be so much easier to control herself if she didn’t react this way. “Thank you.” She straightened but he was already holding out a log to her. She started to take it when she noticed his knuckles. “You’re bleeding!”
“No love, it’s not my blood.” He reached around her to toss in the log. His face came into her peripheral view and she turned toward him. His expression was set in hard lines.
“Rex. What’s the matter?” Worry made her straighten. As he closed the lower door to the oven, she took his hand in hers. “What happened?”
He didn’t say a word as she pulled him toward the pump and filled a fresh bucket of water to wash off the blood. She noted the blood was at least partially his. He had several scrapes along his knuckles. She was about to repeat her question when a knock sounded at the door. “What is going on today?” she huffed as she went to answer it.
Wrenching the door open, she was surprised to see one of her old friends, Lady Grace Winthrop, standing at the door. “Grace?”
Grace twisted her gloved hands together. “Daffodil, you look…well.” The woman’s eyes ran up and down her as she frowned.
Daffodil resisted the urge to smooth her skirt. She was dressed in working clothes that didn’t befit a lady. She wasn’t exactly proud of her circumstances, but she wouldn’t be ashamed of them either. Straightening, she plastered a cheerful expression on her face. “As do you.” She hadn’t seen Grace since her family’s finances no longer allowed her to participate in social activities. “What brings you here?”
“May I come in?” Grace asked, peering into the kitchen. “I rang the front bell, but no one answered.”
Daffodil inwardly winced. Her outfit was a miniscule infraction compared with the man in Daffodil’s kitchen. But as she glanced behind her, Rex was gone. Perhaps he’d gone to change into his work clothes to help Jacob? “Of course.” Daffodil stepped back and motioned for Grace to step in.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been to visit, I—”
Daffodil waved her off. She understood and the explanation would only be more painful. “Please don’t worry. What brings you here today?”
Grace began twisting her hands together once again. “My father and brother were meeting a friend of the family at a public club.” Grace stopped, chewing on her lip. “While there, they witnessed an altercation.”
Daffodil’s insides began to churn as she glanced over at the bucket of water currently stained with blood. “Altercation?”
Grace nodded. “They didn’t recognize one of the men but the other was Lord Rathemore. I know he showed interest in Violette. While they were fighting—” Grace stopped again, her eyes growing huge.
