Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series) (26 page)

A clatter in the yard drew Parker’s attention on the way out of the library. He turned toward the open windows with draperies drawn to let in the warm autumn breeze. “I wonder what all the fuss is about,” he said more to himself, since his mother, Catherine, and Penny were too busy working on their decorations for the Harvest Ball in two days to pay him any heed.

The others must have heard it too because Elizabeth and Penny stood and followed Parker across the room to peer over his shoulder as a carriage rolled into view.

“Oh my heavens,” Penny cried. Hands on her face, she turned and hurried out of the library.

Parker started after her. On the bottom porch step, he halted and hung back as she ran toward the carriage and jumped into a tall blond man’s outstretched arms. The man hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground in obvious delight.

“Geoff, what are you doing here?” she asked after he let her go a moment later, not hiding her excitement.

“Pen,” he said, laughing. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve been dreadfully worried about you.”

“I’m fine, as you can see.” Smiling warmly she stepped away, and after grabbing his hand, she pulled him toward Elizabeth, now gliding down the porch steps followed by Catherine, who never glided.

Out of the corner of his eye, Parker spied Lucas and another man climb out of the carriage.

Penny obviously noticed them too. Halting and leaning closer to Geoff, she whispered loud enough for Parker to overhear, “Why is your brother with you?”

“It’s all right, Pen. He’s on our side.” When her eyes grew wide in question, he snorted. “You know Markham.
Can’t keep a secret from him. He knows all about our upcoming nuptials and we have his full support.”

After hearing his statement and viewing their reunion, the gut-wrenching knot in Parker’s stomach tightened. His desire for the blonde beauty had never died; in fact, it ate at him. If he were honest, he’d have to admit to wanting her more than he’d ever wanted her, with his need building over the last two weeks.

Though Penny had said she wasn’t marrying Geoff, Parker couldn’t believe it. Not now, when faced with the truth. The picture of the good-looking young man gripping Penny’s shoulders as if she belonged next to him didn’t lie. Neither did the joy on her face that all but shouted she loved the man.

Thank God she hadn’t lied about that. He blew out his regret on a resigned sigh. From his vantage point, the scene appeared intimate and Parker felt like an interloper for watching. As hard as the thought of her leaving him was to endure, he faced a worse nightmare—knowing that when she left, she’d be with a duke’s brother. Damn, it was Lady Margaret all over again. No! He pushed the hurt away. Penny had never led him on with the same lies. And because of that, any lingering anger toward her vanished. Shaking off his regret, Parker joined his sister and mother.

“Introduce us to your intended,” he said, smiling at Penny.

She nodded and introduced Geoff to the three of them.

Just then, Lucas and the man Parker determined to be the duke caught up with the small group.

“
Your Grace,” Penny said, offering a perfect curtsy.

“Stop.”
Markham laughed. “You’re as bad as Geoff.” He glanced around and met Parker’s interested gaze. His smile remained intact. “You must be Lucas’s brother. I’m Markham Collingswood.” He stuck out his hand in such a friendly manner that Parker didn’t respond right away.

“It’s a pleasure, Your Grace. I’m Parker Davis,” he finally said, changing his demeanor to match the other man’s.

“Please. We’re in your country and I’d prefer just plain Markham if you don’t mind.”

Parker nodded, unable to hold back his grin. Turning to his mother and sister, he said, “Markham Collingswood, allow me to introduce my mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, and my sister, Miss Catherine Davis.”

“
Enchanté,
madam.” Bowing at the waist, Markham took Elizabeth’s outstretched hand and kissed it.

When his dark eyes fastened on Catherine, Parker noted the usual spark of male interest. No one else noticed his sister’s blush as the duke brought her fingers to his lips before releasing her gaze and bestowing on her another perfect bow.
“Mademoiselle.” He straightened, and flashing her a secret smile, added flirtatiously, “I can see America is full of beautiful women.”

Catherine quickly pulled her hand away as if burned, clearly flustered.

Parker bit back a laugh. The duke’s attention wasn’t unexpected. Not when she had a long list of brokenhearted men up and down the Eastern seaboard. Still, few had actually produced his sister’s blush so effortlessly. Yet, if the man thought her an easy conquest, he was in for a rude awakening. Parker trusted Catherine’s ability to keep any over-interested males in their place. In the event her tactics weren’t enough, both he and Lucas were strong deterrents.

The moment was lost when Lucas cleared his throat and said, “The duke and his brother have graciously accepted my invitation to stay here while my ship’s in dry dock.”

Parker met Lucas’s gaze in a silent communication and nodded. “Of course.” Though not excited one whit at the prospect of entertaining and housing aristocrats, he deferred to his brother’s judgment. Lucas wouldn’t have invited him without good reason. Turning to the duke, he held on to his smile. “It will be our pleasure to accommodate you. You’re both welcome for as long as need be.”

“Why don’t we all go inside and I’ll have Pearl
make us some tea,” Elizabeth said, herding the group up the porch stairs.

Parker fought to ignore the streak of heated jealousy rising when Geoff placed a proprietary hand on the small of Penny’s back and said good-naturedly, “I see I had no need to worry. It warms my heart to know she was in such good hands.”

The duke snorted. “She shouldn’t have left England.” He shook his head and directed a stern look at his brother. “You both know that, don’t you?”

A bit of red rushed up Geoff’s face. “Penny has an adventuresome spirit and felt America the perfect place to hide.” He stuttered apologetically, “I…um…I wanted to elope to Gretna Green, but she would have none of it, saying we’d be found out and the marriage somehow annulled.” He shrugged. “She made a strong argument.”

“Seems you were right,” Lucas said, slanting Parker a glance. “The lady was hiding some big secrets.”

Parker rolled his eyes. What understatements from both men! “If you’re referring to the fact that she’s a titled English noblewoman and an heiress to boot, I already know.” He then turned to Geoff and Markham. “You don’t have to convince us of her adventurous nature. We’re all well aware by now how willful Penny can be.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Penny chimed in, flashing an irritated grimace. “I was perfectly safe and could take care of myself. You all seem to think I’m a complete cake. Everything worked out.”

“Yes, it did,” Lucas agreed, smiling. “I now see why you placed her in my care. You knew I’d ensure her safety.”

“We no longer have to postpone our plans.” Geoff clapped his brother on the back. “See, Markham, sometimes things just work out the way they were meant to be.”

Watching Penny’s irritation evaporate, Parker hung on to his weak smile. He didn’t want to think of what the impact of not delaying their plans meant. He’d never been so grateful for the diversion of his mother’s voice.

“You’ve arrived just in time for our Harvest Ball the day after tomorrow.” By this point they were at the parlor doors. Elizabeth opened them and gestured for the others to go ahead. “Make yourselves comfortable while I go and see about refreshments.”

Markham glanced around, clearly impressed. “I thought I’d be coming to a savage place. Instead I find big cities, and manor houses to rival those in England. And now you tell me there’s to be a ball.”

“Though most Englishmen don’t believe it, we’re not heathens here in America,” Lucas joked.

“Don’t tell them that.” Parker waited at the double doors while they filed in one by one. “If they think we’re heathens, it’ll keep them away.”

Curtains billowed as warm autumn air filled the room from the open windows and French portico doors. Markham chose a chair near the window. Lucas and Parker sat in chairs opposite him. Catherine hung behind Penny and Geoff, who sat side by side on one of the settees.

Elizabeth breezed into the room, her intent gaze on Catherine. “What are you doing hiding in the background, dear? Come and join me.”

Then grabbing her hand, she tugged, leaving Catherine no choice but to follow. Parker didn’t miss either the duke’s amused smile or his sister’s blush as she moved to sit across from Penny and Geoff.

“I gather you’re home to stay awhile, Lucas?” Elizabeth’s question was more a statement laced with joy.

Lucas nodded. “I don’t plan on leaving until well after Christmas,” he said with a huge grin, not bothering to hide his amusement.

Elizabeth’s smile brightened. “Imagine! All my children will be home for Christmas this year. I must be doing something right. Tell us about your voyage.”

Lucas did just that, spending the next twenty minutes regaling everyone with his story. When done, he looked at Geoff. “So, when is the lucky day?”

“As soon as it can be arranged.”
He looked at Penny with what Parker, who’d been surreptitiously studying the two, determined was pure adoration. “The sooner the better.”

At least they loved each other, he thought.

“I agree,” Markham said. “The earl’s not a fool. He’ll eventually guess our whereabouts, especially after our disappearance from London is noted.”

“He won’t find me,” Penny stated.

Parker was certain her voice held more conviction than she felt, given the streak of fear he caught glimmering in her eyes at the mention of the earl.

Markham shook his head. “Don’t be too sure.”

“Is this earl named Gerald Knightsbridge?” Parker asked.

Penny’s gaze to fly to his.
With eyes wide in stunned awe, she asked “How’d you guess?”

He snorted. How could he not put two and two together? “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the way I see it, he’s someone with whom you were arranged to marry—a guardian, perhaps?”

His reply earned another shocked intake of air from Penny.

Lucas slapped the arm of his chair. “Damn if you don’t surprise me.” His head went back as a hearty laugh escaped. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t let it rest.
That you’d find out her secrets before anyone.”

“Penny’s parents betrothed her to Gerald Knightsbridge, the fifth Earl of Kentworth, just before they died in a tragic carriage accident.” Markham sat up straight, his handsome features hardening into an implacable wall of granite. “He’s not a very nice fellow and happens to be her guardian for another four months, which is why time is of the essence and these two need to marry as soon as possible.”

Remembering her nightmares, Parker said, “He can’t touch her here.” He would kill the bastard first.

When the smile Penny offered didn’t quite reach her eyes, Parker steered the conversation to other topics in an attempt to alleviate the dread still lurking. He much preferred her spunk to the fearful creature she was reduced to by thoughts of the earl’s finding her.

Eventually Elizabeth rose. “Luncheon will be an informal affair with food displayed on the buffet. That way you all can eat at your leisure. Dinner, however, will be formal and I expect you all to dress,” she added, before walking sedately out of the room, disbanding the impromptu gathering.

~~

Penny floated down the stairs later that afternoon and smiled brightly at Geoff, who strode purposely toward her.

“Pen, Mr. Davis told me we could make use of his horses and go riding. Would you like to?” he asked, not hiding his excitement over the idea.

“I’d love to.” Her smile faded on a sigh. Her brief reprieve was over. How she wished for more time to prepare for what she would say to him once they were alone.

They rode for a mile in silence before Geoff slowed and indicated with the tilt of his head a copse of trees. “Let’s ride to that spot and talk.”

Penny nodded and followed.

When they’d both dismounted and had the horses tied, Geoff pulled Penny into his arms and kissed her gently. “I’ve been dying to do that since I saw you this morning,” he whispered, just before his lips met hers again.

Penny closed her eyes, allowing the kiss to continue because it felt so good to be in his familiar embrace. More than anything, she wished things were different. That she didn’t have to hurt her best friend.

Finally he lifted his head and met Penny’s gaze. The warmth emanating from his eyes spread through her. She could clearly see the ardor and acceptance she’d always felt from him in his expression.

“I’ve always loved you.” His declaration was spoken so earnestly she had to look away. “I truly thought I’d lost you when I found out you had to marry the earl.”

Penny stepped back. Licking her lips nervously, she couldn’t meet his eyes again, keeping hers downcast while he continued speaking.

“I can’t wait ’til we’re married and I can be near you all the time. These past months seemed unendurable without you.” When she remained silent, Geoff’s demeanor stiffened. His grip on her shoulders tightened. “Pen?” When she didn’t say anything, he placed a hand under her chin, lifting it up and forcing her look at him. A confused expression slid over his face. “What’s wrong?”