Samantha (Barrett 2)

Rem waved Drake off. "My best to all of you. Now go. Your family awaits. I can see myself out."

"I'll show Lord Gresham out," Humphreys dutifully offered.

"Yes ... fine . . ." Drake had reached the staircase and was taking the steps two at a time. "We'll pursue our plans for your brig soon, Gresham," he called, disappearing around the second floor landing.

Strangely pensive and out of sorts, Rem followed Humphreys to the front door, then strolled out into Allonshire's expansive gardens. He felt he'd just been privy to an intensely personal and emotional moment in the life of a man who wasn't given to sentimental displ

ays. And Rem couldn't deny that it had affected him ... in a way he'd sworn never to be affected. And what of Samantha?

Drake had vowed to kill any man who touched her, and Rem didn't doubt that he would, nor blame him if he did. Everything the duke had just said about his beautiful, trusting sister was true, and Rem knew he should be plagued with guilt for what he intended. Why wasn't he?

Lord knew, he was many things, but never unprincipled. Even in serving his country, he was vehement in attempting to see that the innocent remained unharmed. Yet in this case he was knowingly taking a virgin to bed, forever altering her life, but still unable to walk away before her ruin was realized. Worse, unable to see their impending union as anything but inevitable. Why? You know what's happening to you, Rem. Boyd's pronouncement reverberated loudly in Rem's head. But if you need me to say the words, I'll say them for you. You're falling in love with Samantha Barrett. A new kind of terror gripped Rem. Boyd was right.

"Hullo."

The small voice seemed to come directly from Allonshire's flower bed. Rem blinked and looked down.

A handsome tot, whose brilliantly green eyes and black hair identified him instantly as Drake's son, grinned up at Rem.

"Well, hello." Rem squatted beside him, wincing as the child yanked a fistful of marigolds from the ground. "You must be Gray."

The boy nodded sagely, pulling up two more handfuls of flowers.

Clearing his throat, Rem looked about for the boy's governess. He had little experience with children and no idea how to handle the boy's destructive sport. Unfortunately, the gardens were deserted, save the two of them.

"May I ask why you're ripping up this lovely flower garden?" Rem inquired at last.

Gray looked at his grimy fist and nodded effusively. "Pretty flowers. Bright colors."

"I agree." Once again, Rem scanned the area. "Where is your governess?"

Triumphantly, Gray pointed to the mansion. "Reading."

"Reading? Why isn't she with you?"

"She thinks I nap."

Rem's lips twitched. "You're telling me that your governess thinks you're napping? Then perhaps you should be."

"No." Gray shook his head vehemently. "No nap. Flowers." Another handful of stems were torn from their grassy bed.

"Why, Gray?" Rem lifted the boy's chin, stared into his intense eyes. "Why flowers?"

"Mama's in bed. She's giving me a brother." He grimaced. "Or a sister." Holding up the mangled bunch of marigolds, he proudly announced, "I give her flowers."

Perhaps it was the afternoon sunshine that made Rem's eyes sting. "I see. Well, I'll tell you something, Gray. Your mama is very lucky to have such a thoughtful son. I'm sure she'll think those are the most beautiful flowers she's ever seen." Smiling at the rapturous expression on the little boy's face, Rem leaned conspiratorially forward. "And do you know what? I think now would be the perfect time to give them to her. In fact, I can't think of a more perfect time."

"I go." Half the flowers fell as Gray struggled to his feet, but Rem suspected Alexandria wouldn't mind their absence. Nor would she mind the glaringly conspicuous bald patch amid Allonshire's otherwise perfect garden. The gift she was receiving was far more precious.

"'Bye." Gray smiled again, and Rem could well understand how that impish grin would melt Drake's heart.

"'Twas a pleasure." Rem solemnly extended his hand. "Incidentally, my name is Rem."

Soberly, Gray shook the proffered hand." 'Bye, Rem." He turned to go.

"Oh, Gray?"

Gray inclined his head quizzically.