The Gift of Love (The Book of Love 8)

by Meara Platt

  The butterflies in her stomach were in a frenzy.

  She eeped.

  The fiend! He knew exactly the effect he was having on her. “Why are you kissing my neck?”

  “Two birds with one stone, Queen Pea. Scent and touch.” He did not stop nuzzling her or breathing her in.

  And now he was also nibbling her ear.

  Sweet heaven!

  No one had ever done this to her before. How did any woman find the strength to resist this man?

  “Three birds with one stone,” he whispered. “Scent, touch, and taste.” He kissed her along her neck and throat, then moved lower to place a feather-soft kiss on the swell of her breast before moving back upward and capturing her lips in a searing kiss that shattered any resistance she might have ever felt toward him.

  Her traitorous lips sought his with torrid eagerness.

  Even her body surrendered to his touch. Indeed, craved it.

  They both seemed to realize something was happening that shouldn’t be and broke off the kiss hurriedly. “Ronan?”

  He smiled and glanced down at their positions. She had somehow found her way onto his lap. His arms were still around her, and his eyes were hooded and smoldering. “That was nice, Dahlia.

  “Heavens,” she whispered. “No, it was quite wicked. I think they would call this a compromising position. We behaved very badly just now.”

  He arched an eyebrow, obviously amused. “Would you care to do it again?”

  She scrambled off his lap. “I don’t think this is what the author of that book had in mind. Let’s pretend this never happened and read on. You’re supposed to find your duke’s daughter and–”

  “So long as it isn’t Lady Melinda.”

  “Right. But after the vote, what’s to stop you?”

  “You, Queen Pea.”

  She shook her head, dismayed. “Me?”

  “Do you think I am unaffected by what is obviously going on between us?”

  She shook her head again. “Why is this happening? This isn’t supposed to happen.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m...” She didn’t know. But Gerald had ridiculed her and told her she’d been a fool. How could Ronan feel differently about her? She clasped her hands together and stared into her lap. “Ronan, is this real? Or are you manipulating me? I’m not wise to the ways of seduction. I don’t know how to defend my heart against you.”

  “Blessed saints, how can you think I’d ever give you cause? You can always trust me.”

  “I want to, but it scares me.”

  “I know, Queen Pea. I’ve been telling myself not to push you so soon after Wainscott. Were it not for this blasted vote and the Lord Admiral’s threats, I would have kept a solid distance between us for at least another month or two. But being in your company is proving difficult for me, as well. Perhaps it is a Brayden thing. Meet a girl and know within ten minutes she’s the one for you.”

  “Not quite. We met months ago. It’s only now that you are starting to notice me.” Of course, this also assumed all of this was not a misguided error on his part.

  “No, I meant what I said.” He was giving her that direct, steady look again. The one that always set the butterflies in her stomach fluttering.

  They were doing so, quite madly, just now.

  And her head was spinning.

  “Do you think it was mere coincidence that I sought your favor when Robbie and I were entertaining you, Violet, and Heather with those silly jousting games along the Parliament halls this past October?”

  “Wasn’t it?” She remembered those times vividly.

  While Holly and Joshua were tucked away in Joshua’s office reading The Book of Love, the rest of them had passed the hours playing frivolous medieval games. Ronan and his friend, Robbie MacLauren, were their valiant knights. Their clerks had served as their pages.

  With both Houses in recess and all the lords up in Scotland shooting grouse, the entire wing of this Parliament building had been empty save for them. So they’d treated it as their jousting field.

  “No, I sought your favor on purpose.”

  “Why did you not say anything to me back then?”

  “I wish I had. Believe me, no one regrets the mistake more than I.” He raked a hand through his hair.

  “I gave you my handkerchief as the fair maiden’s love token. And you were my valiant knight. Poor Robbie, you knocked him off his horse every time.”

  He grinned. “I was better at riding a broomstick than he was. In truth, he’s in the Scots Greys. There is no finer cavalry regiment, and Robbie is among the very best of them. Had we been on horses rather than broomsticks, I would have been the one landing on my arse every time.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Dahlia,” he said softly, “I thought you were the loveliest thing ever to step foot in Parliament. I would have said something to you then, but Wainscott was courting you, or so I believed. Also, there was some reluctance on my part. Romulus had married your cousin, Violet. Finn had married your cousin, Belle. Joshua was about to marry Holly. It was obvious to all of us that he was wildly in love with her.”

  “We knew Holly felt the same. For years she’d avoided men, never once speaking of anyone but her late husband, and rarely even of him. Then suddenly, she was mentioning Joshua three times a day.” She shook her head and smiled. “She may as well have worn a sign across her forehead that said in large letters, I love Joshua.”

  “Same for him. But when I suddenly found myself having similarly strong feelings for you, I thought it had to be a mistake. The idea that some young woman I hardly knew could hold any power over me was inconceivable. And another Farthingale, no less. I expected to get over this odd malady that was ailing me.”

  “Ah, then I was little more to you than dyspepsia that you hoped would soon pass?”

  “I think you are not someone I will ever get over. But let’s speak no more about it yet. It’s too soon for you, Queen Pea. Wainscott hurt you badly, and you need time to sort yourself out. When you’re ready, I hope you will find that I am the right man for you.”

  Of course, he was going to be the right man for her. Who would not fall in love with him? Indeed, she strongly suspected Lady Melinda was being a thorn in his side because she did not want to give him up. Who could blame the young woman for her good taste?

  More worrisome for her was Ronan’s protective instinct. This was very important to her. She could not be certain what he was feeling until she stood on her own two feet, strong and capable. Only then would she believe his instinctive desire to protect her was not blinding him to his true feelings for her. What he felt right now could only be sympathy for her being jilted. How could he mistake it for love?

  She glanced at the clock atop the mantel. “Oh, I think we ought to leave the rest for next time. Ronan, why don’t you take the book and read the last few chapters on your own. We won’t have time to meet like this until the end of the week.”

  He agreed, tucking it under his arm. But he held her back as she was about to walk out. “I’ll look for you at Lady Broadhurst’s musicale tomorrow night. You’ll attend, won’t you?”

  She nodded. “Are you sure you can make it?”

  “Where else would I be, but at your side, Queen Pea?”

  Ordinarily, Dahlia would have been thrilled. But this was no ordinary time. Would Lady Melinda be there as well?

  How would she respond when she saw Ronan paying court to her?

  CHAPTER NINE

  Dahlia adored her Aunt Sophie and Uncle John, and took comfort in the knowledge they would remain beside her throughout Lady Broadhurst’s evening affair, allowing her to cling to them like a child if ever she felt the need. However, she hoped she would not turn coward and do so. She wanted to stand on her own and keep her chin up proudly, whether she was to face Gerald and his Lady Alexandra or the determined Lady Melinda.

  Her gown for the occasion was cream silk overlaid with lace at the bosom, and her hair wa
s styled in a loose chignon with a few curled wisps to frame her face. She strove for a muted elegance, having long ago understood that understatement was far more pleasing to the eye than ostentation.

  This belief had been confirmed by the book she and Ronan had been reading, for a man’s eyes were drawn to the female body, not the trappings surrounding it. Too many frills and bows and glittering gems only interfered with a man’s ability to see what his low brain compelled him to seek. “Ronan is not here yet,” she mentioned to Heather as they walked in and stood in line to greet Lady Broadhurst.

  “He’ll be here. I know he won’t let you down.”

  Her Aunt Sophie locked her arm in hers. “You have nothing to prove to anyone, Dahlia. Just remember this. Besides, you look beautiful, and every young man here tonight will consider Lord Wainscott a great fool for ever letting you go.”

  Dahlia shook her head and laughed. “Oh, I think Lady Alexandra’s dowry is too much temptation for any man to resist.”

  There were very few men such as Ronan, ones who would be led by their heart and not swayed by a large dowry. Of course, Ronan did not have a large estate falling into ruin that he had to protect for his ancestral line.

  In truth, neither did Gerald. He just wanted the dowry and prestigious connection to Alexandra’s father.

  Since her aunt and uncle were quite popular, they were immediately surrounded by welcoming friends. Dahlia decided to venture away from them. She walked over to the bowl of ratafia with Heather, for her throat was already strained and dry.

  To her dismay, Gerald and Lady Alexandra were standing near it.

  She grabbed her sister’s hand. “Heather, let’s go the other way.”

  “Why? I thought you were thirsty.”

  She glanced toward Gerald just as he happened to catch sight of her. The coldness of his stare shook her. He looked away and drew Lady Alexandra further into the room, turning his back to her and Heather. Of course, she expected no less from the fortune-hunting bounder. But it saddened her tremendously that someone she’d known and trusted for so many years could turn on her and hurt her without remorse or hesitation.

  It shook her faith in herself because she had never seen the warning signs.

  “Oh, what a wretched man,” Heather muttered.

  “Look, there’s William.” Dahlia noticed their cousin chatting with Meggie Cameron. “Let’s go talk to them. He’s just back from his travels on the Silk Road. I’m sure he’ll have plenty of exciting stories for us. I enjoyed Uncle Rupert’s tales of adventure at the supper table the other night. Didn’t you? I’m sure William will have more for us.”

  They spoke to him and Meggie for a little while, and even though Dahlia was facing them and paying no notice to Gerald, she could feel his malevolence toward her from across the room. What had she ever done to him? The evening had just started, and she was already desperate to escape. “Heather, I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Her sister frowned. “Where are you going?”

  She pointed to the doors leading to the balcony. “I know it’s cold outside. But I already feel the walls closing in around me. I’ll only be a minute.”

  Heather gave a reluctant nod. “Don’t take too long, or I’ll come after you.”

  “All right. I promise.” She stepped outside and immediately felt the chill wind bite against her cheeks. The temperature had dropped further since their arrival. The silk gown she had on offered no protection whatsoever from the cold.

  Oh, crumpets.

  Coming out here had been a mistake. Her family would give her no end of grief if she fell ill.

  She took a deep breath and turned to walk back in when she noticed Gerald had followed her out. She frowned at him. “I don’t wish to talk to you.”

  She tried to walk around him, but he blocked her path. “What are you doing? Gerald, get out of my way.”

  Still, he said nothing.

  His silence was far more unsettling than any angry words he might have spouted. She was already shivering from cold, but now a shiver ran through her for altogether different reasons. What did he mean to do to her? “My family is waiting for me. They’ll notice my absence and come out here looking for me soon. They know exactly where I am.”

  His gaze was intense and unsettling.

  “For pity’s sake, say something. What do you want?”

  He was about to grab her when she heard a low, menacing growl from the opposite end of the balcony. “Get away from her, Wainscott.”

  Ronan.

  Relief washed over her.

  He must have come out through the music room doors. She was never happier to see anyone in her life. Gerald, the snake, immediately slithered back to Lady Alexandra.

  She cast Ronan an unsteady smile as he approached. “Thank you for that growl. You sounded like a magnificent lion about to pounce.”

  But he did not appear at all amused. “What were you thinking, Dahlia? Why are you standing out here on your own?”

  She rubbed her hands against her arms to fend off the cold. “I would not have come out here if I thought he would follow me out. He’d already walked away from me earlier.”

  Ronan did not appear impressed. “Come with me, Queen Pea. You’re shivering.”

  She felt it important to defend her actions even as he held out his arm to escort her back inside. He did not release her once they were in but led her along the periphery of the crowded room toward...she did not know where he meant to take her. “I did nothing wrong, Ronan. He was standing across the parlor in conversation with Lady Alexandra and her father when I last noticed him.”

  “You were outside on your own.”

  “Heather knew where I was. I did not sneak away. She and our cousin, William, would have come looking for me in another moment.” She wanted to insist that she was never in any real danger, but something stopped her.

  She had been scared, and Ronan would not have believed her if she had said she wasn’t. “Don’t be angry with me, please. I’m having a hard enough time getting through this evening, and it has only just started.”

  He raked a hand through his hair and emitted a long, ragged breath. “I’m not angry, Queen Pea. I was afraid for you. What if I had not been here to stop him?”

  “Stop him from doing what? He was merely looking at me. No doubt trying to intimidate me. He made my skin crawl.”

  “He should not have been anywhere near you.”

  “I know. As I said, I did not expect him to seek me out.” She followed the direction of his gaze and saw his eyes were trained on Gerald. “Please don’t make a scene here, Ronan. Let him be. The consequences will be far worse for me than for him.”

  She shivered again.

  “You need warming up.” He placed his hand over hers as it rested in the crook of his elbow. “Tonight was meant to be the first step toward declaring ourselves a couple.”

  She groaned. “Do you want to forget about this scheme entirely? We can come up with a better plan.”

  “No. It is a good plan. I meant it when I said I’m not angry with you. If you must know, it is me I was silently kicking. I’ve dragged you into the Admiralty’s troubles, forcing a courtship on you while you are still struggling with a freshly broken heart.” He looked her up and down. “Your lips are blue. They’ll have pots of tea set up in the dining room. That ought to warm you up sufficiently.”

  She held him back a moment. “We need to let Heather and my cousins know I’m back inside and with you.”

  He nodded and led her toward them.

  “Oh, thank goodness. We were about to go on the hunt for you and scold you for staying out too long. But I see now why you lingered.” Heather grinned at Ronan.

  In turn, he assured Heather he would not leave her side.

  After exchanging more polite words with her family, he escorted her to the dining room. The pots of coffee and tea were set out along the back wall. The evening was still young, too early for the dinner bell to ring, so she and Ronan were am
ong the very few guests in there. She took advantage of their relative privacy to continue their conversation. “Ronan, I will admit Gerald surprised me. But every time he reveals his mean and petty side to me, I find it harder to believe I could ever have loved him. I am merely relieved now that I escaped a terrible fate. My heart is bruised, but it is not broken.”

  He poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her. “Did he say anything to you?”

  “No, that was the oddest thing about the incident. He just stood there staring at me. What do you think he meant by it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I suppose it doesn’t matter now. I’ve learned my lesson and will remain close to others whenever he is present.” She took a sip of her tea, closing her eyes a moment as a soothing warmth flowed through her.

  Ronan was staring at her when she opened her eyes. “You look beautiful, Dahlia. I should have mentioned it sooner.”

  “And you always cut a fine figure in your uniform.” Indeed, he always looked incredibly handsome. “I suppose you’ll be wearing it to every function held over the next few weeks, a purposeful reminder that the navy is in need of support from the House of Lords? But I will admit, I very much look forward to seeing you out of uniform.”

  He chuckled.

  It took her a moment to realize what she’d just said. “Not out of your uniform as in your having no clothes on. You know I did not mean that.” But heaven help her, now that the thought was in her head, she could not get rid of it. Ronan without clothes? His muscled body on full display?

  She felt her cheeks heat and knew she was blushing from her scalp to her toes.

  “Queen Pea, try not to be so obvious in what you are thinking.” His eyes were gleaming, and his mouth was turned upward in the hint of a smile.

  “What?”

  He caught her teacup and steadied it before she spilled tea on her gown. “Oh.”

  “Not that I mind your undressing me. Are you enjoying the fantasy?”