Page 24 of Tempting Mr. Townsend
“And Carey?”
“He could go with you.” She paused. “Or stay with me, wherever Brand and I end up. Right now, I have no idea where that will be.”
“You're brave to the point of recklessness to offer to take him on.”
She made a dismissive murmur. “Brand would like it.”
“So would Carey, but I don't want to saddle you with my family problems. Carey's already caused a world of trouble. You must curse the name Townsend”
An enigmatic smile hovered around her full, pink mouth. Her full, pink,kissablemouth. “I certainly cursed it when a great bear of a man ripped his way into my drawing room and howled abuse.”
Heat prickled his cheeks. “I haven't apologized adequately. My behavior was unforgivable.”
The smile deepened without really taking hold. “You've grown on me since then.”
“Like mold on cheese,” he said gloomily, setting his empty glass on the spindly table at his elbow.
She laughed, as he'd intended. “More like ivy on a wall.”
It was his turn to laugh. “So will you let Brand stay here until you decide his future?”
She frowned. “I'm…I'm not sure that's a good idea.”
He jerked as if she'd struck him. She'd have hurt him less if she had. He should have expected this—after all, hadn't the differences between them been as plain as a bloody pikestaff from the start? Even so, his voice was humiliatingly rough when he spoke. “I'm sorry, my lady. I presumed where I had no right.”
Astonishment widened her eyes. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“There's no need to put your objections into words.”
“There jolly well is. What do you think I mean?”
The moment he began his awkward explanation, he realized he'd jumped to unwarranted conclusions. His uncharacteristic sensitivity was another sign of how important she was becoming. “Carey is a working man's son, whereas Brandon's blood is bluer than your bonny eyes.”
He'd glimpsed her anger before. Now it blazed like fire, fixing him in his chair as she rose, a tiny, gorgeous bundle of blistering fury. “I resent that. Carey is a fine boy, and I'm overjoyed Brandon has found a friend who is loyal, true and brave. Carey risked a lot to see Mrs. Penn, perhaps for the last time. Yet still he did it. If that's an example of a working man's son, the country needs more of them.” Her tone turned freezing. “I have my doubts about Carey's uncle, however.”
Anthony stood up and loomed over her. “Most women in your position would—”
“I'm not most women,” she said curtly, cutting him off as nobody these days dared. And bugger him if he didn't like it. “How dare you say I'm too blinded by privilege to note a man's genuine worth? And I'm not talking about how much money you've got stashed away in Child's Bank, Mr. Townsend.”
He caught her arms before he remembered he had no right to touch her. “Then what the hell did you mean when you said Brandon shouldn't stay?”
She stared up at him, eyes blue as the sky. This time, it was her turn to blush. “Don't make me explain.”
His grip tightened. “If you approve of Brandon and Carey's friendship, why shouldn't the lads stay here? I'll keep an eye on them. For God's sake, if you're unsure of my guardianship, you could stay, too. I'd certainly like that.”
With a muffled sound of frustration, she pulled free. “So would I. Can't you see that's the problem?”
Guilt stabbed him. He'd felt bad enough when he thought she scorned his humble background. This was worse. He straightened. “You're afraid I mean to act dishonorably. You have my word, Lady Deerham. You're safe under my roof.”
She exhaled with impatience. “Oh, how can a clever man be so stupid?”
“If I've made you feel uncomfortable, I can only apologize—again. I won’t bedevil you with my attentions.”
She made a nervous gesture. “I don't fear that. I'm not…averse to your attentions—and there lies my dilemma.”
His mouth gaped in shock as she flushed with embarrassment. Her slender body vibrated with tension—or was it excitement?
"What…what did you say?” he finally summoned voice to ask, while his busy mind wrestled to make sense of her astonishing confession.
