Never Kiss an Earl at Midnight: How to Reform a Rake Read online

  Key’s face appeared in the doorway. His eyes sparkled in the morning light, his cheeks a healthy color. She blinked several times. Like this, the man was irresistible.

  “Fear not, fair lady.” He gave a mock bow so that his face was only a few inches from the crack in the door. “Your champion is here with me.” Then he stepped aside, and Victoria saw Max just behind Key.

  Max rolled his eyes. “If you wouldn’t mind dressing and joining us in my study, I’d be most grateful.”

  Victoria nodded. “Of course. I apologize if I was rude. It isn’t customary to visit a young lady at her room and—”

  Max waved his hand. “There’s been a development with your father that required your more immediate attention. It won’t happen again.”

  Her breath caught. Fear made her clutch her hand to her chest. “Is everything all right?”

  Max gave a jerk of his chin while Key gave her a winning grin. “Better than all right. Get dressed and we’ll tell you all about it.”

  Her hand tightened on the knob as her heart beat in her chest. What good news could they possibly have? Closing the door, she rang for her maid to help her dress. It was too much to hope that her father was better, wasn’t it? For a moment, she pictured what her life might be like if she could marry. She pictured a husband and children. Key’s face filled her fantasy as his strong arms held her close.

  Within an hour, she was standing outside Max’s study. She raised her hand to knock on the door when she heard Max speak.

  “The first part of your plan is sound. I am less certain about the second.”

  Key cleared his throat. “She still has time to find happiness, Max. What better way to help her?”

  Max let out a heavy sigh. “You say that as if you don’t still have the chance.”

  Key didn’t respond. “My happiness died with Edmund.”

  “Your brother would not want this life for you. You do him a disservice,” Max said. “I know all about poisonous mothers and yours is among the worst.”

  “This isn’t about her.” Key said, his tone clipped. Victoria lowered her hand. Dead brother? Mean mother? Her lips trembled as she covered her heart with her hands. There was pain in his voice, she could hear it. What would she do if she lost one of her sisters? She couldn’t even imagine.

  “But it’s about him,” Max answered.

  A chair scraped and Victoria jumped back. She was eavesdropping and it wasn’t polite.

  “I need a drink. Where is your whisky?” Key grumbled.

  She didn’t think it through, but she knew she didn’t want him to have that drink. So raising her hand she gave a quick knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Max called.

  She opened the door in time to see Key pouring a snifter of whisky. She didn’t stop to talk to Max, nor did she consider the appropriateness of her actions. Instead, she crossed over to him and touched his arm, her touch gentle. Just above a whisper, she said, “Put down the glass.”

  He turned to look at her, that pain, she’d seen deep in his eyes was at the forefront. It pulled at his mouth, made his cheeks hollow, his brow crinkled. “It’s the only thing that helps.”

  An ache throbbed in her chest. She took the glass out his hand, slowly and carefully. Her fingers brushing along his palm. The decanter sat uncorked and she reached over, pouring the liquid back into the bottle. “If you’re going to help me, you’ll need your wits.” She said the words because, deep in her heart, she knew they would convince him not to drink.

  “You’re right.” He nodded.

  Victoria took his hand. “Thank you.” Her stomach began to flutter wildly. It wasn’t lost on her that this man was willing to forgo his greatest vice to see her future secured, whatever he planned. As troubled as he was, he was that caring.

  Max cleared his throat behind them. “I’m sorry to rush this along but we have an interview in a quarter hour.”

  “Interview?” she asked. She started to let go of Key’s hand but he tightened his grip.

  “When my grandmother was afflicted several years ago, I found a pair of nurses who work together to provide night and day care. It just so happens they are currently available and looking for a position. We’re very fortunate. I’ve asked them to meet you and Lily to see if they’d be a good fit to aid in the care of your father. They were invaluable to my family, especially as the symptoms progressed.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes as she reached up and wrapped her arm about his neck. In return he pulled her against his chest. It was hard and muscular. Victoria was certain that his upper body could hold up the entire world. And likely heat it too. Her insides were turning molten in his arms. “I don’t know what to say.”

  He squeezed her tighter, which only pressed them closer together. “Say that you will consider taking part in the season, with your father under the nurses’ care.”

  Her head jerked back as her brows drew together. His arm was still tightly wrapped about her waist so their middles pressed together in a way that made her thoughts fuzzy. She wanted clarity now and she pushed on his chest a bit. “The season? I thought I explained to you last night. I don’t want to participate.”

  “You did explain.” He didn’t let her go. “And I think you’re wrong. There is a man out there who will appreciate your intellect and wit.”

  Her cheeks heated but not from his touch. “That is easy for you to say. You won’t have to suffer the humiliation as you look for the single person who will appreciate your lesser qualities.”

  His eyes narrowed. “No one will humiliate you,” he growled out, his chest rumbling against hers. “I’ll see to that.”

  Her mouth fell open as her hands fisted in his shirt. “You don’t mean that. You can’t know what they’re saying.”

  “I will know. I’ll be with you. I understand how you feel, I watched my brother go through the same and I know I can keep them from hurting you. Besides, maybe my presence will even make men jealous. Wish to be by your side.” It was a wonderfully sweet gesture that made her ache with tenderness. But then, he caressed the small of her back with his fingertips. Rather than friendly affection, her insides pulsed with need.

  “That is very sweet but a terrible idea.” His touch was making her insides turn out. She couldn’t spend that much time with him.

  “I thought the same,” Max said.

  Victoria jumped. She kept forgetting her brother-in-law was there.

  “I’m convinced it will work.” Key bent closer. “Please try.”

  She took a steadying breath. Difficult considering how closely he was holding her. “I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll give your plan for my betterment a try if you will swear off alcohol for the duration of our…experiment.”

  Key paled. “Not drink? Bloody hell, why?”

  She forced her hands to relax, then she lightly caressed his chest. “You’re using alcohol to cover up pain, but it would be far better to just face whatever troubles haunt you.”

  His face tightened, drawing taut over his cheek bones. “I knew you saw exactly who I was.”

  She slipped her arm about his neck. “Say yes, and we’ll both try to make our futures better together.”

  He dropped his forehead to hers. “You’ve got a deal.”

  She caught her breath. His aroma had enveloped her. Spicy and masculine with hints of pine, it made her ache. This was a mistake, she’d just struck a bargain with temptation himself.

  Chapter Eight

  Key watched Lily leave with her sister, the interview with the nurses complete. She looked back at him as she reached the door, her eyebrows slightly raised, her chin trembling. She was frightened and he wanted to take her in his arms again and comfort her.

  He began to follow her out but Max stopped him. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Key turned back. “Is our business not complete?”

  “Not even close.” Max gestured toward a chair. “You’ve known Victoria for a very short time and your hands were a
ll over her. Do you mind explaining to me how you’ve gotten so comfortable touching my sister-in-law?”

  Damn. He should have thought that one through. “To be fair, she touched me first.”

  “You are a man of the world. She is an innocent.” Max leaned forward, his brow dropping low. “The only reason I didn’t drop you to the floor is that Victoria seemed distressed, but you are not to have your hands all over her.” He spread his fingers out in front of him. “Unless you want to end this farce of a plan and just marry her yourself.”

  Key nearly choked on his own spit. “I am not marriage material.”

  “That is complete and utter bollocks,” Max spit out the words. “You’re rich, titled, and breathing.” One of his arms slashed through the air. “Just make sure to impregnate Victoria with a son before you die and she’ll be far better off than her plan to put herself on the shelf. And, once you’re gone, she’ll have loads of time for bird-watching.”

  Key stared at his friend. “Your concern for me is astounding.”

  Max relaxed back, giving a small chuckle. “Fair point. In all seriousness. She’s good for you. You’d be good for her. Think on it.” Then he leaned forward. “And while you’re thinking, keep your damn hands to yourself. I mean it. You’ll find yourself in front of a magistrate with a pistol at your back if you don’t behave.”

  “Were you this tough on Si and Rex?” Key raised a brow.

  Max glowered, his shaggy eyebrows nearly making his eyes impossible to see, they set so low. “These Ducats are wearing me out.”

  Key wiped his chin to hide his grin. “Hands to myself.” He gave a nod. “Got it.” Then he stood. “Begin securing invitations. We’ll need to go to as many polite events as we possibly can.”

  “As many society events as we can? I’ve never hated you more.” Max scrubbed his face with his hands. “Why don’t you get out before I change my mind.”

  Key raised a brow. “Of your house or just your study? Because I have to tell you, it will be far easier to keep off the drink if you allow me to stay here. Home is so quiet with so few distractions. Here, however, is just brimming with activity.”

  Max took a long deep breath before he slowly let it out. “You’re trying to torture me, aren’t you? You…here…with Victoria and Adelaide?”

  Key shrugged. “Just until I’ve kicked the habit, so to speak. And you don’t need to worry about Adelaide. And I’ll be a gentleman with Victoria.”

  Max pointed a finger at him. “If not…gun…magistrate.”

  Key put his hands in front of him. “Promise.” Inside, however, he cringed. Victoria fit against him in the most delicious way. It was going to be a difficult promise to keep.

  Victoria just wanted to be alone but her sister, Lily, had yet to leave her room. Lily had accompanied her after they’d said farewell to the nurses. The two women would need a few days to arrange their affairs before they moved in to begin her father’s full-time care. But Key had been right. They’d take excellent care of their father.

  “Tell me again how Key knew these women we’ve just hired?”

  Victoria closed her eyes. “They looked after his grandmother.”

  “And how did you know about his grandmother?”

  Victoria refused to open her eyes. “He told me when he told me about the nurses.”

  “And why is he helping us?” Lily’s voice got louder.

  Victoria took a deep breath through her nose. “You’ll have to ask him, Lily.” Victoria knew the answer. Or at least, the answer he’d told her. He said he wanted her to have a happy life. She still didn’t understand why that would be important to him. Why would he be so invested in helping her? He wasn’t interested in her, himself, or he would have asked to court her.

  Lily huffed out a breath. “He’ll never tell me.” Then she took in a little gasp. “But maybe he told Max.” Victoria heard Lily’s skirts rustle. “I’ll ask him and then I’ll report back.”

  Victoria snapped her eyes open. “That is a good idea.” All the tiredness she’d been feeling evaporated. “And ask him about Edmund.”

  “Edmund? Who’s that?” Lily stopped, turning back from the door.

  “His brother who died. But the memory hurts Key terribly, I can tell.” She stood and began pacing. “If I could learn why, perhaps I can help him the way he is helping us.”

  Lily tilted her head to the side. “I see.”

  Victoria mirrored her head tilt. “What do you see?”

  Lily gave her a knowing smile. “Nothing.” Then she swished out the door.

  Victoria crinkled her brow. How annoying. Then she realized Max was still in his study. And Lily was going to talk with him there. If she stood at the door, she might just overhear what they discussed. It was dastardly, but then again, they were talking about her.

  She snuck out her door and began following her sister the way she might creep behind a bird she wished to observe.

  Just as she suspected, Lily went straight to Max’s study. As she entered, and made to close the door behind her, Victoria hurried to the door and stuck her foot out to keep it from closing tight.

  “Max,” Lily purred. “Do you have a moment?”

  “Of course, darling,” Max replied before the kissing noises started. Victoria wrinkled her nose but stayed put.

  “What are you doing?” a rough male whisper asked behind her. She nearly screamed as her body tensed and her mouth opened.

  A hand clamped over her mouth. “Don’t do that. You’ll give us both away.”

  It was Key. She should have known from the first but the moment she realized, she relaxed against him, her back pressing to his front. Victoria reached up to pull his hand away. “I will not,” she whispered. “Lily is in there and…”

  “You’re listening in.” Key’s breath tickled her ear as he pressed his lips close to the lobe.

  Her face heated. Both from his touch and her embarrassment. “They’re about to start discussing us.”

  “Oh, now that is interesting.” His lips just grazed the flesh. Hardly a touch at all, so light she might have imagined it which was entirely possible. He was wreaking havoc on her mind. “Though I can tell you what Max will say. That I should marry you myself.”

  She stiffened again, as though he’d poured cold water over her head. She turned back to look at him. “But you won’t.”

  He jerked his chin from side to side, squeezing his eyes shut before they opened again. “You don’t want a drunk rake for a husband, sweetheart. Trust me. I’m not fit to be a good husband.”

  She shrugged even as hurt stabbed at her insides. “It’s all right. I understand. You don’t want me either. I’m a socially awkward soon-to-be spinster.”

  “Don’t say such things.” His hand had rested on her collarbone. He slid the other about her waist and pulled her tighter to him until their bodies were pressed together. “I think you’re fascinating.”

  For a moment, desire stole her breath but then she shook her head, clearing the fog that clouded her mind. “You can’t tell me you won’t marry me and then compliment me. It’s not how the mind works. I’ve watched enough people to know they only hear the negative.”

  “That is what is fascinating about you.” The scruff of his cheek brushed against her lobe, the friction causing her to shiver. “Now tell me, what did you hope to learn by listening at the door?”

  She swallowed, attempting to forget her hurt. Then turned to look at him. “I wanted to learn about Edmund.”

  Chapter Nine

  Key’s gut clenched. He didn’t talk about his brother ever. He’d only confessed part of the story to Max some years back in a drunken stupor. But Victoria? She’d see through any half-truths, he was certain of it.

  She’d likely hate him as much as his own mother did. One couldn’t be worthy of love when his own mother withheld it, could he?

  He spun her about and pulled her away from the door. She didn’t attempt to resist him, her body was pliant in his hands. In r
esponse, he clasped her waist tighter. Her trust only made him want her more and his body tightened in response.

  “I can’t tell you about Edmund,” he whispered close to her ear as he steered her into an empty sitting room. “Besides, telling you won’t change what happened.”

  She turned to him, taking his cheeks in her hands. Her brow was furrowed as she searched his face. He felt as if she wanted to reach him, giving him her support and the courage to reveal the truth to her.

  “No, you can’t change the past,” she whispered back and then stood on tiptoe. Leaning his face down, she softly brushed those lush lips across his forehead. “But if you open up about it, you might change your future.”

  Something deep inside cracked. He wanted to tell her, the words desperate to escape. But after she knew, she’d might never look at him like that again. “My mother hates me for it. Can’t stand the sight of me.”

  She cocked her head to the side then. “I’m fairly certain my mother hates all of us. She ran away with her lover, who’s since been imprisoned, leaving us to fate. If Max hadn’t stepped in…” She paused.

  Key had the overwhelming urge to kiss her. If anyone could understand cruel mothers, it was her.

  “But you’ve heard enough about me. We’re discussing you,” she finally said. “Your mother hates you. We’re part of an elite club.” One corner of her lips turned up.

  He leaned his head down to touch hers. It was likely better he told her the entire story. Then she’d stop looking at him like she cared. It would be easier to marry her off to someone else if she hated him. Decision made, he closed his eyes. “My brother was small, academic, misunderstood by the other boys. He hated being different and the boys disliked him. They’d tease him at every opportunity. It got so bad that my mother insisted I go everywhere with him.” He swallowed down a lump in his throat. “I was sixteen and angry at being my older brother’s keeper. I’d rant that I deserved a life of my own.”