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“Mrs. Fields. She can’t be here alone and she can’t travel with us. She’s hurt her ankle.” They stepped into the kitchen and began walking through to the servants’ dining table.
“Did the doctor say she must stay abed? For how long?” Rex helped her into her chair, as he crossed to the one directly on the other side. Jacob joined them, sitting at the end.
“We barely have enough coin to buy food.” Daffodil’s eyes cast down to her plate as her shoulders slumped. “How was I to pay a doctor?”
Rex swore under his breath. As Daffodil served them, he reviewed his options. He could leave her and Jacob with money and return to fetch Violet and Theo. That seemed like a great deal of wasted travel. He could stock the house and have the doctor come out to attend the servant. Then, depending on her condition, he could hire a caregiver for Mrs. Fields and a chaperone for his little flower. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. To give such gifts was rather leading for a gentleman of his station. He shouldn’t give her gifts unless he was courting her. But perhaps Theo would reimburse him. As a new family member, it was completely appropriate for Theo to fund such matters. This was turning into a delightfully complicated favor. “Well, we’ll have to fetch the doctor and more provisions in the morning.”
Daffodil’s gaze snapped to his. “I couldn’t ask you to—”
“I’ve offered and worry not. Your new brother-in-law will see that I am reimbursed.” He gave her an easy smile of encouragement. Whatever he did here to help her would be shared with no one but Violette and Theo.
Her eyebrows drew together as her mouth turned down but she didn’t argue further as she sat once again to eat.
He remembered a storm they’d encountered while crossing the ocean to return home. The seas had raged for two days and they’d had to tie themselves into their bunks to sleep. This little trip to pick up the sister of the bride was proving nearly as interesting. He wondered what else his little flower had in store.
Chapter Three
Daffodil watched Rex eat from across the table and her stomach twisted with all sorts of unfamiliar feelings. While her insides tightened with awareness, her mind let out a warning not to fall into his trap. He’d admitted to being a rake. And now, he was spending money on her family?
A lady did not, under any circumstances, accept gifts from a gentleman she didn’t intend to marry.
He’d caught her in a moment of weakness when she’d allowed him to carry her upstairs. But she’d have to be far more careful. His devilish good looks only added to her worries that he could slip past her defenses.
The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough and she had to admit, a full stomach eased some of her worry. As they began to clear the dishes, she turned to their guest. “As soon as the dishes are done, I’ll make up a room for you.”
“I’ll help,” he answered giving her a wink.
Her eyes narrowed. “That won’t be necessary.” Alone
in a bedroom? Butterflies danced in her stomach. Hardly. “Jacob will help me.”
He raised his brows. “Petal…” He moved close. So close she could feel his heat through his clothing. “I’ve told you that I will be nothing but a gentleman.”
“The word of a rogue,” she fired back.
“I must confess, you are one of the most…” he paused, tapping his chin, “intriguing females I’ve met in some time. The next few days will not be dull.”
She let out a small huff. That hadn’t sounded like a compliment. They made quick work of the cleanup. The roasting pan on which she’d cooked the meat was declared hopeless. Then she started up the back stairs with supplies in hand to ready a room.
She heard Jacob start up the stairs behind her and she nearly sighed with relief until she heard a second pair of boots hit the steps. Drat. The man was following them. “We don’t need any help, my lord,” she called over her shoulder. Then added, “You are our guest.”
“I’ll start the fire at least. I won’t be waited on by the two of you,” he replied. “If you work, I work. That’s the rule on a ship. We stay afloat together.”
Jacob crowed with approval and Daffodil pressed her lips together. She’d nearly complimented him, because it was an excellent answer but she remained silent. She was still suspicious of him and his motives. Point in fact, she was more so. He was winning over Jacob, he was attempting to win her over too. One of the only assets she had left was her virtue. She wouldn’t allow a thief in the night to steal it from her.
They entered the room that she’d chosen for Rex. It was in the family wing, which was less than appropriate, but at least Mrs. Fields was two rooms down. The rest of the corridors were so covered in dust, she didn’t dare banish him to one of those.
Entering the room directly across from hers and next to Jacob’s, she began pulling down dusty sheets from the bed as she ran the duster along the wood. She’d put fresh linens on the bed but that was best she could do for tonight.
As she reached up to dust the upper crosspieces of the four-post bed, Rex sauntered over to her. “Let me help you with that.” Then he reached for the duster, his hand brushing hers.
She yelped and pulled hers back. “I don’t need your help.”
“Do relax, Petal. I’m a good deal taller than you and trying to help.”
Glancing over at Jacob, he arranged wood in the fireplace, oblivious to the exchange. She handed him the duster, and then placed her hands on her hips. “You, sir, are far too familiar.”
“Rex. And yes, I am.” Then he began dusting, giving no other explanation or assurances. “But your sister is about to marry my best friend. That makes you practically my family.”
