Page 52 of His Wicked Secret
“Surely Mr. Bedford isn’t all that bad,” James noted. “If he was distracting ladies like Miss Sharpe, that is quite good.” There was a rumor that Miss Sharpe had set her cap for James, so it was no surprise he was relieved that another man could catch her interest.
“I saw her eyeing you at dinner last night,” said Charles. “You’d best watch yourself. Most ladies on the marriage mart play by society rules, but not that one. She looked ready to truss you up and cart you back to London like a prize boar.”
James rubbed his temples wearily. “I know. I do not wish my title gone by any means, but there are days I would do just about anything to be a simple gentleman with a modest fortune.”
“You say that,” Jonathan muttered, “but it’s not so easy for us gentlemen to compete with earls.” He could not forget Audrey’s easy friendship with James, or how it made him see red when she had embraced the man so warmly the evening before.
“You two are fine pair of wet hens,” Charles snapped. “Quick, let’s get to the lake before those dandies spot us. I love discussing the cut and color of a good waistcoat as much as any man, but those fools belabor the point so much that any amusement I might find in the conversation dies a slow and painful death.”
Jonathan led the way down to the small lake that abutted the Rochester estate, and he embraced the warm sunlight upon his face. A day in a boat would be quite relaxing, and he greatly needed that given how arduous wooing Audrey was proving to be. Though admittedly, now that the efforts were bearing fruit it all seemed worthwhile.
A groundskeeper was waiting on the deck for them, but Jonathan stumbled to a halt when he realized the man was not alone. Audrey and Gillian were already there, holding fishing poles of their own. Audrey glanced over her shoulder and saw him. Her cheeks flushed before she turned back to the groundskeeper as though she hadn’t seen him.
Charles and James both ran into Jonathan’s back in an abrupt halt.
“Bloody hell, man, what—?” Charles began, but he cursed when he caught sight of who stood on the dock.
“It could be worse,” James offered. “The dandies could be here instead. I dare say this will be far better company.”
“Valid point, Pembroke.” Charles squared his shoulders. “Come on, gents, we best face this like good men.” Charles took the lead and marched them imperiously down the dock.
“Audrey, what a lovely surprise. And Miss Beaumont.” Charles inclined his head to Gillian, who blushed.
“How splendid! Did you come to watch us fish? I’m sure you will have a lovely view from the dock.” Audrey’s tone was all innocence. What a delightful ruse. She was cunning, he knew that, and he adored her for it.
“Certainly not,” Charles replied without hesitation. “We’re taking the boats, andyou, my dear ladies, may watchusfish.”
James’s gaze turned somewhat reproachful. “Charles, if the ladies were here first…”
“We were,” Audrey agreed, a cheeky gleam in her brown eyes.
Jonathan couldn’t take his eyes off his little sprite. She wore a day gown of white-and-pink striped muslin with little black boots that peeped out from underneath her skirts. The cool weather was favorable to such a gown, and the way the sunlight illuminated her breasts, which were pushed up to an advantageous display, soon made him harden. He silently cursed and moved behind Charles to hide his condition. A dark curl escaped the elaborate bonnet Audrey wore, and when she turned his way he caught a glint of mischief in her brown eyes. All he could think about was how she looked when she’d been between his thighs and when she’d…
All those times I teased Godric about how much time he and Emily spent locked away in their chambers. Now I completely understand.
He’d only had a small taste of what it meant to be with Audrey, and it wasn’t enough. It might never be enough. His hunger for her went beyond those of his body’s needs, but it didn’t mean that when she looked at him with that wicked little smile he could forget how much he wanted her back in his bed beneath him.
“Well,” the groundskeeper interjected, “I was just informing the ladies that I have two boats and enough bait and poles for two fishing parties.”
“Gillian and I will take one boat,” Audrey announced.
“And I shall come with you,” James volunteered.
“Oh no. Three is far too many for one boat. I will go with Charles, in the second boat,” Audrey said.
“You will go with me,” Jonathan interrupted.
Charles took a pole and stepped away from the group. “I believe I will feel crowded regardless of which boat I am on. No, I will content myself here on the dock while you all drift off.” He eased down onto his backside by the end of the dock, then removed his boots and stockings and dipped his feet into the water.
“Er… Well…” Audrey glanced between Charles and Jonathan before sighing.
“Come on. You can pout on the boat if you like.” Jonathan lifted her up by the waist from behind and set her down in the first boat. She wobbled for a second but regained her balance with surprising grace and settled onto the nearest plank seat. James and Gillian took the other boat, and the groundskeeper passed each party a small pail of fresh bait.
Audrey folded her arms across her chest, her lips formed into a sultry frown as Jonathan rowed them out into the lake.
“You look very fetching this morning,” he said once the boat was properly adrift.
“Of course I do. This gown is very—oh! I’m angry with you.” She seemed to only just remember that and clamped her lips shut again.
