Sweeter Than Sin (23 page)

"I see only one," shot back Harriet. "The heiress, of course. And I was just about to get to that." She fluffed her skirts and grinned. "My great uncle, the black sheep of the family who went to India and became a fabulously wealthy nabob, was recently killed by a cobra's bite. The will has just been read and lo and behold, it leaves his entire fortune to me."

"Do you have a great uncle in India?" asked Theo.

"Yes." Harriet smiled. "Uncle George has, by all accounts, done very well for himself, and thankfully he was hale and hearty at the time of his last correspondence. But the point is, there enough veracity to the story to attract Matherton. Kyra has indicated he's desperate. He'll be willing to take a chance."

"That may deal with one of the flaws," replied Jack. "But you still have not addressed the second one."

Harriet frowned.

"You have neglected to consider that your friends may not agree to stake you out like a helpless lamb in order to draw a vicious wolf into a trap."

"I am far from helpless, Lord Leete," came the tart reply.

"Your abilities are unquestioned," intervened Rafael. "What my cousin means is, gentlemanly scruples, however misguided, prevent us from putting you at risk."

"Maybe we should allow Harriet to finish explaining what she has in mind before we rush to a decision," suggested Theo.

"I can't in good conscience allow Lord Matherton to threaten anyone else," said Kyra. "He is the opposite of our gentlemen companions—he has absolutely no scruples, and no honor. I don't think you comprehend how truly chilling that is."

"My point is, that we will use that coldly calculating attitude as our greatest weapon against him," answered Harriet. "There will be no danger to me, save for the fact that I will want a hot bath to scrub away the taint of his sordid presence."

"Do explain what you have in mind," urged Theo.

Rafael shot a mute appeal to his cousin. But to his surprise, Jack merely crossed his arms and waited.

"Theo's aunt is having a supper party the day after tomorrow for some of her neighbors and their London guests who've come down for the ball. We've already learned that Lord Matherton and his hosts are invited. It will be easy to mention my new turn in fortune. I don't doubt that he will seek to strike up an acquaintance. I, in turn, will encourage it."

"He's seen that we are friends," pointed out Kyra. "And you weren't overly friendly to him this morning."

"That will play in our favor," answered Harriet. "A man of his vanity believes he is irresistible to women. That his charm can melt my reserve is something that he will take for granted."

Because of his war experiences, Rafael thought himself well-versed in human nature, but apparently the political world taught its own worldly lessons.

As if sensing his thoughts, Jack murmured, "I hesitate to ask how you know the foibles of such reprobate rogues."

"A diplomat's daughter meets all sorts of men," replied Harriet simply. "Many of them aren't very admirable."

"Let us grant that you will have no trouble attracting Matherton's interest. Then what?" asked Rafael as he glanced at Kyra. "He's pressing to have the engagement announced at the ball—which makes me suspect he desperately needs to have some promise of future good fortune to keep his creditors at bay."

"There are a number of local entertainments planned for the coming week leading up to the ball. I plan to allow him to get me alone at one of these, and then..." Harriet paused for breath, "the three of you will happen to hear my cries of distress, and come find me sobbing hysterically and accusing Matherton of having tried to force himself on me when he found me alone. That it is a lie won't matter. My bodice will be torn, and with the three of you as unimpeachable witnesses that I was trying to fight him off, he will be disgraced and shunned by Polite Society. Which will make his threats against Kyra harmless. No one will listen to his vitriol anymore."

There was a short silence as the three ladies all looked to him and Jack for a reaction.

This would, decided Rafael, require a very tactful reply. The plan was bold, clever—and far too dangerous to allow. But the concept must be quashed with more than sarcastic laughter to avoid...

"It is," announced Jack gravely, "a very well thought-out plan. You have sensed the enemy's weaknesses and figured out a perfect way to exploit them. There are however, some tactical elements which need consideration."

Harriet edged forward in her seat.

"Both Rafe and I have learned through our military experience that one may draw up a perfect strategy, but things rarely go according to plan. For example, how do you intend to coordinate Matherton's finding you alone and our being close enough to hear your cries."

"I... er..." Harriet hesitated.

"It is no easy matter to arrange," pointed out Jack. "And there is always the chance that if you stir his interest, he may choose to press his advances on you unexpectedly, assuming you will welcome them. What then?"

"I... should fight him off," replied Harriet. "I have been taught some very effective measures for fending off unwanted male attention."

"Have you ever tried them under duress?"

She flushed. "No."

"Theory is all very well, Miss Farnum," explained Jack. "However they are not as easy to perform against a bigger, stronger opponent when you are under attack."

After a moment or two, Theo broke the uncomfortable silence with a tentative question. "Have you gentlemen any alternative to Harriet's plan?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," replied Rafael calmly. He looked to Kyra and waited for her to meet his eyes. "I, too, applaud the boldness and bravery of you ladies. But in this instance, I ask that you trust me to handle Lord Matherton. I promise you, by the time the clock chimes midnight on the eve of the ball, he will not be a threat to any of you ladies."

Chapter 15

"How..." began Harriet, but Kyra quickly cut off any further questions.

"Mr. Greeley is right. Matherton has far too much experience in treachery and conniving. Let us not be guilty of the same hubris he shows—it would be foolhardy to think we can beat him at his own game through our own wiles." She found her voice was surprisingly steady. Somehow the deep sapphirine glow of Rafael's gaze had calmed all her fears.

"So, you are willing to trust Rafe to play the hero?" said Jack with a faint smile.

"Yes. Wholeheartedly," replied Kyra. "Though I do hope you shall lend a hand."

"I doubt he will need me to lift a finger." A twinkle lit in Jack's eye. "But of course I shall be watching his back."

Harriet looked about to speak up, then seemed to hesitate for a fraction before going on. "You are right, Kyra. It would be foolish not to defer to those who have more practical experience in warfare. And besides, it is your battle to fight, so the final decision must rest with you."

"Absolutely," agreed Theo. "Just tell us how we can help."

Kyra gave her new friends a grateful smile. "Your help has already been invaluable. Indeed, without the support of
all
of you, I would never have found the strength to stand up to Matherton's threats."

"Love and friendship is a match for any evil," said Rafael softly.

Love.
The word sent warmth spiraling through her core. He had not yet said the word in any personal way. Nor had she. But in that instant, it seemed to thrum between them, a mysterious, magical force that defied description.

"Ohhhh." Theo let out a soulful sigh. "What a lovely sentiment. I vow, it makes me feel as if I could slay dragons."

"I'll settled for skewering a dastard," muttered Harriet.

"Which we shall do," replied Rafael.

"I don't suppose you'll tell us what you have in mind?"

"Not at the moment, Miss Farnum. There are several things that need to be put in motion, and if you don't mind, I ought to start without delay. My first visit must be London. When I am sure of the particulars, you ladies will be the first to know."

Both Harriet and Theo rose from the sofa. "Then we should be off."

Jack gave a small stretch and pushed up from his perch on the worktable. "Allow me to escort you home."

"Playing the knight errant?" Harriet's brows rose. "Good heavens, that is not a role you embrace often."

"Actually, I was planning on taking a morning walk for my own health, so have no fear that I am turning altruistic. It is merely killing two birds with one stone."

"Let us hope nothing is slain along the way," replied Harriet dryly. "Especially your reputation for devil-may-care nonchalance."

He appeared amused by her needling and inclined an ironic bow.

Though loath to leave Rafael's comforting presence, Kyra gathered her skirts and rose as well.

"A moment, Lady Kyra," he said. "Might I have a private word with you before you go?"

Jack's lazy grin turned more serious. "Shall we wait? I doubt Matherton is still lurking in the woods, but for now it is probably best to err on the side of caution."

"No need," replied Rafael. "I shall see Lady Kyra home."

His cousin snapped off a jaunty salute and the door closed, leaving the two them alone.

For a moment neither of them moved.

"Matherton didn't touch you, did he?" Though his voice was barely above a whisper, it had a steely edge that sent a trill down her spine. "He didn't hurt you?"

"No, he merely unsettled me with his sudden appearance."

He said something low and rough in Spanish, and as the light gilded his profile, a fine-spun gold ridging the olive-dark chiseling of his features, she was reminded that there was a harder side—a warrior side—to him.

A flicker of a smile suddenly softened his face. "Ah,
querida
. Just a little while longer and then you need never fear him again."

Hard yet soft. Strong, yet sensitive. And an infinite range of intriguing nuances that would need a lifetime to explore.

"Strangely enough, I fear nothing when you are near," she whispered. "Not even my own doubts and weaknesses."

"Then I hope..." Two swift steps and suddenly she was enfolded in his arms. "I hope you will allow me to always be close."

Kyra pressed her cheek to his shoulder, reveling in the warmth of his skin pulsing through the layers of wool and linen, the spicy scent of shaving soap, the reassuring strength of his hold. "Would that it were possible."

He gently tucked the wind-loosened strands of hair behind her ear. "It is,
querida
. You have only to say 'yes' to my proposal of marriage."

"You can't want to marry me," she rasped, once she had swallowed the lump in her throat.

Rafael lifted her face, and through her tear-pearled lashes, all she could see was the jewel-bright glitter of his sapphire eyes. "Oh, but I do."

"I'm reckless, I'm selfish, I'm tainted with scandal, I'm..." She sucked in a ragged breath. "I'm all wrong for you."

"You're passionate, you're kind-hearted, you're imaginative, you're full of life." Rafael brushed a kiss to her brow. "You're perfect for me."

"But—"

He touched a fingertip to her lips. "Come, my love, let us look to the future, not the past."

Love.
Rafael loved her?

Her heart skipped a beat, and then suddenly that fleeting whisper of breath gave her the courage to believe that old mistakes might be left behind.

"Truly? You wish to marry me?"

The curl of his mouth sent a wave of joy undulating through her body. "If you'll have me."

Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged him close. "I want you truly, madly, fiercely." Tears were coursing down her cheeks. "I love you so much it hurts."

A kiss blotted the salt from her skin. Then his mouth found hers and all she tasted was a sweetness beyond words.

"It is time to leave pain behind you," he murmured after a lengthy embrace. "Together, let us feel only happiness and excitement for all the wonder that we shall share from this moment forward."

"Yes," said Kyra. "Yes, yes, yes."

"Dare I hope that one of those means you've consented to be my wife?"