Page 222 of From Rakes to Riches

“Did Evie tell you that?” He saw the confusion in her eyes and added, “Mrs. Renshaw, I mean.”

“It’s important that I understand the consequences of my thoughtless actions, which I now do. I’m so sorry.”

He could see her remorse, could feel it coming off her in waves—so much so that he was tempted to take her in his arms and console her. Which would be the worst idea in the history ofideas. “What should I do with you?” He asked that question of her as much as of himself.

“I promise I will be a model young lady going forward.”

“You think I should allow you to continue with your Season? I was of a mind to insist you wed immediately.”

She nodded. “I understand, and I will work to that end so that I am no longer a burden to you.”

He flinched. “You aren’t a burden.”

“I was today.”

He couldn’t argue with that. While he may not be ruined, she’d made his objective of finding a wife much more difficult.

“I would do anything to go back and not do what I did.”

The kiss exploded in his mind. But she likely didn’t mean that. “Go to the club?”

“Well, that too.” Faint swathes of pink swept up her cheeks. “I was referring to kissing you. I don’t know why I did that. I just felt bad, and it seemed the right thing to do.”

The right thing… How could that be possible? She was his ward, and he was responsible for her well-being, for her future.

He looked at her mouth then, at the plump curve of her lips, and recalled how she’d felt in his arms. An overwhelming urge to take her against him once more came over him. The right thing indeed. “It can’t happen again.” His voice sounded rough.

Taking a step back from her, he exhaled some of the frustration from his body. Sexual frustration, if he were honest with himself. Deciding honesty was overrated, he attributed the tension to the impact of today’s events on his marriage plans. He was running out of time.

“Go upstairs now,” he said. “And stay there until tomorrow.” He sounded autocratic and obnoxious, like his bloody father, but he needed to. However their relationship had changed today, he had to get them back to where they needed to be—he was her guardian, and she was his ward.

“I get to stay?”

“Apparently. Don’t make me regret my decision.”

“I won’t. Thank you.” She turned to go but hesitated at the door. Looking back over her shoulder, she said, “I really am sorry. If there’s anything I can do to help you, I hope you’ll let me.”

You could marry me. That would solve my problems.

The idea came from nowhere and shocked him to his core. He said nothing as Fiona left, his heart pounding at the notion that had just crept into his mind.

He was in trouble where she was concerned. Especially if he couldn’t even stop thinking of her as Fiona instead of Miss Wingate. She was his ward, not a woman he desired.

Unfortunately, she was both.

13

Mrs. Tucket yawned loudly as she rushed to put her hand in front of her mouth. “I must to bed, girls.” She started to rise from her chair in the sitting room Fiona shared with Prudence but wobbled.

Fiona jumped up from her chair and went to help Mrs. Tucket to her feet. The older woman smiled and patted her hand. “Thank you, dear.”

“You should have brought your cane.” Fiona had taken her to get one over a week ago, but Mrs. Tucket was not using it consistently.

“Bah, I haven’t got very far to go, and I’m not going up and down stairs.”

“At least let me help you to your room,” Fiona said, still holding the older woman’s arm.

“That won’t be necessary. If I can’t walk that far on my own, I’m a lost cause. You stay with Miss Lancaster.” Mrs. Tucket sent a smile toward Prudence.

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