Where to Woo a Bawdy Baron (Romancing the Rake 3)

“This is precisely the time.” Juliet sailed forward, her arms arcing in a wide circle. “Let’s read a scene from Romeo and Juliet. Star-crossed lovers who are doomed for failure.”

A slow smile spread on her father’s face, but Bianca’s own heart sank. Her fingers itched to scrub her face and part of her wanted to give Chris’s chest another good shove. The last thing she wanted to do was act out her own pain.

“That’s not a bad idea, Juliet,” her father said. “Someone remind me to check on Lord Crestwood in just a moment. But first, why don’t I get out all of our copies of the work? We can each take a role.”

“A r-r-role,” Chris said next to her. Bianca turned to him, noticing his face had paled. Had he just stuttered? Her own heart began to thrum in her chest. Frustrated as she was with him, she’d never allow him to be humiliated with public speaking.

“I don’t think,” she started, but Juliet gave her a sharp look.

Then she leaned over and whispered. “Adrianna needs us to keep him distracted. Play along, would you?”

“B-B-Bianca.” Chris reached for her hand and she slipped her gloved fingers tightly into his. “I c-c-c-can’t.”

“I know,” she softly whispered, leaning close to his ear. “Just relax. Come hell or high water, I won’t let them cast you in a role.”

She saw him draw in a deep breath.

“How?” he asked.

It was a single word but he hadn’t stuttered as she laced her fingers through his, she leaned over. “I’ve been acting in plays since I was three. I’ll fake a faint if it comes to that. But I’m sure I’ll think of something less dramatic. Don’t say a word. I’ll do all the talking.”

Chapter Fourteen

Chris stared at Bianca. She straightened in her chair, her chest puffing out as she smoothed her skirts. She was preparing to go to war on his behalf. He could see it, feel the change in her demeanor.

She was about to fight for him. Something inside shifted. He looked at her as her fists clenched in the folds of her skirts. Her father began to pass out books. He watched Dashlane take one, his face turning near green. Juliet took a book with a glowing smile.

Bianca unfurled both her hands and held them both out. “I’ll take my book and Lord Craven’s.”

Her father raised a brow but did as she asked and handed her two volumes. She tucked one under her seat.

Dashlane furrowed his brow as he leaned forward, staring at them both. “How come Craven doesn’t ha

ve to have a book?”

Bianca leaned in front of him, pointing a finger at Dashlane. “That isn’t your concern.” Her voice rang with an authority he’d only heard her use once at the cricket match.

A grin like he hadn’t smiled in years split Chris’s face, making his cheeks hurt. Perhaps there were some muscles he hadn’t worked on after all because his face wasn’t used to…joy.

He nearly laughed out loud but held the sound in as Dashlane sat back in his chair. He looked from Bianca and over to Dashlane, the other man’s brows so high, they practically disappeared into his artfully windblown locks. He must have noticed Chris’s grin because the man’s damn eyebrows went from high to furrowed in an instant. “What the…?”

Chris wrapped his hands about Bianca’s upper arm, leaning over to whisper in her ear, “I can take care of Dashlane. You just help me with your father.”

Bianca nodded, her blue eyes crinkling as they met his. “Was that too much?”

“No, love.” He leaned in until his forehead nearly touched hers. “It was just right.” In fact, it had been absolutely perfect.

He wanted to be alone with her. Touch her again and feel her body close to his. In fact, he didn’t want to ever be apart.

Mr. Moorish turned back around and Chris straightened, not wanting to offend his host. But the man paused, staring at Chris. Was it that he’d caught how close Chris had been leaning to his daughter or was it that he didn’t hold a copy of the play?

“Shall we assign roles?” Mr. Moorish asked, still eyeing him.

Bianca smiled up at her father. “Lord Dashlane should be Romeo, don’t you think?”

He heard Dashlane give a low groan and another smile spread across his lips. Bianca was taking her job very seriously.

Her father paused. “Normally I would agree. But tonight I thought Lord Craven might take a stab at—”