by Meg Lacey
Rescue came from an unexpected source. “But we have been getting closer,” Nicholas commented with a smile. “Much closer.”
“Obviously,” Margaret said.
Nana looked confused. “I thought you came here with Jackson?“
“Yes, I, um, I did.” Raven hung her head, her feigned shame a bit too real for her comfort. “Nicholas and I…had a fight, you see, and then I met…um, I left Nicky a message, but he didn’t, so I came… Well, anyway, I behaved in a stupid, impulsive, irrational—”
“Oh, now there’s a surprise,” Nicholas murmured in her ear, taking a firmer grip on her arm.
She couldn’t help but glare up at him, before turning back to Nana. “I thought we were over, but now he’s here and…” Raven allowed herself to trail off, the very picture of confused womanhood. She peeked at her audience to see their reaction, trying to avoid looking at Jackson. She knew she’d have to deal with him, but was determined to put it off as long as possible. Maybe she could just write a note? Probably not an option.
“Now everything is just peachy fine, I suppose?” The razor sharp eyes that sliced from her to Nicholas and then back again belied Nana’s soft comment.
Nicholas answered, “We still have a few things to sort out.” He gripped Raven’s waist, pulling her closer. “Wouldn’t you agree, sweetheart?”
Raven had no problem recognizing the threat in that statement. “Oh, without a doubt.” She was a bit unnerved when she heard Nicholas’s soft chuckle.
“Raven,” Jackson said, his tone tense and sharp, “I want to talk to you.”
“I think this situation calls for a drink.” Nana took control, switching her focus from Raven to her son and daughter-in-law. “Don’t you, J.R., Margaret?”
Always the society hostess, Margaret nodded. “Yes, of course. Shall we go in by the fire?” She and J.R. moved toward the living room. “Lorianne, dear, would you ask Tilda for some tea, coffee and those little sandwiches she does so well?”
Lorianne placed Nicholas’s coat on a chair, sending a reluctant look over her shoulder before walking down the hall to the kitchen.
Nana continued down the stairs. “Jackson,” she said in an autocratic voice, extending her hand to her grandson, stopping him as he stepped toward Raven and Nicholas. “Let’s give them some privacy, shall we?”
Jackson halted mid-stride and looked back at his grandmother.
“I’m thirsty, Jackson.”
With a glare in Raven and Nicholas’s direction, Jackson muttered, “I could use a strong drink myself.” He sent Raven a look that promised they would talk later before tucking his grandmother’s hand into the crook of his arm and escorting her into the living room.
Only Raven and Nicholas were left in the hall. Raven was reluctant to look at him. Escape seemed the best alternative for the moment. She started to walk toward the archway when strong fingers encircled her wrist, jerking her to a stop.
“Oh no, you don’t.”
Nicholas pulled her farther down the hall under the stairwell arch, out of view of the living room. “No kiss and run for this guy.”
Raven summoned a saucy smile and tossed it over her shoulder. “I guess you’re wondering what this is all about.”
“Well, you could say,” Nicholas drawled, “I’m a bit curious.”
“I can explain everything. But not now. They’re all waiting.”
Nicholas sent her a look. “Oh, you’ll explain, trust me on that. It’s not every day a woman tries to climb me like an elm tree—at least not in public.”
Raven flushed.
“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? You didn’t have any trouble communicating before. Of course, a lot of it was non-verbal.” He pulled her close to him. “Come to think of it, I prefer that approach. You always get in trouble when you talk.”
Raven scowled as she stumbled against him. Her cheeks flamed as she jerked away from his tantalizing body heat. Damn him. If that wasn’t just like Nicholas. He couldn’t let anything go without commenting on it and making her feel like an idiot. She sent him a sideways glare from under her lashes. “I had to give them the impression that we were— Well, obviously I had to be convincing.”
Nicholas gave her a grin that hit her like the sun breaking through a cloudy day. “Oh you were convincing, all right. You almost convinced me right out of my briefs. You’re damn lucky I didn’t wrestle you down to the floor.”
“What?” Raven’s jaw dropped as she stared at him. “But you don’t even like me. And I don’t like you,” she added, voice defiant.
His eyes twinkled. “Get real, sweetheart, you don’t have to like someone to screw their brains out.”
“Who said anything about screwing? All I said was—”
His grin grew. “I think it was that non-verbal communication thing of yours that put the thought in my mind.”
Raven bit her lip, taking refuge in the ladylike behavior her mother had tried to beat into her as a child. “This subject is not appropriate. I’d rather not discuss it.”
Nicholas practically shouted with laughter. “Christ’s britches, Raven, you have a funny idea of what’s appropriate. Lord, the man who takes you on better have a big stick and nerves of steel. You’d make mincemeat of anyone else.” He jerked a thumb toward the archway into the living room. “Like poor Exeter in there. I wonder if he knows how lucky he is to get away from you.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say.”
“Truth hurts, luv.”
Her mouth opened with a hot response when it suddenly hit her. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
“I was in the vicinity.”
“Oh, you were?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice. “You just decided to drop into a remote country house and say hello to whomever answered the door?”
“Maybe I caught your ‘get me out of this someone’ vibe and came to the rescue.”
Her eyes narrowed, unwilling to admit the truth of that. But she crossed her fingers just in case she was struck down for lying. “I don’t need any rescuing. I’m perfectly able to rescue myself when necessary.”
“Oh, right. Then that little scene we just played was what?”
“A mistake, that’s what.”
Arching a brow, Nicholas pinned her with his gaze. “A mistake?”
“Yes. I had this unexpected problem. Then I saw you and got this idea, because you were convenient. So I—”
“Didn’t think? Used me?”
Raven lifted her chin. “Look, Nicholas, I don’t know why you’re here, but this really doesn’t concern you, so you can—”
Nicholas laughed, the sound no longer as amused. “You’re wrong. This concerns me more than you think. You made it my concern the minute you jumped up and kissed me as if your life depended on it.”
“I was trying to—”
“To what? Get away from a man you got too involved with too fast? Story of your life, isn’t it?”
Raven flushed, but narrowed her eyes, ready to fight. “I’m not involved with Jackson. I didn’t know he was—” Why did she always look her worst around Nicholas? She felt so idiotic that she attacked instead. She always fought the hardest when she was in the wrong. Raven fisted her hands on her hips. “How did you know about Jackson, anyway?”
Nicholas lost his smile. His face froze over like a winter lake. “It’s complicated.”
“Did you talk to my father or something?”
“I spoke with your father, all right,” he said, his tone ice-cube cold. “And now I’m here to speak with you.”
“What do you mean by—”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt.” Lorianne stopped in the hallway so suddenly that Tilda, who was walking behind her carrying a tray of goodies, almost walked into her. “Tilda, take the refreshments to the living room, please.”
Thank God they were interrupted before he throttled her. Nicholas forced himself to look away from Raven’s fascinating face. He’d come here to drag Raven
out by her hair, if necessary, and get her to release Jackson Exeter from her clutches—not get entangled in them himself. Of all the outrageous tricks Raven had pulled over the years, he hadn’t been prepared for her inventing a scenario like this.
Nicholas gathered his manners before turning to smile at the young woman holding a crystal platter filled with petit fours with one hand, nervously fingering her pearls with the other. “No apologies necessary, Miss Sterling.”
Lorianne gave him a self-conscious smile in return. “Lorianne, please.”
“Lorianne.” His voice gentled. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s good to put a face with the name. And such a pretty face at that.” He moved forward and took the plate from Lorianne’s hand. “Here, let me take that for you.”
Color swept over Lorianne’s cheeks. “Oh, that’s very nice of you.” She cast an uncertain look at Raven. “But you don’t need to bother. I’m sure you have other things to—”
Nicholas cast a glance back at Raven who was standing as if turned to stone. “Don’t worry. They’ll keep.”
“But you just got here and I can make your excuses to the family if you want to…” Her face flamed as she realized what she seemed to be indicating.
Nicholas smiled at her again, then nodded at Raven to follow him, knowing that simple gesture would get a reaction. “We’ll make our own excuses, won’t we, Raven?”
He started off with Lorianne, but could feel Raven’s eyes stabbing him in the back every step of the way. He glanced back and smothered a grin as he met Raven’s annoyed gaze. Getting under her skin could become a habit. Not that he wanted her type of chaos every day, but every once in a while she was worth the price of a ticket. Not worth sacrificing a business deal over, however, especially not one the size of this one, which opened so many opportunities to the Kristof family.
Nicholas swallowed a chuckle as he realized that, for reasons of her own, she’d made his visit a lot simpler. He’d thank her, but as he stopped in the entrance to the huge living room and caught sight of Jackson’s determined face, decided it might be premature. He had a feeling the problems were just beginning.
Nicholas handed the plate of delicacies to Lorianne, who crossed the room to place them on a side table. He turned back to Raven and asked, “Would you like a drink?”
For a moment, Raven stood in the archway like a deer frozen in the headlights. “A drink?”
“Whiskey? Wine? Hemlock?” he added with a chuckle, hoping to wipe the panic-stricken look from her face.
Nicholas could see her composure returning when she tossed her head at his joking offer of poison. He could also see the bravado that lay underneath, which surprised him. He’d never thought of the adult Raven being anything other than fearless, always impatient with the status quo. Why else would she conduct her life in such an over-the-top manner? To see this hint of vulnerability gave him a twinge. Then she sent him a mocking smile and he decided he’d imagined the entire thing.
“Whiskey, neat.”
“Perhaps a touch of the Irish? Didn’t your sister marry an Irishman? Someone in horse racing.”
She grinned. “Yes, a jockey, but my father wants nothing to do with the lot of them. He says they’re too reckless.”
“He has no room to talk,” Nicholas said, his voice grim.
“What do you mean?”
Nicholas shrugged. “Nothing.”
Raven sent him a demanding look. “Was that a jab at me somehow, then?”
Nicholas stared at her for a moment. Was it possible she didn’t know about her father’s financial dilemma? That her father, Sebastian Rutledge, was in financial trouble again, and was appealing to the Kristof family to help him out? Nicholas had refused after talking to his cousin, Darcy. Refused for all the right reasons, not that Sebastian would agree.
“Was it?” Seeming to forget there was anyone else in the room, Raven tapped his chest. “Are you calling me reckless?”
Nicholas pushed her hair behind her ear. “Now why would I do something like that in front of all these people?”
Raven inhaled, then gave the room a guilty glance. “I forgot about them.”
“Did you, luv?” Her expression was so delightful that he dropped a casual kiss on the tip of her nose. “Well, there are only five of them. Not the size of your usual audience.”
Her hand fisted automatically, but Nicholas caught it with his before she could lift it and do any damage. He glanced around and discovered everyone was trying to avoid staring at them, except for J.R. who waved them toward the bar, telling them to take their time and help themselves.
Nicholas chuckled. “Come on, let’s find something to calm you down.”
Keeping her hand tucked in his, he pulled her across the room to the self-standing bar at the far end. Jackson, who seemed to be waiting for his chance, immediately joined them.
He waved his hand at Nicholas. “Raven, I’d like an explanation.”
Nicholas reached for a bottle of whiskey and poured a tot, which he handed to Raven. “I don’t think this is the time.”
“Who asked you?” Jackson demanded in an undertone. “Who are you anyway?”
“Raven, would you mind getting me something to eat, please? I missed lunch.” With a slight push on her behind, he removed her from the field of play.
“Wait a minute, Raven, I—”
Nicholas stopped Jackson from moving by shoving a drink in his hand. “You know, you won’t believe this, but you are a very lucky man.”
Jackson took an automatic sip, his gaze still following Raven. “How so?”
“You had a lucky escape.”
He glanced back at Nicholas. “From?”
Nicholas indicated Raven who was now across the room, talking to Nana and the rest of the family, attempting to pretend everything was normal. Since Raven was maintaining her cool and had resurrected her society manners, Nicholas shifted his attention back to Jackson. “From making a disastrous mistake with Raven.”
“How can you talk about her like that? She’s your—you want to explain just what the hell she is to you?”
Nicholas grinned, feeling a bit sorry for the guy but determined to turn him off Raven for good. “She’s my cousin, like she said.”
“I’m not that friendly with my cousins.”
“Raven is a law unto herself.”
“She’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Nicholas looked around the tasteful, yet stuffy house. If this was indicative of the Exeter family atmosphere, it was an understatement. “She’s been that way for a number of men.”
Jackson firmed his chin. “Take that back.”
“Why? Her exploits aren’t a secret.”
“That’s the gossip magazines talking. You know how they exaggerate.”
Nicholas eyed him. “You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”
“I’ve decided to marry her. No matter who tries to stand in the way.”
Nicholas met Jackson’s determined gaze. “I’m sorry,” he said in a soft tone, “I can’t let that happen.”
“Why? Because you’re in love with her yourself? Or because my father somehow put you up to this?”
Nicholas sent a glance in J.R.’s direction. He ignored J.R.’s wide smile, instead shifting his focus back to Jackson, who watched him with a sharp, knowing expression. “What makes you think your father had anything to do with it?”
“The way he welcomed you. You’ve got something going on, don’t you?”
“My relationship with your father has nothing to do with this,” Nicholas said, the lie rolling easily from his tongue. ”Don’t forget, Raven came running down those stairs to me. Not the other way around.”
“Are you really her cousin?”
“Yes, I am.”
“But that wouldn’t stop you if you wanted her?”
“Like I said, we aren’t related by blood.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“No. You’re right,
so listen up.” Nicholas chiseled each word in the air as he warned Jackson off. “If I want Raven, nothing will stop me from having her.”
Jackson wasn’t intimidated. Instead he fired back, “Just so we know where we stand. Do you want her?”
Nicholas laughed. “Something wrong with your eyesight? Who wouldn’t want her? She’s a very sexy woman.”
“Yes, but do you really want her?”
Nicholas looked across the room at Raven before he answered. His eyes lingered on her animated face before moving over the traffic-stopping curves of her body. Her low smoky chuckle caressed his ears.
“Do you?” Jackson demanded.
Finally, he looked back at the younger man standing tense near him. “Yes.” Where the hell did that come from? “Satisfied?”
A long moment passed as their eyes met, drawing their line in the sand. Jackson nodded. “Then may the best man win.”
“There won’t be a contest, Jackson. You’re out of it.”
“Want to bet?” Jackson said, moving away from the bar.
Chapter Three
Deciding not to join the group, Nicholas poured himself another whiskey, watching as Jackson strode across the room. To Nicholas’s surprise, Jackson didn’t try to speak with Raven. Instead, he sat near his grandmother and mother. He even smiled and joked with Lorianne.
Nicholas met J.R.’s satisfied gaze as he looked over from his position by the fireplace. The businessman raised his glass, tipping it in Nicholas’s direction to acknowledge a job well done. Nicholas frowned.
Don’t congratulate me yet.
As if to punctuate that, Jackson sent him a challenging look over his shoulder. Maybe this wouldn’t be as easy as he’d first thought. He could remove Raven today, but had a funny feeling that wouldn’t change anything. Jackson would still be determined to marry Raven and Lorianne would still be the old shoe he’d tossed in the back of the closet.
Do you want her?
Jackson’s words came back to him. Stupid question. Did a man want a runaway train? Not likely. His gaze roamed over Raven. To be honest, he could want her physically. He’d been aware of that possibility long ago, but had never acted on it. However, his physical response to Raven had been put to the test when he arrived today.