That feeling of belonging there pervaded the entire evening. They ate what was decidedly a delicious meal and then retired to the library where Petal played the pianoforte, Jacob read, and he drafted a letter to Theo detailing the trip so far and his plans to leave in five days.

He left out the fact that Petal was the most beautiful woman in all of England, but he supposed that information was subtly present. He’d made mention of the fact that Lady Daffodil would be easy to match. So as not to alarm Theo that he was showing favor to the lady, he’d also said that Jacob would be exceedingly easy to tutor and was sure to be a success.

Finishing the letter he dusted the ink and then carefully folded the paper, placing a seal on the outside. Tomorrow, he’d hire a stable boy to deliver it. He’d also mentioned to Theo that he’d take Jacob to see his solicitor. He might be overstepping, a trip such as that was likely Theo’s job, but Rex wanted to start them down a better path. When he was gone, he’d know that he’d helped them back on their feet.

Gone. The word rang in his head to the upbeat tune that Petal played. It must be a recent number, he didn’t recognize it. He liked the melody immensely, however, and tapped along with his toe as he watched her hands move effortlessly over the ivory keys. He sat admiring her profile from his place at the desk. How many hours could he spend just so? A great many, he imagined.

Like everything about her, her playing was filled with an effortless grace, pluck, and joy that made him smile from deep down inside his chest.

His chin rested on his hand as he listened and watched, the rest of the room fading away. She swayed slightly, and a lock of hair slipped from her simple chignon, brushing her shoulder and resting across her chest.

He tightened as his gaze followed its path. He’d like to touch that hair, allow it to slip through his fingers as he followed its trail down her body.

By the saints, he was going to be damned to hell. His imagination, however, would not be tamed and he pictured slipping off her dress, exposing her skin. He’d like to kiss every inch of—

The music stopped and Jacob began a robust clap. “Bravo, Petal.”

Rex clapped too. “Delightful.” He met Petal’s large brown eyes. What he wouldn’t give to cup her cheek, brush his thumb along those petal-pink full lips. “We should call it an evening. I’ve a meeting with my solicitor tomorrow, and I’d like to take Jacob with me.”

“And then we’ll do house chores?” Jacob asked bouncing to his feet.

“Of course. A promise is a promise.” He stood and Petal followed suit, tucking the bench she’d been sitting on back under the pianoforte.

“Jacob, would you escort me upstairs?” She nodded Rex’s way before slipping her hand into her brother’s elbow.

Rex narrowed his gaze. He’d meant what he’d said earlier. They’d discuss Rathemore tonight. He now knew he couldn’t scale her garden wall. How was he going to talk with her privately?

Daffodil lay in bed listening to the silence. Well, truthfully she was listening for the sound that would break the quiet but she only heard the distant chimes of the grandfather clock in the hall.

Rex had said they would talk privately this evening. She wouldn’t seek him out, but she couldn’t fall asleep either. Would he come? A thrill raced down her spine. She clucked her tongue. This was the sort of thing she had to stop hoping for.

A light knock sounded on her door and she bolted out of the bed, flying across the room. “Petal?” Rex whispered, lightly tapping again.

She carefully turned the knob so that the door cracked open without a sound. Tamping down her excitement, she gave herself a tiny lecture. Return to being cold toward him. Do not do anything else to encourage him.

Then she rolled her eyes. Opening the door was likely encouragement enough. ”What is it?” she whispered through the crack.

“I wish to speak with you,” he replied.

“Rex.” She dared not open the door any wider. “It wouldn’t be wise to let you in.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t,” he said. Despite speaking in hushed tones, she could clearly hear him. He must also be pressed against the door. That thought made her shiver. “But how am I to hear about what happened with Rathemore?”

She was silent for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “It isn’t a story I should share with anyone ever.”

“Tell me one thing tonight and then I will learn the rest another time. Did he do anymore than kiss you?”

He was so close, his breath blew across her cheeks. She could smell his cigars, the whisky he’d consumed, and his deeper male musk. “No. Just the kiss.”

“You’re sure?” His voice dropped low.

“I’m sure.” She paused, wincing, though he couldn’t see it. “I came to my senses in that moment.” Truth be told, the kiss hadn’t been very enjoyable. It was rather…wet and…slimy. She’d nearly thrown her reputation away or, worse, been saddled to a man who kisses were…repulsive. “Despite my momentary lapse in judgment in the kitchen today, I have behaved with the utmost decorum ever since.”

The issue was that she was drawn to rakes. She’d known Rathemore had a reputation, but she’d believed he’d changed. He’d told her about his great affection and immense respect. That was until his hands and mouth had been all over her. When she’d pulled away, he’d sneered and declared that he’d always known she wasn’t that exciting She should have been hurt but, honestly, she’d been relieved.

“How did you meet him to begin with? You’re not even out in society yet are you?”

The heat in her cheeks blazed to an inferno. She couldn’t tell him. “No, I’m not.”

“Then how?” The knob of the door pushed into her belly.

She allowed it to push her back, her thoughts on the past. “I don’t want to say,” Daffodil said, pressing her hand on her cheek to cool her skin.

“I told you that I left my wife and allowed her to die. Whatever you say can’t be worse than that.”

Her voice stuck in her throat. Clearing it, she finally answered. “He was my sister’s suitor.”

“That complete horse’s arse,” Rex growled out gently, pushing the door open wider and stepping into the room.

Daffodil shook her head. “I knew it was wrong. I’m a terrible person. But he said he loved me, and I thought he meant it.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “It’s why I cannot be around you, Rex. I don’t think I can make the journey with you. I can’t be trusted to make the right decisions.”

“Petal,” his voice was soft. “You were a young lady with no experience. He, however, knew exactly what he was doing. Everyone in London and probably all of England knows his reputation.” He placed his large hands on her shoulders. “You’re being far too hard on yourself.”

More tears flowed from her eyes. She wiped at them, trying to gain control. “Violette saw the whole thing. She was livid. It’s how my family found out, and I still don’t think she’s forgiven me.” Then something occurred to her. It was a terribly wonderful plan. “Maybe you can escort me after all.”

“Of course I can. You’ll not miss your sister’s wedding. Especially if she’s angry with you. That would not help.”

“You’re right. I can’t explain that I missed her wedding because I’d fallen prey to another rake.” He was holding her at arm’s length but she reached out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer.

He moved toward her. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just insult me so I can hear what you’ve got planned.”

“I only came to my senses after the kiss. So if I kiss you, maybe…” The rest of the words died on her lips. His chest brushed hers in her night rail. It allowed so much more sensation than her normal layers of clothing and her breath sucked in at the light touch. It was already wrong. Rathemore’s touch had made her shiver in revulsion when he’d gotten this close. But with Rex, the feeling running down her spine was pure excitement.

She’d already tilted her face up toward his and one of his large hands came up to cradle her cheek. He dropped his mouth to within a breath of hers. “Maybe what?”

She was powerless to do anything other than melt. “I…”

“Did you like the kiss?”

“No,” she answered, feeling as though her entire soul was bared to him.

The other hand, the one resting on her shoulder, slid down her back and stopped in the hollow. Their bodies pressed together. “Petal, when I kiss you, it will be the beginning not the end.”

His breath skimmed up past her nose, over her eyes, where he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then he slowly backed away moving silently out the door until it clicked behind him.

She hadn’t moved a muscle until the door clicked and then she looked at its massive wooden panels. When? He’d said when I kiss you not if I kiss you. Did he have plans?