Rex listened from the hall, his gut roiling. He’d realized on the walk back to the house that he hadn’t handled the situation very well. In his imaginings, he’d caught Rathemore in a dark alley or perhaps alone in the park. A public beating had not been part of the plan.

But Rathemore’s words had filled him with an anger he’d scarce imagined. He’d talked about Petal as though she were just another conquest. He couldn’t abide it.

Hearing Grace, however, he realized he’d also said her name. Bloody hell he’d really bullocksed that up.

He scrubbed his head with both hands. How bad was this? Theo was a duke and, as Petal had said, he could make a match for her. It would be with a lord who was most likely destitute or unwanted for some physical or social deformity. Or perhaps not a lord at all. Maybe a second son who’d gone into a profession.

That wasn’t nearly good enough for his flower.

Besides, it grated his senses to think of another man solving her problems. Especially when he’d made them. It was his duty to help her after what he’d done. It was his mistake to fix.

There was only one possible solution. He’d marry her himself. His gut clenched in fear. What if something happened to her the way it had Mary? Pushing off the wall, he started toward the stairs to change his clothes. He needed to help Jacob.

As he took the stairs two at a time, his thoughts pinged about his head. He’d been so young the first time he’d wed and desperate for adventure. The match had been made by their fathers. Rex hadn’t loved Mary, he’d married out of a sense of duty.

And Petal? He stopped at the top of the stairs. Bloody hell and fiery damnation, he was in love with her. He thought about Barbados and what had happened to his first wife. He’d never leave Petal alone. She would be his to protect, to cherish.

When had this happened?

But another voice drowned out the first. He had a habit of breaking things, even when he wanted to keep them dear. Just look at what he’d done to his precious Petal today. He had been trying to vindicate her and in the process, he’d mucked it all up. What if by marrying her, he inadvertently did the same thing?

Reaching his room, he slammed the door behind him and began yanking at his clothing.

At least, if he wed her, he could help Jacob. He hadn’t ruined that attempt.

Besides, there was no other choice. He wouldn’t leave her to fate.

With that in mind, he changed into work clothes and headed back to the kitchen. He stopped again, just outside the door to make sure Grace wasn’t still there.

At first he didn’t hear anything, but then the distinct sound of a sniff caught his ear. Then another. Petal was crying.

Daffodil stood in front of the stove as though she were still cooking, but her thoughts were somewhere else entirely. Without a dowry, she hadn’t had much hope on the marriage market with her peers. It wasn’t as though that had changed. Before her sister’s engagement, she’d assumed she’d make an arrangement with a doctor or businessman but she’d at least have a reasonably comfortable life. Children of her own. Now? With her reputation in tatters, she didn’t even know if that was a possibility. She’d told Grace that her brother-in-law would help because she didn’t want her friend to worry. The pity in Grace’s eyes had been too much to bear.

Honestly, though, she didn’t know His Grace from a stranger on the street. What if he cast her out? Daffodil’s stomach turned and tears welled in her eyes.

There was nothing to do but take matters into her own hands. She should have done it months ago when she’d first allowed Rathemore to touch her. She’d have to join the convent and forget about dreams of marriage and having children.

Rex’s dangerously handsome face rose before her mind’s eye. She knew it was him who’d taken matters into his own hands and called out Rathemore. He’d left Jacob suddenly, his hands had been all scraped. And, most importantly, he was the only one who knew other than her brother.

Her fists clenched at her sides. He’d been careless and reckless, but she pushed her anger back down. He’d warned her he was a rake. Daffodil was the one who’d confided in him. She was also the one who’d allowed Rathemore to touch her.

“Petal,” he called from behind her.

She straightened her shoulders, her insides turning to jelly. “Jacob is waiting for you. You should head out to the barn.”

“We need to talk.” He was so close, she could feel his breath on the back of her neck.

“Later,” she whispered. “We’ll talk tonight.”

His hand brushed the curve of her neck, his fingers slipping down the simple plait in her hair. “Tonight.”

He backed up then and she heard his footsteps cross the kitchen. The door creaked open and then closed again. The moment it shut, she turned and slumped against the table, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Laying her head on her forearm, she allowed the tears to fall unhindered until there were no more left. She didn’t blame Rex. This was her doing. She’d made the choice to kiss Rathemore and now she’d suffer the consequences.

She pulled herself up, then turned to put another log on the fire, and headed to her room to pack.

By the time Rex and Jacob finished with the hay, the lamb was done and her bags were safely tucked in the larder. She’d leave after everyone had gone to bed.

They came into the kitchen just as she pulled the meat out of the oven as though their noses had told them when to come in. Daffodil was careful to keep her eyes averted. She couldn’t look at Rex now. He’d see how upset she really was and she needed him to remain unaware in order to implement her plan. If he knew she was running away, she was certain he’d jump in to stop her. Hadn’t he proven that today?

“Oh Petal,” Jacob smacked the table. Excitement flickered in his eyes. “You’ve done it!”

She gave a halfhearted grin for her brother’s sake. “I did.” She set the pan down on the table and began scooping the vegetables she’d cooked about the sides of the meat. She’d have one skill to take to the nunnery. “Why don’t you two get cleaned up and then we’ll eat?”

She barely looked at Jacob as she began carving. She’d written a note for him that she’d leave on the table that night. She didn’t tell him where she was going, of course. She’d wait until she was settled and then send word when it was too late to change anything.

This was for the best, though she’d miss Jacob terribly. At least that is what she’d been repeating all day. Jacob could worry about saving himself. Her new brother-in-law would only have to worry about rescuing one Chase sibling. Rex could sail back to Barbados without another thought to her.

Not that he would be thinking of her as he sailed away anyhow. He was a rake and she was sure the moment he left he’d be on to a new interest. Wasn’t that what rakes did?

Setting out plates, and silver, she prepared a tray for Mrs. Fields. By the time she returned, Rex and Jacob were in the kitchen waiting for her. Rex began filling their plates.

Daffodil couldn’t quite bring herself to make conversation and she ate what she could. Fortunately, Jacob was full of enthusiasm and talked enough for all three of them.

“Rex bought coal mines today. It’s the path of the future, Petal. Coal. I’ll give him ten percent of my profits for the loan.” Jacob waved his fork, lamb still on it. “But I finally have an asset other than this house.”

“Theo will help you purchase a great deal more. He’s a good man.” Rex said putting his own fork down. “Between the two of us, we’ll get your earldom shipshape in no time at all.”

Daffodil didn’t participate in the conversation, too afraid her jumble of emotions would come tumbling out if she did. She hoped that Theo and Rex really could help Jacob. But a little niggle of doubt crept in. Rex’s words made it sound as though he planned to stay and help but that couldn’t be true. He’d said he planned to return to Barbados, hadn’t he?

“Dinner is delicious, Petal. Well done.” Rex turned to her, his eyes searching her face.

She cast her gaze down. “Thank you.” She didn’t know what he was looking for but she was sure it would be better if he didn’t find it.

Finishing the meal, Rex carried the dishes to the sink and Daffodil rolled up her sleeves to wash them. “Do you want to retire to the library?” Jacob called behind her.

“Not tonight,” she replied. Part of her wanted to spend as much time with her brother, and Rex for that matter, as possible. She also couldn’t hold in her sadness any longer. “I’ve a headache and I think I’ll retire.”

“Is that why you’ve been so quiet?” Jacob asked.

Daffodil gave an inward wince. Apparently she hadn’t been very stealthy after all. “Exactly.”

Rex said nothing as he leaned on the counter next to her. He didn’t try to speak with her or touch her, which was slightly odd but very likely easier.

Finishing the wash, she dried her hands. “Good night.” She wanted to hug her brother but she didn’t dare. He’d know something was amiss then.

Climbing the stairs, she settled herself in her room to wait.