Never Kiss an Earl at Midnight: How to Reform a Rake Page 3

  He might just take that punishment for five more minutes on this balcony. Her words and her body pressed against his were warming him in ways he hadn’t experienced in ages. He took a breath. He’d stopped hoping for more from life years ago. He wasn’t going to start again now. “When I look at you, I see a woman who is so intelligent she frightens people with her insights. If people lash out at you, it’s because you’ve touched their insecurities.”

  He saw her lip tremble. More than ever before, he wanted to kiss that plump flesh, which looked in desperate need of comfort. He leaned down, wanting to kiss her for himself but even more so for her. They were a breath apart when she started.

  “Are you just trying to collect a kiss from me?” she said in a high and breathy voice that made him throb with need.

  Slowly he backed up and then tucked her hand into his elbow. “Let’s get you back to your sister.”

  Chapter Five

  Victoria looked out the window of the carriage as they returned to her childhood home in the wee hours of the morning. The dark streets were nearly silent, lit by the occasional lamp. Most people were tucked in their homes with their loved ones. Where was Key now?

  Her stomach twisted. Drinking? Gambling? She drew in a sharp breath. In the arms of a willing woman? She pressed her cheek against the wood frame, its cool, solid structure steadying her nerves. It didn’t matter what he was doing. She had no claim on him nor did she want one.

  But she couldn’t deny how he’d made her feel tonight or how much she’d longed to forget his less-appealing qualities.

  The man was a drunk. Which she would do well to remember. He’d asked her what observations she’d made of him. Deep in his eyes, she saw pain. It darkened them, pulled at the corners. She’d guess he drank to hide whatever had hurt him in his past. Her heart thrummed in sympathy but she gave herself a shake. She had enough problems of her own without taking on someone else’s.

  The carriage pulled into the drive and Max stepped out, handing first Lily and then Victoria out of the carriage. The moment her foot hit the ground the front door to the house flew open. Adelaide rushed out onto the steps. “Thank goodness you’re home. Father has been just awful tonight.”

  Victoria froze for a moment. She knew she shouldn’t have left. Then, forcing her muscles to work, she started toward the steps. “What’s happened?”

  “I think he misses you.” Adelaide clenched her skirts. “He’s asked for you over and over and finally flew into a rage. He’s been breaking things and…” Adelaide winced. “The nurse left not a quarter hour ago. When a letter opener nearly knocked her in the head, she packed her things. Pray she doesn’t go to the constable.”

  Lily gasped behind Victoria, but she didn’t bother to look back. “Where is he now?” She rushed into the foyer.

  “Upstairs in the library,” Adelaide huffed as she raced behind Victoria up the grand stair.

  “What the bloody hell are you doing here?” Max barked behind her and Victoria stopped, looking behind her then. Which was a mistake. Adelaide crashed into the back of her and then Lily into Adelaide. Victoria withstood the first blow, but the second sent her face down on the steps and she cried out, hitting her cheek on one of the steps as she fell, her hands too buried in her skirts to catch herself.

  She barely had time to process what had happened when strong hands were lifting her, untangling her from her sisters. She was hauled against a man’s chest, her body pressed to his. Her gaze travelled up the muscular column of a man’s neck, over his square jaw, past his sultry mouth. How could a man’s mouth be that tempting? She lingered on his perfectly aristocratic nose and then finally looked into his blue eyes. “Lord Kissinger, what are you doing here?”

  His eyes no longer had the fog of alcohol about them, they were crystal clear. Lighter and more charming than the previous encounters they’d had. They crinkled as his cheeks bloomed with just a touch of color. Was he embarrassed? The thought was almost absurd.

  “I happened to be returning home this way and I…” He paused, clearing his throat. His heart beat under hers, causing a wild flutter in her own chest. His body heat warming her in the most interesting way. “I saw you running and I grew concerned so I stopped in to make sure you were all right.”

  She let out a gasp. “Papa.” Then she began attempting to scramble to her feet but it only served to tangle her skirts about her legs and press their bodies together in the most intimate way. The sweetest ache was forming between her thighs.

  He pressed his hand to the small of her back to stop her movement and then began to stand with her in his arms. Just like that, she came untangled. He swung her about and set her on the step above him.

  Adelaide let out a long hissing breath. “No one concern yourself with me. I’m still laid out on the steps while Lily is rescued by her husband and Victoria by the rake who keeps happening into our company,” she grumbled as she began to pull herself up.

  Victoria slipped from Key’s warm embrace, a twinge of regret pulling at her lips as she did, to aid her sister. “He doesn’t keep happening into our company,” she said. “It’s coincidence. Nothing more.”

  Adelaide rolled her eyes. “And I’m a ninny head who doesn’t know her derriere from her—”

  “Adelaide.” Max cut her off. “Manners.”

  “Fine.” Adelaide shook out her skirts, beating the unoffending fabric with her hands. Then she started up the stairs as the rest of them followed.

  Victoria looked back at Key. Truly, the way he made her feel sometimes…she let out a small sigh. There was no point thinking such things.

  Key walked behind Victoria watching the glorious sway of her hips as she made her way up the stairs. He’d held the flair of her derriere when they’d been out on the balcony and it was divine. Perfection. He’d like to cup the round fullness in his hands and squeeze…

  “I see you,” Max’s dangerously low whisper made Key give a tiny wince.

  He’d lied when he’d told Victoria he just happened to be behind them. He’d been deliberately following Max, Lily, and Victoria home for no other reason than to catch one more glimpse of her before he went home to his cold and lonely bed. Which was absurd. He could have brought a woman home to warm the sheets but… “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You know,” Max said as he bumped Key with his shoulder. “I’ve been watching you.”

  Smart man. They made their way into the library just in time to see an entire shelf of books hit the ground. Key clenched and unclenched his fist. He’d seen this disease of the mind before. It had plagued his father’s mother and there was nothing pretty about it.

  “Papa?” Victoria called. “What’s wrong?”

  “Where is everyone?” he hurled back. “Where is your mother? I need your mother.”

  Key watched as Adelaide clasped Victoria’s hand, Lily coming to her other side and doing the same. His own heart squeezed, imagining their pain in this moment. Knowing all too well how deeply he’d been impacted by his grandmother’s similar decline.

  “Don’t you remember, Papa?” Victoria started but her voice cracked on the last word.

  Key swallowed down a lump, resisting the urge to touch her as her sisters were doing. Instead, he began talking the way he’d done with his grandmother. “How are you, old chap?” he called. “It’s been a long time? How long do you think? Was it Almack’s where we met?”

  Lord Rosemond cocked his head, his breathing becoming more regular. “I doubt it. I only rarely went to the place. Must have been the club.” He looked up at the ceiling as though deep in thought. “Do you remember Avery Hastings?”

  Key forced out a chuckle. “How could I forget Hastings?”

  Rosemond laughed too and just like that, walked away from the pile of destruction he’d created. “Remember the time he brought a chicken to play cards with him? A chicken!”

  “That story still makes me laugh.” Key gave the man a smile. “But come sit and tell me again.
That one never gets old.”

  “Jolly good idea,” Rosemond grinned. “Victoria, be a dear and get us a drink.” Then he stopped. “Why are you dressed like that?”

  Victoria looked at him, her eyes wide, her mouth parted. “I’ve been out.”

  “Out?” Her father shook his head. “You’re much too young for that. What are you going on about?”

  “It’s a game. They’re pretending.” Key nodded for them to follow along, giving Victoria a long stare. “You know how little girls are.”

  Rosemond gave a glowing smile. “Of course. I’ve five of them, you know. Little girls. Each beautiful in her own way.” He leaned into Key. “I’m going to be a very busy man getting them all married.”

  Key ran his hand over his face, then scrubbed his neck. He heard one of the women make a choking noise behind him as he gently took Rosemond’s elbow. “You certainly are.”

  He looked back at Victoria. A tear slid from her eye, then trailed down her cheek. She’d covered her mouth with her hand, her fingers pressing into her skin so that it was white about the edges. Pain radiated off her like waves as she trembled where she stood.

  “What was I going to tell you about?” Rosemond stopped walking to look at Key.

  “Hasting’s chicken.” Key helped him into a chair by the fire, one of the few items untouched by destruction.

  Rosemond chuckled again. “Oh yes! That is a good one.”

  Key took a long slow breath as he watched another tear slide down Victoria’s cheek. He knew her future was not his to dictate, but he had to warn her that her father was only going to get worse and that it was too big a job for her to take on all alone.

  Somehow, he felt the overwhelming need, for the second time tonight, to protect her. He didn’t know how, but he had to make that emotion stop. It only led to dangerous places.

  Chapter Six

  “What are we going to do with him?” Lily whispered as she clutched Victoria’s hand tighter. Honestly, Victoria hadn’t been able to feel her fingers for quite some time. Nor had she been able to wipe away the tears that had trickled down her face.

  “I don’t know,” she answered, wishing she could just lay down on the floor. Her head throbbed, whether from the fall or the sheer insanity that greeted them, she wasn’t certain. “I simply don’t know.”

  Key looked over at her again, his lips turning up just a touch. Was he attempting to comfort her from across the room? “What do you say we take ourselves off to bed, Lord Rosemond?”

  “Bed?” her father asked. “What time is it?”

  “Close to two o’clock in the morning.” Key leaned closer to her father. “You can finish telling me about the chicken while I help you get ready.”

  Victoria swallowed the lump that had clogged her throat. Key was calming her father, soothing him in a way she couldn’t have managed just now. His actions were beautiful and wonderful and they made her ache inside to watch.

  Papa chuckled again. “Hilarious.” Then he stood. “My valet will attend me.”

  Key stood too. “Are you certain? You can tell me as he gets you ready. I don’t mind.”

  Papa nodded. “Very good then. Confidentially speaking, I don’t much like to be alone these days.”

  Key grasped his elbow again. “I understand completely.” As they walked by, he looked at Max. “I’m not certain how long this will take.”

  Max lifted his hand. “Take as long as you need. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

  Victoria straightened her shoulders. She’d be here too. She waited until Key had walked her father out the door and then she turned to her sisters. “I can’t sleep now. I’m going to start attending to this mess. But both of you should get some rest.”

  “As if we would leave you,” Lily answered, finally letting go of her fingers and bending down to pick up a book. “Let’s see what we can clean up tonight.”

  “Agreed.” Adelaide retrieved the letter opener and began picking her way toward the large mahogany desk.

  Victoria looked about her, unsure of where to start. She’d better get used to cleaning these types of messes, but that thought only brought more tears to her eyes. She wiped them away with her gloved finger and began picking up several shards of glass. This is your choice. You can’t complain.

  After an hour, they’d made some progress, but Victoria’s body ached. She stopped to stretch, trying to work out a kink in her back when Key opened the door. “He’s asleep,” he said by way of introduction. “Has he begun waking and wandering at night?”

  Fear clenched in her stomach. Was that going to happen too? What on Earth would she do? She wasn’t strong enough to handle her father’s weight, and she doubted the footmen would agree to it. They needed sleep too. “No. Of course not.”

  Key rubbed his face. “My paternal grandmother suffered a similar loss of her mental abilities. Like you, my family chose to care for her and keep her hidden from society rather than risk her imprisonment. But it’s a difficult path.”

  Victoria swallowed, his words making her stomach clench. “No wonder you were so good with him. You’ve done this before. Is your grandmother still with us?”

  “No, she isn’t. She was one of the kindest people I knew and it was incredibly difficult to watch her slip away. But worth it. I wouldn’t have done it any other way.” He crossed the room to stand in front of her. Shoving his hands in his jacket pocket, he said, “My entire family did the care together. It’s a massive undertaking. I know that you plan to do this yourself, and it’s admirable what you want to give to your sisters, but the more people who help you, the better.”

  A tremor raced down her spine and then another. She hugged her waist. She should have gone to bed. She was tired and worried and now, the future looked bleak at best. “I can’t leave him to suffer alone.”

  He gave a small jerk with his chin. “Why don’t I stay tonight? You look exhausted and, should he wake, I’ll soothe him back to bed. Trust me, I’ve experience in the matter.”

  Max stepped forward. “I don’t think that is a wise idea.”

  Key held up his hand. “On Edmund’s grave, I swear to be the perfect gentleman.”

  “Fine,” Max said. “You’ll sleep in the room next to Lord Rosemond’s.”

  Key nodded to Max before he looked back at her. This time, he reached out, his fingers gently grazing her elbow. “Go to bed. It will all seem better in the morning.”

  She nodded but the truth was that she wanted to ask him several questions. How awful was her father’s condition going to get? How would she handle it? Who was Edmund and why was he dead?

  Key sat staring out the window of the room next to Lord Rosemond’s as the sun slowly crested above the rooftops of London. He’d tried to sleep but his head was spinning. Instead he scrubbed his face with his hands again as he attempted to quiet his thoughts.

  Victoria was far more alluring than he’d ever imagined possible. Not just physically. There was some emotional pull that he didn’t understand and didn’t like at all. The last person he’d been this protective of had died.

  He leaned his head back on his chair. His older brother, Edmund, had been the best person in his life. Though a year older, Key had outgrown his brother by the age of five. And while Edmund had always been more intellectual, much like Victoria, he’d never been particularly physical. Key had ended up defending his brother on more than one occasion when larger boys had begun picking on him.

  But he should have done more. His brother had needed him and Key hadn’t been there. He let out a groan as the memories assaulted him. Edmund had been seventeen. Key was supposed to go to town with him but had gotten sidetracked with a village girl. The only thing he’d ever been good at.

  Edmund had an altercation. Key’s chest constricted. He should have been there. His brother ended up dead and Key had been poking some village girl instead of being by his brother’s side.

  He thumped against his chest. His mother still hated him for it. His grandmot
her had been the only one who even liked him until she slipped away.

  He opened his eyes. Bloody bollocks. He hurt for Victoria because he was worried she’d end up like him. Lonely and riddled with regret at what she hadn’t done with her life.

  It was too late to save himself. He’d sealed his fate when he’d let his brother die. But Victoria? It wasn’t too late for her. She could be happy and fulfilled. And he could help her. Do for her what he hadn’t been able to do for Edmund. Fight back the bullies and see her on a good path. Now he just had to figure out how.

  But the thought left him feeling more content than he had in a long time and he rose from the chair and climbed into bed.

  When he woke, he’d speak with Max. Together, they’d make a plan to see Victoria wed. He ignored the protest that rose in his stomach and threatened to erupt from his chest. He wouldn’t allow his own desires to get in the way this time. He’d do what was best for her.

  Chapter Seven

  The sun streaming into her room made Victoria’s eyes burn. Memories of last night flooded her thoughts and she let out a groan, covering her head with her pillow. Under its blessed darkness, she closed her eyes again. Maybe the world would seem better if she just slept a little longer.

  A knock sounded at the door but she pulled the pillow tighter. “Rise and shine,” Key called from the other side of the door.

  She let out a gasp. What was he doing at her bedroom? He’d promised Max to behave. She refused to engage in this behavior no matter how helpful he’d been. She lifted one corner of her pillow and called out, “Go away.”

  “But we’ve some things to discuss with you.” His voice sounded happy, almost melodious. How dare he be so happy?

  She ripped the covers off and tossed the pillow on the floor, a good deal harder than was necessary. The thump it made on the wood floor gave her some measure of satisfaction as she stomped over to the door and opened a crack. “I’m listening but it’s your funeral. If Max finds you here, I won’t be held responsible.”