“You smell good, Ruth.”
“Mama always good. More adventures, cousin?”
“Master Wilky, you did a good job. Now we must keep your mother warm. Sit on the floor and hold her legs.
“No. No one holds me down. Sit on my lap.”
Her son climbed up, and she buried her face in his hair.
Everyone was in place and safe. Relieved, Wycliff may have slumped against her. He definitely sighed and breathed in a mouthful of rose-scented air and creamy neck. Too cozy, he straightened. “Thank you for being a good sport, Ruth.”
“I didn’t expect adventure, Wycliff.”
“I didn’t expect you.”
Her brown eyes sparkled, giving light to his soul, hope to his black heart.
“You seem flustered, my lord.”
“I am. I thought Mrs. Croome and Christopher were to be my guests.”
“Maybe the master planner needs spontaneity.”
“Perhaps. Was Mrs. Johnson at Nineteen Fournier?”
“No, she wasn’t. Why do you ask? You’re moving on to married women?”
There was only one married woman he was interested in. “No. She made some interesting statements last time we met.”
“Did she gossip about me? Did you set her right? She needs to hear the truth.”
“She’s concerned about her husband’s business. My dealings are intricate. I will protect the Croomes, but no one else. I don’t talk about my business with anyone, but I wanted you to know. Let her not press you because of me.”
“Why? You don’t think I can withstand?”
“The diamonds found about the Silk Road in India are hard and shiny, but men find ways to break them. You’re a diamond of the first water. You need never to be bothered by anyone or any circumstance. I’ll see to that.”
She put Chris into his arms and leaned into Wycliff.
His attention shifted to the lad. He was so curious, pointing at everything. How much of his world had been limited because he had no father to love on him as Wycliff had?
“Why couldn’t we simply take your carriage to Vauxhall, Lord Wycliff? I don’t think I understand why you chose to be out on the water. It’s so open, so vast.”
Her voice was light, a mere whisper.
“You need to be distracted.” He took her hand and threaded his fingers with hers. “Lawden will take the carriage by the Vauxhall bridge. I assumed with the sun so pretty and bright, Christopher would enjoy sailing. I heard that your mother used to enjoy taking to the waters. This was a treat for them.”
“People are staring, my lord. So many rumors can be started about us.”
“Our boat mates, those people behind us? They are looking at me, dearest, wondering how I could be so fortunate.”
“That’s not it. They want to know who we are, and why we are so intimate.”
He looked over his shoulder again, then smoothed her back. “They think we should be intimate? It’s a bit much to take orders from strangers, but it’s advice I’ll consider.”
“Oh, you.”
“Yes, me. Just because you are done with me doesn’t mean I feel the same. Why else would I bring you daisies?”
