Rex rubbed his eyes for the third time in as many minutes as they traipsed down the damp London street. Not that he minded getting up with the sun, but more because thoughts of a certain little flower had kept him awake most of the night.

Jacob had already knocked upon the doctor’s door and the man had agreed to attend Mrs. Fields later that morning.

Now, they were off to the baker and the butcher to have a decent amount of food in the house.

“I think we should get a duck or several quails for tonight’s dinner,” he said.

Jacob shot him a look. “But they’re more complicated,” he said.

“I did promise to teach Petal how to properly cook meat,” Rex replied. And that would require an extensive amount of time in the kitchen so she’d have to stay with him for a lengthy lesson.

It was dastardly, he knew that. He should do as she clearly wanted and leave well enough alone. She needed a husband and he…well, quite honestly, he needed to return to Barbados. He’d come back to England with Theo only to make sure that his estate was being properly managed. His island holdings now represented a significant portion of his earnings and, frankly, his life was less complicated there.

The sun burned away all the memories that plagued him here in the mother country.

“The butcher is just around the corner,” Jacob called. The boy turned back to him giving a warm smile as his light step kept him just ahead of Rex.

“Excellent,” he replied as he marveled at Jacob and Petal’s ability to remain so fresh and upbeat in what were clearly difficult circumstances. “May I ask you a question?”

Jacob slowed his pace. “Of course.”

“Your sister. Does she have any suitors?”

Her brother shook his head. “Why would she? She’s not been formally introduced to society.”

“I understood that much. But sometimes there is a standing agreement.” He gave Jacob a sideways glance. It was wrong to ask these questions. He wasn’t available and should leave well enough alone. But his curiosity had been piqued and she refused to share.

“She’s no dowry, never has. There are no agreements.” Jacob’s sad smile slipped from his face with his words.

“Even without a dowry, she’s beautiful and charming. I’m sure some arrangement could be—”

“My sister will marry, sir.” Jacob had stopped walking, lifting his chin higher as he assessed Rex. “If you suggest anything else, then I will have to ask you to leave our home.”

He’d touched a nerve. That much was clear in both Chase siblings. “I only meant there are plenty of men who would marry her based on her other attributes. She’s a lady with a good name, a beautiful face, and a marvelous disposition.” He didn’t mention the curves fit for sin. Best not talked about with her brother.

Jacob’s stance relaxed. “My apologies.” Then the boy began walking again. “My mother would agree. She said once Violette was married, Daffodil would be easy to match. But I want her to be happy so I’ll give her the best dowry I can,” he said, determination dripping from his voice.

“A man who admires her for her will make your sister happy, dowry or no.” He gave the boy a stiff pat on the back. “I must confess, I am curious. Petal also seems rather touchy about men of ill intent. Did something happen to her?”

Jacob’s step faltered and his face twisted even as his mouth turned down. “You really shouldn’t call her Petal. It’s too familiar.”

“I apologize.” Damn. The boy’s face had turned stony as he assessed the cobblestone underneath their feet. “Is there a man you need to kill?”

“I should have killed him. My mother wouldn’t let me.” Jacob kept his gaze on the ground. Which was good because then the boy did not see the wild anger that bloomed in his own. His fists clenched at his sides.

“Who?” His voice came out as a throaty growl.

Jacob’s head snapped. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s a family affair.” Jacob swallowed. “I failed her.”

“Failed her how?” He managed to keep the rumble out of his voice.

“I should have protected her, defended her.” Jacob turned to him, his brow drawing together even as his body stiffened.

“What did the man do?” He forced his breathing to remain slow.

Jacob’s fists clenched. “He kissed her.”

“Is that all?” Rex let out a long breath, relief making him limp. Then he straightened again. Why was this bothering him so much? But he knew. She was a sparkling jewel of a woman who should be cherished, not abused.

“Isn’t that enough? But no, that wasn’t all. He made her promises. About marriage, then he tricked her into that kiss and refused to honor his word.” Jacob slammed his fist into his open palm. “I should have demanded he marry her.”

“Did anyone find out?” Rex stepped closer, dropping his voice, though it was a tad late now.

Jacob shook his head. “No, no one found out and Petal says it’s a blessing she didn’t marry him, but still, I failed her.”

“Who was he?” He kept his voice soft and light, letting none of his aggression and anger filter into his voice. He needed the boy’s trust.

“Lord Rathemore.” Jacob hit his hand with his fist again. “What I’d like to do to that man.”

Rex straightened. Once upon a time, he’d called Rathemore a friend. The man was a drunken gambler and a lout with the ladies. But he didn’t share that with Jacob. Instead, he clapped the boy on the shoulder. “You’re too young to take on a fully grown rakehell like that. But who knows. You might get your chance one day.” Unless Rex hadn’t already torn that slippery bastard into pieces.

He knew, strictly speaking, it wasn’t his fight. But the way he saw it, it was now Theo’s. As Petal’s brother-in-law, he had a duty to watch out for her. And Rex would act on Theo’s behalf. Besides, hadn’t she saved his life yesterday? He’d be returning a favor.

They managed to complete the rest of their errands without incident and after they entered the kitchen, arms full of goods to stock the larder, a knock sounded.

Placing the food upon the prep table, Rex returned to the door. An elderly man he assumed was Dr. Mayweather stood upon the small stoop.

“Good morning to you.” The man gave him a friendly smile as he removed his hat.

“Are you Dr. Mayweather?” Rex asked, standing in the doorway blocking the path to the kitchen. Jacob had gone straight to the barn so he couldn’t confirm the man’s identity.

But the other man nodded. “Jacob called for me this morning.”

Rex gestured for the man to come in.

A slight huff of breath told him Petal had joined them in the kitchen. Turning, he caught sight of her standing just on the other side of the table. She’d been lovely yesterday but today…she was a vision. Dressed in a fine wool gown and adorned as a lady of her station should be, she took his breath away.

She, however, seemed less enamored to see him. As their eyes met, her mouth turned into a deep frown.

For a moment, Daffodil looked at Rex, giving him the best glare she could muster. Now he was answering their door? What would the doctor think?

Rex was far too familiar. Scrunching her face at him one last time, she turned to the doctor. “Thank you for coming, Dr. Mayweather.” Daffodil gave him what she hoped was a genuine smile. Annoyance that was meant for Rex was still coursing through her. “I’ll take you upstairs to see Mrs. Fields.”

“Yes, my lady,” Dr. Mayweather glanced around the kitchen. “How have you fared?”

Daffodil straightened. She knew the house showed signs of their financial state. “Very well. My sister, Violette, is engaged to marry.”

The doctor gave her a genuine smile. “Excellent news. Anyone I might know?”

“The Duke of Waverly,” Rex interrupted.

“Oh.” The doctor’s eyes widened. “How wonderful.”

Daffodil fisted her hands in her skirt. Wonderful wasn’t the word that came to mind at this exact moment. Because her future brother-in-law had saddled her with a known rake. One who was skirting the very edge of propriety. “It is.” She gave a falsely cheerful grin. “Lord Casterly has come to escort us to the wedding, but we cannot go without a proper chaperone.” She gestured toward the stairs. “Perhaps we can see if Mrs. Fields will be up to the journey sometime soon?”

“Lord Casterly?” Dr. Mayweather glanced at the other man. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“You as well,” Rex rumbled like the rake that he was.

“I’ll see myself upstairs. I know the way.” The doctor gave them a final nod before disappearing up the back stair.

“You’re upset with me.” Rex started moving around the table toward her.

She held up her hand. “Stay where you are.”

When he stopped, she lowered her arm, but only to prop it on her hip before she continued. “You answered my door as though you live here.”

Scratching his head, he raised a brow. He had to confess, she had a point. He’d been gone from England a long time and Barbados had a much less strict code of ethics. Not that he’d ever cared for rules all that much. It had been his custom to break them whenever possible. “So you’re angry about something different this morning than you were last night?”

“You say that like it’s my fault you can’t behave yourself.” She shook her head. “You had to be rescued from the wall of my garden.”

“And you had to be rescued from your own cooking.” He pointed a finger at her. “It seems to me we’re even.”

She let out a little squeak. How dare he? “I was trying to provide for us. You, however, were…what exactly were you doing?”

“Ha! You are curious.” He started moving closer. “I knew it.”

“I am not.” She was. Completely curious. “I only meant to establish that my motives were altruistic while yours…” Her eyebrows drifted up to make her point.

“I thought your room was on fire again,” he said quickly, though that was far from the truth. “How was I to know? Perhaps you make a habit of lighting blazes in the house.” He shrugged even as he moved closer.

“Liar.” She jutted her finger out but he’d moved close enough that it poked him in the chest. “Tell me the truth.”

“The truth is that even when you are angry, you’re bloody interesting.” He grabbed hold of her finger but she pulled it away.

Then she took a step back. She couldn’t trust herself when he touched her. Hadn’t she proven that when she allowed a rogue too close, she crumbled? Even more so with Rex. The man had her body humming even as her mind screamed for her to step away. “I told you to stay where you are.”

“Petal, I’m not going to do anything untoward.” His voice had dropped low and soft.

She refused to be fooled by his charm. “That’s what all rakes say.”

“Do most rakes confess that they’ll never marry again?”