20. Consoling a Man in Love
CHAPTER 20
CONSOLING A MAN IN LOVE
A moment later
Randy wasn’t sure why he thought anyone but Marcus Henley was about to join them on the roof, but he still experienced a moment of relief at seeing his friend rather than a servant appear. The manner in which the young man had burst through the door and stalked in his direction had him on guard, though.
“Ah, Marcus,” he said, hoping Marcus didn’t notice his sister lying nearby wearing only a nightrail. He certainly hadn’t when he first stepped onto the roof, his eyes needing time to adjust to the darkness. A quick glance in her direction showed she was lying down, her hands clasped atop her waist, her attention on the skies above.
“Oh, good. You’re still here,” Marcus said as he joined him at the table. He took a seat. “Our butler wasn’t sure if you were up here. Damnation, but it’s dark.”
Randy chuckled, glad when Marcus leaned back to stare up at the sky. He had half-expected him to notice Diana, but she was to his back now. As long as he didn’t turn around, he wouldn’t know she was there.
Apparently Diana had come to the same conclusion, for she had quietly stood from the pallet and was making her way toward the door. Randy might not have noticed her but for the white fabric of her gown appearing almost ghostly, a slight breeze causing it to hug her body so that every curve was outlined against the darkness.
He had to suppress the urge to groan in frustration, his cock once again hardening. He was sure she noticed him watching, for she paused and seemed to stare at him before she slipped into the opening and disappeared.
Relieved her older brother hadn’t noticed her departure—his eyes were probably still adjusting to the dark while the sound of the wind through some nearby trees was providing even more cover—Randy glanced up to discover Marcus still staring at the void. “Do I dare ask about your day with Miss Jane?” he ventured.
“You haven’t spoken with your cousin?” The words sounded clipped but not angry.
“He wasn’t at dinner this evening,” Randy replied. “Which is why I came straight here.” It wasn’t the only reason, but Marcus didn’t need to know he had developed a fondness for his sister and wished for her to join them on their trip to Cape Sounion.
More than a fondness, really. Beneath his obvious lust for her—did the woman realize how her choice of work clothing had him imagining all sorts of inappropriate scenarios they could be doing whilst she searched for evidence of Pausanias?—he had come to appreciate her determination to solve a puzzle. He found he wanted to be with her when she did. Surely she would display a happy countenance. Perhaps seriously consider his suggestion she take a lover.
“I may have ruined my chances with Miss Jane,” Marcus murmured. He set a decanter and two glasses on the small table before he took a seat.
Not having noticed his host had brought the liquor and glasses with him, Randy straightened in alarm. “How?”
Marcus poured a generous amount of tsipouro into each glass. “I nearly punched Penton in the nose.”
Randy swallowed. “But you didn’t.”
“I missed.”
Randy’s blink went unseen in the darkness. “Because…?”
“Because that damned coward ducked,” Marcus complained on a sigh.
“Did he take a swing at you ?” For a moment, Randy wondered why neither his aunt nor his uncle had mentioned the incident over dinner.
“Antonio caught us before he could. Miss Jane was directly behind him, though. I think she may have… paid witness to my failed attempt at pugilism. I’m not sure.”
For a moment, Randy bristled at the thought of Marcus doing violence upon David. His cousin was an amiable young man, friendly with everyone. He couldn’t imagine David doing—or saying—anything that would incense Marcus enough to have him punching him in the nose. “Did it happen in the caves?”
Marcus nodded before taking a huge sip from the glass. He reared back in his chair and coughed several times. “Damnation.” The word came out sounding at least an octave higher than his usual voice.
Randy took an experimental sip. “It’s not ouzo, if that’s what you were expecting,” he warned.
“I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s mostly alcohol,” Marcus murmured, attempting to clear his throat before he took another sip, this one smaller.
“Did she say something? Scold you?” Randy pressed. He groaned when he realized what Miss Jane might have done if she thought Marcus a brute. If Marcus had punched David, Randy could just imagine her rushing to David’s side to determine if he was hurt. David wouldn’t say anything to dissuade her from showering her attentions on him, either. He would simply accept her concern and grin at her with his moon eyes.
For someone so young, he certainly knew how to make the young ladies swoon.
“She didn’t, but…” Marcus winced. “I’m sure I saw censure in her eyes when she glanced in my direction. I tried to pretend like we were simply horsing around, but I’m not sure if my ploy worked or not.”
“Did you all dine together this evening?”
Marcus drained his glass and refilled it. “We did, although I cannot say it was an appropriate place for a young lady to be.”
Randy gave a start. “Where did you take her?” he asked, pretending ignorance. He remembered Barbara’s query about a taverna . Her concern that it would be suitable for a young lady.
“ We were all at the taverna ,” Marcus replied. “David invited us, but it was her brother’s idea to go there. He has traveled a great deal and seems comfortable in such a place.”
“Were there other women there?”
Marcus blinked. “Some locals, I think. An older woman waited on us.”
“Then she was fine to be there with… what? Three of you?”
Marcus nodded.
“And?” Randy prompted.
“Well, she didn’t say much. Listened mostly.”
“Did you ask her any questions?”
For a moment, Marcus seemed flummoxed. “Oh, I asked if she found the climb to the caves to be too arduous.”
“And?”
Marcus sighed. “She said, uh, ‘Not at all. It was quite a pleasant excursion’,” he recited from memory.
“Did you ask if she found the caves interesting? Or if she had a favorite from that day’s events?”
“Uh, no. We mostly talked about London. About the next Season and Antonio’s plans. And mine. I’m hoping I can convince my father I’m ready to take on the Henley viscountcy.”
Resisting the urge to throttle his second cousin—did the man know nothing of speaking to members of the opposite sex?—Randy sighed. “Did you make plans to see her before she leaves for Spain?”
Here Marcus straightened. “Her brother wants to take her to the Temple of Poseidon the day after tomorrow.”
Randy blinked at hearing the comment. Given his uncle’s plan for them to do the same thing—on the same day—he had to think Will and Antonio had discussed it.
“You’ll go with them, of course,” Randy stated.
Marcus furrowed his brows, as if he hadn’t considered the possibility. “What? Invite myself?”
For a moment Randy considered how the heir to the Henley viscountcy might arrange to join the Fitzsimmonses on their journey. Cape Sounion was nearly fifty miles to the south. An overnight stay would be required. “You could offer to make the arrangements for their accommodations. Find them suitable transportation,” he suggested. “Offer to bring a basket of food and some wine for the trip there.”
“I haven’t been here long enough to know how to do all that,” Marcus argued.
“You have servants,” Randy argued. “You can speak their language, as can your sister.”
Despite the dark, he could see Marcus’ eyes widen with excitement. “Damnation. You’re right.” He drained his glass of tsipouro and slammed it onto the tabletop. “I’ll send word to their hotel first thing in the morning. I’ll tell them... tell them that my sister and I are making the trek and ask if they might wish to join us.”
At the mention of Diana, Randy straightened in his chair. “That’s a capital idea,” he replied.
So capital in fact, he wondered how he might arrange for Barbara to invite Diana before Marcus informed her of his plans. Then she could ride in their carriage.
He briefly thought of Miss Jane. Would it be awkward for her to ride with Antonio and Marcus? The young lady seemed fine when she was with her brother, so perhaps she wouldn’t miss the presence of another female.
Randy knew he would appreciate Diana’s company, especially if they could discuss Pausanias’ writings about the temple whilst on their way.
He really hoped he could convince Barbara to make the invitation. Although it might not matter in which coach they rode, it would matter with whom.