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A group of lazy, self-involved aristocrats.
“That isn’t good enough. My butler could do the same job. I wantedyoubecause I expected you would be able to tell me things that wouldn’t be immediately obvious to a layman.” In other words, Wardale wanted his guests’ secrets. Rafe could understand his reasoning, but that didn’t mean he agreed with it. “Otherwise,” Wardale continued, “I will be unable to uphold my end of our bargain. Have I made myself clear?”
The back of Rafe’s neck grew hot. Without Wardale’s support, there was little chance his proposal would be accepted. He could see the blasted smirk curling Gerard’s lips right now. “Perfectly,” he growled.
He would turn this entire blasted castle inside out to prevent that.
“Good. I want a report of everything you find. And searcheveryonenow. Perhaps you were right about that,” Wardale grumbled. “Any of these ladies could be involved.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rafe turned to leave, but Wardale held up his hand. “What is your interest in Miss Sparrow?”
“Sir?”
Wardale frowned at his innocent tone. “I saw you dancing with her.”
“My interest is obvious. She is a good-looking woman. And I am a rake.”
“Rakes don’t usually bother with ladies’ companions. Not when there is far better fare to be had. You’re in danger of causing talk, Davies. Lady Taylor-Smyth is not someone you want as an enemy. For that matter, neither is Mrs. Crawford.”
“I assure you,” Rafe said through his tightening throat, “nothing has happened.”
Wardale’s eyes took on a flinty edge. “Keep it that way and we won’t have a problem.”
Rafe’s hand flexed against his thigh, but he said absolutely nothing. Let Wardale think he had all the power here. Rafe was then dismissed with a wave of his host’s hand, and he immediately headed toward the library, doubts and worries nipping at his heels. But Miss Sparrow loomed larger. A blessed relief from the mess that trailed in his wake. Wardale had a point. A woman like her wasn’t suitable, but he was selfish. Perhaps more than he realized. And he was abominably late. If she had bothered to come at all, there was little chance she was still there. His heart clenched at the thought of her waiting alone, wondering what sort of cruel joke he had played with her, and he moved even faster. He burst into the room, chest heaving, and whirled around. There she was, curled up deep in a chair in a shadowy corner. She looked up at his entrance, and Rafe’s heart loosened with relief.
She had waited for him.
But as he strode over, the firelight caught a glimmer on her cheeks. Rafe fell to his knees before her. “You’ve been crying,” he said dumbly.
The Honorable Rafe Davies was not the sort of man ladies cried over. He had expected anger, regret, or irritation but certainly nottears.
“Don’t be absurd.” She sniffed, wiping her face as she sat up. “I would never do such a thing.”
But her breath caught as he reached out and brushed a thumb against her damp cheek. Her skin was even softer than he had imagined. “I’m sorry. My errand took longer than expected, but that is still no excuse for keeping you waiting.”
She avoided his gaze. “I don’t even know what I’m doing here. Meeting with a known scoundrel. This is madness.”
“Ascoundrel?” Rafe pressed a hand to his chest. “Miss Sparrow, I’m offended.”
She cut him a glance. “No, you’re not.”
Rafe grinned. It would have been easier to claim that his impulsive suggestion was born of nothing more than simple desire. They were both adults. She knew his reputation. Why not enjoy a little fun together? But Rafe was so damned tired of pretending. Just this once he wanted to be himself with someone.
No. With her.
“You came for the same reason I did,” he began. “Because there is something drawing us together. Something neither of us can explain––or ignore.”
At that she faced him. Her gray eyes sparkled in the low light. “I’ve been attracted to men before, I assure you. And I have no doubt this isn’t exactly a novelty to you.” She tried to sound detached, but the soft note of hope in her voice tore through him, and the words spilled out faster than he could think.
“You’re wrong.” He moved his hand to caress the soft curls gathered at the back of her neck, and she pressed into his touch. “I’ve been avoiding you these last few days. I told myself it was for your protection. That it wouldn’t do you any good if people thought I was paying you particular attention. But I was also protecting myself,” he added softly.
“Fromme?” She looked as bewildered as he felt.
Rafe nodded. “You make me want things. Things I never dreamed of having.”
She shook her head slowly. “The house party ends next week, and our tour will leave the following month. And I’m sure you have plans of your own.”
