He chuckled, looking up from his lowered position his eyes crinkled up at the corners. “This is a lovely garden.” He glanced appreciatively over her starting at the tiny pink toes that peeked out from beneath the hem of her sprigged muslin to the thick golden curls that framed the face of an angel. He smiled widely. When he stepped through the archway, he must have walked straight into heaven. She was a real life angel with the loveliest blue eyes he had ever seen.
Surely, God had sent her to banish the demons from his soul. Golden light surrounded her as if she wore a halo and suddenly the anguish that had bellowed inside his heart for the past year quieted, if only for a moment. The demons clawing and scraping to escape the prison of his soul seemed to grow tired and stilled.
He stood up and pointed to the right laughter lacing his voice with delicious warmth, “I believe what you are searching for is hidden under that bench”
“How kind of you to point out,” Poppy replied, unable to mask the hint of sarcasm that laced her voice. She grinned as devilment danced in her eyes. Spinning around she groped under the bench with her toes and slid her feet into her slippers.
Declan took advantage of her turned back unable to contain his wolfish smile, taking a moment to admire her gently rounded backside. He could not remember when he had been so enticed. Her gorgeous derriere brought to mind all sorts of naughty pictures in his mind. Oh, I am definitely a devil. He laughed loudly. “I do apologize. I did not mean to offend.” His regard thoughtful when she turned around her fingers playing nervously with a fold in her jonquil striped morning gown.
There was no doubt that he desired her. He could almost taste her sweetness, but one of his best friend’s sisters, damn. He definitely had the worst sort of luck, and just for an instant, their gazes met and held and he wondered if his luck was about to change?
Her cheeks flushed with unknown anticipation. Her pulse leapt with intensity so strong, so powerful, and so foreign. Confused and overwhelmed with these new emotions, a suffocating panic began to well up inside of her making it difficult to breathe.
Declan knew that Ash would skin him alive if he had even a hint of the thoughts that were going through his mind. Instead of abating, his arousal strengthened and instead of building up his defenses, he felt like knocking them down. Arousal built up inside him. His heart slammed into his chest. This would never do. He should have stopped in the village before he arrived. There is no way that he could slake his lust with his best friend’s innocent sister. How unfortunate, for she would definitely be a treat that he could savor. He pulled his gaze away from her and attempted to distract himself with his surroundings in order to take a moment to gain control of his lawless urges. The first thing he noticed was the lack of exotic flowers in her garden. It held only a riotous confusion of color and a hodgepodge of wildflowers, not a rose in sight.
“Have you only just arrived, Hawksley?” Poppy asked in an attempt to break the awkward silence, her voice husky with nerves. “I hope your trip was uneventful.”
“Yes, it was a very pleasant trip indeed, beautiful countryside surrounds Rosebriar.” He cleared his throat. “I just arrived a few moments ago. I left my Arabian, Lucifer, at the front to be stabled,” he informed. “My coach and valet should arrive sometime this afternoon.”
“Lucifer?” Poppy inquired, her brow furrowed when she looked into his eyes. “He sounds like a fearsome beast.” She once again lost her train of thought as she watched a glimmer of amusement light up his eyes.
He cleared his throat, biting back a grin. “Beast, most definitely. Fearsome, no. He is a pussycat.” Their encounter amused him. A feeling of excitement coursed through his body. They both seemed genuinely flummoxed by their meeting.
“I noticed that you don’t have a single rose in your garden?” His narrowed gaze surveyed the colorful array that surrounded him. “Do you not like them?”
“I like them well enough.” She glanced around with pride. “But roses are not allowed in these walls. This is my wildflower garden. We have a formal garden that includes roses behind the conservatory. A Parterre, but I prefer the wildness inside here.” Her eyes glowed with pride.
“It is an attractive garden.” He repeated the sentiment, taking one last glance around. “We have a large rose garden at Allingham Park with over seventy-five varieties of roses.” He walked towards the ivy-covered wall. “Enchanting.”
She watched as he slowly circled the garden smelling a few of the flowers along the wall. He turned, smiling softly then continued his quiet survey of his surroundings. “In fact, when I first stepped through the arch I believed you to be a fairy.”
Poppy opened her mouth to respond when another voice called, “Poppy, I know you’re out here.” Her eyes widened and her face turned a bright shade of red when she realized she was staring. She whirled away calling, “Come Georgie.” Leaning down she scooped him up. “Coming, Piper.” Without waiting, she strode towards the voice moving around him to cross under the archway, then she turned to face him. “You might as well meet my sister.”
“Delightful,” he sounded distantly amused, chuckling when the disembodied voice called again, “Do you know who has arrived?” The voice continued, “A brute of a horse was just stabled...”
Declan watched as the girls eyes widened and she whispered through her teeth, “Who is that?” Color rose in her cheeks, and she appeared flustered to be caught gawking him.
Speaking loud enough for him to hear, “The Duke of Hawksley has arrived.” Poppy glanced over her shoulder, gesturing his way, as he stood framed by the low arch.
Piper’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’.
Declan ducked under the archway and straitened to his impressive height before bowing elegantly.
“Your Grace, this is my twin sister, Piper.”
Piper curtsied with a knowing smile, “Your Grace.”
“Twins?” His brow furrowed his eyes moving back and forth between the two. There were strong family similarities, of course, but they looked nothing like one would expect of twins.
“Don’t worry.” Piper chuckled at the perplexed look in his eyes. She linked her arm through his. “We get that reaction all the time. I look like the Peregrine side of the family and Poppy looks like the Wakefield side.”
“Indeed.” Although they were not identical twins, they both had the same piercing blue eyes as Ashford.
“You must be famished, Your Grace. Let us show you to the breakfast room,” Piper invited. “I’m sure Parker is already breaking his fast.”
Poppy’s brows furrowed as she searched desperately for something clever to talk about.
“I don’t recall if Parker mentioned where your home is located.” Poppy glanced down and took a hold of his other arm. Her touch light, yet he felt it to his bones.
“My family’s ancestral pile is in the wilds of Berkshire,” he advised. “In fact it is quite close, only a few hours ride from here. Not far at all. Have you every traveled to Berkshire?” He asked slanting a look out of the corner of his eye.
“No, I haven’t traveled through Berkshire. But it does seem perplexing that you and Parker are such good friends and we have lived so close, yet we have never met before,” Poppy said. “From my understanding, Berkshire is definitely not very far away. Parker stated that it is only a few hours ride.”
“Prior to a few years ago, I mainly resided in my family’s London townhome. That is where Ash and I generally met. A few times on break he stayed with my family at Allingham Park.”
“Oh. Well I suppose that is as good of an explanation as any. Parker did tell me that you often got into scrapes in London.” She grinned up at him. “Would you care to elaborate? Parker refuses to release any details of your escapades.”
“I will defer to Parker’s wisdom and remain silent.” He placed his hand over hers. The intimacy of the act caused Poppy to shiver.
She pouted prettily. “I love London, the excitement and the pace, however, nothing compares to being in t
he country for me.”
Poppy’s eyes closed in pleasure as she took a deep breath. “Smell the air. You will never have this in London. The sweetness of honeysuckle calls to me when the warm winds blow. One of my favorite smells.” She tugged his arm turning him slightly to the right. “Do you see the clusters of yellow flowers flushed with purple and red? We have allowed it to grow wild and free at Rosebriar. The fragrance soothes me immensely on a summer evening. I love to sit at my window at night looking at the stars and smelling the sweetness of summer.”
“Your enthusiasm paints such a delightful picture, Lady Poppy.”
Piper walked silently watching their interaction with a hidden smile. She recognized the look in Poppy’s eyes. She was attracted to the duke, so much for her matchmaking plans for Chloe and Freya.
Poppy opened her eyes and blushed. “Forgive me.” She grinned. “I forget myself sometimes. I am told quite often by our companion, Miss Harris, that I talk entirely too much.” She shrugged charmingly and unconcerned.
“No apologies necessary.” Declan looked deep into her eyes. “It is quite refreshing to come across an honest response instead of well-rehearsed replies,” he stated a genuine smile spreading across his face.
The door opened as if on command by one of the ever-efficient footman. Dobbins bowed, greeting the twins and their new arrival. “Good morning Lady Poppy, Lady Piper. I trust you had a pleasant walk this morning?” Dobbins gestured, another footman came forward scooping up Georgie and removing him to Poppy’s chamber.
“As always, Dobbins, it was very inspiring.” She gestured towards their guest. “May I present His Grace, the Duke of Hawksley. He must have gotten lost for he found himself in my garden.” Piper fluttered her hands busily. “The duke’s carriage and valet should arrive soon,” she said with a cheerful smile on her face. “Is my brother in the breakfast room at present?”
“Yes, my lady,” Dobbins inclined his head.
“Spendid, thank you, Dobbins.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Declan glanced at Dobbins with an inquisitive brow, the casual exchange not the norm between most members of the ton.
Dobbins shrugged with a slight grin, bowing. “Your Grace.”
Declan took a moment to glance around the foyer, admiring the opulence of his friend’s home. Black and white checked marble tiles covered the entrance. Grand pillars standing as if holding up the heavy ceiling. A large marble fireplace stood off to one side to help ward off the chill when the weather was cooler. Mahogany paneled walls followed down the hall, dark and masculine. Following Poppy, he observed as she pointed out the rooms as they passed.
Poppy pointed gracefully. “On the left is the drawing room. Across the hall is the library.”
“Do you mind?”
“Of course not.”
He opened the door and poked his head in. He had always believed that he had an excellent library. Obviously, reading was a strong family past time with the Peregrines as well. Dark wood shelves were floor to ceiling on three walls. Wooden rolling ladders lay against the shelves waiting for someone to choose one of the thousands of leather bound books. There were two separate seating areas. Deep leather couches and chairs sat in cozy circles on either side of the large stone fireplace. A large sheepskin rug covered the floor in front of the fire creating a warm and inviting area to lose oneself. Half shelves lined the fourth wall. A black wrought iron spiral staircase swirled upward to an alcove with deep leather seats available for someone to escape while discovering new and exciting adventures.
He was impressed. He looked around to take it all in. Inhaling deeply, he could never get enough of the musty scent of old books.
“This is one of my favorite rooms. We are all avid readers.” She pointed out. “Of course feel free to choose something if you would like.”
Poppy looked at Piper. “This is also where you will find Piper curled up in a window seat. Do you enjoy reading, Hawksley?”
Declan nodded his head in assent. “I have been reading the Odyssey by Homer. Have you read Homer?”
Poppy turned towards Hawksley and smiled, “Indeed. My father insured that we had a vast library. In addition, I have a subscription to the lending library in Town. I get all of the latest novels. I’m attempting to read as many books as I can.”
Piper cut in, “You can borrow anything that you like while you are visiting,” she said as she gestured towards their vast collection.
He bowed slightly. “Thank you, you are both most kind.”
Closing the door, Poppy glanced farther down the hall and pointed to the next door on the right. “That is the billiards or card room, whichever you prefer. It is Parker and Peyton’s favorite room,” she mentioned with a grimace. “A bit too much cigar smoke for my taste.” She glanced at Hawksley from underneath her lashes, fanning her hand back and forth in front of her charmingly wrinkled nose.
Merciful heavens, she was dangerous, Declan thought.
She paused to open the door to her left, revealing the bright and sunny breakfast room. Cheery yellow walls enhanced by the bright sun that was pouring through the large bay windows flanked on either side by the colorful stained glass door that lead into the conservatory.
Each new marquis endeavored to put his own mark on the ancestral home. With each new generation, the additions gave the house a somewhat jumbled, yet unique appearance.
One of Poppy’s favorite additions was the conservatory, which her grandfather had installed. In the winter, it was one of Poppy’s favorite escapes, a heated tropical getaway, such as she had only read of in books. She loved to take tea in the furnace-heated structure during the winter forgetting the bitter chill out of doors.
A large marble-topped rosewood sideboard held an assortment of breakfast delights, enough to feed a small village. It was practically groaning under the weight of all the food spread across the top.
Parker rose quickly, rounding the table in quick strides greeting his friend enthusiastically, “Hawk, how is my long, lost friend?” He shook Declan’s hand vigorously. “It’s good to see you.” He slapped him on the back. “I have missed you, my friend. I see you have become acquainted with my lovely sister’s.”
“Yes I have,” he said with a smile. “Your sisters have been kind enough to give me a quick tour of the immediate rooms.” He turned a speaking look towards Poppy. “It was my good fortune to be greeted by Poppy’s companion, Georgie, when I first arrived.” A broad smile transformed his features. “You have a lovely home here Ash,” he said politely.
“Thank you. I am extremely proud of it,” he agreed. “Grab yourself something to eat.”
Turbulent emotions continued to flow through Poppy. She had never felt this nervous, giddiness before. Heat poured throughout her entire body. She knew she was attracted to Hawksley but she definitely did not understand what this all meant? Glancing at Piper, surely she would be sensible about all of this.
After serving herself some eggs and toast, Poppy sat next to her brother and poured herself some tea. She watched as Declan piled his plate high with bacon, ham, eggs and toast. Sitting opposite her, he poured a cup of hot black coffee and took a sip.
Poppy listened with interest as they rehashed old times. Grinning and once even chuckling aloud at one of the reckless escapades, they had shared.
“Do you remember when we were in Bath?” Parker arched his brow.
Clutching at his stomach, Declan groaned, “Ugh, please do not remind me.”
“No one forced you to drink so much of the water.” Parker snickered.
“You say!” Declan scoffed. “Rockwell bet me fifty pounds.”
Poppy laughed outright again.
It was a joyful, melodious sound and Declan found himself joining her in a wide smile. “Then you should be a very healthy man.”
She thought she was prepared. She thought she knew what she was doing. Now that he was sitting in front of her, she had no idea how to proceed. When he flashed her his devastat
ing smile, he took her breath away. She was uncomfortable with the direction of her thoughts. Not knowing how she should proceed. She felt as if she had a multitude of emotions swirling throughout her all at once. She felt as though she were suffocating in the heat of newfound arousal that tempted her. Unable to breathe deeply, she began to panic again. Taking shallow breaths, she needed desperately to escape.
Quickly, she pushed back her chair making more noise then she had intended. “Please excuse me.” Suddenly self-conscious, Poppy gave up any attempt at a more graceful, dignified escape. “I forgot some— items that need to be taken care of before our other guests arrive.” She raced from the breakfast room before she embarrassed herself even more.
“Please excuse Poppy,” Parker apologized as he sat there puzzled, sharing a look with Piper. “This is so unlike her.” He stared thoughtfully at the door. “She is naturally sanguine and spirited, but normally she is more composed with guests present.”
Declan looked thoughtfully at the now empty seat in front of him. “No need to apologize, I am sure I discomposed her when I surprised her in the garden. Your sister is quite charming to say the least.” He understood her dilemma, he felt addled himself.
Parker said nothing, Scrutinizing his friend, it was clear to him when he glanced at Hawk that more had transpired than either was letting on. Understanding dawned as he recognized the look in his friend’s eyes. Blast. Hawk had the look of someone that had the breath knocked out of him by an elbow to the gut. That happened a lot when people met Poppy. Looking at his friend with a crooked smile, a very interesting visit this may prove to be indeed.
The door swung open and Peyton entered the room. “What on earth is the matter with Poppy?” He glanced behind him. “She almost knocked me over running up the stairs.”
Parker raised his brow and pointed towards Hawksley.
“Oh, I say. I didn’t realize guests had already arrived.” He grinned moving forward to greet Declan.
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