Page 26 of The Moonstone Pirate
But she had seen the truth in his eyes.
Indeed, the eyes never lied. His were the most beautiful she had ever seen.
Deandra burst into the bedchamber they were now sharing, a big smile on her face. It was shortly before supper, and they would be called down soon. “Draco’s back, Imogen. He is very handsome, don’t you think? And he likes you, I can tell. He turns soft whenever he sees you.”
Imogen laughed. “Deandra, do not push me at your cousin. He does not strike me as being shy, and he is most definitely not soft. If he is interested in me, he will let me know.”
“No, he won’t. He’s funny that way. Well, not really funny, but exceptionally cautious. Women are always chasing after him, and he will never make a move until he is completely certain he can trust you.” Deandra rolled her eyes. “That could take forever. He needs to be nudged.”
Imogen had been relaxing on her bed with sketchbook in hand, absently drawing Draco at various angles from memory. Most people had a weak side, but he did not. No matter which side of him she drew, he was handsome. Solid jaw, deep-set eyes,beautiful mouth. A sleek nose with one slight bump where it must have once been broken.
She dared not draw his body, because she would never hear the end of giggles out of Deandra. Also, Uncle Cormac would ban Draco from Westgate Hall forever if he saw how closely detailed she had memorized his muscled form.
So she kept her work safe. Not a single sketch of Draco’s body. She drew her impish cousins, and Deandra’s smiling face, and Parrot in all his big-pawed awkwardness.
She gathered up several books containing her sketches, and the two of them hurried downstairs. “Go on into the parlor, Deandra. I’m just going to drop these in Uncle Cormac’s study for now. I’ll be along in a moment.”
“All right.” Deandra skipped off.
Imogen ran into the study and immediately bumped into Draco standing just inside the door. “Whoa,” he said with a gentle laugh, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close to keep her from falling. “Where are you headed at full tilt, Butterfly?”
She smiled up at him, in no hurry to step out of the arms that now enfolded her. “I brought down some more of my work and thought to leave it here until after supper. What are you doing in my uncle’s study?”
“Your uncle sent me in here,” he said with a shrug. “I expect he wants to hear news about the investigation.”
Imogen’s eyes widened. “I would love to hear it, too.”
Draco nodded. “Perhaps after I speak to your uncle.”
She frowned. “Why would he not include the ladies? It really is not fair. Aunt Phoebe is very smart.”
“So are you,” he said most emphatically.
“Oh.” She smiled, not expecting the compliment. “Thank you.”
He cast her one of his rakish grins that simply melted her insides. “I’m not sure why he wishes to see me alone first. Perhaps it is about concerns over your safety. Men can speak more freely to each other when there are no ladies present.”
“Oh, you mean include curse words in your conversation?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Yes, among other things. You are aware by now that Driscoll and his friends are slime. They were ogling you all night, and your uncle has to be concerned about what they were thinking or if they might try something again.”
“But they must have all fled Moonstone Landing by now. Did you not release them after questioning them?”
“I did, but that was mere hours ago, and there’s nothing to stop them from returning.”
Her eyes rounded in dismay. “Do you think they would?”
“No, but the possibility has to be foremost on your uncle’s mind. He’ll have questions for me, most of them not appropriate for your innocent ears. He knows I was also worried about your safety, since I gave you Parrot for protection during yesterday’s party.”
“Ah, my valiant guard dog.” She could not contain her giggle. “Frolicking on the beach and then fetching the sticks I tossed him has completely worn him out. He curled up beside my bed right after Melrose fed him. In fact, I think he is still asleep.”
Draco smiled again, one arm still protectively around her waist as he took the books from her hands and tucked them under his free arm. “He will do his job, I promise you. You look beautiful, by the way.”
Heat shot into her cheeks. “You needn’t flatter me.”
She had worn a simple sun dress while on the beach earlier, but now had on a more formal gown, a blue muslin with a pretty lace collar and a bit of silk trim. The gown was quite finely made, since her mother only took her to the best modistes, but it would hardly be considered sophisticated by London standards.
Draco tweaked her chin. “You are terrible at accepting compliments. I’m surprised. You ought to be used to men falling at your feet.”
