Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance (15 page)

Instead, she was surrounded by a ring of men. Phillip was directly on her right. She glanced at his face; and he looked enraptured. She trilled her laugh and fluttered her eyelashes. They gazed adoringly at her.

“Miss Baker, you are a vision,” one of them called.

Piper swallowed a lump in her throat. She actually hated this. Barrett had been right. The jewelry did seem to only increase her appeal. She shook her head. Foolish men.

One was going on and on about his warehouses. Why would that be interesting? At least Asher wasn’t here. Piper excused herself, promising to return in just a few moments. She headed towards the back of the house. She found a hallway that was sure to lead to a ladies’ salon.

As she rounded the corner, she heard a woman talking. There was a seductive quality to the woman’s voice. It was breathy and wanting. Piper was about to turn around, assuming she had gone the wrong way and had stumbled upon a lover’s tryst.

She had just turned on heel when she caught the low rumble of Barrett’s voice. She would recognize it anywhere. It sounded gruff and grumpy but when didn’t Barrett sound that way?

Piper’s heart wrenched in her chest. She moved closer to try to catch the words. She couldn’t help herself.

“I’ve missed you so, darling. Make an excuse, leave the party, come with me,” the seductive voice pleaded. Piper’s own breath caught in her throat. Her hand covered her mouth.

“Samantha,” Barrett returned. Piper realized in an instant she was listening to the notorious Mrs. Fox. She suddenly didn’t want to know what Barrett said. Her heart wrenched painfully. She turned on her heel and raced back down the hall.

As soon as she entered the parlor, Phillip snagged her again. “Miss Baker, I must show you some paintings I have collected over the years. I’ve been told they rival any gallery.”

Piper put on a false smile and allowed Phillip to lead her around the house. Inside, she wanted to cry. She tried to concentrate on what he said, but she couldn’t seem to focus on a word. She turned to make her excuses but several men trailed behind them looking for their opportunity to jump in.

She had no choice but to continue the tour. She looked at Phillip. He seemed clueless to her emotional turmoil. He didn’t even seem to notice she was barely listening. They rounded a corner to find Barrett blocking their path.

Piper stopped abruptly at the sight of him. She didn’t know if it was jealousy or passion filling her chest. Probably both. But he stood, glowering at Phillip. Piper cocked an eyebrow. Why would he be upset with Phillip when he was cozy with the sly Mrs. Fox?

“Lady Stewart finds herself terribly tired. I am afraid we must return you home.”

Piper nearly choked. He was meeting Mrs. Fox. She knew it.

Phillip’s shoulders slumped. “Of course. I am terribly disappointed but I will see you on Wednesday for the picnic.”

“Where are you going for a picnic?” The lines of Barrett’s face deepened.

“The Pleasure Gardens, of course. There is no better park in the city.” Phillip beamed, oblivious to Barrett’s glowering.

“That will be lovely,” she replied. She unhooked her hand from Phillip’s arm and placed it on Barrett’s. Barrett’s forearm was taut muscle under her hand.

Barrett simply nodded to their host and escorted her to the front door.

As soon as they stepped outside, Piper huffed a breath. She turned to look at Barrett’s stone face, her own lips turning down into a frown. “What is this all about?”

“You can’t tell me you were enjoying that?” His eyebrows drew together as he gave her a dark look.

“Mr. Stanford is a nice man,” Piper said in his defense.

“Piper you are far too spirited for a man like him. You would be bored within a matter of minutes married to him. He isn’t right for you. You should find someone else.” Barrett handed her into the carriage. Lady Stewart was already asleep on the other seat.

“Am I as spirited as Mrs. Fox?” her bitter tone surprised even herself. She clamped her lips shut.

“What do you know about Mrs. Fox?” he asked. His voice was deadly low.

“Are we leaving so you can meet her this evening?” Piper bit her lip. She shouldn’t have asked. She didn’t want the honest answer. She was actively pursuing other men in front of him. He was free to do the same. “I’m sorry. Forget I asked. I’ve no right.” She turned towards the window but Barrett picked her up and settled her into his lap. His hand came to her jaw and he turned her face to place a soft kiss on her lips.

“Mrs. Fox is of very little interest to me.” He gave her another squeeze and settled her more comfortably against him. Piper knew they shouldn’t be doing this but she was never able to resist.

“She is so beautiful.” Piper’s lip came out in a pout.

“She doesn’t hold a candle to you, love. I might have thought her beautiful at one time. I’ve forgotten now. Her beauty hides a cold and calculating heart.” Piper smiled, his words soothing her jealous spirit.

“Really? Then why did we leave?” She snuggled closer, enjoying his lips on her neck.

“Because I was tired of watching that pack of jackals follow you around. I was really trying tonight to give you the space you need, but I didn’t do a very good job, did I?” His voice sounded tired and slightly wounded.

“I understand. I’m trying too.” She laid her head on his shoulder.

They sat, in silence, holding each other until the carriage pulled up Piper’s drive.

Piper gave Barrett one more squeeze. She inhaled his scent. Then she slowly withdrew herself. She couldn’t do this again. The connection between them was growing too strong.

***

The next day was busy as several men came during calling hours. By dinner time, Piper was exhausted and thankful to be spending the evening at home.

Piper changed into more simple clothes and headed to her mother’s room.

“Hello.” She grinned. Piper was so happy to see her recovering.

“Why aren’t you out?” Her mother smiled softly in return.

“I spent all day entertaining, Mother. I want to be with you.” Piper sat next to the bed.

“Did you make any other plans?” Her mother tried to sound innocent.

“Yes, so stop fussing and enjoy my company.” Piper patted her mother’s arm.

Her mother gave a small laugh and the two women ate a small meal together while they chatted. Piper felt so grateful to have this time with her mother. She must thank Barrett for all the care he had given both of them.

The smile slipped from Piper’s face. She couldn’t go five minutes without thinking about him. It was so annoying.

Her mother looked tired so Piper retreated to the corner to allow her mother to sleep. Piper began to read but the house was quiet and she found herself drifting off. It seemed like too much trouble to go to her own room and change so she drifted off in the chair.

“Piper,” a whisper drew her slowly out of sleep.

“Hmmmm,” she mumbled sleepily.

“Wake up,” the whisper insistently demanded.

“Go away.” She turned to get more comfortable.

“I want to talk with you. Wake up,” Barrett’s voice was a little louder.

She woke more fully then. She was still in her mother’s room. The other woman slept soundly on the bed. Barrett was crouched in front of the chair she slept in. She blinked at him a few times. “You cannot possibly return to England. You have no regard for social rules whatsoever. You can’t be here.”

Barrett let out a low rumble of a laugh. He took her hand and kissed it, but she pulled it back out of his grasp. “Do you know how little I usually laugh?”

“It is probably because you growl so much.” Piper sniffed as she spoke. He would not draw her in tonight.

He laughed again. “I missed you today.”

“Barrett, we can’t keep doing this. What are you doing here?” She brushed past him as she stood, walking to the window.

“I came to warn you. Stay away from Asher Grey. He’s made his money preying off other people’s misfortune. There is nothing good there.” Barrett’s voice growled behind her and she shook her head. He did indeed growl a lot. “He is talking about you and making it sound as though he is marrying—”

“You didn’t need to come here to tell me that. I had figured it out for myself, and even if I hadn’t, you could have sent a note.” She crossed her arms. She felt him moving closer and she stiffened for the assault on her senses that was coming.

“I wanted to see you,” he sounded almost desperate.

“You shouldn’t be here; you need to leave.” Piper hugged herself tighter. She wanted to see him too, but one of them had to be strong enough to walk away.

“Piper, I still care about you—“

“Barrett, we have to stop doing this. You’ve made it clear you won’t marry me. Let me go.” Tears pricked at her eyes.

“Very well,” his clipped tone echoed in the room as he turned on heel and left.

Piper sighed, staring out the window. “You did the right thing dear,” her mother’s voice softly called from the bed.

Piper shook her head. “Sometimes, I just don’t know.”

TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

CHAPTER TWELVE

Piper dressed for
the picnic carefully. She hadn’t seen Barrett in three days. Not since Sunday night. He had stopped in to drop off her inheritance. But he had only spoken with her aunt. She heard his deep voice but refused to come downstairs. Forty thousand dollars was now sitting in her room. It was more money than she had ever seen in her life. And she grew more certain that Barrett was behind her sudden windfall.

She didn’t know quite what to do with it. Banks were few and far between and she didn’t know if she would be staying in New York. Many invested in land but that was how her father had lost their fortune. He had leveraged many pieces of land off of one when the market crashed in thirty-seven. They had lost almost everything.

Piper would have to figure it out. Her mother was still too ill to ask. Neither Sybil nor her aunt had any idea. The estate manager handled all of that for them. She could ask Barrett but it seemed unwise. Perhaps Ethan or Phillip could aid her.

Her mother’s health was improving and Piper was so thankful. But she was suddenly restless for her future to start. This whole experience had made her feel insecure.

Ethan was spending time at their home every day and Piper knew a marriage announcement wasn’t far away. She was so happy for Sybil but a part of her was jealous. Sybil would get to marry the man she loved.

She checked her reflection. Her pale pink dress brought out the shell pink of her lips and the creaminess of her skin. A diamond hung around her neck. One of the jewels Barrett had sent from the jeweler.

She was still deciding if Phillip was a candidate for her hand, but regardless, she would see many eligible men at The Pleasure Gardens and she needed to look her best.

Phillip’s carriage pulled in at noon. Piper, Sybil, and Ethan were waiting. Piper was relieved to see Asher was not there but the man had come to call the day before. Piper was trying not to encourage him but he seemed intent on her.

Phillip swept out of the carriage and ushered everyone in, holding Piper’s hand as she went. His hands did not hold the hard strength Barrett’s did but Piper ignored it.

Ethan and Sybil sat on one bench together while Phillip and Piper sat on the other. She smiled and laughed and fluttered her eyelashes. Phillip never once looked at Sybil but seemed riveted by her. It gave her some measure of satisfaction, and Phillip rose in her esteem. She wanted a man who wanted her.