Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

Blythe was thrown forward as the coach moved off. Tobias caught her and set her back on the bench. With both his hands sliding over her hips, her own breathing grew unsteady. She looked over her shoulder. “I think the material is twisted at the back.”

Tobias obliged and fussed with her wrap with one hand. When he was done, he tucked his hand under the blanket and caught hers. His grip was firm and she peered carefully at him. His breathing appeared calmer although her own was hardly steady.

The return trip to Romsey passed quietly. Tobias appeared to doze, but his thumb caressed her hand intermittently proving him awake. Blythe had a lot of time to consider the evening and the man sitting beside her. If she were honest with herself, she couldn’t seem to remove him from her mind. She’d worried at his reception for the entire evening. When he was out of sight, she’d considered looking for him.

That he’d warned her of the gentlemen betting on getting into her bed highlighted how unfairly she had considered him before now. He wasn’t a bad man, per se. But he was blunt and brazen when he spoke of what he wanted. He’d been more than kind to her considering Adam’s things. He’d stored them without asking for anything in return.

Despite everything that had gone on between them, the kisses and caresses that shook her world, Blythe had never felt pressured. Teased certainly, but that was all.

The carriage rolled to a stop before Romsey Abbey and Tobias shot out immediately. By the time they had all disembarked, he was crossing the threshold and promptly disappeared inside the vast building. Clearly, her actions had not been enough of a distraction. She should remember, if the occasion ever presents itself again, that merely holding hands was insufficient to counter his distress.

Blythe followed Leopold and Mercy inside, puzzled by her disappointment. Why should she care if Tobias needed something more than she offered? He wasn’t hers to look after.

She looked around as the main door closed with a thud, puzzled by the paintings hanging on the walls. When had they changed?

Wilcox drew near. “Can I help you, my lady?”

Blythe pressed her finger to her lips, preventing her questions from tumbling out. “No, I don’t think so.”

She stepped up on the first rise, but her thoughts tumbled over themselves. Why would anyone move paintings, family portraits, at this time of night? There was no need for the servants to clean at this hour. They should have sought their beds or their own entertainment by now.

When she made the first landing, she glanced down at Wilcox. He watched her ascent. A chill swept her skin and she hurried for the family wing. Leopold and Mercy had already disappeared from sight; no doubt already with the young duke.

She headed to her nephew’s chamber, too, and she knocked softly so she wouldn’t wake him if he was asleep.

“Come in, Blythe,” Mercy called.

She opened the door and peered around the gap. “I just wanted to say goodnight.”

Mercy smiled at her sleeping child. “You also wanted to peek in on Edwin, didn’t you? My son is so lucky to have you to watch over him, too. Goodnight sister. Pleasant dreams.”

“Goodnight, Lady Venables,” Leopold murmured as he tucked Edwin’s arms beneath the covers, and brushed his hair from his eyes.

The more time she spent around Leopold, observing his attention to the boy, the more she softened toward him. He was a good man, despite the past. It had just taken time for her to see it. “Until tomorrow, Leopold.”

She closed the door behind her as Mercy crowed. “See, I told you she had grown fond of you, my love.”

Blythe moved away, amused by her sister’s observation. She had gotten over the shock of Leopold fathering her nephew. Perhaps they had a chance to be friends one day.

She let herself into her bedchamber and reached for the jewels around her throat, glad that she’d ordered Mrs. Turner to bed instead of waiting up to attend her. She needed some time alone to sort out her thoughts. The evening had been more interesting than she’d expected.

She sat at her dressing table and lifted her hands to her hair. After removing the pins, she rubbed her tender scalp with her fingertips.

“I wanted to thank you for your assistance this evening,” Tobias said quietly behind her.

She spun on the bench and found him a few feet away, still perfectly dressed from the evening out. “My goodness you can be quiet when you want to be. Thanks are unnecessary.”

“No. Not from me. You helped without asking and I do appreciate that. My behavior towards you has been less than exemplary. You deserved better from me and you shall have it from tomorrow on.”

Blythe stood unsteadily. The last time the pirate had been in her bedroom he’d been filled with bravado and excitement. The change in his demeanor was disconcerting. “From tomorrow, but not from tonight?”

He smiled. “I wanted to talk to you before morning comes and this seemed the quickest way to get you alone.”

“A delay of a day to be a gentleman.”

“A day and ten years.” He gently took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I should not have mauled you in the carriage, but it certainly helped. I couldn’t think of anything but the warmth of your body and the taste of your lips for the entire journey. I would have spoken of my gratitude once on solid ground, but I had to get away quickly.”

She stared up at him and saw desire flare in his eyes. Her heart thudded painfully in response and she licked her lips. “Why is that?”