Spinning about, she started pulling sheets from the chairs and tables. Who did this man think he was? Besides an earl. And a rake. A sailor and a cook. Drat. He was talented, she supposed. What did she have to show for her life? Violette was saving the family and Jacob would secure the future of their name, the family’s legacy. She could hardly even embroider.
Jacob stacked wood in the fireplace, lighting a flame. It would take time before the room warmed and Daffodil rubbed her hands together as she began stripping the bed. Rex moved to the other side to help her. She didn’t look at him. Kept her head down as they worked. It didn’t seem right to be on opposites sides of a bed with a man.
Once the old linens were removed, she shook out the fresh sheets and blankets. Without meaning to, she caught Rex’s gaze. “There is a certain satisfaction in doing these tasks, is there not?”
Averting her gaze to the fire, she shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about it. They need to be done, so I do them.” It was a lie. She did like being busy, except of course for the cooking. She had oft times wondered what she’d done with herself all day when the house had been fully staffed.
“Really? Not once have you wished to have your old life back? Or taken pride in a job well done?” He came around the post of the bed to stand in front of her, his gaze intent as he looked down.
Daffodil didn’t meet his eyes as she finished making the bed. Spreading the last blanket, she looked about the room. Anywhere but at him. It wasn’t perfect, but he could sleep there for the night. “This should keep you. See you in the morning.” She knew she’d been rude not to answer his question but it was best to keep him at a distance. Rakes were a dangerous sort. So charming, a lady might not even notice she was being drawn in until it was too late.
* * *
Rex gave a small growl of frustration as she left the room. Petal was damn interesting and now that she was gone, there was little to do but stare into the fire. “If you don’t need anything else,” Jacob called from his spot at the grate, “I should get myself to bed.”
“Already?” Rex turned to the boy. He’d nearly forgotten there was a third person in the room, but Jacob would make better company than just a fire and besides… he might be able to needle some information about Petal from the lad. “Stay a bit and keep me company. The carriage ride was endless without conversation.”
Jacob gave him a winning smile. “All right then.” He pulled one of the armchairs up to the fire and stretched out his legs. “What do you want to talk about?”
Rex scratched his chin. “How did your family end up in this situation?”
Jacob shrugged. “My father didn’t inherit much to begin with, I guess. What he did, he sold to live. This house is all that’s left.”
Rex winced on their behalf. It was easy enough in this life of leisure to grow complacent. “So your other sister went off in search of a husband?”
Jacob rubbed the back of his neck. “Violette had a small dowry still but Petal has none. So Violette hoped to secure a match with a man who could at least guide us. If I could just figure out how to make money, I’m sure I could provide her with dowry enough to find a good husband. Violette is strong and smart but Petal…” Jacob straightened his shoulders. “She’s taken care of me most of my life. She deserves a chance to have her own.”
Rex’s chest tightened. She did indeed deserve a life of her own. She likely deserved the best sort of life. “You’re a good brother for caring about her the way you do.”
Jacob looked at the ground. “I’ll be a good brother if I can provide for her before she’s too old to make a match of her own.”
Rex didn’t want his heartstrings to tug but they did. He hadn’t spent very much time with their older sister,Violette, but these two loved each other. What was more, they were working exceptionally hard to provide for each other. “Jacob, it’s all going to work out. Theo, Violette’s new husband, will help you. I’m sure of it. You’re an honest, hardworking young man. You’ll be a success.” He walked over to Jacob, then clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve changed my mind. Off to bed with you. I’ll need to wake early tomorrow so that we can find a doctor and gather supplies for the house. Will you escort me?”
“Escort you?” Jacob sat straighter, his chest puffing out. “You’d need my help?”
“You know this neighborhood far better than I do. I’m certain you could take me to all the best shops.” He gave the boy another quick pat on the arm.
“I could.” Jacob bounced up and stuck out his hand. They shook and then Jacob stopped. “What Petal said about gifts… You’ll have our new brother-in-law reimburse you and then I could reimburse him when I’m able?”
Rex gave a stiff nod and then walked Jacob to the door. As he shut it, he scratched at his scalp. His stomach was turning circles and he didn’t know why. Was it Petal’s meat? But thoughts of Petal had his mind working. She was the sort of woman who should be getting the best in life. Beautiful, hardworking, virtuous, and kind. She deserved to be covered in silk and pearls while some man worshipped the ground on which she walked.
It wasn’t him. He wasn’t capable of giving her that life. Of that, he was certain.
Returning to his chair by the fire, thoughts of another woman, a specter from the past, rose in his mind. Mar
y had also been kind and virtuous. Perhaps she hadn’t sparkled the way Petal did but she’d made a decent and caring wife. And what had he done with her affection? He’d tossed it carelessly to the side.
He ran his hand through his hair to wipe away the memories as he tossed another log on the fire, closed the screen, and made for the door. He couldn’t sit in here all night. He needed to move and escape these painful memories.
Chapter Four
Heading down the hall, Rex made his way into the kitchen where he found the servant’s door. The weather was slowly warming but the night was still cool as he stepped into the alley. Moving around the house, he found a gate to the garden. Stepping inside, the garden was still bare and surrounded by other townhomes, but a bench sat in the center with a small view of the sky.
Sitting on the bench, he gazed upward and glanced at a window where a candle flickered upon a table. A silhouette of a woman moving about the room. Either Mrs. Fields was feigning illness or Petal was still awake.
He stood and moved closer. It was Petal. As if she knew he was there, she moved to the window and rested her elbows upon the sill. Then one of her hands lifted to cradle her cheek as she stared out into the night.
What was she dreaming of? A knight in shining armor who came and rescued her? A low rumble emitted from his chest. Would she throw herself in his arms? Beg him to take her?