Rules for Reforming a Rake

by Meara Platt

  She followed his gaze to her wound. “It’s a little sore. Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “My battle-hardened warrior,” he teased. “Major Brandt is recommending you for a medal.”

  She laughed. “Me? That’s ridiculous. Desiree is the one who saved your manly hide.”

  “Bloody hell,” he said under his breath, his smile fading. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I never meant... she wasn’t... she doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

  She tried to hide the flicker of pain in her eyes. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You thought so, too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken her under your protection. Is that the proper expression? It’s such a polite expression.”

  He glanced at her, appalled. “Appearances are deceiving. She was a necessary part of my dissolute reputation. There’s nothing between us. I’m deeply grateful for what she did, for she risked her life in warning Graelem. I’ll make sure the Prince Regent generously rewards her. She’ll do well for herself. Such women always do.”

  He stood to dress, his golden body on exquisite display. She remained in bed and watched him, admiring his perfectly proportioned torso and its sinewed strength. He quickly donned his trousers and shirt, then nudged her out of bed and helped her into her gown, though he took a disproportionate amount of time smoothing it over her breasts, insisting they were woefully in need of his attention. “Tell my idiot cousin that he’d better be more careful with his injured leg.”

  She had been so distraught about reaching Gabriel in time to save his life that she had made no mention of Laurel’s distress. Dear heaven! Please, let Laurel survive. She quickly told Gabriel everything.

  His tawny eyes darkened and he frowned. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Graelem’s by her side as he should be. Your uncle is a most extraordinary man, best physician I’ve ever seen. He won’t let her come to harm.” He took her into his arms and held her gently.

  She rested her cheek against his chest, wishing they had more time together, but knowing it couldn’t be. At least he’d be pleased to know that the Malinors would get their due. “What will happen to Auguste and his father? Will they be placed under arrest?”

  Gabriel nodded. “Hopefully tried and hanged before the month is out. I’m sorry I’ll miss their disgrace. Bastards. I think they meant to shoot you that day in the park.”

  She gasped. “Me? Why?”

  “It was their way of threatening me, of expressing their hatred for me. Perhaps they didn’t intend to kill you, but from that range, it would have been easy to miss your shoulder and hit a vital organ.”

  “Is that why Lord Malinor invited me onto his phaeton? To make me an easier target?”

  He gave a curt nod. “Likely.”

  “I hate them,” she said at his nod. “I’ve never met two more loathsome characters.”

  “They’ll get what they deserve. The punishment for treason is death.”

  She shuddered, wishing she better understood the art of political intrigue. Having been raised in a family in which everyone voiced their honest opinion and valued love over wealth, she was at a loss to understand why the Malinors, a family with more wealth than could be spent in a lifetime of profligacy, should lie and scheme to attain even more. Was it mere greed that motivated them, that left them dissatisfied and hungry for more? “Why did Auguste propose to me? First he plots to shoot me and then to marry me? It makes no sense.”

  Gabriel shrugged, though there was nothing casual about his anger. “I don’t know. Perhaps they changed tactics and decided it was a better way to get back at me. Perhaps I’m wrong about all of it and Auguste did care for you.”

  “No,” she said with a grim laugh. “He barely tolerated me.”

  His gaze softened. “The man would have to be a fool not to fall in love with you.”

  She caressed his cheek. “He didn’t love me. I don’t think he even liked me. I never cared for him either. I would never have accepted his proposal.” She sighed. “Certainly not after I’d met you. I suppose it doesn’t matter. None of their plans came to pass.”

  “But something else quite important did.”

  She tipped her head and gazed up at him. “What?”

  “Your family will soon know they almost made a terrible mistake, one that might have cost you your life, certainly your happiness, had you not held your ground and refused to marry Auguste.” Gabriel took hold of her hands. “I should have done more to protect you. In truth, I’m the one who put you in danger. Can you ever forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I just need you to get yourself back to me as soon as possible.” She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the lips. He responded by sweeping her into his arms and stealing her breath with a not-so-gentle, devouring kiss.

  “I won’t cry. I promise. But I’m going to miss you,” she said in a whisper.

  “I’ll miss you, too.” He drew her against his body and held her to him as though he never wished to let her go. But he hadn’t said he loved her. Why wouldn’t he say it to her? He’d made love to her, exquisite, magical love, but that was merely an act of the body. Would she ever claim his heart?

  She heard a light knock at the door, recognizing Major Brandt’s raspy voice and the more refined tones of the Duke of Edgeware as they called to Gabriel.

  “Keep me in your dreams.” Gabriel kissed her one last time... and then he was gone.

  CHAPTER 21

  To reform a rake, a lady must follow her heart above all rules.

  “A PACKAGE HAS ARRIVED for you, Lady Daisy,” Pruitt said, intercepting her as she strolled out of the dining room of the Farthingale townhouse on a beautifully crisp afternoon in late June. The house was unusually quiet. The children and governesses were in the park, and most of the Farthingale horde were visiting Laurel, who had safely given birth to a strapping Dayne male she and Graelem had decided to name Ragnor.

  Ragnor!

  Well, the babe was almost four months old now and already had the sturdy look of a Viking.

  Most of the Farthingale men had disappeared hours ago, headed for their clubs to do whatever men did at such places, though her father and Uncle George had disappeared earlier in the day on mysterious and urgent business from which they had yet to return.

  “I’ll open the package later, Pruitt. We’re on our way to visit Lady Eloise.” She, her mother, and the twins were invited to tea with Gabriel’s grandmother.

  Pruitt blocked the door and plunked the small, rectangular packet in her hands. “The messenger was very keen that you open it at once.”

  “Messenger?” She shrugged. “Curious.”

  “It looks like a book,” Lily said, following her out of the dining room and now hovering at her shoulder, her eyes alight with curiosity.

  “I asked to borrow one from Eloise’s library,” Daisy explained, “but she needn’t have wrapped it for me. And why send it over when I could have picked it up myself this afternoon?”

  Pruitt arched an eyebrow. “All excellent questions, m’lady. Why don’t you open it and find out?”

  She laughed. “What’s going on? And why are you grinning at me? You never grin. What do you know that I don’t?” She drew the string off the wrapper.

  “Good heavens, it really is a book,” her mother said, joining them in the entry hall and looking on with obvious confusion.

  Daisy found herself staring at the cover of one of those mathematical books written by Isaac Newton. Of course, Lily had mastered it by the age of twelve, but she... “Newton? Newton!” Daisy’s heart shot into her throat. The last letter she’d received from Gabriel was two weeks ago, assuring her that he was alive and well and would return to England sometime in July. He’d made it home earlier than expected. She couldn’t bear it. She ached to see him. “Where is he?”

  “Sir Isaac—”

  “You know who I mean, Pruitt!” She darted into the parlor, only to find Julia entertaining Lord Lumley... him again, coming around quite often lately... a
nd Julia was beaming. “I beg your pardon, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  The pair looked as pleased to see her as a virulent attack of gout.

  She backed out of the room, once more calling for the Farthingale butler. “Where have you put Lord Gabriel? The family shall find you dead at the door, this book embedded in your skull, if you don’t tell me where he is right now!”

  “Gabriel?” Dillie’s eyes lit up. “It’s about time that handsome wart-hero showed up.”

  “Honestly, child! This is no time to tease your sister,” her mother chided. “Pruitt, spill it.”

  “I haven’t put him anywhere. I believe he might be visiting his grandmother.”

  “Oh, I love you! Oh, dear! How do I look?” Daisy peered in the mirror, but saw little through the shimmer in her eyes. Her pale rose tea gown and its white lace collar were all a blur. “I’m sure I’m a mess!”

  “You look beautiful,” her sisters said in unison. Her mother was crying and couldn’t speak.

  Daisy ran out of the house, clutching the book to her bosom.

  She didn’t bother to stop at Eloise’s front door. Watling was elderly and too slow—and having waited too many months for this moment, she simply couldn’t wait any longer. She ran to the back, knowing the salon doors leading onto the terrace would be open. She burst into the room only to find Eloise sitting alone. “Pruitt said he’s back! Oh, Eloise! You must be so pleased! Where is he? How does he look? Handsome as ever, I’m sure. Is he injured? Oh, dear. Why isn’t he here?”

  “Because he was stupid enough to wait for you by the front door,” came the laughing response from the entry hall. “I ought to have known better.”

  Daisy whirled on her heels. “Gabriel!” His left arm was in a sling and a crutch supported his right arm. “You’re hurt!”

  “No, love. Never felt better.” He limped toward her, a ridiculous grin on his face that faded as he drew close. “You’ve grown even more beautiful than I thought possible,” he said in a raw whisper.

  “So have you, more handsome, that is. You’ve lost a little weight.” She wanted to rush into his arms and never let him go, but he was awfully banged up and bruised, and though he tried to hide it, she saw that he was in terrible pain. “A new scar,” she said, running a finger lightly over his forehead.

  “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Oh, Gabriel! I want to throw my arms about you, but don’t dare. Look at you! You must ache all over. I fear to touch you, lest I knock you over. I’ve missed you so much. When did you return?”

  “Only this morning. I went home first, but you were already out of the house, paying a call on your family. I meant to come sooner, but had business to settle with your father first. We met up with him and your uncle at their club.”

  “What for? He gave his permission to our marriage. And he’s been banging his breast about the family’s nearly fatal mistake ever since the Malinors were arrested. What a delicious scandal! He now thinks I’m brilliant. They all do, especially Julia. I think she and Lumley Hornby will soon have an announcement to make.”

  “He of the gherkins and weak nasal cavities?”

  She let out a chuckle as she nodded. “He’s gone up in my estimation. He worships Julia and sincerely adores Harry, who’s as much of a scamp as ever. But a happy scamp, and that’s what counts.” She inhaled lightly. “You said ‘we’ met up with my father and Uncle George. Who is ‘we’?”

  “Wellington and I.”

  “Wellington!”

  “He wishes to meet you, too.” His grin broadened. “So does Prinny. The four of us had an audience with him a short while ago.”

  “You, Wellington, my father and uncle?” She stared at him in amazement. “Met with Prinny?”

  He nodded. “I wanted your family to know the truth about me now that Napoleon is no longer a threat, and what better way to do it than to hear it from reliable sources? My days of intrigue are over, Daisy. My cover will now be blown and the gossips will have their day, whispering only good things about me from now on . . . well, mostly good things, I hope. It’s up to some other poor sod to risk his life for king and country.”

  “Thank goodness. Where are my father and Uncle George now?”

  “They’ll be along soon. They wanted to give me a little time alone with you.”

  “My mother and sisters will be along soon as well. I tore out of the house when I saw the title of this Newton book.” She held it up between them. He nudged it aside and drew her up against him.

  “I’m expecting more guests,” Eloise said with a gentle laugh, reminding them that they were not alone. “But I think we can all stand in the hall until you’ve quite finished in here.” She slipped away and quietly closed the door behind her, her last glance an indulgent, tearful smile.

  Daisy heard more female voices and knew her mother and sisters had arrived and would be escorted in by Watling. Eloise would keep to her word and not allow them to intrude, but all of them would be listening at the keyhole. Even now, she heard their squeals and whispers behind the tightly shut door. They weren’t in the least discreet, no Farthingale ever was. “Give me a moment, Gabriel. I’ll tell them to go back home.”

  “Leave them be. Stop hopping about and stand still.” His voice was raw and husky, and held promise of wondrous things to come. “Now, close your eyes.”

  She sighed. “But I want to see you.”

  “All well and good, but I want to kiss you first. It’s been forever since I tasted your lips on mine,” he said, his voice still husky and still promising wondrous things to come. “Close your eyes, sweetheart.”

  She did so at once.

  “I missed you,” he whispered, letting out a low, sensual growl as his lips descended on hers with passion and a wanting ache that left her begging for more. The book she was holding slipped to the floor and landed with a thud. She nudged it out of the way with her toe.

  “Be careful with that book,” Lily muttered through the door.

  They both laughed. “It’s good to be home,” he said, his smile boyishly charming and happiness gleaming in his eyes.

  “Oh, Gabriel! I prayed for your safe return every day.” She carefully circled her arms about his neck and breathed in his familiar scent, the light, musky essence that never failed to throw her into raptures. She wanted to cling to his shoulders, run her fingers all over his hard, muscled body. “I don’t know where to touch, where it’s safe.”

  “Everywhere. Anywhere. Don’t hold back.” He tossed aside his crutch, and made use of his one good arm to draw her firmly against his chest. “You never were any good at following rules.”

  “I promise to reform. I’ll be a most dutiful wife, a paragon of—”

  “Don’t you dare change a thing about yourself.” His mouth closed over hers, his tongue gently sliding between her parted lips, tracing along her teeth before entering her mouth and treating her to an explosion of sensation that left her weak in the knees and trembling. He trailed ardent kisses along her neck, softer kisses along her throat... hungry kisses across her flushed lips. He splayed his hand across her back, drawing her closer still and letting out another one of those deliciously sensual growls that set her blood on fire. “Too many layers between us,” he grumbled as her breasts molded to his chest.

  She heartily agreed.

  “I could strip you naked right here,” he suggested, his eyes agleam and dancing with mirth, “but I doubt my meddlesome, matchmaking grandmother will approve.” He tipped a finger under her chin and held her gaze to his. “But I have a better idea. Not sure if I can do this properly, for I’m afraid once down, I’ll never get up. The servants will have to hoist me back onto my feet... too embarrassing.”

  “Is this one of those naughty sex games Laurel warned me about?” she whispered, for this topic was simply too scandalous for the twins to overhear.

  “No.” He chuckled as he cleared his throat. “Daisy, where shall I start? Eloise adores you, so does Graelem.”

 
; She laughed. “I know.”

  “I adore you, too.” He took her hands in his. “No, that isn’t quite right. I love you, Daisy. I’ve loved you for the longest time.”

  She inhaled sharply, afraid to breathe for fear of breaking the magic spell.

  “You captured my heart the moment I climbed into Eloise’s carriage the night of your debut ball and saw you fussing with your gown,” he said, his voice a soft caress. “You thought you looked like a snowball and were dreadfully uncomfortable. I wanted to kiss you then and there, take you into my arms and tell you that you looked like an angel... my angel, for you somehow soothed my broken spirit, healed my tormented body. You gave me hope and happiness, had faith in me when all others had forsaken me. You had an unwavering faith that never faltered despite my best laid plans.”

  “I had no idea I was that splendid,” she teased.

  He kissed her softly on the lips. “You are, Daisy. All that and more.”

  He attempted to shift onto bended knee. “Bloody hell! That hurts.”

  “Gabriel!” She propped herself under his arm and hauled him up before he did permanent damage to himself. “What in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing?”

  “Asking you to marry me. Doing it right this time. Church, flowers. Family in attendance, all seven thousand of them.”

  She shook her head and laughed. “There aren’t nearly that many Farthingales.”

  “Well, feels like seven thousand,” he said with a grin. “Will you, Daisy? Accept me and make me the happiest man alive.”

  “Yes,” she said in an aching whisper. “Yes and yes and yes again. But I don’t need another wedding. No ceremony, no flowers, and definitely no more Farthingale relatives! We just got rid of fifty and I’m not about to invite them back. They’re too noisy and always underfoot. All I need is you. Only you. I knew it from the moment I first set eyes on you, holding naked Harry in your manly arms.”

  He winced. “Ah, yes. I’ll never forget that pleasure. But our children will be perfectly behaved angels like their mother.”