Page 33 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
She batted down the spark of jealousy flaring within, balling her fingers to keep from grabbing the child away from him.
“Aargh,” he roared.
Reina chortled in reply. She locked her chubby child’s arms around his neck and nuzzled there.
Swallowing the lump in her throat made Graciela’s eyes start to water. If Charley Everly loved the girl as he seemed to, he would fight to keep her safe and that was really what mattered. Best to be grateful. She forced a smile.
He tucked the little girl closer and looked at Francisca, who glared back. He had heard their conversation. With his hair spiked and waving in complete disarray, he was like a wild lion, or indeed, a tawny-colored wolf.
Yet he did not look as if he were about to devour either of them. His eyes sparkled and reflected back some of the rare golden sunlight. “Juan shall return soon,” he said to Francisca in perfect Spanish. “When he returns, you should both rest. It was a very long night. Miss Kingsley will be safe, even from me. And this one…” The corner of one lip twisted up. He laid his palm on the baby’s back and Graciela shivered, as if she felt that warm touch herself. “This one has drooled on yet another coat, I fear. We must only protect her from my valet. I shall tell the maids to keep him away from the nursery.”
Francisca’s lips firmed and she gripped her hands at her waist.
Mr. Everly went to the table and settled his large self into a chair. He looked up at Graciela as if she had protested when in truth she had said nothing. “Don’t worry. These chairs survived the worst kind of mischief from Bakeley, Perry and me. They’re quite sturdy.”
That mischief still glittered in his eyes, and sent her blood dancing through her, sparking hot warmth in her cheeks. His gaze did not leave her face, yet she felt his attention on her in her coats and the tight breeches. Freeing she had said they made her feel. Now she just felt naked.
That warmth turned to anger. It was his attention making her feel that way. It was the way of all men. If she could simply go unnoticed…
“Here you are.” Lady Perpetua swept into the room and held Graciela at arms’ length. “Oh, you do look very dashing. We shall have to get you back into a dress, else every maid will fall for you as they do for our Roddy.” She peered closer. “Graciela—may I call you that? And you must call me Perry. You are quite all right? They are bringing a luncheon up.” She smiled. “It will be like old times, Charley, only none of this awful gruel.”
“You must dress first,” Francisca said, interrupting.
Lady Perry turned kindly eyes on the maid. “Do not worry, Francisca. It is only us. Our brother Mr. Gibson has arrived, and Penderbrook who is a friend. They are both coming up. Mr. Kincaid said he will catch up with us later. I shall stay with Graciela and protect her from the gentlemen.”
Graciela marveled—that speech had also been delivered in Spanish and was meant for her understanding as much as Francisca’s. Because Charley had not turned away. His gaze still probed her in that intimate way.
“Do you not love wearing pantaloons?” Lady Perry whispered in English. “They are so liberating.” She drew a paper from her pocket. It was a news sheet. “Now, you’ll sit and I’ll show you what we’ve done, and we’ll talk about what we must do next.”
