Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance (24 page)

“Is that why he’s marrying you? It’s in the family.” Mrs. Fox’s lip curled.

“Oh, no. The family would want him to marry…” Penelope started to speak but then stopped when Mrs. Fox’s eyes swung to her.

“Well, isn’t that just so sweet. A marriage of love.” Mrs. Fox stepped closer. “But really, dear, a woman as delicate as you, are you sure you are up for his appetites? Even I had difficulty with them at certain times, and I am a woman with far more experience than you.”

She heard Penelope gasp in her breath but Piper held firm. “This is highly inappropriate.”

“You certainly do sparkle with all those diamonds. I wonder how shiny you will be after he has used you. No single woman can feed that appetite.”

Piper straightened. She didn’t believe a word of this woman’s poison. In her safety, she trusted Barrett absolutely.

“Have a good evening, Mrs. Fox.” She turned, grabbed Penelope’s arm and headed for the powder room.

Once they arrived, Piper began to pace. “Can you believe that terrible woman?”

Penelope’s hand fluttered to her face and then back down. “That was one of the rudest things I have ever heard, to be sure.” Penelope continued to jerk her hand nervously. “But aren’t you just a little afraid of His Grace? He is so very…”

Piper stopped pacing and turned to Penelope. “There are many things I am afraid of. His Grace is not one of them.”

Penelope gave her a small smile. “Well, if I might add, you sparkle without the diamonds. That Mrs. Fox is just jealous.”

Piper grinned at the other woman. Then she walked over and grasped Penelope’s hand. “That is very kind of you. This is most unexpected. It hadn’t occurred to me you and I might actually become friends.”

“More than friends, family. Will you talk to His Grace?” Penelope stood clasping Piper’s other hand. She squeezed them desperately.

“I will see what I can do.” Piper squeezed back.

The two women walked arm and arm back to their party of companions.

Everyone in their group stared as the two women made their approach. Sybil and Ethan looked as though they would burst from not laughing. Barrett appeared absolutely perplexed, and Her Grace and Lord Percy eyed them with suspicion. Piper’s eyes swung back to Barrett. He wore his usual glower.

***

Barrett watched Piper survey the group. He didn’t have to look at his mother or Lord Percy. He already knew what each of them was thinking.

Her eyes swung back to him and held his gaze. Heat unfurled in his body. He glanced briefly at Penelope clinging to Piper’s arm. He almost shook his head.

Penelope and Piper should not be friends. It wasn’t that he cared. In fact, he was delighted. They were stacking the odds against his mother. But any other woman would have unleashed her claws into Penelope. She was a frightened bird who was easily intimidated. Piper could have destroyed her.

That was one of the things he loved about Piper. Deep down she was loving and kind. The word startled him. He didn’t just want her. He was in love with her. He felt himself scowl. No wonder he was acting so strangely.

He saw Penelope cringe. He tried to relax his face. Piper patted her hand and kept pulling Penelope forward. Piper didn’t see this about herself but she was a magnet. People were drawn to her. Men and women alike. He was drawn to her.

Barrett watched her walking toward him. The way she moved set him on fire. The way she smiled made him rock hard. His entire body tightened.

Glancing at his mother, she also watched Piper with a scowl on her face. A small smile touched his lips. She was losing. Just like him, his mother couldn’t fight Piper’s warmth.

Piper and Penelope reached the group. He took Piper’s hand, the one with his ring, and tucked it into his arm. He was making a public statement. Piper was going to be his wife. He watched as several men assessed them. He pulled her a little closer. It no longer mattered if his actions were reasonable or rational. He had a primal need to make her his.

He tried to recall if he had ever felt this before. He had wanted women, but never like this. It nearly consumed him.

With absolute certainty, he needed to get Piper into his home and into his bed and he needed to do it soon because he was sure his mother wasn’t finished. She had more tricks up her sleeve. He had been hoping to spare Piper from this, but perhaps if he acted quickly enough, he could keep his mother contained.

He glanced over at the woman who had given him life. She was glowering at them. It was strange he and his mother didn’t get along better. They were very much alike. Perhaps that was the reason. Both of them needed a person like Piper to balance their lives. His father had been much gentler of spirit. If his mother really thought about it, she would see Piper was perfect for their family.

Only one thing mattered to his mother, the title. Piper wasn’t perfect for the title, though. Her Grace, his mother, was the daughter of a Baron. She had worked hard to climb the social ladder and she expected her children to be grateful for that. His father had been too mild mannered to deny her and her inheritance had bolstered the Dukedom for a time.

Piper’s voice drew him out of his thoughts. Her soft voice drifted over him. “How interesting, Lord Maddox.” She smiled warmly at his brother.

Her warmth spread over him like a balm. Something about her soothed his very soul. He was suddenly desperate to be alone with her. To feel her softness against him. He loved his mother, but there was no way in hell she was keeping Piper from him.

Her Grace was still staring intently at them. He met his mother’s eyes and drew himself up. Their gazes locked and hostility crackled between them. Piper shifted next to him. She sensed his tension. “Your Grace,” her soft voice whispered near his ear.

He gave his mother one final glare and then turned to Piper, his look softening to match her voice. Her perfect, full lips turned down ever so slightly. She was worried. “Yes, my love.”

“Shall we dance?” Her eyes implored him to do so. He could have chuckled. He didn’t particularly enjoy dancing but he would do it for her. He gave her a smile and a single nod.

She gave him a glowing smile in return. They started to move towards the dance floor, Piper walking just in front of him to negotiate the crowd. His mother stepped between them. “You’ll grow tired of her,” her voice hissed. “And then she won’t have increased your lands or your fortunes.”

“I should marry like you, for lands and fortunes and be gloriously happy. The way you have been? I know who you are mother. And I know who I am. Your arguments are lost on me.” Her mouth hung open and Barrett knew he had hit his mark.

He stepped around her and continued after Piper. Why did his mother have to meddle so? She was forcing him to confront her.

They reached the dance floor just as the music began. Piper was a beautiful dancer and Barrett used the opportunity to pull her close as often as he could.

His hands grazed her waist, her back. Barrett closed his eyes for just a moment. He couldn’t get enough of touching her.

“I want to see you tonight,” her voice was a hungry whisper that set him on fire. He knew he should say no but he was tired of fighting his desire for her. She was reading his thoughts.

“Meet me out in the garden tonight after everyone is asleep.” He squeezed her waist. “Convince your family to leave as soon as possible. I will do the same with mine.”

She nodded and her body brushed against his. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Barrett took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing senses. He was sure his mother was correct and his passion would cool for Piper. It couldn’t last like this forever. But she was wrong if she thought he would ever regret marrying Piper. He never wanted to be without her.

They returned to the group and passed the next hour with uncomfortable and stilted conversation. Finally, he whispered to his mother they should retire. She readily agreed. She must want to separate him and Piper. Little did she know, he had plans to see a lot more of Piper this evening.

As he turned to go, he saw the man with the scar on his face, eyeing Piper. A low growl emitted from his chest. He should have killed that man. He whispered to Ethan, “Watch her on the way home. That man is the one who tried to take her.”

Ethan nodded and Barrett began to leave with his family. He eyed the man with the scar who looked back at him wearily. He glanced back once to see Ethan ushering Piper, Sybil, and Lady Vesser towards the door. Barrett swung wide to cross paths with the man.

His body clenched in rage and the man attempted to turn and leave but Barrett caught up to him. He planted himself directly in front of the wretch. He must be four or five inches taller than the other man and he emphasized it by leaning down. Barrett’s nose was nearly touching his. “If I see you anywhere near Miss Baker again, I swear, I will kill you.”

The other man’s eyes bulged slightly and he took a half step back. Barrett gave him one last meaningful glare before he headed for the door. Ethan was already ushering the ladies out and it eased his mind to know Piper would be safely tucked in her carriage at any moment.

He watched until Ethan closed the door and then he headed towards his own family. The driver stood waiting for him and opened the door as he approached. Barrett swung himself in and seated himself next to his mother. It was the only seat still available.

“What took you so long?” she snapped, turning sharply to look at him.

“Just a little business, Mother.” He glanced over to see Penelope inching closer to Tom. His eyebrows raised just a little.

“Business? Your business should be your duties at home.” Barrett glanced at her as she griped. She must be really angry because it was unlike her to argue so publicly.

“My business supports this family and ensures our legacy. You should give it more respect. It may even support the Percy’s legacy.” Barrett relaxed back into his seat.

Lord Percy was now giving him his full attention and the corners of his mouth were turned ever so slightly into a smile.

“Tom,” Lord Percy turned to his brother. “Have you considered marrying a woman who will inherit a title? It would ensure your position within the peerage.”

Both Penelope and Tom beamed. Barrett smiled, too. He was winning all the players over to his side.

His mother sat stiff as a board. She had realized her error too late. Barrett would negotiate a payout for Tom to marry Penelope. While it wouldn’t increase their titles, it would increase the Percy’s funds and his own families land holdings. Barrett had guessed correctly that money would satisfy Lord Percy.

Maybe he was the fool his mother thought him to be. He was spending a large fortune to make Piper his wife. He would make more money. He would never find another woman like her.

TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Piper had attempted
to sneak down the stairs no less than three times. She had retreated to her room every time. The butler was lurking. He must know she was up to something.

She lay in her bed and waited another half hour. If she was still, perhaps he would go to bed. It was growing late, and she prayed Barrett was still waiting for her.

What had she been thinking, asking him to come here tonight? She hadn’t been thinking. When she was around him, she forgot what was rational. Now she had set up a lover’s tryst under her family’s nose.