She kissed along his jaw. “You’re babbling.”
“I used the money to help people, to help the Widow’s Grace. To help you.”
Her forehead creased, knitting together her brows. “Um. You sit still until I get you to Finchely.”
Daniel counted his fingers. “One. Two. What was the second mistake? We are up to two, right?”
“Believing Lady Lavinia would do anything good is a great blunder.”
“Well, you are right in that matter. Somehow, she and Willingham. . .”
He fisted his hand, and then immediately stopped. The pain in his head tripled. “Did they hurt you, J?”
“No.”
“Good, I couldn’t stand that, not that I can stand much.”
He fidgeted, crossing his arms. Then he picked dust from his sleeves. “Am I getting you all linty?”
“No, I’m fine. I just need to breathe.”
The carriage lurched, and so did his stomach. This was trouble.
“Jemina, I don’t feel so good.”
He touched the lump on his skull. “Did you see who hit me? Willingham?”
“Um, why don’t you close your eyes and rest until I get you home?”
“Will you make me tea and biscuits?”
She nodded, and he felt the knocking of her heart as he pressed against her bosom, one he decided was perfect and taut like ripe pomegranates.
“Beautiful. Your gown cream and blue, so lovely. Now dusty.”
She put his head to her shoulder. “I went to your tailor’s suggestion for a dressmaker.”
“Good. Next time, I’ll ignore everyone. Just dance with you. Follow you like Max.”
“You are sweet when you talk too much, Daniel.”
“Fine, if you were mine.” He took up her wrist. “You wouldn’t have to hit people if you were mine. Why aren’t you mine?”
“It’s your drink talking. Your house is very far—why don’t you rest?”
“Can’t rest well. Not fine, you’re not mine.”
“Daniel, don’t say anything you’ll regret.”
He smirked so wide his cheeks hurt. “You mean like exposing yourself to save me.”
“What?”
“I wasn’t quite as passed out as you thought. I did see the swell of you, good pomegranates. You’re delightful and crazy, J.”
She pulled away and took her cupid’s bow.
He wrapped his arms about her. “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant you shouldn’t have to debas . . . debase . . . debauch. Don’t do it for me.”
