Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series) (14 page)

“Hope you and the missus enjoy your stay at Baltimore’s finest, Mr. Davis.” The gentleman behind the desk who’d registered Parker handed him a key.

“Thank you.” Parker smiled, enjoying the idea of this man mistaking Penny for his wife. For some reason, hearing him address her as such provided an odd feeling. Pushing his thoughts aside, he handed the bellman his key and pointed to where Penny waited with their belongings. “Can you have those sent to our room as soon as possible?”

“Yes sir, Mr. Davis,” the young man said, before hurrying to do his bidding with Parker right behind him.

“Our room?” Penny whispered once he stood in front of her. “I thought you were getting two?”

“There’s a cattlemen’s convention in town. Seems they only had the one left,” he murmured, pulling her toward the stairs and out of the bellman’s earshot. “I don’t see a problem.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She stopped suddenly and crossed her arms. “I can’t share a room with you.”

“We have no other alternative.” He wasn’t any happier when he’d be suffering her alluring presence. At least he’d know where she was and could keep an eye on her until he figured out what to do next.

Penny gaped at him. You’d think he was asking her to lie naked in the streets, rather than help her out of a difficult situation.

“It’s unseemly and simply not done,” she stated in the clipped English accent he’d come to love, holding her nose in the air and looking much like the lady to the manner born. “I’d bring scandal on myself if anyone ever found out.”

Parker chuckled. “Miss Layton, who’s to find out? I’m virtually unknown in Baltimore and no one certainly knows you.”

When she met his gaze, he sucked in a huge breath. The torment mirrored in those vivid blue eyes tugged at him and did nothing to ease the attraction he felt.

“Can you honestly tell me being in your company any more than necessary won’t be a huge mistake?”

She had a point.

He swallowed hard, wondering at this lunacy. Spending the night with her wasn’t the brightest idea he’d ever had. But what choice did he have? He wanted her with him and he’d keep his lust in check. Hadn’t he been doing it for weeks now? “I give you my word, you can trust me to act as the perfect gentleman.”

“You promise?”

The lady had spunk, Parker thought, biting back a smile. With no options left, she still bargained as if she held all the aces in the deck. “Yes, Miss Layton, I promise.”

One of her impish grins emerged and sent a signal directly to his groin in the form of liquid heat. Watching her lips now begging to be kissed, Parker shook his lustful thoughts, reminding himself of her situation and of his promise. She was an innocent, engaged to some other fellow, or so she claimed. Damn! Why had he set himself up for such temptation?

Parker placed his hand on Penny’s elbow and said gently, “Come, my dear. We’re on the second floor.”

They were in the room for a brief period when the bellman knocked. Parker waited patiently as he placed the luggage in the spacious, richly furnished room, including a large canopied bed on one side and a formal sitting area on the other.

Once the bellman finished, he turned to Parker. “Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Davis.”

Watching him leave, he heard Penny’s horrified, “He thinks we’re married?”

“He doesn’t know us and he’ll never see us again, so what difference can it make?” Parker answered, his voice revealing a slight annoyance over her appalled expression. “Wouldn’t you rather he believe you were my wife since we’re staying in one room?”

“I expect you to behave as a proper gentleman, Mr. Davis.” All of a sudden she paced, reminding him of a caged tiger. “Otherwise I’ll be forced to carry out my original plan and leave on the train tonight,” Penny threatened, rubbing her arms. She stepped to the window and looked out onto the bustling street below. “I don’t know how I ever agreed to this arrangement.”

“Miss Layton, my intentions are honorable. If you’ll recall, we spent several weeks on board ship without incident, thanks to my efforts.” Chuckling, he removed his jacket and hung it up. He started for the wash closet, saying over his shoulder, “I’m going to freshen up. Rather than stay cooped up, maybe we can take a stroll around town before we find someplace to eat dinner.”

~~

“That would be nice,” Penny said too quickly to Parker’s back as he closed the door. She continued to pace and said a little louder, trying to sound normal, “This is an adventure and I’d love to see all I can. Baltimore doesn’t appear to be much different from London—noisy, crowded, and dirty.”

If only she didn’t like him so much, she thought, wishing she could be braver, more adventurous, and not so relieved to not have to take the train just yet. She wanted to be independent. Yet she’d never been totally on her own before and had never thought about how daunting not knowing a soul in the world could be.

Now that she was safe with Mr. Davis, she reflected on exactly what had happened at the station. Her shoulders slumped in resignation. Women alone were vulnerable.

“True.” Parker’s voice from the small room infiltrated her thoughts. “Baltimore isn’t as big nor as old, but most big cities are similar, whether here or England.” There was a pause before he asked, “I take it this is your first trip to America?”

“Yes. Until eight months ago I’d never been more than a few miles from Newcastle upon Tyne, the village close to where I grew up,” Penny answered honestly.

“So eight months ago you traveled to London? And that was your first visit?”

Seeing no reason to lie, she said, “Yes. I really didn’t like London. Too big and crowded.”

Coming out of the room, Parker wiped his face with a towel wrapped around his neck. He’d taken off his shirt while in the wash closet. He halted at his bag, pulled out a fresh shirt, and put it on while he spoke. “You never did answer my question about why you traveled so far north to sail to America. Or for that matter, you never told me why you’d travel so far to marry. Why not get married in London?”

Penny had to purposefully avert her gaze back to the street as heat seeped up her face. Heavens, did he have to affect her so? In his sleeveless undershirt, his well-muscled upper body was too hard to ignore and she liked looking at it too much. Unwilling to dwell on how attractive he appeared, she turned her attention to a wagon being unloaded across the street, working to quell the emotion in her voice. “I wish you’d quit with your nosy questions. I’m not going to answer them.”

“Still being evasive, Miss Layton?’ Parker chuckled and finished buttoning his shirt. “You know I’ll find out eventually.”

“Not from me, you won’t,” she said, thankful to use his nosiness as a diversion to her attraction. Irritation over his curiosity she could handle much more than his half-naked torso. “I thought we’d become friends.”

“We are friends,” he said cheerfully, ignoring the annoyed look she sent. Parker reached for his jacket. Once done shrugging into it, he bestowed on her another wide grin, showing beautiful straight teeth. “Are you ready or would you prefer to freshen up?”

“I’m fine. Let’s go.” Unable to stop the flush of pleasure that his smile educed from spreading, she hurried past him. The walls were closing in on her because his male presence filled the room, leaving no space to avoid him.

Out on the streets, she could breathe easier and had plenty to keep her mind occupied. Everywhere her glance hit, busy passersby rushed about, street vendors hawked their wares in loud voices, and horse-drawn wagons rumbled by. The startling blue sky was marred only with white billowy clouds that added to its beauty. The sun’s heat added balminess to the air, yet felt good on her skin.

Penny relaxed her shoulders and let out a heavy sigh, taking delight in just being free.

She’d escaped the earl. He couldn’t touch her here. It was exhilarating to be walking around Baltimore with a handsome man who did his best to entertain her and keep her mind off her earlier mishap. She decided to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and not worry about her attraction to her escort.

Their hotel was located in the center of Baltimore. The two walked past a bakery and a general store.

At a jewelry store, Parker stopped.

“Those would bring out your eyes.” His nod indicated a pair of sapphire earrings in the window. “Come. Let’s go in and look around.” He reached for her gloved hand and led her into the shop.

The bell tinkled as the door closed behind them.

“May I be of service?” The jeweler looked up from the glass case he was polishing.

“I’d like to see the sapphire earrings in the window.” Parker pointed to the display.

“Ah. A nice selection—perfect stones. I also have a matching necklace and bracelet. Would you care to see those?” At his nod, he removed the earrings from the display and handed them to Parker. “Over here,” he said, going behind another case and removing two stunning pieces of jewelry.

“What do you think?” Parker glanced at Penny, lifting a brow and smiling.

She gaped. “I can’t remember when I’ve seen more beautiful sapphires.”

“So you like them?”

“Of course. What’s not to like?” Penny fingered the pieces with reverence.

“Then try them on,” Parker urged. When she shook her head reluctantly, his grin stretched. “I’m thinking of getting them for my sister. She’s fair like you, so if you try them on, I can get an idea of what they’ll look like.”

“All right.” Penny took the earrings from the jeweler and put them on. She glanced in the looking glass and added the necklace, presenting her back to Parker.

He fastened the clasp, before capturing her gaze in the glass.

“They do bring out my eyes.” She turned to him and smiled. “Are your sister’s eyes like mine?”

“Similar.” Shaking his head, he said, “But somehow after seeing them on you, I don’t think they’d do for Catherine.”

“That’s too bad. They are beautiful,” she said wistfully. “There are other pieces here, if you’re looking for a gift.” Penny took the jewelry off and laid the pieces on the velvet pad the jeweler had placed on the counter.

She then roamed through the shop, looking at other displayed items while Parker talked quietly to the proprietor.

With his business clearly concluded, she ambled in his direction.

“Well, shall we continue?” He offered an arm, as well as a brilliant smile.

Penny nodded and after placing her hand in the crook of his bent arm, they walked out of the store.

“So, tell me about Catherine,” she said, after traveling half a block. “Mindy said you had sisters. Is it her birthday? Is that why you’re buying her a present?”

Parker halted and gave her an amused look while patting her gloved hand. “How about this? I tell you about my family, only if you tell me about yours.”

“I have no family left, so I don’t have much to tell,” she countered, fighting to keep a straight face.

“Then you can tell me how is it that you’re such good friends with a duke’s brother.”

“Which I might answer if you tell me something about yourself.”

“You’re evading again.” He laughed. “I think you should tell me first. That way I can be sure of getting an answer.”

“Oh no,” she said, unable to keep the teasing quality out of her voice. “I know nothing about you and you already know too much about me.”

“Not true. You know Lucas and I are brothers.”

“That’s all, though.” Her half laugh rose up. “How many sisters do you have?”

“Three.
Rebecca, Sarah, and Catherine.”

“Where do they live?”

“Catherine lives with my mother, who lives on my farm. Rebecca and Sarah are both married and live in neighboring towns with their husbands.”

“I take it Catherine is the youngest?” she asked, only too glad he answered her questions without making her reciprocate.

“Yes, she’s the baby.” No one could miss the warm affection in his voice.

“Any other brothers besides the captain?”

Parker stiffened. For a brief instant pain flashed in his eyes before he schooled the look and shook his head. “No. Just Lucas and me.”

“I didn’t mean to pry,” Penny murmured in an apologetic tone, noting the change in his demeanor.

“How could you know I had two younger brothers who died tragically?”

Penny stopped and gripped his arm. “I’m sorry. I understand what’s it’s like to lose someone you love.” She waited a heartbeat and added, “It might help to talk about it.”

“Oh?” He eyed her a long moment before shrugging and looking off at a distant point. She’d begun to think he wouldn’t say anything when his sad voice filled the air around them. “My father and two brothers were killed in a senseless accident.” He clenched his fist and his expression became as hard as granite. “I can never remember their deaths without thinking about why it happened. Though Henry Sterling didn’t outright cause the accident, his negligence did nothing to prevent it, either.” He ran a hand through his hair and met her gaze again, his now mirroring pain. “Greed killed my father and brothers—a love of profits over a love of humanity. Since leaving England, I can’t seem to push the memories away.”