Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

Tobias grinned. “Wouldn’t you shout out in horror to find Murphy shaking you awake?”

Blythe rocked the young duke from side to side as if she held a baby. “I imagine I’d act with a lot more decorum and Mr. Murphy would have better sense than to enter a ladies bedchamber without her permission.”

Before Tobias could form a suitably bland reply, the young duke lifted his face and rubbed the tip of his nose across Blythe’s. She chuckled suddenly and hugged him to her. Her merry laugh, so at odds with the situation, caused a warm glow in the vicinity of his chest. The woman was so changeable, but always sweet with the boy. Anyone could see the truth of her heart just by observing her with her nephew.

Leopold stepped forward, hands held out for the young duke. “Are you two always so aware of what the other is doing?”

Lady Venables gave Leopold a quelling glare as she passed over the boy. “Some walls inside the abbey are thinner than others. I would prefer not to know what your brother is doing with his mornings. However, he has a propensity to shout at Mr. Murphy so I cannot avoid hearing the cursing.”

Damn it. Leopold would have a seizure before the day was out. Tobias smiled awkwardly. “He’s really an annoying servant. I am unused to such mothering.”

“He has better manners than some,” Blythe muttered just loud enough to be heard.

“Good lord you two can bicker.” Leopold juggled the boy and then slung his arm around Mercy’s waist, pulling her into motion. “We’ll return to the abbey and investigate this latest occurrence. The two of you can butt heads later. We have bigger problems it seems.”

As they hurried back to the entrance of Romsey Abbey, Tobias fell into step beside Blythe. “Are you all right, B?”

A sad frown crossed her face. “Your brother still doesn’t believe I have nothing to do with these troubling events. It was a foolish wish, but I suppose he never shall be entirely comfortable with me nor I with him. I am unused to being doubted.”

“Well, I believe you had nothing to do with this mornings’ event. I followed you down to breakfast and then into the drawing room. We’ve spent the whole day together.”

“Good lord, have we? How unexpected.”

“Well, since the pair of us will always be first to arouse suspicion then, in my opinion, it is a good thing. You heard me shouting at Murphy to keep his paws off my trousers because I can bloody well dress myself, and I heard you pass by my doorway on your way down to breakfast. I caught sight of you at the head of the stairs and again when I reached the morning room for breakfast. We’ve barely been out of sight of each other for a few minutes since you left your bedchamber. The only way to have a stronger alibi is if we were sleeping in the same bed.”

“Sleeping together? You must be mad.”

Tobias grinned. “Well, you are right about the sleeping. Too much excitement to be had if we shared a bed.” He’d make sure she didn’t sleep a wink if they shared a bed. They’d probably fight and make love all night long.

He frowned. It was a great pity that the idea of bedding Blythe kept recurring. He’d have to find a lover soon to take the edge off because she’d never welcome the idea.

She shook her head. “You really do have a high opinion of yourself, don’t you?”

Tobias laughed. “Well, someone has to think well of me. If I was a weaker man, I’d be shivering in terror from half the looks you’ve bestowed on me these last weeks.”

They reached the bottom of the stairs and Tobias cupped her elbow to steady her ascent. Her heat warmed and enticed. Her breath caught as he moved his thumb.

“Given half the comments you’ve made to me,” she hissed. “I’m clearly not doing a good enough job of putting you in your place.”

“My place? Where exactly might that be, B? Under your thumb or under your skirts?”

“Don’t say such things to me.” She wrenched her arm free of his grip. “Will you ever get tired of this?”

“Never. I’ve always enjoyed making a pretty woman blush. Besides, if Leopold has his way and turns me into the dull and proper gentleman society expects then you may well be the one person to ever know who and what I am. I’ve never lied to you to spare your tender feelings and from what I’ve gathered you have no concerns for mine. Take my arm again so I may be a gentleman. A man should not desert a lady halfway up the stairs, or so I’m told.”

Blythe merely glared at him. “Am I to be grateful for having my senses shocked every time you open your mouth to speak?”

“Would you rather have false flattery? I dislike insincerity above all else, my lady. My brother insists I become a gentleman—forget the past so that I can belong here again. I thought you at least valued honesty. However, if my brand of honesty offends you so greatly I will, of course, act as Leopold expects, but I wouldn’t believe one word that comes out of my mouth. Trust me, I won’t mean any of it.”

Tobias strode up the stairs without her, but waited at the door so she could precede him inside. Stubborn wench. If she would rather boring conversation then so be it. Tomorrow night he would play the part of a proper gentleman. He would flatter and simper around the ladies, act gruff with the men, and bore himself and everyone he met to tears. He hoped he could pull it off without running screaming into the night.

Leopold waited for them just inside the doors. “Will you stay below with Mercy and Edwin, Tobias, while I take a look into this latest occurrence?”

Tobias rubbed his jaw. “I was actually hoping to see the carnage this time with my own eyes.”

Leopold’s gaze shifted to Blythe and back. “Perhaps we should all go together then. We’ll do our best to shield Edwin from the mess.”

They ascended the stairs and hurried along to the family wing, Mercy and Blythe striding along with arms linked together. When they reached a room, Leopold passed Edwin to his mother and gestured Tobias forward. “Exactly the same as all the other times.”