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She should argue. As the oldest here at home, she should be taking care of Jacob. But all she could do was nod as the two stood and left. Once the door closed behind them, she stood from the chair and stretched out on the chaise. A touch of dizziness had set in, likely from the smoke, and her eyes stung. Best just to rest them for a moment while she waited. But after she lay down her head and closed her eyes, sleep overtook her.
* * *
Rex followed Jacob back down to the kitchen but his thoughts were with Petal upstairs. Lady Daffodil. Did the family call her Daffodil or just Petal? He hoped Petal. It fit her, capturing her delicate, velvety-soft beauty.
He’d like to explore some of her other soft features. Her curves promised delights while her mouth near begged to be kissed. Not that he would.
He’d promised Theo, swore an oath really, that he’d not touch her. Even if he hadn’t, Rex would never dally with such a woman. A man of his stature did not touch ladies unless they intended to marry. And he had no intention of marrying ever again.
Marriage had been the greatest debacle of his life.
The kitchen was still filled with smoke but it had cleared enough to make out blurry details.
Jacob set to work on cutting the meat while Rex found the larder and pulled out some potatoes and carrots. Finding a sturdy cast iron pan he began to fry them in duck fat, turning them frequently. Soon a more pleasant odor than burnt meat filled the kitchen.
Jacob fixed a plate and headed up the servants’ stairs. “I’ll collect Petal and bring her down for dinner. We haven’t kept the dining room. It seemed unnecessary.”
“Of course,” Rex nodded. “But I’m famished. I’ll get Petal while you bring Mrs. Fields her dinner. We’ll meet back here in five minutes.”
Jacob scratched his chin. “I shouldn’t. Petal needs a proper chaperone.”
Rex waved his hand. “The duke sent me as her escort. I can assure you, she is perfectly safe in my company.” It was true, though Theo had warned him to keep a proper escort about at all times. He was already breaking a rule but Rex assured himself that nothing would happen.
Leaving the pan off the stove, Rex returned the way he’d come. Heading up the servants’ stairs and then the main hall, he found the sitting room where she’d directed him earlier. Opening the door, Rex realized the interior had darkened and only silence met his ears. “Lady Daffodil?”
No answer came. “Petal?” Stepping into the room, he finally noticed her stretched out on the chaise, one arm flung over her head, her ample bosom rising and falling with her breath.
The position also accentuated the tiny width of her waist and the lovely curve of her hip. Her skirt rode up past her delicate ankles, revealing shapely calves.
His body tightened as he moved closer. Her features were achingly sweet in sleep and he almost hated to wake her. Gently, he sat next to her on the chaise, his hip pressing into hers. For a moment, he wondered if he could steal the smallest kiss. She’d never even know. But he gave himself a shake. He was being ridiculous. He would know. “Petal?” he whispered.
She didn’t move. Not even a tiny twitch.
“Petal,” he called louder. Still nothing.
He reached out a hand to shake her shoulder. He’d held her in his arms already, but being above her like this made the touch much more intimate. His body had hardened to stone.
Her eyes jerked open and she stared at him for a moment before she bolted up. “What the bloody—” then she stopped, clapping a hand over her mouth.
“Sorry to frighten you, my little flower, but dinner is ready.” He reached for her hand and pulled her to standing as he held in his chuckle. For some reason, he liked her all the more for nearly cursing. Here she was, not a wilting flower but a vibrant one trying to stay so in a trying situation.
“Dinner,” she groaned. “Don’t make me eat my own cooking.”
Laughter floated up his throat. “Jacob did a fine job of carving it. And I’ve made some potatoes and carrots to go with it. They’re quite good if I do say so myself.”
He held out his arm to her and she slipped her hand into the crook. He’d like to hold her again but it was just not acceptable. Not if he was going to keep his promises.
“You can cook?” she asked. “Where did you learn how? Can you teach me?”
“I learned on board a ship. When the cook takes a day off, it’s every man for himself. And I can teach you but you won’t need to learn it. You’re about to be related to a duke.”
“I’m the daughter of an earl,” she quipped. “That didn’t stop me from needing to know now.”
He shook his head as they started down the stairs, marveling at her resourcefulness and her ability to see the world for what it was. “That is an excellent point. I don’t know when I’ll be able to teach you. We’ll leave tomorrow and then the wedding—”
“We can’t leave tomorrow.” She stopped on the stairs. “We have to stay.”
“Why?” He pulled her into motion again. They were starving here, why wouldn’t they want to leave?
