Jacob dropped the barrel a few inches. “What is she even doing here?”
“I tried to run away,” she answered. “Rex was only making sure that I didn’t. See how we’re wearing our clothes?”
“Why would you even want to?” Jacob’s eyes narrowed as the gun came back up.
“I did something foolish, Jacob.” Rex raised his hands a little higher as he slowly sat up, his feet touching the floor. “I saw Rathemore and I…” Rex slowly stood. “I couldn’t help myself, I punched him straight in the nose.”
“Did it really hurt him? Did it bleed?” Jacob asked, the barrel dropping again.
“Profusely,” Rex said as he took a step toward Jacob and grabbed the barrel of the shotgun, swinging it toward the wall. “I’m in love with your sister. I would never intentionally hurt her, though I should have chosen a more private venue to make Rathemore pay. I promise, Jacob, I will marry her as soon as possible.”
His words settled in her chest, making her heart thump wildly. “You’re in love with me?” She bounded off the bed and sprinted to his side.
“Of course I am. What else makes a man act so crazy? I scaled your garden—” Rex closed his mouth.
Jacob’s eyes narrowed again, but Daffodil was fighting back a giggle. It was pure joy that just needed to come out. “I love you too,” she said as she stretched up to kiss his cheek.
Jacob loudly cleared his throat. “There’ll be no more of that.”
“I’ve a housekeeper and maid to hire today.” She reached for Rex’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “And you’ve a license to acquire. Jacob, you’d better go with him and bring the shotgun if you think he might try to run.”
Rex vibrated as he held in a laugh. “You should be so lucky.”
“I am lucky,” she softly answered. “Now let’s get our chores done. We’ve a wedding to get to and I’m not talking about ours.”
That attitude pervaded her entire day. She hired a maid, a caregiver, and a housekeeper. She was very happy with each of her hires, though it made her a little anxious to think of leaving Mrs. Fields. The woman had become family to her. Once she could travel they’d her bring to their new home. Though Daffodil realized she hadn’t a clue where that home might be. And what of Jacob? Would he live alone?
Nibbling on her lip, she realized she and Rex had a great many details to discuss.
Heading down to the kitchen, she began to prepare a meal. Rex had given her basic instructions on how to make a stew and she started tossing the ingredients in a pot. As she chopped potatoes and carrots, she heard a knock at the kitchen door. Assuming it was another candidate for one of the open positions, she called, “Come in.”
Then, she wiped her hands on her apron and turned to great whomever had arrived. Her hands clenched in the fabric as a man—a very tall, broad, and darkly handsome one—filled her gaze. Not whom she’d expected at all.
Quick as she could, she grabbed the knife on the counter again. “Who are you?” she asked, pointing it toward him.
His eyebrows went up. “Really, Lady Daffodil?” He stood several feet away and crossed his arms over his chest. She sucked in her breath. How did he know her name? “Is that any way to treat your family?”
Cha
pter Fourteen
Rex whistled as he turned down Molton Street. The license was in his front jacket pocket, his future brother-in-law chatted by his side, and his soon-to-be wife waited for him at the house. He didn’t have a London townhome. He’d sold it years ago. But Jacob was too young to live on his own. For now, they could spend the winters at his country estate and the summers here. He’d wait for a townhome to come up for sale on Molton Street or another Mayfair address. He couldn’t picture Petal being far from her brother.
Theo was the closest thing he had to a brother. Come to think of it, they would actually be brothers. How had he not realized how nice it would be to have a family?
He stopped on the street for a moment, his whistling coming to an abrupt halt. Once he married Petal, he’d have an actual family with children of his own. His chest swelled with love and pride.
“Are you all right?” Jacob asked, the shotgun swinging at his side. He’d insisted, with a cheeky grin, that he had to bring the damn thing. Rex was certain the Archbishop had almost denied him the license because of it.
“Fine. Why?” He started walking again, anxious to hold Petal in his arms.
Jacob snorted. “I think you’re losing your marbles. You just stopped in the middle of the street.”
“I told you this morning. I’m in love. You can’t explain love to someone who’s never experienced it.”
Jacob gave him a sideways glance. “I can explain it just fine. You’ve gone mad.”
Rex chuckled as they turned down the alley that led to the side entrance. “I see you share your sister’s sense of humor.” Reaching the door, he opened it and stepped inside. “But you’ll understand someday when you and I go off to acquire a license for you.”