Page 19 of The Rake I Wished For
Jane blinked in surprise, no doubt at Jocelyn’s shrill tone. With a shrug, Jocelyn added, “You’ve told me that Harlow has a, er…a reputation…”
Jocelyn’s lips pressed together as irritation surged. She’d never thought much about Harlow’s reputation, or what it truly meant. But now…
Her eyes narrowed on the stitches in her lap until they all seemed to blend together. Just how many women had he kissed on verandas? How many ladies had he stolen away with in the gardens?
That’s what I thought.
She could still hear that unfamiliar disdain in his voice. Oh, he must have thought her the veriest fool. A child. Liam’s silly little sister.
The memory made her belly feel hollow.
“So, if Harlow is a rake and he offered to kiss you…” Jane shrugged. “Why not?”
Jocelyn gaped at her friend. “He’s…well, he’s Harlow.”
Jane nodded, as if this made sense. “And you do not find him attractive.”
Jocelyn’s brows drew down and her heart inexplicably began to pick up its pace. “Of course he’s handsome. Everyone knows that.”
Jane sat in silence for far too long, and Jocelyn grew irritable again. “He’s my brother’s friend, that’s all. I couldn’t kiss him.”
“Because you do not see him as a suitor,” Jane clarified. “You see him as a sort of brother, is that it?”
Jocelyn opened her mouth to agree, but nothing came out. All at once her mind’s eye filled with the image of his dark eyes, so familiar and yet so unfamiliar as he fixed her with that piercing look….
“Am I interrupting?” Harlow’s voice to her left made her jump.
Even Jane seemed startled, but she had the good grace not to make the squeaking noise that escaped Jocelyn when she looked over to see Harlow smirking down at her.
Oh dear.
Oh drat!
Had he heard them talking?
“I…you…” She clamped her mouth shut as Jane stared at her with wide eyes.
Heat crept into her neck as she forced her gaze back up to meet Harlow’s. “When did you arrive?”
“Just now,” he said. “The housekeeper had her hands full with a spill in the kitchen and I told her not to bother announcing me. After all, I’m as good as family, aren’t I?” His grin turned wolfish before he turned to nod at Jane. “Good morning, Lady Jane.”
“Mister Harlow,” Jane murmured.
Even Jane’s cheeks were pink, like she was embarrassed on Jocelyn’s behalf.
Jocelyn stood abruptly and the embroidery she’d forgotten about clattered at her feet. Harlow stooped down and fetched it for her before she could react. He handed it to her, and held on, so they were both clutching the silly ring of fabric. His gaze held hers as he spoke to Jane.
“Would you mind giving us a moment, Lady Jane? I have something to discuss with Jocelyn.”
“Of course,” Jane said.
Jocelyn couldn’t drag her gaze away from Harlow’s to see Jane’s reaction, but she heard the girl shifting about before Jane murmured to Jocelyn, “I’ll just be on the other side of the garden if you need me.”
Jocelyn nodded, her heart fluttering wildly. For the life of her, she couldn’t say if she was relieved or irritated that Jane would be there to chaperone.
Why?Some voice mocked.Would you take him up on his offer of a kiss if he asked again?
No. Definitely not.
