Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

ove with a man who couldn’t possibly love her—didn’t even know who she really was and would be shocked to find out all the terrible things she had done. Babette was top on the list. And knowing, believing there were too many obstacles to overcome, she still hoped … because she loved him.

She loved him, and somehow, even though she had been Babette and he had flirted outrageously with her, something in her gut told her he was not a libertine. She sighed to think about it, telling herself she was an idiot, for actions were the proof—weren’t they?

The sound of an approaching rider brought her head up, and she shaded her eyes against the sun as she scanned the long drive. Was that her heart thumping as she hoped against hope? Was that her body trembling because she knew who it was without having to see his face? She could tell by the set of his broad shoulders and the manner in which he held himself. It was … it was Ryker.

She watched his approach and against her best efforts to be aloof, she felt the excitement carry blood through her veins and bring her to life. She felt her throat catch. She wanted to run to him …

What was he wearing? Buckskins? He must have bought them in Yarmouth, for she was fairly certain they had not been a part of the wardrobe he had brought with him. She laughed to herself. Country life was taking its toll on his London fashion, and oh, he looked good in the rugged clothing! He wore no hat, and his long, dark blonde hair blew about his handsome face. She quivered with anticipation.

Faith, but she just wanted to run into his arms, collapse there, and beg him to take care of her. She managed somehow to control herself, but suddenly he was jumping nimbly off his horse, dropping his reins, and taking long, hard strides towards her.

Her heart skipped and stopped and skipped again. Suddenly the sky was bluer than she could ever remember it being. The spring wisteria’s scent was intoxicating, and an excitement thrilled her from her toes to the top of her tawny head of long, waving curls. She was in a simple day gown of yellow muslin, and she hurriedly gave herself a once over for wrinkles, smoothing out the A-line of the skirt of her gown as she prepared the kind of smile she wished to give Ryker.

But there was no time to plan how she would behave, because in one fluid movement he had her in a crushing embrace as he whispered, “Jewelene …”

They were out in the open where anyone and everyone could see if they looked, and she melted against him. His kiss was full bodied and tinged with the desperation of their separation. She felt his need mingle with hers, and all other considerations were forgotten.

He made her come to life. She had been listless and depressed for days; now he was here, and the world blossomed. That first wondrous kiss turned into another, and his tongue reminded her of the pleasure he had given her.

“Jewels … precious Jewels, I have missed you more than I thought possible …”

“You left without even a word …” she whispered back, wondering if the stable hands were watching and how was it Ryker did not seem to care.

He frowned. “Did not Robby tell you …”

“He told me you were gone … but … and then I haven’t seen much of Robby lately as he has been staying at the White Stag in anticipation of the pugilism bout,” she started to explain.

“Never mind that now, my sweet. I wouldn’t have left you for all the world, but matters were dire, and I didn’t have a choice. Some family business that needed sorting out—otherwise, my sweet beauty, I would not have left you here alone.” He took her hand and walked with her, reaching for his grazing horse and leading it towards the barn.

She stopped him and looked long at his face. “Who are you, sir? Are you libertine or gentleman? For I swear, I don’t know and I do so want to know.”

The groom approached, and Ryker handed over the reins. “Put him in the pasture … no grain till later, thank you, lad.” He turned back to Jewelene, and a light in his eyes made her heart quicken. “You know me—here in your heart, you know,” he said as he touched the spot above her breast and there softly lingered when she allowed his fingers to sweep lower and cup her as he moved closer to her. He dropped his hand and said, “Now tell me what have you been up to while I was gone. Have you been a good girl?” he teased and took her hand to his lips.

She sucked in air and let it out. He had the power to make her quiver. She had thought he didn’t care enough about her, and here he was, with such a look on his face. Was she dreaming? She tried being saucy to lighten the moment. “I am always a good girl.”

He laughed heartily and said, “That, my sweet beauty, is debatable. But, tell me, do if you will—did anyone … bother you, while I was away?”

“That is a question a guardian, or a brother, would ask. How odd that you should feel it necessary to ask it.” She eyed him with a saucy smile.

“Do you think so? I do not, so humor me and tell me, Jewels … have you been bothered by anyone … anything while I was away?”

“Who would bother me?” she said, evading a direct answer.

“Omsbury?” he asked through gritted teeth.

She didn’t want to lie to this man anymore. She wanted to tell him everything: that she was Babette, that Omsbury had threatened her, that … that … she loved him with all her heart. She opened her mouth, and nothing came out. The words got stuck between her mind and her throat.

He took it to mean she had indeed been disturbed by his lordship, and a low curse escaped his lips. “Bloody hell … I shall have his blood for it, very soon …”

She grabbed his lapels. “Oh no … do not. He is such a wicked man … and he can ruin my brother … he will if I don’t give in and marry him …”

“You won’t marry him, and he won’t ruin your brother. I will see him in hell first,” Ryker said in a tone that made her open her eyes wide.

He had led her down a path that wrapped its way through a clutter of trees, and there he stopped and backed her into a large oak. “Jewels … sweet love …”

“No … no, do not … there are things about me that you do not know … and I am a very scandalous girl …”

He laughed. “Extremely scandalous … and I am about to make you more so …”