Daffodil lifted her head. What was wrong with her, touching a stranger like this?
Removing her hands from his shoulders, she tried to step back but his hands held firm to her waist. “Lord Casterly,” she kept her voice even. “Thank you for your help. Now if you would be so kind as to allow me to sit.”
The corner of his mouth turned down. He was worried she was not well after the smoke she’d inhaled and his news was not all good. “Of course, Petal.”
“Stop calling me that,” she huffed as she tried to pull away again. He held her for a moment more before finally letting her go. She nearly stumbled backward and, to catch herself, plopped down in the high-back chair.
“I’m Jacob.” Her brother reached over and shook Lord Casterly’s hand. “Well, I suppose I should introduce myself as Earl of Westcliff. I just don’t feel much like an earl of anything.”
“Rex Abelman, since we’re being informal. And I understand. I’ve never considered myself particularly noble, despite the title.”
Part of her education, before the money had run out, was to memorize the name of every titled man in England. She knew Rex was an earl, the question needn’t be asked. Instead, she moved on to more pressing topics. “Why did His Grace send you to retrieve us?”
“I am his closest friend.” Rex’s gaze swung back to her. She shivered as his eyes met hers.
“But why didn’t my sister and mother return themselves?”
He pressed his lips together, not sure he should tell her. “Your mother has been ill.”
“Ill?” she gasped, standing again. Between the smoke and the movement the room seemed to spin, though she suspected it was just her head. She pressed her hands over her eyes.
Strong hands were at her waist once again. “She is recovering. She’ll be fine but she wasn’t well enough to travel. His Grace and I have only just returned from Barbados and he had a great deal of affairs to… manage.”
She lowered her hands to look up at him again. “And you don’t?”
“Don’t?” he asked, his eyebrows drawing up to his hairline.
“Have affairs to manage?” Now she was just being ridiculous. Honestly, though, he acted like no lord she’d ever met. Just look at how much he’d touched her. She pulled back, wanting to put distance between them. A rake such as him had to be kept at bay.
He shook his head, his lips turning up at the corners. “I’ve an excellent solicitor and property manager.”
“That is what I need,” Jacob added as he gave a small shrug, his gaze dropping to the ground. “But I suppose you need money first before you can hire people to handle your property and finances.”
“True, lad,” R
ex clapped him on the shoulder. “Lucky for you, Theo understands how valuable a brother-in-law’s help can be. He’ll see your earldom turned around.”
“Theo?” Daffodil sat again. This entire day, from the roast to this meeting was all too much.
“Your sister’s fiancé,” he answered.
Perhaps she was just hungry. They hadn’t eaten a great deal today. But the entire thing was beginning to sound absurd. A duke in Barbados willing to save the entire family? “Does he also slay dragons?” she murmured as rested her forehead on the heel of her palm.
“Are you all right, Petal?” Jacob asked as he leaned down next to her chair and placed his hand on her forehead as though he were checking her temperature.
No, I’m not all right. I’m near useless. “Fine. Just tired and hungry. We should carve up that roast and serve Mrs. Fields her dinner.”
“Mrs. Fields?” Rex asked.
“Our housekeeper. She stayed on when everyone else left but she slipped and hurt her ankle last week.” Jacob said.
“That explains a great deal,” Rex rumbled.
Daffodil lifted her chin, looking at him square in the eye. Did he notice the lack of food and the general disarray of the house? Her heart skipped a beat, but she sucked in a breath, determined not to show her embarrassment. “Does it?”
“Why don’t you stay here and rest,” Rex said by way of answer. “Jacob and I will take care of the roast and perhaps cook a few side dishes. Do you have potatoes?”
“Oh yes,” Jacob answered. “I’ll bring Mrs. Fields her tray when we’re done and then I’ll come collect you to have dinner.” Jacob gave her warm smile. “Rex is right. You should rest.”