Page 19 of Redemption

“When your aunt told me where you were, I decided I’d have to call on you as soon as I arrived in town.” His words made Rhea’s heart skip a beat. She’d been right to think he would call at Green Hill House after the Melton Park affair.

In the light of day, he seemed even taller than she remembered. A knot formed in her throat the instant her gaze focused on his mouth. The memory of his kiss sent her heart skittering out of control. Almost as if he could read her mind, an unreadable emotion darkened his brown eyes. His gaze narrowed as he studied her with an intensity that only heightened the unexpected excitement suddenly streaking through her.

Amusement curved Percy’s mouth upward slightly, and she swallowed hard as his smile broadened. He wore the expression of a man accustomed to convincing others to do his bidding before they realized what had happened. She refused to be one of those people. But Rhea was forced to admit that she could easily succumb to his persuasive manner if she didn’t take care. With his height and penetrating gaze, the man projected a powerful strength that was as comforting as it was intimidating.

The instant Rhea placed her hands in his, an electric shock of awareness made every inch of her tingle. Shaken by her reaction, she drew in a sharp breath. Rhea tried to draw her hands free from his, but Percy tightened his grip. He bent his head to kiss her cheek as one might an old friend, and she barely managed to suppress the tremor threatening to sail through her.

“I can easily forgive your efforts to avoid me, when your sweet lips utter such a warm welcome,” he murmured for her ears alone.

The sinfully husky note in his voice caused a vibration of something hot and enticing to slide across her skin. As he drew back from her, heat flushed her cheeks at the laughter she saw dancing in his eyes. It reminded her of the warmth and comfort of his embrace when he’d reassured her that he had no intention of turning her over to Scotland Yard. Flustered and fighting to control the sensations engulfing her, Rhea choked out a laugh.

“I’m glad you came. I’m having difficulty convincing Arianna that you’re no longer put out with either of us. You must reassure her.”

She bit down on her bottom lip as she heard how breathless she sounded. Percy studied her for a moment longer then slowly released her hands. His strong fingers gently gripping her elbow, he escorted her across the room to where Arianna stood. With a smile, he nodded at Rhea’s sister as Arianna offered her hand to him.

“What Rhea says is true, my lady,” he said quietly and kissed Arianna’s hand. “I’m happy to say that all is well between us.”

“I’m happy and relieved to hear you say so, Mr. Rockwood. I’m very pleased that we can put the past behind us.” At Arianna’s soft greeting, Percy smiled reassuringly at her sister, and Rhea saw her sister’s anxiety ease slightly.

“As am I, my lady. My friendship with your husband would be in jeopardy if I allowed any discord to continue between us.”

“Have you met Colonel Dewhurst?” Arianna gestured toward the other man in the room.

“I have. Dewhurst and I met at a museum benefit several months ago.” Percy turned toward the man and nodded a polite greeting. Although his tone was pleasant, something about his manner made Rhea think he was far from happy to see the colonel. “His contributions to the Egyptian wing had just been put on display.”

“After a rather lengthy and arduous authentication process,” the colonel said with restrained acrimony as he rose from his seat and shook hands with Percy.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Percy murmured politely, but his manner indicated he was far from sympathetic.

“As was I,” Dewhurst said with a distinct note of pique. “It seems there were questions as to the validity of my ownership.”

“Whatever the questions, the artifacts are now on display for others to enjoy,” Percy said with a small smile.

An awkward silence filled the air for a brief moment. In an effort to ease the tension that had taken root in the morning room, Arianna encouraged the two men to sit down.

Rhea returned to her seat next to her sister, and she darted a look in Percy’s direction. He was watching her intently, and it was impossible to read the emotion she saw glittering in his eyes. In his chair a few feet away, Colonel Dewhurst cleared his throat.

“And how do you know these lovely ladies, Rockwood?” Dewhurst smiled warmly at Arianna and Rhea.

“Lady Sherrington’s husband and I have been friends since our days at Radley.” Percy turned his head toward the colonel, his tone nonchalant. “Rhea and I have known each other slightly longer than my acquaintance with Lady Sherrington.”

Percy leaned back in his chair in a relaxed manner, projecting the image of a man completely at ease. But Rhea could see the tension in his body. She was certain he wasn’t happy to find the colonel here. Almost as if sensing her gaze on him, Percy turned to look at her with a wicked gleam in his eyes, while out of the corner of her eye, Rhea saw Dewhurst’s expression darken.

“Then you’re more fortunate a man than I,” the colonel said with a warm smile in Rhea’s direction.

“Quite fortunate, I can assure you.”

Percy’s response implied his relationship with her was something far more personal than the troubled history they shared. Percy’s gaze swung to her, and the wicked glint in his eyes slowly darkened. Immediately, her mouth went dry at the seductive gleam in his dark brown eyes. A taut web of tension hovered between them as everything in the room faded away and only Percy filled her senses. It was an unsettling sensation, and when the corners of his mouth tipped upward slightly, a slow fire rose to heat the skin beneath her cheeks. Her gaze flitted back to Colonel Dewhurst to see him watching her and Percy with suspicion. Her cheeks still burning, Rhea darted a glance at her sister who was staring at her with barely disguised horror.

“You mustn’t let Percy mislead you. I’m certain he’s found me to be little more than a thorn in his side for most of our…friendship.” Rhea prayed the breathless note in her voice would go unnoticed, but one look at Percy’s face said it had been quite noticeable.

“Despite Rhea’s somewhat obstinate nature, colonel,” Percy said as he held her gaze. “I can say without a doubt that our friendship, as she refers to it, has been a delight.”

Flustered by Percy’s words, she jerked her gaze back to the colonel who was clearly disappointed at the implications Percy had made. Eager to end the awkward moment, Rhea smiled at the man and immediately sensed Percy’s displeasure. The fact that she knew he was unhappy about her conciliatory manner with the colonel startled her. Even more surprising was the small part of her that took pleasure in knowing he didn’t like her attention being focused on Dewhurst. At the almost hopeful look on the man’s face, she took pity on him.

“Colonel Dewhurst saved me from injury last night, Percy. If not for him, I would have fallen and quite possibly been trampled by the theater crowd. He was quite gallant in coming to my rescue.” She smiled warmly at the colonel.

“Then I am in his debt for rescuing you,” Percy said with a condescending smile in the colonel’s direction. “Not only for his efforts in keeping you safe from harm, but for ensuring that our afternoon plans to visit the orphanage and have lunch with my sister need not be postponed.”