The Midnight Rake (11 page)

“Wouldn’t it be spectacular if the two of you became…”

Phineas coughed, obliterating the end of Lexi’s proposition. Amused at the interplay, Devlin chuckled.

“I have a capital idea. Why don’t the two of you join us tomorrow?” Lexi glanced toward her husband, unmistakable excitement lighting her eyes. “We are having an outing to Ascot to spend the afternoon viewing the races. But if you agree to escort Penelope, it will be that much more enjoyable and we’ll get to know each other better.”

Devlin seconded the idea to his wife’s delight.

“Wonderful! Penelope and I can shop for new hats in the morning. It is tradition after all, to don your best headwear at Ascot.”

Again Phineas noted the genuine adoration the two shared. He wondered if he’d ever feel the same depth of emotion or instead remain eminently eligible. Once, he’d believed true love was possible, but opportunity was lost, the outcome an utter failure.

“That’s a brilliant idea, love.” Devlin punctuated his comment with a quick kiss to his wife’s cheek. “I insist we make a day of it.” He turned to Phin directly. “I have a matter of business to discuss with you anyway, so why don’t we escort the ladies to Bond Street before setting off to the track?”

“I’m not sure.” Phineas stalled in his efforts to form an excuse. Spending the day with Penelope would add another layer of difficulty to the arrangement no matter it remained temporary. Yet Maman expressed they’d had so little joy, he would be hard put to deny her an enjoyable outing. “Alright. If Penelope is not otherwise committed, we will join you.”

The words hardly left his mouth before Lexi chimed in. “This is perfect! The two of you…”

“Oh no!” Phin’s vehement exclamation rang with clarity.

Devlin interceded. “Love, why don’t you go up to the nursery, and we’ll follow you in a few minutes.”

Lexi frowned at being dismissed from the room, but made her departure without a rejoinder.

“Thank you for the rescue. I don’t want your wife forming any ideas about matchmaking and romance. My mother besieges me with her wayward attempts and Penny has made it clear her attentions lie elsewhere.” A thoughtful pause followed. “All she asks is assistance in gaining entry to a few events so she may find the gentleman who owns her heart. Maman committed me and now I am saddled with the task, yet I’m not fool enough to set my cap for someone that is already promised to another no matter how appealing the idea might be or how often I’ve considered it.” His voice, low and pensive, faded as he continued, but he remedied the condition with his final statements, announcing them with force as if an edict he commanded himself to heed. “It would be highly improper to even suggest it. We’re friends and that’s all. The last thing I need is emotional obligation.” He hesitated to match eyes with Devlin, confident his friend would recognize his contrary feelings.

“Is that what you think?” Devlin ran his palm along his chin as he considered the idea. “I think one doesn’t find love. It actually works the other way around.”

Offering his friend a sidelong glance, Phin discovered Devlin’s amused grin. “Listen to you, after one year of marriage.” His tone was all displeasure. “I always slated you as the cynic and me as the carefree friend.”

Devlin laughed. “So who is this lucky fellow Penelope seeks? I can help you find him and then make him disappear.” He waggled his brows and traced a finger across his throat in a slow, suggestive manner.

A smile forced its way out despite Phineas’ conflicted mood and then Reeston entered carrying refreshments. The sight of food always improved his demeanor. “That’s the damnedest thing, Dev. She claims it’s such a sensitive matter she must resolve it discreetly. I cannot have her moving through society unescorted. It puts me in a precarious spot. It’s my duty to help her and protect her, but I don’t know from whom or from what. She represents an intriguing little problem.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Even while I know what is right, it feels so wrong. There are more than a few jackals amongst the
ton
.”

“First Julia’s situation and now your assistance to Penelope.” Devlin took a sip from his lemonade, replying in mock seriousness. “It sounds like you have a lot on your plate, but then you usually do.”

Phin answered the pun by nabbing two sandwiches from the platter.

His friend continued undeterred. “Let me know if I can assist. We can go back to the gaming hell later in the week and check for Winton if you’d like.”

“Yes, we’ll have to. It’s the only lead I have. He hasn’t been to his apartment in weeks and no one can explain what brought about his drastic change in behavior.”

Both men ate in silence until Phin spoke, his words edged with concern. “Julia is taking Winton’s rejection hard. I hope his explanation makes sense.”

The men completed their meal and Devlin moved from behind his desk.

“Enough of this unpleasantness. Why don’t we join Lexi in the nursery? It’s been too long since you’ve seen your godson. He’s growing faster than you can imagine.”

The mood in the room took on a cheerful change and Phineas found a genuine smile. “Capital idea. I’m in need of a little sunshine right about now.” He reached forward to grab another sandwich from the plate and followed Devlin out of the room, his words evoking immediate images of Penelope. Her smile warmed his soul despite he would be hard pressed to articulate the admittance. Still an afternoon spent in her company would prove delightful. No doubt at all.

Chapter Nine

Phineas returned to find his townhouse ensconced in silence. He arched a brow at Jenkins who remained in the front hall sifting through correspondence, the unspoken communication expressing his immediate question.
Where is everyone?
The sudden encompassing solitude unnerved him until Mon Ami squawked several times in succession. The high-pitched screech echoed through the peaceful foyer with such irritation Jenkins dropped a packet of envelopes. Phineas made a direct line for the back door, rubbing his temples and seeking respite in the gardens. His long strides ate up the pathway bringing him to the gazebo at the corner.

“Phineas, how pleasant. Join us.” His mother motioned toward a seat beside Penelope, but no sooner did he enter the gazebo than a servant announced the arrival of Aubry’s tutor. Springing to her feet, Maman reached for Aubry’s hand as if leading a small child from the yard.

“Good heavens, I had no idea of the time. Come along, Aubry, I do want to co-ordinate your schedule.”

With hardly a by-your-leave, the ladies hurried toward the house, their faint conversation fading on the breeze as they left Phineas and Penny quite alone.

By damn if he didn’t find himself in another undesirable situation. He didn’t want to enjoy her company, and the best way to achieve that goal was to avoid Penelope whenever possible.

She leaned on the side banister of the wooden enclosure, the sunlight outlining her profile in softness as if an angel come to earth. Meanwhile his thoughts echoed suggestions from the devil.

“We have been abruptly abandoned.” Phineas sought to keep his mouth moving with words, as a rush of desire urged him to cross the planked floor and kiss Penelope soundly. “Funny how that continues to happen.” His lips quirked with the wry mutter. Did Penelope notice his mother’s poorly veiled attempts at providing them privacy? Maman proved as cunning as a fox.

He took a step then stopped. A litany in his brain persisted he pull her forward and kiss her senseless. How could he resist when she stood there an image of adorable loveliness? His blood heated with an unexplainable force that made no sense and yet rocked him to the core.

He didn’t want any relationship with permanence.

No wife, happy life.

He struggled to re-establish his mental decorum as the wind stirred the leaves, a sibilant whisper against the gazebo roof.

“Your mother has shown extraordinary kindness. I am grateful for her generosity. My sister and I are very happy here.”

He slid his gaze upward with the unexpected admission. How was it possible her eyes were greener, sparkled more, their clear depths as intriguing as the color? And those freckles. He’d like to memorize the location of each one.

“I want to thank you for helping me.” She tilted her head to the side and hemmed her bottom lip in a charming habit he knew as if his own. “And most of all, for being my friend.”

Friend.
The word alone was a bucket of cold water. Good, very good.

He walked to the other side of the gazebo and mirrored her pose. “It’s the least I can do after understanding your predicament. Friends help one another.” What of this gentleman she sought? Was she promised to him? It could do no harm to fish around for answers. “So that I may help you further, why don’t you share a few more facts? All the better to determine the type of functions that will place you in this gentleman’s path.”
Or not at all, having you avoid him completely. Then what would you do Penelope, if you could not find your mystery man?

“There’s not very much to tell regarding his peerage or connections.” She finished with a feminine shrug although she struggled to conceal emotion. “He is definitely not expecting to see me. That’s certain.” She added this with emphatic confidence.

“What does he look like? Maybe I have made his acquaintance.” Unable to harness his restlessness, Phineas paced the circumference of the gazebo, full knowing he would arrive at Penelope’s side.
Did she smell like vanilla today? He no longer enjoyed dessert having discovered a sweeter reward.

“He is tall, not as tall as you.” She tipped her head as she pivoted in his direction. “With a similar build, although your shoulders are much broader.”

Phin adjusted his frame to maintain his best posture.

“He is handsome, but not as…” Her words ended on a considerable hitch of breath.

He had come full circle, and stood beside her, hopeful the remainder of her sentence aligned with the obvious. She appeared a little nervous, not at all in the same manner of only a few minutes earlier.

“You were saying?” He looked down into her crystalline eyes and the decision was made. He would kiss her. Right then and there. Because he wanted to and he needed to and he was damn tired of always doing what was expected of him. How terribly mundane to follow the rules and never take what one wanted on impulse within the passion of the moment. Past experiences discounted. Penelope was nothing like other women he’d known, so one kiss would satisfy his curiosity and put it to bed.
Poor choice of words
.

But while he muddled through these conclusions, Penny moved to the bench, her expression grave as if she contemplated serious matters. Damn it all to hell, was she thinking of the man she wished to locate? This man she claimed to love?

Penelope stared into her skirt and wondered how she’d maintain a secretive position in her quest to locate Simon and also kiss Phineas, because as he studied her with those incredible amber eyes, the impulse thrumming in her veins suggested she throw herself into his arms and kiss his lips in a shameless expression of desire. Good lord, what would he think were she to do such a thing? She wanted nothing more than to feel his mouth upon hers. That delicious mouth with that divine cleft in his chin. It haunted her every daydream.

She’d been kissed before. Simon initiated a reserved friendliness during their courtship. A mocking voice inside her insisted any affection she received in the past would pale greatly to the experience of kissing Phineas. Mostly due to the fact she would not be receiving, but actively participating in the kiss.
Kisses.
She poked the tip of her tongue out and nervously licked her lips. Who could ever accuse her of wantonness for succumbing to his rugged good looks?

With her decision made, she rose in a swirl of skirts and met his amber gaze. He stood so close, spicy and male; she sensed his body heat and her heart melted.

“Phineas?”

He exhaled, his breath whispering past her cheek and her body reacted as if his hands skimmed over her skin with precious sensation.

“Yes?”

His voice, a low husky rumble from his chest, sent a prickling of anticipation skittering to the deepest part of her.

“Would it be terribly rude if I asked you a favor?” Her words came out too fast, charging the air between them with impatient emotion.

“Anything. Ask me anything.”

His eyes glittered and when he swept a wayward piece of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushed her temple in a lingering caress. He tipped her chin with his fingertip, the pressure entrancing her with warmth and strength. Something unfurled within her, an anxious desire that begged to be fulfilled.

“What is it you want, my sweet?”

The silky rasp of his voice sent another little shiver across her skin, her senses acutely aware of the subtle distinction of the man standing above her. He was strong, solid muscle and male handsomeness, yet his touch was gentle.

“You rescued us, providing for Aubry and me, when we were destined for dire straits only a week ago.” She matched his intense gaze and her pulse tripled. “Your mother brought us to your home unannounced and instead of turning us away, you’ve shown great generosity. You deserve a boon, some kind of reward.”

“A boon?”

Something flickered in his eyes. An idea? A mischievous impulse? She could never confess she yearned for him to ask for a kiss. Whenever she stared into his fathomless gaze, his eyes locked to hers, she lost all logical reason and her heartbeat hurtled, her breathing hitched.

He leaned closer, as if conspiring something of great importance. “I know the proper thing is to suggest a stroll in the gardens or a dance at the next social function, but I’m not feeling like a gentleman right now. If we’re baring souls, I find I’m far from the behavior of a gentleman whenever I’m near you.”

“Oh.” A sudden rush of heat infused her cheeks.

Somehow she managed a few steps backward until her bottom bumped the wooden balustrade. He braced one arm against the gazebo’s support boxing her in and shadowing them with his chiseled physique deliciously outlined by the strained fabric of his sleeves. They stood memorizing each other’s face as if nothing existed except their world within the precise moment.