Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance Page 11

  Piper forgot every scathing thing she was about to say as her body lit on fire with that kiss. Her brain was foggy from the beer and she forgot to be indignant.

  His tongue plundered her mouth. Piper wasn’t aware of anything else but Barrett raised his head. “Someone is coming. We should catch up to the group.”

  Piper gave her head a shake. Just like that, they returned to the back of the group. Phillip was still talking; they hadn’t even moved far. Ethan looked back, eyeing Barrett with suspicion.

  Barrett was smiling angelically and Piper looked at him bewildered. Realization slowly dawned. He was deliberately sabotaging her outing with Phillip. Her breath came in short gasps. “Why are you doing this?”

  “He isn’t right for you. If you’re this affected by me then you shouldn’t marry him.” Barrett gave her a smug look.

  Her eyes narrowed. She was going to give him a taste of his own medicine.

  She unhooked her arm from Barrett’s and stomped to the front of the group. She put on her most winning smile as she laced her arm through Phillip’s. She let a husky laugh drift behind her. “Mr. Stanford, you are so knowledgeable. How could you possibly remember all of that?” She batted her eyelashes and Phillip beamed at her.

  A little twinge of guilt twisted her insides. Phillip looked beside himself with joy. She would have slid back to the end of the group, but then she distinctly heard Barrett growl. She moved closer to Phillip. “Tell me, Mr. Stanford. What do you do when you’re not giving brilliant tours?”

  “As I have told you, my passion is art collecting. But I am also fascinated with history.” He pointed to a statue and began to tell her the story of the hero it was based on.

  She kept the smile plastered to her face. She had started this after all. The group finally made it back to the blanket and food was passed around. She sat next to Phillip. Barrett sat directly across from her. He glowered at her the entire time.

  Phillip droned incessantly and she tried to pay attention. Twice she remembered her time with Barrett in the hall and her cheeks filled with heat. Once she thought about the way his skin would feel against her own. She turned bright red. Too many times to count she remembered their time in the carriage. The entire time Barrett watched her.

  He had once told her some women found him intimidating. That had been her initial reaction. He had stood there on the docks assessing her with his intense stare. He had singlehandedly fended off four men. But after that moment, she felt safer with Barrett then she did anywhere else.

  She turned to Phillip. Nothing about Phillip inspired a woman’s confidence. He would not fight off thieves or even notice if they stole her away. She sighed. Phillip did not melt her bones. Life with him would be completely predictable and utterly boring.

  She thought about her feelings this morning. Her sudden desire to be settled. It was because of her mother’s illness but it was also because of Barrett. He brought that feeling out in her. How curious that a man could both excite her and make her wish to be a wife.

  Her hand rose to her temple. She was tired of thinking in circles. She wanted a man she couldn’t have. He made her want marriage but he wouldn’t marry her.

  As the beer wore off, her head began to throb. Ethan and Sybil sat with their heads bent together, lips close, talking quietly with one another. They brushed each other with their fingertips. Piper looked at her lap again.

  Phillip was still talking, “You know the amazing thing about the French and Indian war was how much disease factored in…”

  Piper cut him off, “Mr. Stanford, please forgive me. I find I have a terrible headache. Do you think we could continue this discussion another time?”

  “Oh, of course. Yes. The sun is getting stronger. It can offend the eyes after a while.” He began packing up. Piper stood and shook out her skirts. Asher had been right. Five was a crowd.

  Barrett stood as well. He moved to her side but she moved away. She helped Phillip fold the blanket and then the entire group began to move towards the carriage.

  Barrett said goodbye to everyone, but Piper gave him a frosty farewell before climbing into Phillip’s carriage.

  Back at the house, Phillip quickly said his goodbyes and Piper, Ethan, and Sybil retired to a sitting room. Piper laid on a settee and closed her eyes. As soon as her aunt arrived, she would retire upstairs.

  “Do you really have a headache?” Sybil came to sit next to her, rubbing her temples.

  “Yes,” she grumped.

  “Who wouldn’t? That may be the most boring man I have ever heard speak and I have heard a lot of boring men. Why, I once had dinner with an earl who spent the entire evening talking about his musket collection.”

  “Was it the Earl of Winthrop?” Barrett’s voice flowed over her like honey. When it wasn’t angry, it was such a rich baritone.

  Sybil laughed. “Why yes. Clearly you have met him.”

  Piper opened her eyes to glare at him. “What are you doing here?”

  His eyebrows went up. “How are your recovering from your grief? It must have been so difficult to have lost your uncle.”

  Piper glared harder. She hadn’t asked yet, but now she was more certain he was involved. “Somehow I am coping with the loss of an uncle I never knew existed. But I’m having a more difficult time with a duke who defies every social convention? Why must you walk in and out of my house as you please?”

  “Piper, he does that with everyone. Being a duke, he thinks he can do whatever he wants.” Ethan stood, also glaring at Barrett.

  Barrett did not respond to either of them but walked over to Sybil and Piper. “May I?” He gestured for Sybil to step away.

  Sybil started to get up but Piper pulled her back down.

  Barrett sighed. “My mother suffered from terrible headaches. I found I could soothe many of them away. Ethan, would you get Piper some tea?”

  Sybil got up and Barrett took her spot. He placed his thumbs on her temples and began to rhythmically massage from her temples, across her brows to the bridge of her nose. His breath fanned her face and his hip pressed into hers.

  She didn’t know how long it lasted, but she found herself relaxing from her head to the tips of her toes. It was so soothing. He finally lifted his fingers from her face. Her eyes fluttered open, and she realized Ethan was also standing over her with a cup of tea in his hands.

  She sat up and took the tea. Barrett was still sitting with his hip pressed against hers.

  “Better?” he asked gently.

  “Mmmm,” she replied. The headache was completely gone, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of saying so.

  “Good,” he brushed a piece of her hair back as he spoke.

  Ethan stared intently at Barrett. Ethan’s handsome face was twisted and Piper didn’t know why.

  “If you will excuse us, ladies, Barrett and I have some business to discuss.” Ethan crossed his arms staring at his friend.

  “You’re not leaving already?” Sybil jumped up and skipped into his arms. He dropped his head to whisper in her ear. She smiled softly.

  Piper looked away. Her expression pained. Barrett leaned over to whisper in her ear, “And to think we are responsible for introducing them.”

  She continued to look away. “I am very happy for them.”

  “Then why do you look so sad?” His voice was just a whisper.

  Piper clamped her lips closed. She had this habit of telling Barrett the truth. “I’m not,” she mumbled.

  “You don’t have feelings for him do you?” Piper almost laughed. He could growl even when he whispered.

  “Don’t be absurd. I am very happy for Sybil. Before I came to New York I was worried about her finding someone. But it is me who should have been worried.” She shook her head.

  “Piper,” he started.

  “Thank you for all of your aid with my mother and all of the help you have given me. I will be forever grateful.” She kept her face turned away but he gently grasped her chin and turned he
r face towards his.

  “You’re welcome,” he whispered again.

  She scooted herself around him and got up from the settee. She began to walk away but he reached for the arm. Barrett leaned over and pressed his lips to her ear. “Wait, don’t you even want to talk about the picnic?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “On Saturday you said it was only me,” his voice was rough with emotion.

  “How can it be only you when it isn’t only me? You will go back to England and marry whoever you are promised to. You think you can have it both ways. You can’t have me and her. Stop trying.” Hurt laced her voice and Barrett’s face mirrored her pain.

  He really did care for her. That somehow made it worse.

  She turned to leave the room. Her aunt was standing in the doorway. As she passed, her aunt whispered, “Playing hard to get is how you get a man.”

  “Oh, I don’t think there is any chance of that.” Piper shook her head.

  “We’ll see, dear.” Aunt Lizzie patted her arm as she walked into the room with Sybil. “Your mother may have been right all along.”

  ***

  Ethan climbed into Barrett’s carriage with him. Barrett knew another lecture was coming his way. It had been completely outrageous that he had shown up at the picnic uninvited. Though Stanford didn’t seem to notice. It had been even more outrageous that he had kissed Piper. He didn’t have a right to be jealous. Piper was correct on that front, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. Maybe he should return home. Settle into the title and take a wife. Perhaps if they both moved on, he could forget her.

  “I’m getting married.” Ethan’s words broke him out of his thoughts.

  “Congratulations.” Barrett reached over a shook his friend’s hand.

  “Thank you. We have a few details we will have to work out. The first is our business. I will have to spend at least part of the year in England. Sybil has duties there.” Ethan was giving Barrett a level stare. Barrett had to appreciate his friend. Ethan could match him in intensity when it was required.

  “We already do business in Europe. This is an opportunity to expand. Perhaps we can slowly transition our base to England for both of us.” Barrett returned his friend’s stare. This couldn’t be why Ethan was being so cryptic.

  “There is something else. You and I are partners and Sybil and Piper are cousins. Is that going to be a problem?” Ethan leaned forward, his eyes even more intense.

  “Why would it be a problem?” Barrett shrugged.

  “You’ve made it clear you won’t marry her. She will marry someone else. You will marry someone else. Because you are both so close to Sybil and me, you will have to socialize with Piper and her husband on occasion.” Ethan sat back in his seat.

  Barrett felt like a weight had been dropped on his chest. The thought of another man touching Piper, holding her hand, putting his arm around her waist, it was more than he could bare. “Bloody hell,” he muttered. He squeezed his eyes tight.

  “When I saw you kissing her at your house last week, I knew you were mad for her. But when I saw you massage her head today…my friend, you are completely and utterly in love. You touch her like she is the most precious thing in the world. I already told you my thoughts on your relationship with Piper but I know how I feel about Sybil. I can’t believe you are going to give that up.” Ethan’s voice was quiet.

  Barrett didn’t respond. He stared out the window. His entire body was clenched into a knot. He wanted to fight with someone. The faceless man who took Piper to bed was the most likely candidate.

  His carriage pulled up to his home. He turned to Ethan who was still staring at him and probably had been this entire time. “I’d like to be alone,” he grunted.

  “Do you mind if your driver drops me back at Sybil’s? I left my carriage there.” Barrett nodded. Ethan could have had his carriage follow them. He had intentionally left the carriage behind so he had an excuse to spend more time with Sybil. Jealousy rose up in Barrett’s chest. He suddenly and painfully understood Piper’s sad expression when she watched Ethan and Sybil.

  TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Two days later, Piper danced at the next ball of the season. She had not seen Barrett since the day of the picnic. She was relieved in a hollow sort of way. It truly made it easier to concentrate on the business of finding a husband but her life felt empty without him.

  Phillip had called earlier in the day. He hinted he had real feelings for her. Piper had smiled and thanked him but her insides had clenched. If he offered marriage, would she take it? She had the inheritance so she could take her time. But she was losing hope that another man would ever make her feel the way Barrett did. In light of that, she wondered if she should just take Phillip’s offer. He would provide a comfortable life for her and her mother.

  Thankfully, Phillip had not been able to attend tonight. She had time to consider the matter.

  She danced with several men. As the evening wore on, she found herself growing tired. Actually, she had been tired of the ball from the beginning. Another reason to just marry. She was fed up with the social scene of a single woman. She didn’t want to dance or laugh with men she barely liked.

  As a handsome gentleman named Leif Hendricks twirled her around, she looked up to see Barrett staring intently at her. She quickly looked away, her cheeks filling with heat. She wanted to curse herself for reacting so.

  As the dance ended, Leif began escorting her back to her family, asking to see her again. She was distracted and attempting to escape when Asher stepped in front of her.

  “I’d like the next dance,” he said by way of greeting.

  Piper could have stomped her foot. She would not dance with him. She mumbled an excuse about needing a rest and darted for the patio doors. She needed a few minutes to collect herself. She stepped outside and the cool night air hit her face. She took a deep breath. She never stepped outside alone but tonight had rattled her. She would stay for one more minute and then she would go back inside.

  She walked to edge of the patio; it was a beautiful night with a full moon. Piper sighed. Every part of her wanted to stay here and not go back in. Another part of her wanted Barrett to join her.

  As if on cue she heard the door to the patio open. She smiled to herself. She would start ignoring Barrett again tomorrow. Today, she wanted to feel his arms.

  Instead another man stood between her and the door. He had a large scar down the side of his face and a hard look about him. Something in the way his eyes locked on her made her very uncomfortable.

  He circled around her and whispered, “Aren’t you a pretty little thing.”

  Piper’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to decide what to do. She was alone outside and he was blocking the door. It was a gaff she shouldn’t have made in the first place.

  He circled her again, his hand reaching out to touch her hair. She turned to look at him as she took a step back. It moved her closer to the door. His eyes were devouring her in a way that made her skin crawl. She took another step backwards and ran into a solid form. She turned her head quickly to see Barrett behind her. Relief swept through making her almost limp.

  “Your aunt is looking for you,” he said, eyeing the other man.

  “Oh…I…yes…Would you do me the honor of escorting me back?” She reached for his arm feeling even safer at the contact.

  He cocked one eyebrow. “Of course.”

  She thread her arm through his and practically pulled him towards the door.

  Barrett, on the other hand, hesitated. He eyed the scarred man with a great deal of malice before he turned with Piper and began walking her back. “What were you thinking?” he gritted out.

  Rather than being upset by his anger, Piper was comforted by his presence. She pressed herself a little closer and whispered, “I’m so glad you came to get me.”

&nbs
p; She felt the air rush out of his lungs. “Me too. Be more careful.”

  “I will,” she assured him, giving him a dazzling smile.

  His expression turned dark with hunger and Piper looked down again. She could see her Aunt Lizzie sitting with Sybil and Ethan up ahead.

  Barrett walked her over to them and then unhooked her hand from his arm. He bowed once and said, “Good night,” before he turned on his heel and left.

  Piper’s eyebrows drew together. She was disappointed he had left so soon. He made her feel safe in a world that could be so uncertain. She straightened her shoulders and reminded herself this was what she had wanted. For Barrett Maddox to leave her alone.

  “Piper, you can’t wander off like that,” her aunt chastised.

  “I just wanted a little air. I was in full view of the room the entire time.” She hated to admit her aunt was right. It had been a mistake.

  Her aunt glared in response but then asked, “Do you want to stay?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing more will come out of this evening. We have another party tomorrow, perhaps that one will be more fruitful.”

  She returned home and sat in the parlor for some time with Sybil and Ethan. Their engagement notice had gone out in the paper the day before and wedding plans were under way. Ethan finally took his leave and Piper headed upstairs.

  She could hear voices drifting from her mother’s room. She moved closer to hear what they were saying. “Piper is going to be the death of me. Thank goodness Sybil is engaged. Every man who shows interest in Piper is worse than the last. And Barrett Maddox continues to hang around.”

  “Well he does seem to be keeping her safe,” her mother responded easily.

  “What were you thinking, trying to marry your daughter to a duke?” Her aunt sniffed.

  “They had a connection, I could feel it. It is what I felt for Tom.”

  “Well it is a mess now and it has completely clouded Piper’s judgement,” her aunt huffed.

  “What is Mr. Maddox doing?” her mother asked.

  “Lurking,” Aunt Lizzie responded.