To Refuse a Rake (16 page)

Hudson chuckled, but sobered when Hewett shot him a murderous glare.

“All I can surmise is that it is something to do with the younger Miss Kingsly. You see, after taking it upon myself to aid you in your… wooing, shall we say, I find myself invested in the progress of said wooing,” Hewett replied arrogantly.

Hudson’s grin faded into more of a grimace at Hewett’s speech. “Undoubtedly. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without your aid,” Hudson replied dryly, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“A thank you is all that is necessary. Now, proceed.” Hewett’s expression was growing more relaxed as he provoked Hudson, as Hudson felt himself grow more and more surly.

“You are worse than a flock of old dowagers, you know that?” Hudson grumbled.

“Indeed. Now…” Hewett held out his hand.

“Let it suffice to say that soon after the weekend party, I’ll have a countess.”

“You don’t say! Here I was hoping that she was simply open to your courtship! You don’t waste any time, do you, old man? I’m thrilled for you both! So, the letter idea. It worked?”

“I think that did contribute, though it pains me greatly to admit.” Hudson chuckled at the exultant expression overtaking Hewett’s face. Especially since the idea was not owned by him, but his wife.

“I’ll be sure to share that interesting information with Lenore. She’ll be thrilled. I must say, you did it. I had my doubts, but… well done.” Hewett nodded and clapped Hudson on the shoulder.

“Thank you. But there is one more thing I’m going to need your assistance with… if you don’t mind.” Hudson chose his words carefully, knowing he was about to venture to dangerous territory.

“Of course! My brilliant mind is at your service. I must say, I’m quite talented at this matchmaking,” Hewett remarked mostly to himself.

“Indeed,” Hudson responded wryly. “In fact, this issue is dealing directly with matchmaking, of a sort.”

Hewett’s eyes danced with anticipation.

“But with different people. You see, the Lady Hodge seems to have captured Lord Longton’s attention. I’m concerned as to what his intentions are regarding the lady. Do you understand?” Hudson paused his stride and speared Hewett with a steady gaze.

“Ah, I see. The Lord Longton, a future duke.” Hewett nodded. “And just how do you think we should go about finding out his intentions?”

“That is where you come in my friend.”

“Why am I dreading your next words?” Hewett rubbed his face with his hands.

“Don’t worry. We’ll simply ask him. A gentleman’s agreement, nothing more.” Hudson gave Hewett his most reassuring smile.

“Oh, no! No! I will not do anything while that bloody smile remains on your deuced face. No! The last time I saw that expression I was on the receiving end of right hook.”

“Still whining about that? We were fifteen! It’s not my fault Baltmoore took out his anger on you for my—”

“He thought I was you! He thought that I was the one who had kissed his sister! Not you! It was indeed all your fault! That’s how it always works! You start something, I take the fall! It’s a wonder I haven’t been bloody shot by now!” Hewett was breathing heavily in his frustration. “The calmest years of my life were when you finally went on your traveling escapades! And now, here we are again—”

“And you’ll still do it,” Hudson finished, earning a murderous glare from Hewett.

“Only because I want to bear witness if you’re shot. He’s going to be a bloody duke. You do realize this, don’t you? You don’t just—”

“I said it was going to be a gentlemen’s agreement, nothing more.” Hudson brushed an insect from his coat and returned Hewett’s stare.

“Gentlemen’s agreement indeed. Bloody hell. What’s the plan?”

****

Emma watched as the servants packed the final garments and readied all her possessions for the journey home. Lady Linden’s party had been quite the event. She sighed contentedly as the footmen began to carry her parcels down the hall. Though she hadn’t seen Hudson since early that morning, she knew he’d find her before they left. It was early in the afternoon and surely the men would be returning shortly.

“Blissfully happy. That expression suits you.” Sadie winked as she walked into her sister’s room.

“Are you all finished?” Emma couldn’t stop her smile from widening.

“Indeed. I packed much less than you,” Sadie teased as she stood beside her sister.

“One can never have enough gowns and dresses on a trip. You never know what this English weather will do.”

“Or which dress will be easiest for frolicking at midnight.” Sadie shot her sister a conspiratorial wink.

“There’s always that to consider as well.” Emma giggled and started down the hall.

At the foot of the stairs, she decided to see who might be in the parlor. Sunlight filtered through its gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out on the gardens. But it was the two men heading through the hedgerows toward the house that caught her attention.

Immediately she knew one was Hudson. His walk was more of a strut that accented the width of his shoulders. A grin tipped her lips as she remembered how he had strutted similarly upon her rejection of him when she was nine. He had walked away like a peacock, flashing his feathers. Some things never changed.

“I thought they would be back by now. It’s time for us to leave.” Lenore breezed into the parlor with an impatient expression covering her delicate face.

“I believe they are on their way back now.” Emma nodded to the window.

“Good! I see my husband. And I believe that’s Lord Daventry with him,” Lenore commented as she turned to her friend.

Emma knew her friend was waiting for a reaction, and unable to stop herself, a smile tugged the corners of her lips upward.

“I thought as much. He came to us you know,” she added in a hushed tone.

Emma felt her eyes widen as she turned and regarded her friend. Lenore glanced about the room, likely to insure their privacy.

“Indeed. But you mustn’t ever speak a word of it. He’s quite set in his intentions toward you, in case you were concerned,” Lenore added gently.

“I’m not concerned.” Heart warmed at her friend’s tender expression.

“Truly? Could it be that he may have won your favor?” Lenore asked with expectant eyes.

“Perhaps. He did ask me to marry him…” Emma whispered the words.

“Truly! When? Oh, I am so thrilled for you!” Lenore bounced on her toes before regaining her composure and offering a polite smile, but her eyes were still dancing.

“Thank you,” Emma replied simply, not willing to divulge that her proposal was given at midnight on a secret rendezvous. No, that was a delicious secret she’d keep to herself and Sadie.

“This party has been more than eventful! I say! Did you hear about last night?”

Lenore went on to explain the events of the night before, adding to the growing curiosity Emma already felt concerning Lady Alton’s behavior.

“I see our women are awaiting our arrival. And to think, we are the first to arrive! I pity the other men who are still lagging behind!” Hudson spoke confidently as he strode into the room. Emma couldn’t suppress a small smile as he approached her and placed a lingering and warm kiss to her hand.

“Take a walk with me?” Hudson’s eyes burned through her, searing her with a passionate intensity that left her breathless.

“Of course, my lord.” Emma followed him out into the garden.

“I have some business I need to attend to, a few matters that need to be addressed with the utmost urgency.” He let the words linger as his gaze was riveted to hers, as if searching her soul for final confirmation.

“A very important errand to be sure,” Emma remarked with joy as she tightened her hold on his arm.

Hudson’s eyes darkened wickedly, but cleared as he asked his next question. “I have a few other matters to settle as well that shouldn’t take me long, but I wanted to make certain that you were agreeable to a quick wedding. I’ve heard that ladies can be quite particular and I’m not sure of your mother’s prefer—”

“Yes, it will be fine. My mother will be thrilled simply because there will be a wedding.” Emma chuckled at the furrowed expression of Hudson’s face, but at her words his eyes danced.

“Splendid. Now, before I hide you in the maze and kiss those tempting and delicious lips of yours, I have one final question.”

“Do hurry.” Emma raised an eyebrow while she gave him her most flirtatious grin.

“Oh Emma, nothing I do to or with you will be in a hurry, love. On that, you have my word.” He paused and leaned forward, inhaling deeply. The fresh scent of rain clung to his clothes as well as a hint of peppermint. The heat from his body was alluring and seductive, causing Emma to close her eyes and lean forward as well. All she wanted was to touch him, to be touched, and to feel his skin against hers.

“Now.” Hudson leaned back, a wicked light dancing in his eyes. “I would like to speak with Lord Longton about his intentions toward your sister. But before I do, I want to confirm that your sister does indeed regard him highly.”

Emma blinked to break the spell of desire Hudson had effortlessly woven over her. “I know that she is amicable to his suit, if he presses it.” Emma chose her words carefully. Though she trusted Hudson completely, the information wasn’t hers to give.

“That’s all I need to know. I do not want you to compromise your sister’s trust. I simply wanted to make sure that she was open to his suit.”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Good, since that’s settled, I see a secluded area just over—”

“Why?”

“Why?” Hudson paused with a roguish tilt of his lips. “Because I plan to seduce you ‘til all you can imagine is—”

“No.” Emma shook her head while giggling. “That part I knew… but why are you so interested in Lord Longton’s intentions? You don’t mean to… are you going to ask him?” Emma felt her eyes grow wide. Surely that would be humiliating to Sadie!

“I can see what your thinking, love. No. I’ll not embarrass your sister. It’s more of a… gentlemen’s agreement. Since she’s soon to be my sister–in-law, I’m simply looking out for her welfare. I don’t wish her to be hurt again,” Hudson murmured the last words, a pained expression in his eyes.

“Thank you,” Emma replied with sincerity. There was nothing Hudson could have said that would have endeared him more. Without her soliciting his help, he was striving to protect Sadie. How she loved him. Every part of her heart beat his name at that moment as she saw deeper and more clearly into the man that he had become. There was nothing more alluring.

“The maze, you were saying?” Emma took a few steps forward until she was toe to toe with him. Looking up, she traced the outline of his jaw with her eyes and inhaled deeply of his scent, committing the fragrance to memory.

“If you keep gazing at me like that, I’m afraid I’ll not control myself ‘til I reach a secluded area.” Hudson spoke huskily, his eyes growing dark and smoldering.

“Then we’d best move, wouldn’t you agree?” Emma began to walk towards the spot Hudson had pointed out earlier, swaying her hips intentionally. Hudson growled.

Before she knew what was happening, he had swept her off her feet and was carrying her behind a nearby tree.

“I warned you I wouldn’t make it to the other area.” He spoke hotly against her lips as he pressed her against the tree. The hard lines of his body fit perfectly against hers. A delicious heat rose within her, stealing her breath and giving her the desire to press harder against him. A moment later, Hudson’s lips parted hers, not hesitant but demanding. He ravished her with his mouth, as if fulfilling an overpowering craving that was insatiable but through her kiss. His tongue traced her teeth and he nibbled on her lower lip, only to plunder her mouth once more. His hands traced her body, flowing over her form and causing a delicious anticipation to build within her.

Emma’s own hands roamed over his coat, but the sensation was unfulfilling so with brazen movements she began to tug at it, until Hudson hastily removed it, leaving only his crisp white shirt. The thin fabric didn’t hide the hard planes and ridges of muscle that continued to flex and bunch as Hudson strained against her. As her fingers found his hair, she memorized the heavy silkiness of its texture. If only they could continue with no concern for discovery. Emma knew it would be impossible to stop until she knew all of him.

“Emma!” Sadie’s voice barely penetrated the foggy haze of seduction in Emma’s mind. Like a slumber where the body awakened only to fall immediately back to sleep, Emma’s mind only registered the tones slightly before diving back into her frenzy of desire.

“Emma!”

“So help me, if your sister interrupts us one more time—” Hudson’s threat was cut off as he kissed her once more, but Emma could sense his retreat.

“She won’t. I’ll make sure of it.” Emma spoke softly against his lips before she caressed their fullness with the tip of her tongue.

“You are killing me,” Hudson murmured in an anguished tone.

“The sensation is mutual.” Emma chuckled as she gazed up into Hudson’s disbelieving expression.

“I’m not amused.”

“If you could see your expression, you might be.”

“I sincerely doubt it,” Hudson replied dryly, but a grin tugged at his lips. “We must, well…You see, my love, you look quite thoroughly seduced.” Hudson’s eyes sparkled with possession at his claim as he reached up to adjust her hairpiece and smooth the bodice of her gown with a smoldering gaze.

“And a rotten shame it’s not true,” Emma responded petulantly.

“Not yet… but soon. And believe me. Thorough will not even begin to describe—”

“Emma! Where are you?” Sadie’s tone was more than impatient as it cut off Hudson’s delicious words.

“Allow me.” Hudson helped Emma tidy her hair and sent her around the tree with a pat to her bottom.

Emma barely held in a squeal as he also pinched her bum for good measure.

With a deep breath, she strode to where her sister stood, thankfully turned in the opposite direction. That would certainly be the last time they were interrupted, she’d make sure of it!

Chapter Fourteen

“Are you sure this won’t get us killed?” Hewett was sitting across from Hudson in the hired carriage. He was nervously tapping his foot and fiddling with his jacket.