Daffodil lifted her head. What was wrong with her, touching a stranger like this?

Removing her hands from his shoulders, she tried to step back but his hands held firm to her waist. “Lord Casterly,” she kept her voice even. “Thank you for your help. Now if you would be so kind as to allow me to sit.”

The corner of his mouth turned down. He was worried she was not well after the smoke she’d inhaled and his news was not all good. “Of course, Petal.”

“Stop calling me that,” she huffed as she tried to pull away again. He held her for a moment more before finally letting her go. She nearly stumbled backward and, to catch herself, plopped down in the high-back chair.

“I’m Jacob.” Her brother reached over and shook Lord Casterly’s hand. “Well, I suppose I should introduce myself as Earl of Westcliff. I just don’t feel much like an earl of anything.”

“Rex Abelman, since we’re being informal. And I understand. I’ve never considered myself particularly noble, despite the title.”

Part of her education, before the money had run out, was to memorize the name of every titled man in England. She knew Rex was an earl, the question needn’t be asked. Instead, she moved on to more pressing topics. “Why did His Grace send you to retrieve us?”

“I am his closest friend.” Rex’s gaze swung back to her. She shivered as his eyes met hers.

“But why didn’t my sister and mother return themselves?”

He pressed his lips together, not sure he should tell her. “Your mother has been ill.”

“Ill?” she gasped, standing again. Between the smoke and the movement the room seemed to spin, though she suspected it was just her head. She pressed her hands over her eyes.

Strong hands were at her waist once again. “She is recovering. She’ll be fine but she wasn’t well enough to travel. His Grace and I have only just returned from Barbados and he had a great deal of affairs to… manage.”

She lowered her hands to look up at him again. “And you don’t?”

“Don’t?” he asked, his eyebrows drawing up to his hairline.

“Have affairs to manage?” Now she was just being ridiculous. Honestly, though, he acted like no lord she’d ever met. Just look at how much he’d touched her. She pulled back, wanting to put distance between them. A rake such as him had to be kept at bay.

He shook his head, his lips turning up at the corners. “I’ve an excellent solicitor and property manager.”

“That is what I need,” Jacob added as he gave a small shrug, his gaze dropping to the ground. “But I suppose you need money first before you can hire people to handle your property and finances.”

“True, lad,” Rex clapped him on the shoulder. “Lucky for you, Theo understands how valuable a brother-in-law’s help can be. He’ll see your earldom turned around.”

“Theo?” Daffodil sat again. This entire day, from the roast to this meeting was all too much.

“Your sister’s fiancé,” he answered.

Perhaps she was just hungry. They hadn’t eaten a great deal today. But the entire thing was beginning to sound absurd. A duke in Barbados willing to save the entire family? “Does he also slay dragons?” she murmured as rested her forehead on the heel of her palm.

“Are you all right, Petal?” Jacob asked as he leaned down next to her chair and placed his hand on her forehead as though he were checking her temperature.

No, I’m not all right. I’m near useless. “Fine. Just tired and hungry. We should carve up that roast and serve Mrs. Fields her dinner.”

“Mrs. Fields?” Rex asked.

“Our housekeeper. She stayed on when everyone else left but she slipped and hurt her ankle last week.” Jacob said.

“That explains a great deal,” Rex rumbled.

Daffodil lifted her chin, looking at him square in the eye. Did he notice the lack of food and the general disarray of the house? Her heart skipped a beat, but she sucked in a breath, determined not to show her embarrassment. “Does it?”

“Why don’t you stay here and rest,” Rex said by way of answer. “Jacob and I will take care of the roast and perhaps cook a few side dishes. Do you have potatoes?”

“Oh yes,” Jacob answered. “I’ll bring Mrs. Fields her tray when we’re done and then I’ll come collect you to have dinner.” Jacob gave her warm smile. “Rex is right. You should rest.”

She should argue. As the oldest here at home, she should be taking care of Jacob. But all she could do was nod as the two stood and left. Once the door closed behind them, she stood from the chair and stretched out on the chaise. A touch of dizziness had set in, likely from the smoke, and her eyes stung. Best just to rest them for a moment while she waited. But after she lay down her head and closed her eyes, sleep overtook her.

Rex followed Jacob back down to the kitchen but his thoughts were with Petal upstairs. Lady Daffodil. Did the family call her Daffodil or just Petal? He hoped Petal. It fit her, capturing her delicate, velvety-soft beauty.

He’d like to explore some of her other soft features. Her curves promised delights while her mouth near begged to be kissed. Not that he would.

He’d promised Theo, swore an oath really, that he’d not touch her. Even if he hadn’t, Rex would never dally with such a woman. A man of his stature did not touch ladies unless they intended to marry. And he had no intention of marrying ever again.

Marriage had been the greatest debacle of his life.

The kitchen was still filled with smoke but it had cleared enough to make out blurry details.

Jacob set to work on cutting the meat while Rex found the larder and pulled out some potatoes and carrots. Finding a sturdy cast iron pan he began to fry them in duck fat, turning them frequently. Soon a more pleasant odor than burnt meat filled the kitchen.

Jacob fixed a plate and headed up the servants’ stairs. “I’ll collect Petal and bring her down for dinner. We haven’t kept the dining room. It seemed unnecessary.”

“Of course,” Rex nodded. “But I’m famished. I’ll get Petal while you bring Mrs. Fields her dinner. We’ll meet back here in five minutes.”

Jacob scratched his chin. “I shouldn’t. Petal needs a proper chaperone.”

Rex waved his hand. “The duke sent me as her escort. I can assure you, she is perfectly safe in my company.” It was true, though Theo had warned him to keep a proper escort about at all times. He was already breaking a rule but Rex assured himself that nothing would happen.

Leaving the pan off the stove, Rex returned the way he’d come. Heading up the servants’ stairs and then the main hall, he found the sitting room where she’d directed him earlier. Opening the door, Rex realized the interior had darkened and only silence met his ears. “Lady Daffodil?”

No answer came. “Petal?” Stepping into the room, he finally noticed her stretched out on the chaise, one arm flung over her head, her ample bosom rising and falling with her breath.

The position also accentuated the tiny width of her waist and the lovely curve of her hip. Her skirt rode up past her delicate ankles, revealing shapely calves.

His body tightened as he moved closer. Her features were achingly sweet in sleep and he almost hated to wake her. Gently, he sat next to her on the chaise, his hip pressing into hers. For a moment, he wondered if he could steal the smallest kiss. She’d never even know. But he gave himself a shake. He was being ridiculous. He would know. “Petal?” he whispered.

She didn’t move. Not even a tiny twitch.

“Petal,” he called louder. Still nothing.

He reached out a hand to shake her shoulder. He’d held her in his arms already, but being above her like this made the touch much more intimate. His body had hardened to stone.

Her eyes jerked open and she stared at him for a moment before she bolted up. “What the bloody—” then she stopped, clapping a hand over her mouth.

“Sorry to frighten you, my little flower, but dinner is ready.” He reached for her hand and pulled her to standing as he held in his chuckle. For some reason, he liked her all the more for nearly cursing. Here she was, not a wilting flower but a vibrant one trying to stay so in a trying situation.

“Dinner,” she groaned. “Don’t make me eat my own cooking.”

Laughter floated up his throat. “Jacob did a fine job of carving it. And I’ve made some potatoes and carrots to go with it. They’re quite good if I do say so myself.”

He held out his arm to her and she slipped her hand into the crook. He’d like to hold her again but it was just not acceptable. Not if he was going to keep his promises.

“You can cook?” she asked. “Where did you learn how? Can you teach me?”

“I learned on board a ship. When the cook takes a day off, it’s every man for himself. And I can teach you but you won’t need to learn it. You’re about to be related to a duke.”

“I’m the daughter of an earl,” she quipped. “That didn’t stop me from needing to know now.”

He shook his head as they started down the stairs, marveling at her resourcefulness and her ability to see the world for what it was. “That is an excellent point. I don’t know when I’ll be able to teach you. We’ll leave tomorrow and then the wedding—”

“We can’t leave tomorrow.” She stopped on the stairs. “We have to stay.”

“Why?” He pulled her into motion again. They were starving here, why wouldn’t they want to leave?

“Mrs. Fields. She can’t be here alone and she can’t travel with us. She’s hurt her ankle.” They stepped into the kitchen and began walking through to the servants’ dining table.

“Did the doctor say she must stay abed? For how long?” Rex helped her into her chair, as he crossed to the one directly on the other side. Jacob joined them, sitting at the end.

“We barely have enough coin to buy food.” Daffodil’s eyes cast down to her plate as her shoulders slumped. “How was I to pay a doctor?”

Rex swore under his breath. As Daffodil served them, he reviewed his options. He could leave her and Jacob with money and return to fetch Violet and Theo. That seemed like a great deal of wasted travel. He could stock the house and have the doctor come out to attend the servant. Then, depending on her condition, he could hire a caregiver for Mrs. Fields and a chaperone for his little flower. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. To give such gifts was rather leading for a gentleman of his station. He shouldn’t give her gifts unless he was courting her. But perhaps Theo would reimburse him. As a new family member, it was completely appropriate for Theo to fund such matters. This was turning into a delightfully complicated favor. “Well, we’ll have to fetch the doctor and more provisions in the morning.”

Daffodil’s gaze snapped to his. “I couldn’t ask you to—”

“I’ve offered and worry not. Your new brother-in-law will see that I am reimbursed.” He gave her an easy smile of encouragement. Whatever he did here to help her would be shared with no one but Violette and Theo.

Her eyebrows drew together as her mouth turned down but she didn’t argue further as she sat once again to eat.

He remembered a storm they’d encountered while crossing the ocean to return home. The seas had raged for two days and they’d had to tie themselves into their bunks to sleep. This little trip to pick up the sister of the bride was proving nearly as interesting. He wondered what else his little flower had in store.