The way she saw it, she had two choices. She could either pursue Grey and make an even bigger fool of herself, or she could throw all of her energy and efforts into finding a man she could like as much, or better than he. Perhaps she would be noble enough not to rub his face in it, but she doubted it.
Kathryn SmithShe was like no woman he’d ever known. She inspired compassion and fury at the same time, made him want to hold her tenderly even when he thought he might strangle her. How the hell did she do that?
Why didn’t she fight him instead of pressing against him, whetting his appetite for her even more with the ripe sweetness of her body?
And damn it all to hell, how could a kiss make him want to toss aside the promise he’d made to her father and compromise what honor he had left? Because of this kiss, he was in danger of doing just that-and in danger of making love to Rose with her mother under the same roof. If he did that then he’d know he truly had no honor left.
If that wasn’t a proverbial bucket of cold water, he didn’t know what was.
They both loved her, of course. They’d probably still love her even if they knew she’d seduced him.
Yes, because he was so much the wounded party in this case. Taken advantage of by a skilled and dangerous seductress whom he was obviously no match for.
Pull yourself together, Ryeton. You sound like a frigging little girl!
Maxwell arrived right on time, and cheerfully announced by Westford. Grey’s entire face-from his scar to the forced smile he wore-began to ache at the sight of the younger man. Maxwell had to be nine and twenty at best. He was tall and dapper, and just charming enough so as not to seem threatening. It was a part Grey played very well at the same age, only he’d been a wolf masquerading as a harmless spaniel. He wasn’t so sure the same couldn’t be said for Maxwell.
He had no choice but to shake the man’s hand and make small talk before watching him take Rose’s arm and lead her away, both of them smiling like idiots.
Young Mr. Maxwell would make a very good match.”
Camilla’s lovely face hardened just a little at the mention of Maxwell. Grey could have kissed her. “He was quick to abandon her the last time he courted my daughter, so I will have to reserve judgment until he’s proven himself a changed man, no matter how well I wish to think of him.”
“Very wise,” Grey agreed, ignoring the look his brother slanted toward him.
“A few years can do wonders for a man’s maturity,” Archer remarked.
Grey shrugged. “Or not. Some men simply become overgrown boys and never face the consequences of their actions.”
Archer smiled. “And some blame society and hide like scared mice for the rest of their lives.”
Were they alone Grey might have hit him. But they weren’t alone, and instead of giving into his anger, he was left with having to face how much hearing his brother say such a thing hurt.
Not only hurt, it made him deuced uncomfortable.
What were she and Maxwell talking about at this moment?
“I owe you an apology.” Archer came to stand beside him, also looking over the garden. “I shouldn’t have said what I did. It was very low of me.”
Grey shrugged. “You’ve said worse.”
“True, but those times I was right.”
He laughed. “I’m not so sure you’re not right now as well.
I wanted to apologize.”
His gaze lifted from her bosom. He remembered those breasts in his hands. “For what?”
“For deceiving you as I did. I misunderstood the nature of our relationship and behaved like a spoiled little girl. It was a terrible mistake and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
A terrible mistake? A mistake to be sure, but terrible? “There is nothing to forgive,” he replied with a tight smile. “We were both at fault.”
“Yes,” she agreed with a smile of her own. “You are right. Can we be friends again?”
“We never stopped.” At least that much was true. He might have played the fool, might have taken advantage of her, but he never ceased caring for her. He never would.
Rose practically sighed in relief. Grey had to struggle to keep his eyes on her face. “Good. I’m so glad you feel that way. Because I do so want your approval when I find the man I’m going to marry.”
Grey’s lips seized, stuck in a parody of good humor. “The choice is ultimately yours, Rose.”
She waved a gloved hand. “Oh, I know that, but your opinion meant so much to Papa, and since he isn’t here to guide me, I would be so honored if you would accept that burden as well as the others you’ve so obligingly undertaken.”
Help her pick a husband? Was this some kind of cruel joke? What next, did she want his blessing?
She took both of his hands in hers. “I know this is rather premature, but next to Papa you have been the most important man in my life. I wonder…” She bit her top lip. “If you would consider acting in Papa’s stead and giving me away when the time comes?”
He’d sling her over his shoulder and run her all the way to Gretna Green if it meant putting an end to this torture! “I would be honored.” He made the promise because he knew whomever she married wouldn’t allow him to keep it. No man in his right mind would want Grey at his wedding, let along handling his bride.
Was it relief or consternation that lit her lovely face? “Oh, good. I was afraid perhaps you wouldn’t, given your fear of going out into society.”
Grey scowled. Fear? Back to being a coward again was he? “Whatever gave you that notion?”
She looked genuinely perplexed. “Well, the other day Kellan told me how awful your reputation had become before your attack. I assumed your shame over that to be why you avoid going out into public now.”
“You assume wrong.” He'd never spoken to her with such a cold tone in all the years he'd known her. "I had no idea your opinion of me had sunk so low. And as one who has also been bandied about by gossips I would think you would know better than to believe everything you hear, no matter how much you might like the source."
Now she appeared hurt. Doe-like eyes widened. "My opinion of you is as high as it ever was! I'm simply trying to say that I understand why you choose to hide-"
"You think I'm hiding?" A vein in his temple throbbed.
Innocent confusion met his gaze. "Aren't you?"
"I avoid society because I despise it," he informed her tightly. "I would have thought you'd know that about me after all these years."
She smiled sweetly. "I think my recent behavior has proven that I don't know you that well at all. After all, I obviously did not achieve my goal in seducing you, did I?"
Christ Almighty. The girl knew how to turn his world arse over appetite. "There's no shame in being embarrassed, Grey. I know you regret the past, and I understand how difficult it would be for you to reenter society with that regret handing over you head."
"Rose, I am not embarrassed, and I am not hiding. I shun society because I despise it. I hate the false kindness and the rules and the hypocrisy of it. Do you understand what I am saying? It is because of society that I have this." He pointed at the side of his face where the ragged scar ran.
You’ve always been so agreeable,” he remarked with something of a rueful tone. “I don’t understand why you haven’t told me to sod off.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Other than the simple fact that I would never say those words to anyone?”
He glanced at her, eyes sparkling. “Even so. I am humbled by your easy acceptance of me. I behaved abominably toward you years ago and yet you act as though nothing ever happened.”
Rose twirled the handle of her parasol. “We cannot change the past, Mr. Maxwell. I reckon I would be a much happier woman if I could. No, all we can do is go forward.”
His brow furrowed. “Does that mean you forgive me?”
She laughed again. “Yes, it does. I understand why you had to abandon your courtship after my father’s misfortune and I do not blame you for it.”
Kellan shook his head. “You are too good.”
“No,” she insisted with a sharp shake of her head. “I am not.” Lord, if he but knew just how not good she could be! Of course, if they were married he’d realize that on their wedding night, wouldn’t he? Or could she deceive him and make him believe she was a virgin? It wouldn’t be right, but she would do it to spare his feelings, and keep her secrets. “But, I can be practical when the situation calls for it.”
“Is that why you’re here with me now?” he asked with amusement. “Practicality?”
Rose’s smile was coy in reply. “Perhaps. Or perhaps I like giving the gossips something to natter about.”
Kellan laughed aloud. “I’ve missed your wit, Rose. You always knew how to make me laugh.”
“Yes.” She twirled her parasol again. “You as well. I’m glad that we are friends again.”
“Friends,” he repeated. “Is that what we are?”
It had been a while since she’d flirted with a man without the benefit of a mask, but she thought she remembered how to do it. “For now.”
They were smiling at each other as they passed beneath the thick shade of trees that lined the track, and Rose felt a stirring of hope in her breast. Her heart wasn’t totally under Grey’s control, and for that she was extraordinarily happy.
She knew how to play him so very well.
He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly.
Her smile was bright enough to light up the room-and make him see stars. "Excellent! I'm so pleased. And now I really should go. I don't want to keep your family waiting."
His family. She was going out with his family. His mother and sister, who would no doubt think her absolutely perfect.
Perfect for Archer, who his mother was determined to see married, now that she had given up all hopes for Grey. Or perhaps they'd want her for Trystan, although he was still living the life of an adventurous young man.
"Have fun," he encouraged with all the false enthusiasm he could muster.
She flashed a quick grin at him over her shoulder as she made for the door. "I'm sure I will. Your brother will see to that."
As far as parting shots went, it wasn't bad. By no means mortal, but deep enough to wound never the less.
Alone once more, Grey returned to his chair and pulled the copy of Voluptuous out from underneath the cushion of the other. He stared at it for a moment, contemplating finishing the article on pleasing a woman orally.
And then, with a snarl, he flung the pages into the fire, watching ash and embers fly up in the assault. The paper caught quickly, giving off a sudden bloom of heat.
Women, he thought as he watched the magazine's mocking text blacken and char.
He would be much happier in his misery without them.
You are very quiet,” Archer remarked as they walked together to the refreshment table. They’d just finished a game of whist and when Rose begged off from a second round, Grey’s brother did the same.
“My apologies,” she replied. “I do not mean to be rude.”
“My brother doesn’t deserve to take up so much room in that lovely head of yours.”
She might have been insulted by his disparaging Grey, or his familiarity with her, had she not been so surprised by the remark itself.
“You are impertinent, sir.”
He grinned-a grin so much more roguish than Grey’s. “One of my more charming traits. I did not mean offense, dear lady. Only that thinking about him will do you no good. The man is bent on punishing himself for the rest of his life.”
Rose accepted the plate he offered her. “Thank you. Why would he wish to punish himself?”
“Because he’s an ar…idiot. Sandwich?” He held up a cucumber sandwich caught in silver tongs.
“Please. I’m not certain I wish to discuss your brother with you, Lord Archer.”
“Not even if I can help you win him?”
Rose’s heart froze-no, it simply stopped. Her entire body went numb. She would have dropped her plate had Archer not swept it from her hand into his own.
“What makes you think I wish to win him?”
He flashed her a coy glance. “Please, lady Rose. I’ve not made a career out of studying your sex to fall for your false innocence now.”
Oh dear God. Had Grey told him?
“I’ve seen the way you look at him, and I’ve had to put with hearing about you for the last four years-no offense.”
Rose arched a brow as he piled food upon her plate. “None taken. I wasn’t aware that I looked at your brother in a manner different from how I might look upon anyone else.”
“Mm.” He popped a small cake into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “That’s just it. You try too hard to treat him like everyone else. It’s obvious you care for him, and not just as the man who saved your life.”
“Saved my life? How very dramatic.”
He gave her a very serious look as he handed her the laden plate. “Where do you suppose you’d be right now if Grey hadn’t taken you in? Certainly not here, with such good food and charming company.”
Point taken. And now she felt simply awful for the way she had spoken to Grey earlier. She was such a cow.
“You shame me, sir.” And worse, he’d made tears come to her eyes. Staring at her food-such a wonderful array he’d picked for her-she blinked them away.
He steered her toward a window seat where they sat in plain view of the room, but at least with a modicum of privacy. “My apologies, my lady. I did not mean to offend you with my plain and thoughtless words.”
“Plain, perhaps. Thoughtless, I highly doubt it.” She managed a small smile. “I don’t think you do anything without thinking first.”
Archer laughed, looking so much like Grey it hurt to look at him. “Were that but true.
So it is hopeless. Is that what you are saying?”
Archer smiled. “Nothing is hopeless, but if he means enough to you that you are willing to put up with him, then I will do what I can to help you.”
“Why would you do that?” She took a nibble of delicious frosting as her heart thudded hard in her chest. “You don’t even know me.”
But what if he could help her convince Grey to rejoin the world?
He raised a cake of his own, the frosting stark white against the tan of his fingers. “Because you are the only woman with the exception of my mother and sister who knows my brother intimately and for some reason still likes him. That’s good enough for me. Now, eat some of that cake I was kind enough to fetch you. I wouldn’t want you to tell Grey I was a poor companion.”
Rose’s smile caught on her lips. “Are you suggesting I use you to make your brother jealous?”
Archer laughed. “My dear girl, it will take better men than me to drive Grey into action.” His expression turned positively rakish. “But I’m as good a place to start as any.
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