Passions of a Gentleman (Gentlemen of Honor #3) - Rose Gordon Page 0,43

is who she chose: Giles. Just the same as Mother and Father. It’s not that I wish him ill… I just—” He exhaled a shaky breath. “I don’t know. I just hate how he came to London after all of these years and stole everything from me.”

Rae pulled her hand from his and looped her arms around his neck, pulling his head close to hers. The promise that Giles could never steal her from Simon was on the tip of her tongue, where it died. She wasn’t Simon’s. For as much as she might long to be, he didn’t see her that way.

“Now that we’ve each revealed our deepest secrets to each other, shall we go back to the fair?”

“Must we?” She could think of a thousand other places she’d rather be.

“We must if your heart is still set on a lemon ice.”

“And if I’ve set my heart on something else?”

16

For as much as Simon hoped she meant those words to mean she was in love with him, the last shred of logic he still possessed told him to back away. She was hurting and vulnerable right now and as much as he might hate to say it, so was he.

“Well, my dear, Miss Hughes, if your current heart’s desire is for solilemmes, I spotted a vendor just south of the bakery where we ate cake the other day.”

“Solilemmes?” Her face lit. “I’ve only had a bite of one once.”

“Let’s go back to the, fair and you can have a bite of as many as you want,” he said, helping her to her feet. He offered her his arm, noticing the cold hesitation that had come over her face. “It’ll be all right. I won’t leave your side.”

“But what if Mr. Fisher…”

“Then I’ll knock out all of his remaining teeth with my fist,” Simon finished.

Rae dropped her head into her hands. “I stooped very low, didn’t I?”

Going against his better judgment yet again, Simon reached for her hand. “We’ve all resorted to the unimaginable when it comes to wanting to feel loved.” He forced a smile. “Please, don’t make me remind you of Lady Belgrave and the soon-to-be Lady Norcourt again.”

Taking his lead, she started walking with him on the path back to town. “Is it safe to assume the words mister and Fisher will never pass your lips ever again?”

They reached a fallen log and Simon helped her over. “Unless I am called before the magistrate to explain why he was left battered and bruised,” he continued. “I shall never mention him again.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“He should be the one hoping.” He reached forward and moved a branch out of the way for her. “But I have a feeling we won’t be hearing much from him again.”

“You haven’t already left him battered and bruised, have you?”

“You don’t think it’s for the solilemmes that I want to go back to the village, do you?”

“It’s not?” she asked, feigning shock.

“No.” He squared his shoulders, puffed out his chest, and lifted his chin a notch. “It’s to receive a hero’s welcome.”

Rae’s infectious laughter filled the air. “You’re incorrigible.”

“You know you like it.”

He wasn’t wrong, drat him. She did like it. His humor was almost as addicting as was his embrace.

Companionable silence engulfed them as they walked back to the village, and Simon led her to the solilemmes vendor. “We’ll take two,” he told the man, reaching into his pocket.

The vendor poked two plump rolls and extended them toward Simon who gave him a few coins then took the rolls. He handed one to Rae.

Immediately, she sank her teeth into that dense cake of yeast and creamy goodness.

“Is it as good as you remembered?” Simon asked.

“Better,” she said, savoring her bite.

Simon held up his sweet roll. “Good because this one is for you, too.” He winked. “No protests.”

“And if I do?”

He bent his head, bringing his lips next to hear ear. “Then I’ll feed it to you. Bite by bite.”

“For some reason I think the rake in you would enjoy that.”

“There you two are!” Lucas hollered, running over to them. “Peter said you were going to shoot someone with a bow and arrow!”

“Only Mr. Fisher,” Rae blurted, making the trio laugh.

“I’d gladly pay Peter two hundred pounds if you do,” Simon said.

Rae appreciated his generosity. “No, I believe the bet was that I wouldn’t hit anyone and if you and Peter would still like me to prove my skills, I will.” She stuffed another bite of her bun in her