Page 17

“My mother died a long time ago—within two years of the last summer we spent in Derby. She, herself, was an orphan, with no family to speak of. My father passed more recently. Like me, he was an only child and his parents died before I was born. If I do have any family”— she opened her arms wide—“their existence and whereabouts are a mystery to me.”

He leaned against the wall beside the settee, propping one booted foot behind him.

Her unwillingness to speak against her husband told him she’d loved the miscreant, regardless of his ineptitude in seeing to her welfare.

Meanwhile, Caden wanted nothing so much as to reach into the grave and punch said husband in the mouth.

“Why did you and your father never return to Derby after that last summer? ”

She lowered her head. “Mother developed a lung illness on the journey to London that last summer. When it came time for our annual exodus to the country, her illness had worsened. Father hoped if we didn’t push her, if we let her rest, her condition might improve. It didn’t.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She nodded. “After she died, father never broached the subject of Derby again. I did eventually ask him about going back. His answer didn’t surprise me. He couldn’t bare the reminder of happier times.” She paused and plucked at her skirts. “He…met someone in the latter part of his life.”

“He remarried?”

She nodded.

“And what of his new wife? Unless…did you lose them both at once?”

Abruptly she covered her face with both hands. He’d hit a nerve.

“Could we talk about something else?” Dropping her hands, she gazed at him with pleading eyes. “Tell me more about your life. You mentioned an interest in the quarry? Something to do with overseeing its production for your brother and the earl?”

Pushing for answers and dredging up her past had clearly caused her distress—and to no avail.

He was no less in the dark concerning why she felt compelled to keep her identity secret than when he first posed the question.

Applying a modicum of tact going forward wouldn’t kill him, and might garner better results.

“I contemplated overseeing it. Past tense.” He sighed.

“Somebody ought to and, if my brother's wife has anything to say about it, doubtless will. Limestone has many uses which, properly implemented, would bolster the estate’s property values as well as raise the standard of living in the surrounding communities. ”

“Many uses, you say? Besides providing the foundation for building blocks and cobblestones?”

“A plethora.”

“Such as?”

Her look of genuine interest sparked his own passion for the subject.

“There's repairing and building roads and, yes, buildings. Additionally, the lime derived, spread over depleted soil, has been shown to improve crop yields. Too, the right amount of limestone minerals added to a town’s water supply can make it more healthful for drinking. And, not to get too detailed, but used as a flux in metallurgical processes—refining, alloying, extracting metals,” he put in at her querulous expression, “it lowers the melting point, helps to purify metals, etc.”

“How extraordinary.”

“Exactly.” Unfortunately talking about the project reignited his ire toward his brother. Damn Zeke and his sanctimonious, supercilious, self-righteous attitude which had caused Caden’s own over-the-top, knee-jerk reaction.

He should be heading-up repurposing the mill in the coming months. Instead, following the Fenton’s party he was off to who-knew-where for who-knew-how-long to subsist on God-knows-what.

Weeks ago, on the cusp of their argument, cutting ties with his family had seemed like a grand idea.

And it was. He hated Zeke’s holier-than-thou condescension.

It didn’t help there was some truth to his brother’s accusations, nor did the fact his brother held himself to the meticulous standards he touted.

Zeke didn’t have an irresponsible bone in his body .

He shook off the dour thoughts and refocused on the beautiful, mysterious woman beside him. “You may recall the quarry isn’t far from the cottage your family let.”

“Yes. On the river.”

He heard the smile in her voice and felt his own mouth curve upward.

“Such enthusiasm from a man who, by his own admission, spent the last year flitting from house party to house party.”

It was as if she’d spotted his weakness and purposefully jabbed him there. “Your point?” he asked, working hard to keep his tone light.

“I’m wondering what sparked your interest?”

“Ah.” The sting from her too-keen observation faded at thoughts of his new sister-in-law. He smiled, unable to not. “I believe I’ve mentioned Lady Kitty, Zeke’s wife?”

She nodded.

“Yes, well, the lady is,” he gazed toward the plastered ceiling as he considered how to best describe her.

“…quite something. Among other things, she’s a self-appointed champion for humanity.

When she learned Zeke had been de-facto providing limestone for the royal navy’s arsenal, she commenced one of her legendary lectures on the moral degeneracy in allowing said practice to continue. ”

He stopped and narrowed his eyes on her. “You know, I think the two of you would get along. She’s another strong-willed, opinionated female.”

Both her brows shot up.

He’d meant the comparison as a compliment. Mostly.

“Her claims piqued my interest, and I did some checking. It didn’t take long to decide the lady made a fair point. ”

“Why? What did you find?”

He studied her a long moment and considered what he’d learned about how limestone had been militarized, particularly by the navy.

Greekfire used by the British navy, was an incendiary blend of chemicals, the primary being limestone, that even water wouldn’t douse.

Quicklime, a powder substance tossed on a standing army, caused blindness and burned the skin.

He shook his head. “I think it’s best I refrain from detailing the horrors of militarizing limestone.

Suffice it to say what I learned spurred me to research limestone’s alternative uses.

I planned to present my findings on the benefits of repurposing the quarry, as well as my offer to head up the the project as a kind of”—he shrugged—“wedding present for my brother and Lady Kitty.”

Deep approval glowed in her eyes. “I think that’s wonderful, Caden. May I ask what changed your mind?”

He’d happened upon Zeke and the earl’s heated discussion—about him and his apparent, derelict ways. “Turned out, he had someone more qualified in mind.”

She made a scoffing sound. “Then why hadn’t he already installed this person? In any case, it’s perfectly clear the role should go to you. Nobody could be better suited.”

He stared at her, reluctantly fascinated. “You don’t say?"

She surprised him, reaching one gloved hand to cover his. “You were born to defend innocents and right wrongs. It comes as naturally to you as breathing.” Her tilted amber eyes seemed to capture every bit of the meager wall lamps’ golden light.

“You must be confusing me with someone else.”

She shook her head. “From the moment we met, you impressed me with your gallantry. You never hesitated to do what you thought right, even when you paid a price.” A tiny smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “That’s why you made the perfect Prince Charming. ”

“Oh, is that why? And here I thought it was because you liked my kisses.” And, my God, but he wanted to kiss her just now.

She withdrew her hand and burst with laughter. “Of all the pompous—”

Her laughter proved contagious. “—You aren’t going to deny you demanded I kiss you after each and every rescue?”

Abruptly, she sobered. Her gaze lowered to his mouth. “I don’t recall. I’m sure it had nothing to do with…It was just the way the storyline went. The prince rescued his princess and, of course , bestowed a kiss.”

His body, already simmering with suppressed need, tightened with arousal. “I see. You’re sure?”

She lifted her chin. Two matching splotches of pink stained her cheeks. “Quite sure.”

“I propose an experiment.”

“What sort?” she whispered, but she raised her fingertips to her lips as if cognizant of what he intended.

Blood pounded in his ears. He was playing with fire, but couldn’t seem to make himself stop.

He locked eyes with her and wrapped one arm around her waist, drawing her close.

He cupped her nape, fixing her head at precisely the right angle for his kiss.

Her skin was cool and silky smooth beneath his fingers.

“Well, then, Princess. Shall we take this up post-rescue?"

Her magnificent eyes widened. “Post-rescue?”

“I’ve freed you from the villain and transported you to safety.” He waited several torturous seconds for her agreement—or rebuttal—tense and ravenous.

“Thank you, my prince,” she breathed, and closed her eyes .

Heart slamming against his ribs, he did not hesitate. He closed the distance between them, brushed his mouth over hers, and swallowed a groan of pure pleasure.

Her lips were soft and warm and pliant beneath his. Using the merest pressure, he tasted, savoring hints of sugar and mint and awakening feminine passion. He ached to deepen the kiss and plunder her sweet mouth, but he held back, needing a sign the same heady desire thrummed through her.

When her hands landed, feather light, on his shoulders and crept up to twine around his neck, he nearly gave in to the clamors of his body to take more. Instead, he teased her senses alive with tender kisses that strained the limits of his control.

Finally, finally she leaned closer, her hands simultaneously tugging at his neck.

He did not budge.

She pulled harder, succeeding only in drawing her torso more snugly into his.

Still he resisted her efforts—until he heard her low, barely discernible whimper of need.

His blood turned to fire in his veins. His mouth sealed over hers, his tongue sliding over the seem between her lips, seeking entrance.