Vote Then Read: Volume II

by Lauren Blakely

She appreciated his sympathy, but it did little to ease the sick feeling rooting in her stomach.

  “Margery.” The word stroked her like a caress. “You don’t need to worry about needing the treasure. I will take care of you.”

  She snapped her gaze to his. “You’ll what? I’m not your paramour.”

  His forehead creased, making him appear chagrined. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “How else would it be interpreted for a gentleman to give money to an unmarried young woman?”

  He looked away from her. “My apologies.”

  “What are you going to do about finding the treasure?”

  He kept his gaze averted. “I’m not sure. I have to consider Septon’s plea.”

  He’d really surrender their quest? She clenched her teeth, upset that he’d abandon her. She couldn’t do it alone. Digby could help her. And with Rhys gone, that was one less person to split the treasure with. But could she trust Digby? It had taken time for her to trust Rhys, and now knowing Septon was a member of the Order, and that there might be another member out there with a self-serving agenda . . . Could Digby be that member? A chill raced down her back, icing the perspiration and making her shoulders twitch.

  No, she’d come too far to back down. She needed that treasure. “I’m not giving up.”

  He turned his head to look at her. “And what will you do when you find it?” Sell it? To whom? How will you be monetarily compensated?”

  She blinked at him, her mind scrambling. “You were going to . . .” Take care of that with his antiquarian connections. Or something. They’d never really settled on a firm plan. Why would they do that when finding the treasure had seemed, at times, like an insurmountable challenge? But if he sided with the Order and chose to leave the treasure alone, she wouldn’t have his assistance. And she couldn’t take any money he offered without losing every shred of self-esteem she possessed. Besides, Aunt Eugenie would never allow it. She considered Aunt Agnes’s decision to become a man’s mistress to be a dire mistake, one she never truly forgave her sister for. That Margery wouldn’t actually be Rhys’s mistress didn’t matter—she’d given him her virginity and if she took his money, it would seem like a transaction.

  Standing, she fixed him with a determined glare. “Never mind. I don’t need your help to find the treasure. Good night, Mr. Bowen.”

  She turned to go to her room, but he lightly clasped her wrist, spinning her until she nearly connected with his chest—if not for the hand she splayed over his shirt and quickly snatched away.

  He let go of her with a slight nod of apology. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to give up the quest—I’m only thinking about it. I consider things from all angles, as any good scholar would.”

  “Do inform me when you’ve completed your analysis.” She quickly retreated to her room before he could stop her again.

  Once inside, she hastily stripped her robe away and flung it to the floor, uncaring that it would be a wrinkled mess by morning. Jane would be delighted to have something maid-ish to do.

  The single window was open, but the heat of the room was near-stifling. Between that and the lingering desire burning between her legs, finding sleep was going to be the devil.

  Yet she managed to do it, and Rhys haunted every single one of her dreams.

  18

  Margery was delighted to find Mr. Digby in the dining room the following morning and not Rhys. “Good morning, my lord.” She offered a slight curtsey.

  He stood from the table. “Good morning, Miss Derrington. Your loveliness steals my breath.”

  He had to be lying—she looked wilted from the heat, despite employing her fan to the best of her ability.

  He inclined his head toward her accessory. “This is a day I should like to carry one of those. Though I daresay I might be a laughingstock.”

  Her lips pulled into a smile. “Probably.” She closed her fan and selected a cake from the sideboard, then took a seat at the table with Mr. Digby’s assistance. “Thank you,” she said, looking up at him.

  He retook his seat. “I hope you slept well. I’m afraid this heat robbed me of some much-needed slumber.”

  “It’s oppressive, isn’t it?”

  “Intolerable,” came a deep voice from the doorway.

  Margery looked over to see Rhys moving over the threshold. His dark hair was brushed back from his striking features, and he was expertly garbed from starched cravat to polished boot. He didn’t look wilted at all. He looked virile and fresh, damn him.

  Mr. Digby stood. “Good morning, Mr. Bowen.”

  Rhys scrutinized the baron thoroughly.

  “Mr. Bowen, this is Mr. Digby,” Margery said.

  Rhys inclined his head. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Digby nodded in response. “Mr. Bowen.”

  After helping himself to breakfast at the sideboard, Rhys sat beside Margery. “How coincidental to see you here in Caerwent, Mr. Digby.” He shot Margery a glance that seemed to carry some sort of meaning, but she had no idea what.

  Mr. Digby opened his mouth to respond, however Margery cut him off before he could say anything about the treasure. Until Rhys made a decision about whether he was going to listen to his friend from the Order or continue on their quest, she didn’t plan to tell him about moving forward with Mr. Digby’s help. She gave Digby a look that she hoped conveyed the message that he shouldn’t mention their dinner conversation. “Mr. Digby is here to tour the Roman ruins.”

  Digby smiled at her, seeming to understand. “Indeed.”

  Rhys looked between them, a mild frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. “They’re fascinating.”

  Digby pivoted toward Margery. “I was hoping you would join me.”

  She was most anxious to learn whether he’d come up with a plan to access the church. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

  “It’s going to be quite hot again today,” Rhys observed, buttering a piece of bread. “You might be advised to postpone your excursion until the weather is more temperate.”

  “Actually, I’d planned to go right after breakfast, before the day becomes too warm. The morning air is rather cool and refreshing after the stifling heat of the inn, wouldn’t you say?” Digby asked Margery.

  “I would,” she agreed, noting the slight narrowing of Rhys’s eyes in Digby’s direction.

  Rhys moved his perturbed stare to Margery. “We were to return to Hollyhaven today.”

  They’d discussed it, but nothing had been resolved. In fact, any tentative plans they’d made had become moot with the disappearance of the manuscripts. She gave him a questioning look. “I believe our plans have changed. I believe you promised to find something that was lost.”

  “There is that.” He took a bite of bread, his eyes glittering. He seemed quite perturbed this morning. He was the one who was considering ending their partnership—why should he be angry? Because he wanted her to stop the quest too, or maybe . . . Maybe he simply didn’t like seeing her with Digby.

  Rhys’s potential jealousy stirred a sense of feminine pride. She batted her eyelashes at him. “Unless you’ve decided to return home without completing your objective?”

  He scowled at her briefly before schooling his expression into an inscrutable mask. “I haven’t decided anything.”

  Then why was he suggesting they return to Hollyhaven? She caught the dark look he directed toward Digby and confirmed her suspicion. He was jealous.

  “What is your objective?” Digby asked before taking a drink of ale.

  Rhys sent Margery a look that clearly said, thank you for calling attention to our secret quest. She returned his regard with a subtly raised brow. He was the one who’d made it unsecret by telling first Penn and then Septon about it.

  Rhys straightened his shoulders. “I’m cataloguing certain antiquarian finds. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’ll accompany you on your tour today.”

  Now it was Margery’s turn to scowl. “You said it was too
hot for such activity.”

  He smiled calmly, sending a nod toward Digby. “I think Digby has the right of it. If we go early and return before the sun is high, we should be comfortable enough.”

  Margery looked at Digby who was now wearing a vague frown. He glanced at her and they exchanged looks that said they’d have to postpone any discussion about the treasure. That, or rudely deny Rhys the opportunity to accompany them. Although, Margery wasn’t sure that would be effective. In his current mood, she couldn’t guess what he might do.

  Digby’s smile seemed forced. “Excellent.”

  Margery finished her cake and stood. Both men got to their feet. “I just need to fetch my hat,” she said, picking up her fan.

  “As do I.” Rhys pulled her chair back so she could exit. “We’ll meet you out front, Digby.”

  Margery hurried upstairs with Rhys heavy on her heels. He followed her directly into her chamber where Jane was preparing to take the laundry downstairs. She dipped a curtsey, muttered “Pardon me,” then stepped around them.

  Margery snatched her broadest-brimmed hat from a hook and nearly collided with Rhys, who was standing behind her. “Don’t you have to get your hat? In your room?”

  “I will. What in the devil are you doing taking an unchaperoned tour with Digby?”

  “‘Unchaperoned’? You must have feathers in your head. A public walk with Mr. Digby is far more appropriate than,” her mind fumbled to find the right words, but in the end she simply gestured between them, “this.”

  His brows pitched low over his furious eyes. “There’s a villain out there—someone who’s sought to do you harm.”

  “So Septon says.” She set her hat atop her head. “I’m just as safe with Digby as I am with you.”

  “Not if he’s the villain.”

  She glanced in the mirror hung on the wall and tied the bonnet beneath her jaw. “You’re just saying that because you’re jealous.”

  “I’m not.”

  She adjusted the bow before turning to give him a saucy stare. “Not saying that because you’re jealous, or are you not jealous?”

  He gritted his teeth, and his flesh deepened in color. He hadn’t gone red—no, she didn’t think his complexion was capable of that. He only looked darker, more intense. Ridiculously handsome. “I’m saying that because he was one of the men who attended Stratton’s party. What if Digby’s a member of the Order who’s gone off?”

  She’d completely forgotten Digby’s name had been on the list. “Septon’s name was also on the list and you trust him.”

  “I’ve known Septon a long time.”

  “Yes, you keep reminding me of that.” She tried not to let her frustration with Rhys cloud her judgment. She would be wary with Digby. “I highly doubt Digby is a member of the Order. He had nothing but unpleasant things to say about their methods.”

  “What the hell have you discussed with him? The Order? The treasure?” He stood staring at her, his hands on his hips.

  Margery licked her suddenly dry lips. She felt like the time she and her father been caught sneaking into the kitchen by their housekeeper, Mrs. Ingle. “He’s an Arthurian enthusiast. We discussed the Order at dinner last night.”

  “And the treasure, I’d warrant.” He shook his head. “If he had derogatory things to say about the Order, that could support him going against them.”

  “Why is that a bad thing? I realize Septon is your friend, but he’s a member of an organization that physically attacked you. I can still see the outline of the bruise on your temple. I think that leaving the Order would only add to Digby’s credibility.” She set her hand on her hip. “I’ve an idea. Why don’t you just ask him if he’s a member?”

  “And if he is corrupt, how would that turn out?” He scrubbed his hand against his chin. “Members have tattoos on their legs. If we can verify he has one, we’ll know for certain.”

  “And how on earth are we going to do that?”

  He shrugged. “It’s hot. Perhaps we could find some water to dip our toes in. When he removes his stocking, we’ll see the tattoo.”

  “Or not, if it doesn’t exist.” She shook her head at him, confounded by how this conversation had deteriorated. “A moment ago you were lecturing me about propriety, and now you want us to present our bare feet and ankles. Have you been locked up with your books for so long that you have absolutely no notion of what’s acceptable?” She ignored the irony in her question, considering that she had been the one to go to his bedchamber two nights ago.

  “At least my academic pursuits provide me with an excuse. What’s the reason for your lapse in rectitude?”

  She gasped, then narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m leaving.” She brushed past him and strode into the corridor.

  “Go on ahead. I’ll catch up to you,” he said darkly. “I always will.”

  After a torturous morning of enduring Digby fawning all over Margery and her seeming to not only appreciate it, but encourage it, Rhys was ready for a drink. And a long soak in a cold bath. He settled for a large basin of cold water and several pieces of toweling.

  As he dropped his boots to the floor and peeled his stockings from his feet, he mused over his failed attempt to find even a small pond for them to plunge their feet into during their excursion. As a result, he still had no idea if Digby was a member of the Order. Which meant he had to go and ask Septon.

  And that meant he had to decide what he was going to do—continue searching for the treasure or succumb to his old friend’s plea.

  First, however, he was going to find some relief. He stripped off his clothes until he wore only his breeches. Then he wetted a towel and dragged it over his chest, closing his eyes at the respite the cool water provided.

  He heard a door close and opened his eyes. Then he heard the creak of the adjoining door as Margery stepped into his room. And immediately halted upon seeing him.

  Her hand clutched the edge of the door. “You’re . . .”

  He nearly smiled at her obvious discomfort. “Undressed?” he offered blithely. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”

  She glared at him, then closed the door. “Jane’s gone to find some relief in the shade. I would’ve joined her, but I want an answer from you about the treasure. We can’t keep bickering.”

  He took a perverse pleasure from bickering with her. Her cheeks flushed and her breasts heaved. It reminded him of when they’d been in bed together. “I’m still thinking about it.” He was almost settled, but he was enjoying her indignation far too much. He dragged the wet cloth over his shoulders and the back of his neck and sighed.

  She stared at his movements, licking her lips as she’d done that morning. Had she no idea what she was doing to him?

  Rhys’s cock twitched. If they weren’t careful, this could turn into something they were both trying to avoid. Perhaps he oughtn’t tease her.

  “When are you going to make up your mind?” she asked, crossing her arms and then dropping them almost immediately, probably because such a stance was too hot. Damn, but the room was sweltering.

  “Soon.”

  “You’re only being difficult because you’re jealous of Digby. There’s no reason for you to be.”

  He lowered the cloth into the water once more. “Isn’t there? You giggled over Digby’s every comment. I’ve never heard you giggle before.”

  There was a glint of something in her gaze—female satisfaction probably. “Perhaps because your company isn’t as diverting.”

  He snorted, wringing out the towel. Then, because he simply couldn’t resist, he scrubbed the cloth over his stomach and lowered his lids to give her a seductive stare. “I wager you find my company plenty diverting.”

  She wore her simplest dress—it fastened in the front—and with quick flicks of her fingertips, she had the bodice open and strode toward him. “Give me that.”

  She snatched the towel from his hands and dipped it into the water. She twisted the excess out, but not enough, and when she b
rought the cloth to her chest, rivulets ran down her breasts, soaking her stays and surely the chemise beneath. He imagined the outline of her form with her undergarments plastered to her flesh and went immediately and painfully hard. Though he’d brought himself to release after she’d left last night—there’d been no avoiding it—he felt as though he hadn’t achieved orgasm in quite some time.

  She cast her head back and sighed deeply as she pressed the cloth against her neck.

  Or maybe ever.

  He took the cloth from her and rewetted it, squeezing it before bringing it back to her breasts. He swiped the towel over her garments, thoroughly wetting them, his gaze connected with hers.

  Her lips parted, and he fought to keep from kissing her. He was treading a very fine line.

  She reached down to the table, on which the basin sat, and picked up a second towel. She dipped it into the water and then dabbed it over his chest. A thick stream ran down his flesh. With her spare hand, she caught the moisture on her fingertip and brought it to her lips. Her gaze never left his as she sucked her finger dry.

  He stifled a groan. They were playing a dangerous game, one neither of them seemed prepared to halt.

  He dragged the table a few feet to position it by the bed. Then he arched a brow at her in invitation. He held his breath, waiting to see if she would put a stop to their flirtation.

  Meeting his inquiry with a beguiling stare, she shrugged out of her bodice, peeling her gown to her waist. Her fingers plucked at the fastenings of her stays until it gapped away from her breasts. She pulled the garment free of her gown and dropped it on the floor.

  With slow, deliberate steps, she went to the basin and soaked her towel. After barely squeezing the water from it, she swept it over her chemise, thoroughly dampening the linen until it clung to her nipples.

  Rhys’s mouth was dry enough with the heat of the day, but now it felt like a desert. He licked his lips as his cock turned to granite. He dropped his cloth into the basin and prowled around the table. She turned with him until her backside met the bed.

  He curled his arm around her lower back and guided her backward, but kept her from hitting the mattress. He took the wet towel from her fingers and squeezed the water from it, watching it trickle down to her breasts and slide over her chemise and her flesh beneath it.