Authors: Nichole Matthews
“Parker?” Piper murmured.
Parker turned with a
genuine
smile
still plastered
on his face and held out his hand.
“Miss Smith.”
Persephone
stepped hesitantly from the bottom step and glided slowly towards the door
with what
she hoped
was
a serene look on her face
and not
one of immense
trepidation
.
Parker
could sense her nervousness as she made her way towards the small group and shortened the distance by meeting her half-way. Stopping as he reached her side
, he
looked
down
at her for a long minute.
Without making i
t too obvious, he leaned down, his lips barely brushing her ears and asked for her hearing
only,
“
How are you,
Persephone?
”
His dark, rich voice
surrounded her adding a much needed
comfort.
His whisper made her shiver
and feel cherished all at once
.
“Lord Ashford.”
She dipped a small curtsy
, her muscles visibly relaxing
.
“I
a
m well.”
In truth, his presence overwhelmed her.
“Truly?”
His steady gaze pinned her in place.
She nodded
shyly
.
He drew his
finger
slowly
down her cheek
before holding
out his arm
and smiling
. His even, white teeth gleamed
.
She beamed up at him. “Truly,
”
she added for assurance.
“Please allow me to make known my
unexpectedly
hoydenish sister and her
husband.”
“How nice.”
The corner of his mouth
turned up with satisfaction as
Persephone laid her hand on his arm
.
She tilted her chin, looking up from beneath her lashes in
surprise when he covered her hand
, holding it firmly
against his forearm
with his own
and allowed him to guide her toward the doorway of the sitting room where her sister and husband had gathered watching their exchange intently. She stiffened at their attentions
.
“Breathe, Persephone,” he reminded for her ears only. The feel of his hand stroking her
s
reminded her of where she was, among friends.
“
As you know, t
hey’ve arrived early for our family Christmas
, so I know Piper has something up her sleeve
,” he whispered.
Persephone raised an eyebrow.
Parker nodded.
Piper scampered to Persephone’s side, dragging a resigned Rockwell behind her.
“Oh, Miss Smith,
how charming you look. I must admit rather
enviously, I might add, that
particular
dress looks better on you than it ever did on me.
Coquelicot
?
”
Piper s
hook her head from side to side. “I cannot imagine what I was thinking when I chose that color for myself. But, it is divine with your coloring.”
She sighed
before tugging
Rockwell forward. “Miss Smith, may I introduce you to my husband, Lord Rockwell, but we do not stand on ceremony here at
Rosebriar
.” She lifted her brow, slanting a mischievous look at her brother. “We never have.”
Persephone
wondered what that particular look meant. It wa
s
powerful
and full of meaning.
She executed a perfectly graceful
curts
y its form one of study and grace which intrigued Piper. How did this person, so obviously a lady of good breeding, find herself starving and in a field? A definite mystery to be solved.
“Delighted to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
She eyed the handsome golden man who bowed
elegantly
in front of her.
Rockwell chuckled, shaking his head. “A pleasure, Miss Smith,” he greeted her warmly, his smile
beautiful
and his
amber colored eyes
spectacular
. “Please excuse my wife.” He
placed his hand at the small of Piper’s back and
pushed
her
forward. “I believe you have forgotten to introd
uce yourself properly, my dear?” He quirked his brow expertly, a trait all aristocratic men must
be taught at a very
young age.
“Oh, pooh!” Piper chuckled. “Piper Morgan, Miss Smith.
” She curtsied.
“
I’ve heard so much about you already.” She l
inked arms with her and pulled her
towards the sitting room. “We must become better acquainted immediately.” Persephone glanced over her shoulder to find Parker’s eyes following their departure
, unwilling to put a name with the heated look she saw in his eyes
. Piper continued talking
, barely taking a breath
. “I’ve heard you’ve been through a terrifying ordeal, Miss Smith. You must tell me about it straightaway.
And a baby, I will insist on be
ing introduced first thing
.
”
“Of course,” Persephone responded politely
, generally she could hold her own in polite conversation but she was barely able to get a word in edge wise with Parker’s sister in the room
. “If you insist.”
“Oh, I insist.” Piper giggled
, waving her hand
.
Parker watched as
Piper patted Persephone’s hand where it rested on her arm. “You mustn’t feel the need to reveal anything too intimate
, mind you
”
Piper’s
voice trailed off as they passed through the doors.
Parker turned to Rockwell, crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk. “I see my sister’s vivacious spirit
h
as only increas
ed since her marriage to you.”
Rockwell met his gaze with a
superior
glint in his eyes, cocking his brow
. “Had you asked me a year ago how I would feel about living to please only one woman, I would have laughed at you, Ash.”
Parker held up his hand, and huffed a laugh.
“Spare me the details, Rock.
You are speaking of my sister.” He shuddered good-naturedly.
Rockwell put his hand on Parker’s shoulder and pushed him down the hall. “I understand we have some business to discuss?”
“Right.” Parker
paused
a
s they were passing the
door of the sitting room and watched his sister’s animated speech, a faint smile flickered. Just then, Persephone glanced up and stole his breath with
the rosy curve of
her
smile
. His chest felt heavy as his heart slammed behind his ribs.
His lips curved to match hers and he watched as her eyes took on a more vivid sparkle.
R
ockwell’s eyes moved from one to the other, then he clapped Parker
on the back. “Thinking of taking the plunge yourself, old man?”
Parker didn’t reply
he just glared at
Rockwell
in response
.
Rockwell’s brow lifted.
“I see.”
Parker stopped and turned to Rockwell. “What do you mean, I see?”
His lips came together in
a
firm line.
Rockwell
shrugged. “I’ve learned that it happens to us all at one time or another,” he replied matter-of-factly
with a smile after that statement
.
“There is no fighting the inevitable.”
Parker scrubbed his hand over his face as they continued down the hall to his study. “Bloody hell, Rock. This circuitous talk is driving me mad.”
“
Love.”
Parker
cast a quick glance down the hall and scowled before he grabbed
Rockwell by the sleeve and tossed him into his study before slamming the door. “Can you keep your voice down,” he hissed
, his nostrils flaring
, shocked by his own vehemence.
“Touchy, aren’t we.”
Rockwell nearly choked on a laugh.
He ran his hand up and down the arm of his jacket, smoothing the newly placed wrinkles from his sleeve.
Parker scowled
, longing to administer a well-placed kick to
his friend
’s
shin like he would have done when they were boys
.
“I’m not in love,” he groused
. “But the entire household doesn’t need to hear that word uttered along with Miss Smith’s name.”
“I’m surprised you would employ servants who indulge in idle gossip, Ash.”
Rockwell smirked.
“Be quiet and sit down.” Parker flopped in the chair behind his desk. “This is important.”
He didn’t need or want to be thinking about Miss Smith at this time. Well, at least not in that way. He needed to think about her past. What had happened to
her
.
Rockwell ignored the warning glance Parker flashed at him. “So is love, my friend,
so is love,
” he murmured with a grin. “
But I will indulge you a distraction.
Tell me what you have.”
“That’s just it.” Parker frowned. “Nothing.”
His hands clenched into fists on top of his desk. “How can there be no information?”
“There is never a dull moment with the Peregrines.”
Rockwell said, unfolding his long body from the chair to pour a tall glass of brandy. He held up the glass. “It appears that fortification is required.”
“It doesn’t make any sense,
”
Parker added almost to himself.
Rockwell glanced at him with a questioning smile. He himself had been a confirmed bachelor until Piper. Scandals and rumors had abounded of his conquests. Now he was content to remain at home. “What doesn’t make sense?” He set the second g
lass in front of Parker, then returned to
his chair, his right ankle crossed over his left knee.
“Explain.”
***
“Aunt,” Piper leaned forward with a smile. “I received a letter from Agnes just before we departed for
Rosebriar
.”
“Was it a good letter?”
“Of course.
” Piper grinned. “Her family is soon to return
from the
ir
holiday abroad.”
“How long have
they
been away
?” Persephone asked.
“Three whole months.” Piper sighed. “They practically packed her up as soon as the Season ended
and dragged her forcibly from London
.”
Piper snickered
into her hand
.
Persephone’s brow
drew together as Piper giggled
.
“Agnes is a quiet sort
of girl,” Adele added.
“Why were they so adamant that she leave?” Persephone questioned.
Piper sat back with a grin. “I’m sure it was my scandalous behavior last Season.”
Persephone lifted her brow.
“Have you ever worn trousers, Miss Smith?” Piper pe
e
ked over the lip of her cup as she took a sip of her tea.
“I cannot say that I have, my lady
.”
Piper shook her head and rolled her eyes at the same time. “I would
not
recommend such behavior during
the heart of the Season.” She proceeded to take
another sip of her tea, in an attempt to hide her smile. “I believe tension
s
run too high for those who hold powerful positions to see the humor in such activities.”
Persephone sat back with a smile and let the women inundate her with humorous anecdotes from th
e past.
***
Granville’s was angry
.
Yes
,
he was angry, rightfully so.
He grunted loudly.