Seduce Me Please (25 page)

“
Because I believe you to be in love with him,” Peyton said simply. “And perhaps he is also in love with you?”

Piper’s mouth dropped open, she could only imagine how ridiculous she must look to her brother with her mouth flopping open like a fish out of water. Her hand shot up to cover her mouth and silence her gasp; giving herself a minute to absorb this information. “It’s a lovely day,” she observed quickly changing the topic of conversation.

“
Quite,” he responded, lifting the curtain to peek out the window. “Oh, ‘tis none of my business, I realize.

“
I realize that as well, but that has never stopped you or Parker before.” Piper raised her eyebrow, clearly amused and exasperated at the same time. “Why are you so interested in Rockwell?”

“
I must admit that my interest is not entirely altruistic.” Peyton lowered his lids, hooding his gaze. “Please, hear me out.”

“
Are you truly giving me a choice?” Her brows narrowed in a frown.

“
Piper,” Peyton scolded.

Leaning forward, she huffed. “Very well, I am willing to listen.”

“
Parker demanded that I curb my licentious behavior while you are yet unmarried.”

“
Oh, would you care to elaborate further.” She sat back against the leather squabs and crossed her arms.

“
Well, you would be married to a peer of the realm with extensive wealth and properties, and I would be free to do as I please.”

A spark of defiance lit Piper’s blue eyes. “If we weren’t so far from home I would jump out of this carriage and walk.”

“
Why can’t you just pick one?” He huffed. “Surely your intention is not to remain alone? Don’t you want to have children some day?”

Turning her head, Piper gave him a startled look. “
What
did you say?” She gritted through clenched teeth. She was flummoxed that her brother’s thought so little of her future that they just wanted her to
pick
someone? She was rattled completely.

“
Don’t you want to have children some day?”

“
You know perfectly well that is not the phrase I am speaking of.” Piper glowered at him. “If that is how easy the choice, why don’t you just pick one?”

“
I meant no insult.”

“
Of course you didn’t, dear brother,” she muttered under her breath. “You never do. You just mean to manage my life. Put it in a neatly wrapped package that suits you and Parker’s needs with no regard to
my
needs or wants.”

Peyton stared at her. “I thought you liked him?” He said baldly.

Piper sniffed. “Even if that were true, that doesn’t mean he prefers me over every other woman in the
ton
. What kind of marriage do you propose for me, Peyton? One of convenience only?”

Peyton threw up is hands in surrender. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Piper, do you truly think so little of me?”

“
Perhaps I require more from life than convenience?” A vision of Rockwell sprang to her mind. It wasn’t as if he were ever far away. She almost snorted at the idea. Remembering him sitting astride his large gray, or rescuing her and Poppy from an embarrassing slip in town, or the feel of his lips pressed passionately to hers. Piper quickly lowered her hand when she realized she was touching her own lips. Glancing sneakily towards Peyton, she sighed. All she needed was to draw more attention.

Piper elbowed Miss Harris to rouse her from her nap.

“
Why can’t you and Parker let me be?” Piper’s spine stiffened in indignation.

“
Because I’m not allowed to,” he answered honestly. “I was given an ultimatum from our dear brother.”

“
You two will be the death of me!” She huffed loudly.

As the carriage rolled to a halt outside the Sotherland’s country estate, he leaped down and held out a hand to assist Piper. Peyton raised a brow. “Do not dwell on our conversation. I did not mean to rile you.”

Piper patted his hand. “I know.” She forced a smile.

Peyton released her hand to assist Miss Harris from the carriage.

Peyton leaned in and whispered into Piper’s ear. “Take the reins, my dear sister.” He cuffed her on the arm. “You are made of far sterner stuff. Don’t let Parker or I bully you into doing something you might regret for the rest of your life.” Then with a wink he strolled away.

Take the reins?
Did she dare?

Thankfully, Miss Harris didn’t witness the devious smile that spread across her face.

……………………………
..

“
What a glorious day to spend outdoors.” Esme raised her matching eyes to his. “Don’t you agree, Brother?”

Graydon threw her an indulgent glance. “Splendid, my dear.” He patted her hand. She was turning into a woman overnight. Each day she was less and less of a child and she fought and scratched and clawed to be treated as an adult which he found quite amusing. Looking at the frothy confection of daffodil muslin that floated around her ankles he smiled. Shaking his head, resisting the urge to scratch it in wonder, when did this happen? When had she changed from a sweet little girl? “When did you grow up, Esme?”

“
I’ve been a lady for quite some time, Gray.” She responded with exasperation clear in her voice.

Turning, he glanced at Olivia. He could almost feel the breath escape him; at least she still acted as a child. Watching as she broke bread into tiny pieces and tossed them one by one to the ducks flocking about her feet. He grinned as she hopped on her toes, excited by the noisy exuberance of the quacking ducks, clapping her hands and giggling as the ducks vied for her undivided attention.

He almost slumped with relief when he watched her childlike exuberance. He derived much entertainment watching Olivia’s wide-eyed delight.

He glanced up catching his mother’s gaze, lifting his hand in a wave as she sat on one of the terraces sipping lemonade, gossiping. Insisting that he indulge his sister’s by guiding them throughout the grounds. He was doubly glad that she didn’t suspect his enjoyment of the task. He was allowed to drop the jaded act of roué during the brief moments in their company.

Graydon paused; a tingle of awareness causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise, only one person did that to him. He thought of her constantly. He wanted to see her—that was all. He didn’t want to examine the reasons why, they were irrelevant. His craving of her grew stronger each day. Oh, how he wished he had never spoken to her. How he wished she were still just an erotic fantasy to fill his lonely nights. He had no idea how long he could hold out while she was in reach. And so unlike the self-possessed character he revealed to the
ton,
he reached up, tugging at his cravat, a trickle of sweat trailing down his spine.

He felt a tugging at his coat sleeve. “Who is that?” Esme’s breath caught. “She is quite lovely.” Looking down at her exquisitely crafted ensemble, “I feel like such a dowd. I knew I should have worn the blue today.” She started to pout, but then caught the look on her brother’s face. Her eyes narrowing with speculation.

He didn’t have to look up, he knew who he would see, he had already felt her. His body responded just to her presence, which could become rather embarrassing since he was with his sisters in a very public location.

“
Perhaps I have overly spoiled you.” He tapped her affectionately on the tip of her nose. “You look enchanting in daffodil.”

“
Gray!” Esme whined, smoothing a gloved hand over her skirt. “It’s lemon, not daffodil.”

“
Such a lady.” A glimmer of humor appeared in his eyes. “Well, it seems like only yesterday that I held your tiny body in my arms.”

“
Gray!” She cried again through gritted teeth. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself!”

“
Am I?” He pressed his hand to his heart theatrically. “How very
de trop
I have become.” He smirked.

His sister was correct, Piper was breathtakingly beautiful. And he was becoming more and more concerned at how her mere nearness affected his senses.

Graydon dragged in a deep breath as she drew near. “Yes, quite lovely indeed.” He did not like the spark glinting in his sister’s eyes. Luckily her romantic notions had not been snuffed by his father’s callous regard for societies dictates. He had a feeling that he would be in deep trouble if she ever found out how Lady Piper truly affected him.

A faint smile curved his mouth as he gave her an elaborate bow, she looked young and fresh and breathtakingly lovely. A light flush covered her cheeks and her blue eyes sparkled playfully.

“
Lady Piper, how delightful you appear with the sun a halo behind you.” His gaze devoured her, from her head all the way down to her toes.

Her eyes twinkled back at him. “Thank you, my lord,” Piper said with all sincerity.

“
Miss Harris.” He raised her hand to his lips. “A ray of sunshine as always.”

“
Lord Rockwell, I will not be swayed by your flattery.” But she blushed all the same.

He turned to his sister, “Esme, may I have the pleasure of presenting Lady Piper Peregrine and her companion Miss Harris and may I present my sister, Esme Morgan.”

Esme curtsied prettily.

He took her arm, twined it with his and turned her toward the lake. “Let me also make the introduction of my youngest sister.”

Miss Harris smiled. “I believe I will search out some refreshment. Would you care to join me, Lady Esme? I fear ‘tis quite warm today.”

Esme looked from her brother to Lady Piper, her eyes narrowed, too knowing for a girl so young. “That sounds delightful.” She linked their arms. “I have become quite parched in this sun.”

Piper sighed, but let him steer her towards the lake. She must be wearing a sign written with the words
I want to be alone with Lord Rockwell.

A charming girl dressed in white and pink turned at the sound of their footsteps, a large hunk of bread in her hand. She beamed when she spied her brother, adoration apparent in her eyes.

Piper sneaked a peek at Rockwell’s face and her steps almost faltered at what she saw. His eyes glowed with love. She was, quite simply dazzled.

Giggling with excitement, Olivia skipped towards them. “Look at the ducklings, Gray!” She glanced over her shoulder at the line of ducklings waddling behind her. “They’re following me!” She started marching in a circle giggling at her followers.

Releasing Piper’s arm, he crouched down. “They are following your bread crumbs, Poppet.” Tapping her on the nose. “I have someone I would like you to meet.”

In a loud whisper, “Is she
the one
?” Her head tilted towards Piper in interest.

Leaning in he whispered loud enough for only Olivia to hear. She squirmed and a wide smile spread across her face. Her golden eyes staring at Piper as her mouth took the shape of a large O.

Standing he extended his arm towards Piper. “Lady Olivia Morgan, may I present Lady Piper Peregrine.”

Curtsying elegantly, Olivia said sweetly, “A pleasure, my lady.” Before turning back to her ducklings and skipping back towards the lake.

Piper chuckled. “What did you say to her?”

Twining their arms once again, he turned to her with a twinkle in his eye. “If I had wanted you to know I would not have whispered.”

Piper gazed deep into his eyes and shivered at what she saw there. Hunger. A hunger that rivaled her own. She gave him a dazzling smile. “Very well, my lord. But I will do my best to pull it out of you.”

“
I look forward to your efforts, my lady.” His smile innocent enough, but his eyes held a primitive heat that pointed at something not quite so innocuous.

She arched one eyebrow. “You are teasing me, my lord.” Heat rose in her cheeks. Something stirred low in her belly

A wicked smile curved his lips, as he looked at her. “Perhaps we can sit over in the shade of that glorious tree and have a
tête-à-tête
.” He wasted no time steering her towards the cool shade.

He shrugged out of his pristine jacket, spreading it on the ground as a makeshift blanket. Then gesturing towards his jacket, he invited, “Please sit.”

Her smile exposed her dimple. “You are being too chivalrous.” She said sweetly, her blue eyes sparkling with wit as she situating herself genteelly on his discarded jacket. “I’m surprised you would want to dirty such a fine piece of clothing.”

“
I can have another jacket made. You would be surprised what lengths I would go to for one moment alone with such a beautiful lady.” With eyes gleaming, he dropped to the ground in front of her, legs outstretched, ankles crossed as he leaned back upon his elbows. He watched as she arranged her skirts primly about her legs. The thin muslin settled like a cloud about her delightful curves. He shifted on the ground, wincing slightly. In fact he wanted to groan. Groan loudly as he prayed his bulging manhood straining against the front placket of his trousers would behave before it became too obvious, too embarrassing, and his dignity was lost forever. He should have never given her his jacket to sit upon.