“Stop.” He rumbled, pulling her tight against him. “I won’t hear it. Your morals are perfectly fine. Do you know how many debutantes kiss a man before they marry? The very fact you’re so concerned only proves that you’re far more moral than any of them.”
She sucked in her breath. “I’d never thought of it that way before. Even still, I am the bad Chase sister. Violette would never—”
He cocked one brow. Of course. This was the perfect argument. He’d hear no more from her about how inferior she was. To him, she was the most perfect woman ever created. “Exactly.”
“What?” she asked her mouth agape. “Have I convinced you that I am completely lacking in moral fiber?”
“Your sister had relations with Theo before they were married.” He watched as his words sunk in. Her brow, which had begun all furrowed, spread apart as her eyes widened.
“I’m sorry?” Her voice cracked on the last word. “I thought you said married. But aren’t we travelling to their wedding? How could they already be married?”
“They had a secret wedding after they were…” He looked up to the ceiling, trying to find an appropriate word. “They are having a second, public ceremony for the benefit of your mother.”
He didn’t know if it was his place to tell her all of this. He hadn’t intended to. It was Violette and Theo’s secret but then again, he wouldn’t allow her to continue to abuse herself over a small transgression.
She held his biceps in an increasingly tight grip. “You mean to say that my sister is already married? That this whole time, I’ve been worried and near starving and she is a duchess?” She stomped her foot, catching his toes as she did so. He let out a grunt but otherwise made no response. He had a feeling this might go on for a bit. “I can’t believe it. The way she judged me after Rathemore. Like I was a sinner among sinners and then she had premarital relations?” The last word had risen so high that it had squeaked out of her mouth.
He cupped her cheek with his palm. “Fear not. It will make it that much easier to explain why we are already married and why they will need to share their public wedding with us so that we might also have a public ceremony.”
“Oh, that is a good point.” She nibbled at her lip even as one corner of her mouth quirked up. “And I suppose one of the advantages of marrying a former rake. You’ve thought of a way around everything.”
He chuckled. “I suppose I have. Now, in bed with you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “We’ve a busy day tomorrow and some measure of sleep is in order.”
She slipped her arms under his, wrapping him in a hug. “Thank you, Rex, for everything.”
He slid his arms under her behind and lifter her off the floor. It was a sweet torture to hold her like that. Much as he wanted to strip off each and every piece of her clothing, he meant what he’d said. They start their marriage the right way.
With that in mind, he lay her down on the bed and then snuggled against her, pulling a blanket over their clothed bodies. He didn’t know if he’d sleep but he didn’t care. He had her by his side and that was what really mattered.
Tomorrow was going to be a great day. After all, what else could go wrong?
* * *
Petal woke having no idea what time it was, where she was, or what caused the infernal racket that had woken her. But she hadn’t a moment to figure it out when her hand came in contact with a warm, solid body at her side.
“Whatissssit?” the body next to her slurred. Rex. She was in Rex’s bed.
A grin touched her lips just as the door banged open. “Rex!” Jacob hollered at full volume, his voice echoing off the walls. “She’s gone. Run away, I found a—” Jacob stopped in the center of the room, his eyes going wide. In his hand a crumpled-up sheet of paper. Her note. Oh no…she’d forgotten about the note.
“Jacob,” she started, but before she could get another word out, he dashed from the room again.
In a blink he was back and carrying a shotgun with him. Jacob held the barrel up pointing it at Rex’s chest. “Explain yourself.”
Daffodil’s breath caught in her throat. “Jacob.” She bit out. “Put that down at once.”
Her brother’s eyes remained fixed on Rex. “Stay out of it, Petal. I’ll not allow you to be compromised again. It’s my duty as man of this house to defend your honor.”
“Quite right,” Rex answered. “Well done, Jacob. You’re a strong man for your sister and I’m proud of you. Not that I have a right to be.” He put both his hands up in the air.
“Well I’m not proud of you. I thought you had our best interests at heart.” Jacob lowered the gun a bit as he spoke.
“I’ll get a license today, we’ll be married first thing.” Rex said in a quiet, soothing baritone.
Jacob dropped the barrel a few inches. “What is she even doing here?”
“I tried to run away,” she answered. “Rex was only making sure that I didn’t. See how we’re wearing our clothes?”
“Why would you even want to?” Jacob’s eyes narrowed as the gun came back up.
“I did something foolish, Jacob.” Rex raised his hands a little higher as he slowly sat up, his feet touching the floor. “I saw Rathemore and I…” Rex slowly stood. “I couldn’t help myself, I punched him straight in the nose.”
“Did it really hurt him? Did it bleed?” Jacob asked, the barrel dropping again.
“Profusely,” Rex said as he took a step toward Jacob and grabbed the barrel of the shotgun, swinging it toward the wall. “I’m in love with your sister. I would never intentionally hurt her, though I should have chosen a more private venue to make Rathemore pay. I promise, Jacob, I will marry her as soon as possible.”
His words settled in her chest, making her heart thump wildly. “You’re in love with me?” She bounded off the bed and sprinted to his side.
“Of course I am. What else makes a man act so crazy? I scaled your garden—” Rex closed his mouth.
Jacob’s eyes narrowed again, but Daffodil was fighting back a giggle. It was pure joy that just needed to come out. “I love you too,” she said as she stretched up to kiss his cheek.
Jacob loudly cleared his throat. “There’ll be no more of that.”
“I’ve a housekeeper and maid to hire today.” She reached for Rex’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “And you’ve a license to acquire. Jacob, you’d better go with him and bring the shotgun if you think he might try to run.”
Rex vibrated as he held in a laugh. “You should be so lucky.”
“I am lucky,” she softly answered. “Now let’s get our chores done. We’ve a wedding to get to and I’m not talking about ours.”
That attitude pervaded her entire day. She hired a maid, a caregiver, and a housekeeper. She was very happy with each of her hires, though it made her a little anxious to think of leaving Mrs. Fields. The woman had become family to her. Once she could travel they’d her bring to their new home. Though Daffodil realized she hadn’t a clue where that home might be. And what of Jacob? Would he live alone?
Nibbling on her lip, she realized she and Rex had a great many details to discuss.
Heading down to the kitchen, she began to prepare a meal. Rex had given her basic instructions on how to make a stew and she started tossing the ingredients in a pot. As she chopped potatoes and carrots, she heard a knock at the kitchen door. Assuming it was another candidate for one of the open positions, she called, “Come in.”
Then, she wiped her hands on her apron and turned to great whomever had arrived. Her hands clenched in the fabric as a man—a very tall, broad, and darkly handsome one—filled her gaze. Not whom she’d expected at all.
Quick as she could, she grabbed the knife on the counter again. “Who are you?” she asked, pointing it toward him.
His eyebrows went up. “Really, Lady Daffodil?” He stood several feet away and crossed his arms over his chest. She sucked in her breath. How did he know her name? “Is that any way to treat your family?”
Cha
pter Fourteen
Rex whistled as he turned down Molton Street. The license was in his front jacket pocket, his future brother-in-law chatted by his side, and his soon-to-be wife waited for him at the house. He didn’t have a London townhome. He’d sold it years ago. But Jacob was too young to live on his own. For now, they could spend the winters at his country estate and the summers here. He’d wait for a townhome to come up for sale on Molton Street or another Mayfair address. He couldn’t picture Petal being far from her brother.
Theo was the closest thing he had to a brother. Come to think of it, they would actually be brothers. How had he not realized how nice it would be to have a family?
He stopped on the street for a moment, his whistling coming to an abrupt halt. Once he married Petal, he’d have an actual family with children of his own. His chest swelled with love and pride.
“Are you all right?” Jacob asked, the shotgun swinging at his side. He’d insisted, with a cheeky grin, that he had to bring the damn thing. Rex was certain the Archbishop had almost denied him the license because of it.
“Fine. Why?” He started walking again, anxious to hold Petal in his arms.
Jacob snorted. “I think you’re losing your marbles. You just stopped in the middle of the street.”
“I told you this morning. I’m in love. You can’t explain love to someone who’s never experienced it.”
Jacob gave him a sideways glance. “I can explain it just fine. You’ve gone mad.”
Rex chuckled as they turned down the alley that led to the side entrance. “I see you share your sister’s sense of humor.” Reaching the door, he opened it and stepped inside. “But you’ll understand someday when you and I go off to acquire a license for you.”
“A license?” a deep voice rumbled. “What the bloody hell have you done?”
Rex had been looking back at Jacob but his head snapped around. Theo stood in the kitchen at one end of the table while Petal stood at the other brandishing a kitchen knife like a saber. Jacob instantly brought the shotgun up and chambered the bullet. It resounded about the kitchen with a definite click.
“Do be careful, Theo. Your new siblings are about to make a mash of you.” Rex crossed his arms over his chest as Theo glared back. “And if they don’t, I think I will.”
“Theo!” Petal cried, dropping the knife. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“Jacob,” Rex growled. “Don’t put that gun down just yet.” Theo was his best friend in the world but something primal was making him taut as a bow. He had the feeling that Theo would not support his actions here and would, in fact, try to take his new family away.
“Rex.” Petal put a hand on her hip, her voice sharp and eyes narrowed. “Don’t be rude.”
“Rex?” Theo’s lip curled. “It’s Rex is it? Is this why you’ve stayed in London instead of returning immediately?”
“Did you read my letter?” Rex took a step toward Theo, ready for whatever happened next. He loved Theo but he’d toss him out in an instant if he tried to come between Rex and Petal.
Jacob dropped the gun barrel and ejected the shell. Setting it on the table, he crossed round the kitchen and stuck out his hand. “I’m Jacob Chase.”
Petal clucked her tongue, ignoring Rex and Theo and focusing on her brother. “You’re Lord Westcliff. At the very least, you’re now Jacob Westcliff.”
Jacob shrugged. “Pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”
“Call me Theo,” he said, then shook Jacob’s hand before turning to reach for Petal’s. Taking her delicate fingers in his, Theo brought them to his lips. A rumbling protest erupted from Rex’s chest. Theo was overstepping.
Theo turned to him, his face tightening. “I think we need to talk.”
“I agree,” Petal answered. “Follow me to the sitting room.”
Theo cleared his throat, turning back to her. “Forgive me, Lady Daffodil, but I wanted to speak with Rex alone about the—”
“Not happening,” she answered before he could finish. She began walking toward the door as she tossed an angelic smile over her shoulder on her way to the opening. “Jacob, please prepare some refreshments for us.”
Rex watched those hips sway as she lifted up the corner of her skirt, making her way up the stairs. Dear lord, he loved that woman.
* * *
His Grace, The Duke of Waverly, was walking in Daffodil’s wake. She forced herself to keep her head forward and not glance back. It was a good thing he was now family because even she could not believe her own audacity. At least, she consoled herself, she no longer needed him to help her find a husband. At least she assumed she wouldn’t need him. By the tension between Rex and Theo, she wasn’t entirely certain. What if Rex changed his mind?
Not that His Grace had a say in the matter, though men often assumed they did. He was Violette’s husband but he was also a stranger. With that thought, she squared her shoulders and entered the sitting room. Crossing to the settee, she waited for the men to enter before they all sat. She’d moved to the settee and Rex strode across the room, positioning himself next to her.
“Petal,” he said as soon as they were seated. “Try not to judge Theo too harshly. He’s really a likable guy when not being a total gobshite.”
She gave a Rex a glare. He wasn’t helping. “Your Grace,” she started turning to her brother-in-law.
“Theo,” he replied.
“Theo,” Rex grumbled. “Did you or did you not get my letter?”
“I did.” Theo replied. “Which is why I got on horse and damn near rode all night to get here.”
Rex sat forward, his chest expanding. “I was nothing but honest and forthright in that note about the state of affairs here.”
“I have every confidence that you were being completely honest. And honestly, I will tell you in return, your affection for Lady Daffodil was also absolutely apparent. I’ve seen you when you care for a woman. Nothing gets in your way.”
Daffodil’s spine snapped up even as her inside sloshed about. “Other women? Besides your first wife?”
“You told her about Mary?” Theo’s eyes were wide.
“Theo, I beg you to stop helping.” Rex looked to his friend before turning to Daffodil. “I have had a few dalliances, but I’ve never felt about another woman the way I feel about you.” Then he turned back to Theo. “I’ve kept my hands to myself, if that is what you’re worried about.”
She went from feeling sick from fear to be being dizzy with happiness. She reached for his hand and slipped her fingers against his large warm palm.
“Then why the license?” Theo glanced back and forth between the two of them.
“That’s my fault.” Petal said quietly as she stared down at her lap.
Rex gave his friend the very short version of what had unfolded. Theo’s grimace grew tighter with each word. “I begin to understand. But if all you have said is true, shouldn’t Rathemore be the one to marry her, not you?”
Rex let go of her hand, and stood so suddenly, she nearly fell back. “Over my dead body,” he hurled the words like weapons.
Theo shook his head. “I appreciate your position. You’re in love. But how can I bring Lady Daffodil back to her mother married to the man I sent to fetch her? I simply cannot explain it.”
“You will.” It was Petal’s turn to stand. “Forgive me, Theo, but you will find a way.”
Theo stood too. “I won’t do it. You’ll have to—”
“Tell my mother that you took my sister’s virtue and then married her in a private ceremony weeks before the sham wedding?” Petal took a deep breath.
Theo and Rex stared at her. No one spoke as the silence grew deafening.
“I’m sorry, Theo, to be like this.” She moved around the table to stand in front of her sister’s new husband. “But I have had to learn to cook, clean, nurse, and chambermaid in the last several months. I’m no longer a demure lady who sits in the sitting room waiting for her life to happen. I’m not capable of it nor do I want it.”
“Your sister blackmailed me into marriage too. Chase women,” he mumbled running a hand through his hair. “Fine, but you’ll marry when we’re safely returned to my estate—”
Daffodil held up her hand. “Tomorrow. We’ll marry tomorrow.”
Chapter Fifteen
Rex looked at Daffodil as she stood toe to toe with Theo. That woman was glorious. He’d never find one finer. He’d thought about stepping in but this was her moment. Her chance to be the confident, self-assured lady she was always meant to be.
He couldn’t be prouder.
Theo glanced at him and he winked back. He didn’t need to be angry with Theo any longer. Daffodil had the situation in hand. “I think, love, we’ll have to change your name to Dandelion. You’re ferocious when you’re angry.”
She turned to him, her eyes wide as a little giggle slipped past her lips.
Theo grinned too. “I’ll say.” Then he looked over at Rex. “Dear lord in heaven, you’re going to be related to me.”
Rex let out a bark of laughter. It was good to have his friend back. He’d have hated to lose the best one he had over the woman he loved. “Unlucky for you.”
Theo gave his head a shake. “Lucky for me, I think, and for you. I was worried you had completely run roughshod over a lady but I failed to consider she might be as tenacious as her sister. Fair warning, their mother is equally strong of mind and will.”
“Should I object to this conversation?” Petal’s hands had rested on her hips as she looked between the two of them.
Rex came to her side and placed his hand about her waist. “I’ve been thinking. I like Jacob immensely. Petal and I will stay here and help the boy along.”
Theo’s gaze narrowed. “Are you suggesting that Lady Westcliff stay with me?”
“Build her a dowager estate.” Rex waved his hand. “She can go next to your mother.”
“Stop this.” Daffodil swatted his hip. “Our mothers are not cattle.”
My Wicked Earl: Wicked Lords of London Book 6 Page 8