Page 53 of Dare to Risk it All

Greer smiled, her eyes twinkling. “I know the stories. I’ve read most of them.”

He let out a huff of laughter that was not the least bit amused. The idea of her having read about his past, in all its lurid detail, nauseated him. “They’re likely true.”

She nodded, watching him. “I know.”

“Doesn’t that—” Raphe hesitated, wondering if he really wanted to ask, for the answer might be too hard to endure. “Doesn’t that disgust you?”

He waited, his heart pounding sickly as her green gaze held his, seeing him as no one had ever seen him before.

“Nothing about you disgusts me. If you found solace with those women, then I am glad of it. I think you have been too alone for too long, but you need not be alone anymore, Raphe. You have me now, and a family that wants to love you as their own. Your brothers have become fine men, and you’ve been as much a father as a brother to them. You did that. I’m proud of you. I will be proud to call you my husband, and the Mrs Fishers of the world had better mind their tongues. Mama wanted to do battle on your behalf, did you see?”

Raphe tried to answer, but his throat was inexplicably tight, so he nodded instead.

Greer looked around them and, on discovering they were alone, tugged at his lapels until he lowered his head. She pressed a swift, soft kiss to his mouth and his heart soared.

“I can’t do anything about those old stories. People will talk and the talk will embarrass you,” he said, beset by too many conflicting emotions.

“No, it won’t,” Greer said, laughing. “Truly, Raphe, I really don’t think you understand what manner of family you’ve married into. I keep telling you, but you don’t seem to listen. We’re not good ton. We’re as likely to embarrass you, I swear. Goodness, Mama is bound to,” she added with disarming frankness.

“Never,” he said, wanting to haul her into his arms and kiss her senseless, right there in a public place, but he’d treat her like a lady, like she deserved to be treated. “And I’ll never shame you again. I’ll behave, Greer, I promise.”

Greer gave him an odd, disgruntled look. “Not too much, I hope,” she retorted, and tugged him outside.

They found everyone waiting for them and Arabella questioning an increasingly uncomfortable Bainbridge who was shifting from foot to foot, eyeing his wife warily.

“Tell me,” Arabella insisted, folding her arms. “What was it Mrs Fisher did at that dinner party last year?”

“Bella,” Bainbridge protested weakly.

“Don’t Bella me, I want to know. It was with you, wasn’t it?” Arabella’s intent gaze skewered Bainbridge and, to Raphe’s astonishment, twin flags of colour crested his cheeks.

“I knew it!” Arabella said triumphantly. “Oh, Laurie, don’t be coy. It was before we married, so I won’t scold you.”

Bainbridge snorted with indignation and shook his head. “Do I look that stupid?” he demanded, before adding hastily, “Don’t answer that.”

“She tried to seduce him, and she wasn’t subtle about it. Hands all over him, grabbing him under the table,” Dare said, shrugging as Bainbridge sent him a glare of pure outrage. “What? I never said she succeeded.”

Arabella watched her husband with curiosity. “You didn’t! Not with that awful woman?”

“No!” Bainbridge retorted, looking revolted by the idea. “What do you take me for?”

Arabella let out a sigh and took his hand. “No, of course not. How dreadful of me to think so. I apologise, darling.” She watched him a moment longer. “Was she very persistent?”

“Yes,” Bainbridge said darkly.

“Horrid creature,” Arabella said with a shudder, lifting her husband’s hand to her lips. “Poor lamb. I never thought of it before, but it must be difficult for men to deal with such unwanted advances too.”

Bainbridge eyed her suspiciously for a moment, as if it were a trap. Satisfied she was sincere, he nodded. “I hurt her pride. She turned on me like a scalded cat.”

“Oh, darling,” Arabella said, so much feeling behind the word that Bainbridge leaned into her, dropping his head. Arabella reached up and petted him as if he were a great friendly lion and Raphe smiled, amused by how docile his rambunctious friend had become.

The carriages arrived and Raphe helped Greer inside, regretting his earlier decision to ride and wishing he could sit beside her for the return journey. Going by the lingering look Bainbridge sent his wife before he closed their carriage door, he felt the same.

The two men exchanged a rueful smile and went off to collect their horses.

Chapter 14

Monsieur Le Comte,