A Lady's Guide to Kiss A Rake: Misadventures of the heart (6 page)

“Oh? I take it Lady Belle is responsible for the poor choice of candidate? Did you enjoy kissing Craven, Josephine? Did you enjoy having his body pressed up against yours?”

Jo panicked. It was not the note of danger in his voice that made her turn and flee toward the doors that held safety, but the gleam in his eyes. Too late she remembered his grip on her arm and within seconds she found herself pressed up against his rock hard chest.

“Answer me dammit!”

“Unhand me!”

“No.”

“Please, let me go,” she pleaded as she pushed against his chest to no avail. His hold on her only tightened.

“First tell me if you enjoyed—”

“Why?” she hissed and pushed harder.

“Lower your voice, or do you want us to be found, alone?”

Her struggles ceased and her voice calmed when she said, “Unhand me or I
will
scream, and not only will we be found, but you will find yourself married to me before the week is out.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Even though after my brother warned me to stay away from you, he would still demand marriage or your head.”

That seemed to amuse him and his voice held a note of curiosity when he said, “Your brother warned you to stay away from me?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. “No need to sound so pleased. Your attention has not gone unnoticed.”

He waved her comment aside. “Your brother is a smart man.”

“Apparently. Now release me, please.”

“Very well.”

And just like that he released her. Jo relaxed her stiff shoulders. If she could be certain of one thing, it was of Damien’s aversion to marriage and commitments. 

“Are you going to scream or shall I?”

She gasped, her eyes widening as she stared at him as he traced the lines of her hand with his finger. Her breath caught in her throat. Not certain what to do in the wake of that outlandish statement, Jo remained still. Then he leaned forward, setting his lips to the delicate pulse on her wrist.

“They say you must try everything at least once,” he whispered against her skin.

Jo tugged her hand out of his with a start when his words penetrated through her fog-filled mind.

“You cannot be serious? Marriage is not something you try, and your aversion to any sort of commitment is a well-known fact. I am concerned you have finally lost your marbles. That can be the only explanation for this madness.”

Displeasure darkened his handsome features. “Perhaps I have.”

“No.” She pressed her hands together. “I do not believe you’re as bad as you would have everybody believe. You can be quite gentlemanly if the occasion calls for it.”

“I suppose I should be flattered,” he said, his voice dripping with disgust.

“Yes well,” she looked away. “Be that as it may, I’m not like the other ladies you consort with. I will not be seduced by you.”

“Yet you would go off with a notorious rake for a midnight
rendezvous
?”

Jo felt her face redden with a mortifying blush. He was right. Normally she would never behave in such a scandalous fashion for the attention of a man. But if she was honest with herself, she’d been disappointed that her first kiss had ended so abruptly. She sensed there should have been more. Of course she would never tell him that.

“Lucian was a wager, nothing more,” she stated as a matter of fact.

“Still Lucian, is it?” he drawled, something dark flickering in his eyes. “Astonishing how you can call that lecher by this first name but not spare me a kiss.”

Jo’s blush deepened. She was in over her head but could not back down now. “I have already won my wager, but if it will stop your pursuit of me, you may have your kiss,” she blurted, shocked at her own words.

Eyes narrowing on her, he moved closer until once again she was pressed up against his chest. Then his head lowered and his mouth covered hers. His lips were soft and gentle, not at all what Jo expected, though she’d never expected to be kissed by him. It was…scintillating. Her lips tingled as he worked his magic and a burst of passion erupted low in her chest. She pressed closer to him. Curious, she looped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer, and that appeared to be all encouragement he needed to deepen the kiss. His tongue plunged into her mouth, taking her to new heights of pleasure, and the hard ridge of his manly part pressed against her, proof of his desire. She gasped at the sensation, which quickly turned into a groan of yearning when his hands ran down her spine, cupping her derrière and pressing her closer to him. Then just as abruptly he broke away from her with a torturous groan, his rapid breathing matching that of her own.

“Bloody hell.”

Indeed.

She whirled around, certain now more than ever that she needed to stay as far away from him as she possibly could. In an attempt to dissuade him from pursuing her she threw over her shoulder, “And by the by, you should take a clue from Craven in the kissing department.”

She lifted her skirts and ran when she noted his face turn thunderous and he took a threating step forward. She did not see the predatory smile stretch slowly across his face. Yes, she would pay for that comment.

Chapter 6

On the corner of some dirty wretched street, Lady Josephine and Lady Belle awaited the giant, James Shaw. The street bustled with the activity of unsavory characters. But by far the most disturbing were the poor, hopeless souls, wandering about with no direction or purpose.  A twinge of guilt pinched in her heart for being born privileged, as it always happened in the presence of these people. She shook her head, ridding herself of her maudlin thoughts. 

James had sent a note calling for an urgent meeting, yet he hadn’t mentioned the reason, which according to Jo meant only one thing—it would most certainly be dangerous and would rely on their discretion. Just the kind of project she preferred.

She’d met James Shaw and his brother, Derek, four years ago when she created her first charity to help young orphaned boys. Like her, they also aided orphans, and when they approached her with a most intriguing proposition, she could not refuse. Their assistance, however, extended more in the way of perilous endeavors, like kidnapping and smuggling people out of the country. Her charities provided the perfect front for their activities and in return, Jo had found her purpose. And though tainted by their black reputations, they remained good men.

“You do realize of course,” Belle commented in a dry voice, “that Evelyn will have a conniption if she learns we excluded her from this meeting.”

Jo shrugged. While she loved Evelyn, the moment she married Grey, she became answerable to him, and a disadvantage to them. “She will understand.”

“I feel guilt expand in my chest,” Belle said, a hand clutched over her heart. “I hate guilt. It’s such a distasteful emotion.”

“Oh do not be so dramatic, is Westfield still bothering you?”

“An understatement.”

Jo considered mentioning she had won the wager, to distract her friend, but found no words formed. She’d feel compelled to admit she’d kissed St. Aldwyn too and she wasn’t ready to acknowledge what had transpired two nights ago.

Oh bother! Now he engulfed her mind. She half expected him to jump from the shadows, once again catching her in a place she was not supposed to be.

“Where is James?” Jo muttered under her breath.

“Has this elusive brother of his returned yet?” Belle asked.

“No, though he is expected back in a week or so.”

Her friend nodded. “So the outcome of this project depends on us. Now there’s a scary prospect.”

Jo shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. Derek Shaw brought a certain quality to their group that produced results. Without him, well not to say they would not succeed, but their chances diminished some.

“I daresay we are competent to complete this project on our own,” Jo murmured, surveying the area for any sign of James. “For one thing, we have your cousins to distract unwanted parties.”

“I do not understand why they decided to take it upon themselves to act as our guardians.”

Jo sighed, she knew exactly why. “They are men and are of the opinion that as women all we must do is drink tea and gossip over the latest fashions.”

“How ridiculous.”

Jo nodded. “Heaven forbid we do not satisfy their unending wishes and paltry needs.”

Belle chuckled, but clamped her mouth shut when she drew the attention of two men nearby. “Regardless, I want nothing to do with those wretched men.”

“I agree, but as they have taken it upon themselves to meddle in our lives, we shall have to deal with it smartly, or we may end up married to one of them.”

Belle visibly shivered. “Marriage? The thought gives me the willies.”

Jo chuckled. “If the notion of being married to Westfield gives you the willies, imagine what the thought of being married to St. Aldwyn does to me.”

“They say reformed rakes make the best husbands.”

“Debatable,” Jo said, but the memory of his lips on hers still burned. Not even the talk of marriage quelled the sudden desire to feel his solid chest beneath her hands. Spying a huge cloaked figure in the distance, she said, “James approaches on your left.”

Belle tipped her head slightly his way. “Don’t know why he bothers with a cloak, a man that size will never be missed.”

Jo smiled. James’s presence did not draw attention, it commanded it. He acknowledged them with a nod and motioned to a narrow alley across the street, where they could converse out of sight.

“Ladies, thank you for meeting me on such short notice,” he said with a smile that always appeared effortless.

“You have a project?” Jo asked.

He gave a single nod, his face grim. “Constance Cartwright.”

Belle straightened at the name. “The duke of Richmond’s niece who eloped with the son of a merchant?”

A soft rumbling noise tore from his throat signaling his displeasure.

Jo frowned in his direction. “That was not the case?”

“No,” James snarled, “he kidnapped her and forced her into marriage, but for her family’s sake she remained quiet about her husband’s actions.”

“But that’s barbaric,” Belle said horrified.

“And not even the worst part,” James continued, his handsome face flushed with anger. “He refuses her any contact with her family and beats her when she attempts to run away. She remains under constant supervision, proving near impossible to get to her.”

“Holy stars,” Jo muttered. “Does your brother know about this?”

“No, I sent word but I’m afraid we have little time. We need to act fast and cannot afford any interference from your friends.” He gave them both pointed looks. “We need to retrieve her quickly, effortlessly and undetected. Cartwright is a dangerous man and won’t hesitate to kill any of us if we are caught.”

“Why Lady Constance? He could have picked anyone, why did he pick her?” Belle asked.

“It appears to get back at the Duke. Cartwright holds a fierce bitterness after the Duke reportedly ruined his father’s shipping business.”

“Did he?” Jo asked.

James shrugged. “It matters not. We must save her before Cartwright’s kills her, which is his ultimate plan.”

“It will be difficult,” Jo acknowledged. “But not impossible.”

“We can burglarize his home and kidnap her?” asked Belle.

“Too dangerous,” James said with a shake of his head. “A mouse cannot enter that residence without being caught or Richmond would have had his niece in his possession already.”

“It may be possible to snatch her when she goes shopping,” Jo murmured.

James scrunched his thick brows in thought. “That may work.”

“How did you come by this information?” Belle asked with interest.

“I always have an ear pressed to the ground, Lady Belle. Nothing gets past me.”

Jo did not doubt that. James may be charming with a smile never far from his lips (the exact opposite of his brooding brother), but he was still a formidable male and possessed the same darkness as Derek, a side Jo hoped to never be found on.

“Is Richmond aware of our impending rescue? It may prove to be disastrous should he interfere without our knowledge.”

Belle nodded, looking expectantly at James.

“Yes,” James confirmed, his eyes hooded. “I warned him.”

“And he agreed?”

James hesitated. “He is afraid we may get his niece killed.”

“But he agreed?” Jo pressed.

James shrugged. “He will not be a problem.”

Jo shook her head in exasperation. “Very well, but if we survive this mission we may very well be axed by the Duke.”

“Just be careful, no one can know we are sniffing around her skirts.”

Belle pulled a face. “That’s not an image I wished to imagine in my head, but we are not simpletons, Mr. Shaw.”

But he had already started to retreat out of the alley.

“If you are not careful you may not have a head in a few weeks’ time,” he shot over his shoulder as he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Jo and Belle to stare at one another perplexed.

“Finally, some excitement.”

In the days that followed, Jo had—to her complete satisfaction—avoided St. Aldwyn and replaced thoughts of the rogue with thoughts of rescuing Lady Constance. She had also steered clear of Craven, for it seemed every time she found herself ever in his near vicinity, St. Aldwyn appeared. Even so, it had become quite the chore to elude him around every turn. It appeared he wished to speak with her, though she had rather hoped after their last encounter, he would leave her be.

“Jo!” A chirpy voice called from behind her and Jo heaved a soft sigh. Damien had not been the only one she hoped to steer clear of.

“I have been searching for you everywhere,” Evelyn said unhappily as she reached Jo’s side. “Are you keeping me at arm’s length?”

“Of course not,” Jo lied, “but St. Aldwyn seems to be molded to your husband’s side and I am very much trying to avoid him.”

“Oh good, I thought perhaps you had another project which you did not want to include me in. So tell me about the wager,” Evelyn said.

Jo’s head spun as her friend hopped from one topic to another. “Perhaps, if you had not been seducing your husband at every event you may have gathered I have nothing to tell. Have you any shame?” Jo teased.

Evelyn cheeks turned a rosy hue. “We do seem to get carried away a lot.”

“I’ll say. You cannot keep your hands off each other. It’s positively wicked.”

“I never imagined marriage would be so… exciting,” Evelyn admitted with a small smile.

“You are lucky on that account,” Jo agreed.

“Oh yes,” Evelyn murmured, her gaze locating her husband in the crowd with a dreamy eyed expression. “If you will excuse me, I will be right back.”

“Of course,” Jo muttered. Clearly Evelyn and her husband were about to sneak away for a private moment. The couple was painfully obvious.

“Avoiding me will not make me go away,” a voice drawled from behind her. Jo whirled around to find Damien staring down at her with a questioning brow. Double damn.

“My lord, to what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?”

“For one thing,” he hesitated, perhaps to consider his words with care. “An apology.”

“I have done nothing to apologize for.”

“On the contrary, my dear, first you kiss—”

“I never kissed you!” she interrupted, and then quickly glanced around to make sure no one overheard her exclamation.

He ignored her. “Then you insult me.”

Ah yes, she did do that.

“You may not have initiated the kiss,” he said, leaning forward, his mouth almost pressing against her ear. “But you kissed me back, quite ardently, I might add.”

“I did not!”

“Liar, but I still deserve an apology.”

“Fine, I apologize.”

His brow rose. “That was hardly a heartfelt apology. If you prefer, you may apologize with a kiss.”

Jo stared up into the eyes of the devil. What nerve! “Have you ever meant an apology?” she asked with narrowed eyes.

“That’s hardly the point.”

“Will it make you leave?” she snapped.

“Yes.”

“Very well,” she clenched her teeth. Odious man. “My humble apologies for insulting your kiss. Are you satisfied now?”

“No, but I suppose it will have to do.”

“I suppose it does, now please leave,” Jo said, turning away.

“I’m not ready to leave quite yet.”

Her head snapped back. “You said if I apologized you’d leave.”

He lifted his shoulders. “I lied.”

Jo opened her mouth to impart a scathing retort when she spotted Craven approaching through the crowd, causing her to smile instead. St. Aldwyn’s gaze had turned suspicious at her sudden change of mood and Jo’s smile deepened even more. She did not care if Craven’s sole purpose was to rile St. Aldwyn, in all likelihood to get back at him for their brawl in the gardens. It suited her all the same. 

“Lady Josephine, you look lovely this evening,” Craven spoke, prompting St. Aldwyn to stiffen, his face seemingly carved in stone.

Ah good
, her smile widened and she turned to direct all her attention to Craven. At her offered hand he a placed a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist, holding her palm slightly longer than deemed proper. The action caused St. Aldwyn to clench his fists and bunch his shoulders, as to void of a sudden attack.

“What do you want, Craven?” His sharp voice pierced the air.

Blue eyes locked with Jo’s, unaffected by St. Aldwyn’s rudeness. “I’m here to escort Lady Josephine to our dance.”

Jo saw a spark of amusement before it was gone. Craven was indeed baiting the lion.

“That won’t be necessary.” St. Aldwyn’s expression remained unchanged. “I will be dancing this set with
Josephine
.”

“Oh stop it, both of you. I shall sit this dance out, thank you very much,” she finished in a huff and stalked away from the men, annoyed to be in the center of their tug of war. Almost like a piece of scrap two dogs were fighting over. She had thought it would be entertaining to see St. Aldwyn’s reaction to Craven, but both men proved to be equally bullheaded.