Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

*

Ryker had felt the tension between Mrs. Debbs and young Jimmy when Omsbury appeared. It was a palpable thing that filled the atmosphere. Whatever did this Omsbury hold over them? He stretched leisurely and broke the still quiet of the room.

“He is a horrid man!” Elizabeth said with some heat.

“Hush, dear,” her mother said, patting her hand. “Jewelene knows how to deal with him.”

“Yes, but, Mama …” objected her daughter.

This little exchange surprised Ryker. He didn’t think Elizabeth had it in her to express herself so strongly. However, it was Jimmy who started for the wide doorway. “Think I’ll just—”

His aunt pulled at his arm. “She will not like it, James, and it might make matters worse …”

“But, Aunt—”

“Well, I am certain Jewelene won’t mind her guest fetching her back to the game …” Ryker said, moving purposely towards the doorway.

He reached the open library doorway in time to hear Omsbury’s low, guttural words. “Mind me, Jewelene—you have teased me long enough. One way or another, I will have you. You will give over willingly … or …” Omsbury’s hands went around her trim waist as she pushed hard at his chest and demanded release.

“I think the lady wishes to return to her brother and her card game …” Ryker said in a low, quiet tone as he stepped into the library and met Omsbury’s angry eyes with hard determination. Few men could mistake the threat in Ryker’s sharp glance.

Omsbury was used to doing what he wanted, when he wanted; however, something in the cut of the taller, larger man’s stance and the unspoken challenge made him pause. He inclined his head as he released Jewelene. “Of course, it is always my wish to please Jewelene.”

Jewels was so angry that she smacked his chest as she turned and took her leave, stomping forward. She paused only to look up at Ryker and mouth silently, “Thank you.”

Ryker cast Omsbury one look over his shoulder and said softly as he followed her, “I’m sure you can show yourself out …”

*

“Don’t like this, Ryker—these are good and decent people. Not like the sort it would be acceptable to foist a trick upon. These are … honest, decent … I don’t like this. We should tell them the truth—confess … tell them we only meant a bit of a jest … confess it all now, before it is too late …” Robby was still in his nightcap and in his bed, sipping the hot chocolate his friend had brought him.

“Aye, I have been thinking much the same thing, Robby.”

“Have you?” Robby sighed happil

y. “Well, then, it is all settled. How and when is all we need work—”

“I’m not sure about the how and the when. We have to give it some thought.” Ryker cut him off and moved over to the window, where he caught a glimpse of Jewelene already outside. He set down his cup and said hurriedly, “Later, Robby …” and was off.

He took the stairs much like a large cat tracking, every muscle working, stopping only when he was outdoors to survey his unfamiliar surroundings. Establishing the direction of the stables, which he assumed was Jewelene’s destination, he hurried after her. At the stable door he caught his breath a moment before startling her with, “Why, Jewelene … this is wonderful, indeed. It would appear that I am not alone in my passion for early morning excursions.”

*

Jewelene felt her heart flutter. Heat streamed through her body, and she found herself studying the ground for a moment. This man filled her with a rush of desire—the kind her friends had often whispered about, the kind she had wondered about … and this had never happened before.

She was twenty-one and had experienced infatuations, but this man made her wonder what it would feel like to actually go past the kiss and feel his hands … “Good morning, Ryker,” she said softly, wishing her heart wouldn’t pound so loudly. Could he hear it?

“Are you going into town? You can show me the way of it … and perhaps point out this Silver Heart your brother mentioned last evening.”

“Speaking of last evening, thank you for interceding when you did … I had not thought his lordship would dare be so forward with my brother and guests nearby.”

He didn’t answer her but inclined his head, and once again she felt oddly flustered. She had a great deal on her mind, and she was actually on her way to visit Ben to finalize a few details of their scheme and to tell him about Omsbury’s threats. Would it look odd to him if she said she was off to visit the Clays again? What would he think? Why should she care what he thought? What should she say?

“Well, yes, I am going to town,” she said, having finally decided to just brave it through as best she could. “I am going to visit with Mrs. Clay … and will be happy to point out the Silver Heart to you, which by the way, belongs to her son.”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed as he took this information in, and she wondered what he was thinking, for she could see something was busy in his brain. His voice was low and husky and sent shivers through her when he spoke, even though all he said was, “Ah, I see, excellent—then, shall we?”

It didn’t take long before they were riding down the country lane towards town. Ryker looked skyward and then smiled her way. “Sun seems to be trying …”