What difference could it possibly make to this man? She tipped her head back to return his frown and refused to answer. She would not be intimidated by his height or his anger, or influenced by his mesmerizing looks and manner.
"Ah, you must be Mr. Drake. Why are you holding Thea like that? Does she have something in her eye?"
She turned her head toward the door at the sound of her uncle's concerned voice. "No, Uncle Ashby. I was just explaining to Mr. Drake that you are not my protector. I believe he may be applying for the job."
* * *
Chapter 2
« ^ »
Lady Upworth arranged for me to see Jared. Although she is Langley's aunt, she remains kind to me. She is furious with her nephew for taking my son. Jared is so beautiful. The visit was too short, much too short. Letting him go ripped open the wound that will never heal in my heart. It is a pain I will gladly bear in order to see my precious baby, to kiss his soft cheeks and tell him I love him. Thank God for Thea's sweet presence to dull the pain of all I have lost.
April 16, 1798
Journal of Anna Selwyn, Countess of Langley
Three things made themselves known to Drake at once. The first was that Ashby Merewether had a keen resemblance to a fish when surprised. The second, Thea's beauty only intensified when anger sparked in her eyes. The third was a feeling of intense relief that she was no man's lightskirt.
Her outrage was still palpable, but he could see that it was now tempered with mortification. He watched in fascination as she closed her eyes briefly, much as she had in the warehouse earlier. She muttered something. He thought it could have been ten barrels, but that made no sense.
She opened her eyes again, her blue gaze filled with mute appeal. "Please release me."
He did so, but with reluctance. Her warm skin felt silky to the touch, and he had to force his fingers to uncurl from around her arms. He turned to Merewether, who had managed to close his mouth, but still had the look of a startled trout.
Drake bowed and said his name.
Merewether automatically began to return the courtesy when he abruptly pulled himself upright. His face took on a fierce expression that only served to illustrate how rarely the man must frown. He did not do it at all well.
Drake smiled.
"Don't smile at me, young man. Have you been making improper advances toward Miss Selwyn? I warn you, she is a gentle lady and I will not allow her feelings or person to be trifled with."
Thea rushed forward and took the older gentleman's arm. "Do not fret yourself, Uncle Ashby. You know the doctor has said that you must avoid undue excitement." She turned her head and glowered at Drake as if he had been the one to make the incendiary comment. "Mr. Drake did not make any untoward advances. I assure you."
"Yes, but my dear, you said—"
She cut him off. "It was a simple misunderstanding. Isn't that right, Mr. Drake?"
r /> Her voice and posture dared him to disagree with her.
Drake didn't. "Absolutely. I assure you that when a man hits a certain number of years like I have, he no longer considers illicit liaisons when first meeting a lovely young woman like Miss Selwyn. He must begin thinking of setting up his nursery—or so my mother continues to insist."
Thea's eyes widened, but she said nothing. Probably shocked speechless, Drake decided smugly.
Merewether shook his head as if in lament. "No use you looking to our Thea in that regard. She's firmly against marriage, and if my dear wife Ruth cannot change her mind, no mere gentleman has a chance of doing so."
Drake disagreed. He would think that a man would have much more success in convincing Thea regarding the merits of wedded bliss than a woman, no matter how formidable the creature. Some things could not be believed until they were experienced. Something else his mother insisted on, particularly when it came to love.
"Uncle Ashby, Mr. Drake is only teasing. He did not come here looking for a wife."
Merewether sighed. "Pity."
Thea stepped away from him, puffing out an obviously irritated breath. "He is here on business and he prefers to work with principles."
The mockery with which she said the final words was lost on Merewether, but not so on Drake.
The startled trout became a confused trout. "But, Thea, you are a principle. Didn't you explain to Mr. Drake that we are partners in Merewether Shipping?"