Chapter Eight

May 23, 1817

Bromington House

Manchester Square

London

Nothing would change in life if he didn't make different decisions.

"It's perfectly acceptable to call on the lady after a kiss," he said with certain defensiveness in his voice as he stared at Matey, who lay on the bench beside him. Around noon, he had parked his curricle at the curb in front of Mrs. Bromington's townhouse, but as of yet, he hadn't gathered enough courage to alight.

Waswishing to pursue Cora a different enough decision, though?

One of the beagle's eyebrows went up as if he questioned the thin logic.

"No, I'm not desperate at all."

The dog whined and covered his eyes with a paw.

"I simply wish to see Cora, to show her that I choose her above Miss Beaufort." To be fair, he had already told the younger woman there was nothing between them—twice—so it wasn't strictly his fault she hadn't moved on with grace.

Matey huffed, clearly either unimpressed or in disbelief.

Peregrine frowned as he stared at the brick fa?ade of the building. His thoughts drifted to Hyde Park yesterday where Cora had revealed the remainder of the reason why she'd been forced to flee to the country after he'd broken their engagement. She had been with child—his child—but had ultimately lost the babe.

We could have been a family.

It had nearly shredded his heart when he'd heard that she'd gone through something so devastating alone, and that she'd hated him during that period in her life. Yes, he had shipped out for the navy, but he could have found a way to come back to her, even if it had meant certain court martial for desertion. And yes, he hadn't been ready to be a husband or father when he'd left her on the steps of the church, but that didn't mean those things frightened him now.

Yet he'd never known, had never suspected the grief Cora had been plunged into, and she'd kept the secret from everyone except for her twin. That time had passed as had the support he could have given, and the urge to court her all over again, armed with this new knowledge and greater life experience, grew ever stronger with each passing day.

He wanted what he'd taken for granted before, what he'd stupidly tossed away over three years before, and he wanted it with a ferocity that surprised him. If there was any chance at all he could win Cora's heart, he had to try, and none of that would happen by sitting in his vehicle, pondering like a coward, because he didn't wish to face the dragon guarding her.

Get off your arse, Captain, and remember the man you fought to be.

"It's time, Matey. We are going up to that door and demanding to talk with Cora, and we aren't taking ‘no' for an answer." He tugged on the lapels of his jacket. Made of gray superfine, it was subdued enough not to draw much notice but fine enough that he felt as if he could compete with much of the ton and wouldn't give Mrs. Bromington an excuse to pick him apart. His waistcoat was of sky-blue satin and a favorite, while the breeches of a lighter gray completed the aesthetic. The fact he'd dressed with care this afternoon served as testament to the fact his confidence didn't wane. "Let us not waste more time."

Now that his mind was clear regarding the subject of Cora, he wished to usher in the next part of his life with alacrity.

Gathering his daring and his courage, Peregrine brought his vehicle around to the back alley and parked it in the mews. After tossing the reins to a groom, he exited the curricle, took Matey's leather lead in hand, then he came back around the building, walked up the short pavement to the front door, and rapped with authority on that panel with his gloved knuckles.

Seconds later, the butler opened the door and frowned. "Mrs. Bromington isn't receiving visitors today."

"That is her prerogative, of course, but I am here to see Miss Hasting, and this time, I won't hear your objections or the widow's."

Matey gave a low bark of support.

One corner of Mr. Riley's mouth quirked but a grin never fully emerged. "Very well, Captain Wetherford. Follow me. I'll show you up to the drawing room."

"Thank you." Peregrine glanced at his dog, and it seemed to him the beagle grinned back.

It took next to no time to traverse the house, and soon enough, Mr. Riley announced him at the drawing room door.

"Captain Wetherford to see Miss Hasting. He was rather insistent."

Before Peregrine ever set foot in the room, he heard the grousing in the widow's voice.

"Since I'm in the mood to dress someone down, he'll do."

Peregrine exchanged a look with the butler, whose expression more or less wished him luck. Adjusting his hold on Matey's lead, he entered the room, and immediately his gaze landed on Cora, who sat on a chair with a book in her hand near to where Mrs. Bromington lounged on a sofa, a mess of crochet in her lap. "Good afternoon, ladies. Thank you for seeing me."

"As if you've given me the choice?" The older woman wore a fierce frown. "I'll tell you what I did the other day. Miss Hasting isn't for you, and she has responsibilities to me besides. Today is not one of her days off."

"Then let me talk with her for a mere half hour." Again, his notice jogged to Cora, and in a day dress of robin's egg blue, she was truly a summer vision.

Those expressive eyes of hers first registered pleasure but then quickly shuttered to reflect mild annoyance. No doubt she took exception to the interruption from Miss Beaufort yesterday. Before she could respond, the widow rushed into the silence.

"You have managed to surprise me with your tenacity, Captain." She dropped her handiwork into a basket at her side, turned on the sofa cushion so she could face him directly. Then her scowl landed on Matey, who uttered a weak growl before hiding behind Peregrine's boots. "A man who relies on a canine for his interactions in life usually doesn't have confidence to speak of."

When Cora tsked her tongue and lowered a hand, Matey shot across the room. The leather lead slipped from his fingers before he could grasp it, and seconds later, the traitorous beagle skittered to a stop at her feet, madly thumping his tail against her legs as she gave him much needed pets.

Of course, the jab from her employer was expected, so he ignored it. "I dislike leaving him at home, for he gets restless and tears into pillows and things."

"I see." Another frown, this one directed at Cora. "Don't be too used to that mongrel, girl. I won't tolerate animals in this house. My children constantly begged for a pet, but I maintained my ground. No need to invite filth."

He clenched his jaw so tightly he feared he might crack a tooth. "Matey is quite tidy." When she didn't answer, he cleared his throat. "Would you give your permission to Miss Hasting to walk with me for a bit?"

"I wonder at your motives, Captain. Oh, yes, I saw you walking with her in the park yesterday." The widow swept a victorious glance between them. "You always assume I don't know what is going on around me while I'm otherwise engaged, but I do. Besides, Miss Hasting was far too uplifted when we rode home." She shook her head. "I won't tolerate sneaking about beneath my nose."

Cora snorted. "We wouldn't need to sneak if you would let him have his way."

The widow huffed. "When you allow a man his way, you have already lost the battle, then they will proceed to ruin your life."

He resisted the urge to tug at his suddenly too tight cravat, for her words did have some validity; he'd done exactly that to Cora already. "Be that as it may, I truly mean no harm to Miss Hasting. I am trying my best to call and perhaps pay my serious addresses to her if she'll allow it."

"I don't allow it," Miss Bromington said with the thump of her cane tip on the floor.

"You are not her keeper." He couldn't keep the annoyance from his voice. The woman was most vexing. "And neither are you her parents, so begging your pardon, ma'am, but neither of us need your permission."

A show of respect went through the older woman's expression, gone at the next blink. "You think you are so sly with your pretty words and bold actions." She shook her head. "Since I'm not likely to rid myself of you easily, I'll let Miss Hasting have an hour to herself."

"Thank—"

She held up a hand, interrupting him. "On one condition."

Cora pressed her lips together, but amusement danced in her eyes as she continued to lavish his dog with attention.

"What?" he practically spit out.

"I have a handful of errands that need running. Since one of Miss Hasting's duties is just that, if you were to take the responsibility off her hands so she can spend that time with me, you will be allowed to speak with her or stroll in the square behind the townhouses."

Bloody hell.Indeed, the woman was a dragon, and a worthy opponent.

"Fine. Procure me a list of places. I'll leave Matey with Miss Hasting so you'll know I'm in earnest and will come back."

"Excellent! It seems you can be trained after all, Captain." A chuckle escaped the older woman while Cora frowned.

"You are deliberately being mean, Mrs. Bromington."

"Am I? I thought it a perfectly fine arrangement." The widow rooted about the basket, and once she tugged out a small leatherbound notebook and a pencil, she opened it to a blank page and then jotted down a few lines. "Don't dawdle. If you cannot show some efficiency in this errand, the window of time to talk with Miss Hasting will close."

"You have my word." Not about to further antagonize her, Peregrine crossed the floor and took the page she'd torn from the notebook. "And if some of these shop owners require payment?"

Mrs. Bromington shrugged. "How badly do you wish to speak privately to Miss Hasting, Captain?" Victory sparkled in her faded green eyes. She waved in dismissal. "Off you pop."

With a glance at Cora, who mouthed the words "I'm sorry" at him, he crushed the list in his fist and nodded. "I'll return in an hour."

Damn, but the woman was maddening. If this was what he had to do in order to win time with Cora, so be it, but sooner or later she would need to find her backbone and fight back against the dragon.

As he left the room, he peered at the list.

A box of candlesticks from Andressen's.

Specially ordered ladies' handkerchiefs from Furrows' Linens.

A box of French chocolates from Rogert's Confections.

Pick up a pair of half-boots that have been re-soled at Elbert's Cobbler Services.

If she assumed that he would fail, she had another thing coming. Thank goodness all the shops were within close proximity in Mayfair.

*

True to hisword, Peregrine stopped at each and every shop on Mrs. Bromington's list. At two of the shops, the widow didn't have a credit account, so he paid for the items out of his own pocket, for the goal wasn't to please the widow but to win Cora. Like Odysseus, he would happily go through a series of challenges if it would put her back in his life.

Once he arrived at the widow's townhouse, it was his turn to claim victory, for the surprise on her face to see that he'd done everything she'd asked was priceless.

"Very well." Mrs. Bromington sighed. "It seems you are more stubborn than I've given you credit for, Captain." She gestured at Cora, who was writing out a letter, apparently at the widow's dictation. "You have earned an hour of Miss Hasting's time, uninterrupted, as long as you stay close by in the event I need her."

Matey, who lay curled on a cushion on another sofa, completely ignored him.

"Do you wish to finish the letter, Mrs. Bromington?" Cora asked as she put the stopper on her inkwell.

"We can do it later. I'd much rather have the captain out of my hair." When Peregrine moved toward Matey, she shook her head. "Leave the dog. I want assurance you'll return my companion."

"You drive a hard bargain, ma'am." He tamped down on the urge to grin. The woman was a fright and a formidable opponent, but he would win this game. "Do you wish to walk a bit, or would you prefer a different activity?"

"I need to stretch my legs, and it's such a fine day, I'd hate to waste this weather." After setting down her pen, she stood, shook the wrinkles from her skirting, and then crossed the carpet to where he stood. "The square is quite lovely and lush with vegetation and trees. Truly, it's one of the best places to live in Mayfair."

The widow nodded. "My husband had an inkling when he bought this house. Best thing he ever did." Then she narrowed her gaze on him. "Don't think to seduce the girl while you're away. I'll be watching from my window upstairs with my opera glasses."

Of course she would.

By the time Cora gathered her bonnet and gloves, and they left the house through the library doors, some of the tension left Peregrine's shoulders. When he led her through that rear garden and into the square beyond, the annoyance he'd felt from the dragon's machinations faded.

"I apologize for Mrs. Bromington. She has her quirks, but I can't believe you let her manipulate you like that," Cora said as she laid a hand on his arm. "It was impressive, if stupid."

The gentle breeze brought with it the scent of growing things and a whiff of her perfume. "I'd hoped it would show I was in earnest."

Her grin was evident around the shallow brim of her bonnet. "You were that."

"Good, because I am." The parkland was indeed as lush as described. Few people strolled the area, for it was too early to be fashionable, and most people preferred to be seen on Rotten Row anyway. If members of the ton, they had no doubt only awakened for the day having been out late last night for society functions. "However, if your dragon refuses to allow you freedom, I am only too happy to fight for that."

"Why? I assumed you would have your hands full with Miss Beaufort. She has shown a remarkable penchant for clinging to you."

He couldn't determine if that was sarcasm in her voice or amusement. "I told her more firmly this time that she and I will not suit, that my interest was on someone else."

"Oh?" When she glanced at him, surprise reflected in her eyes. "What did she say?"

"She was hurt, but I believe she finally took the hint." He blew out a breath. "If I were a devious man, I would send her in the direction of Viscount Maubrey, but not even he deserves her. Perhaps there is a man closer to her age that will appreciate her… enthusiasm."

"Why did you ever show interest in her to begin with?"

"As I said, I was tired of being by myself, and I was ready to marry, thought choosing someone young would be more apt to accept me and my flaws." Clearly, that had been flawed thinking.

"Yet she didn't. I wanted to pitch her into the brook yesterday for the slight she uttered about your looks." Her fingers tightened on his arm. "Don't accept anything less than the best for yourself."

"I'm not, which is why I would like to court you again." It was better to be forthright and tell her the truth. "If you would allow it, and hopefully get you away from that horrible widow turned dragon."

She uttered an unladylike snort. "That largely depends."

"On?" Anticipation buzzed at the base of his spine.

"On whether you can improve upon the kiss you stole yesterday. If I'm to allow you back into my life on any sort of regular basis, I want to know you will be able to meet all my needs."

"Oh?" Why had he suddenly been reduced to one-word replies?

"Neither of us are growing any younger, and beyond wishing to feel pleasure, I don't know that I have the strength to see you leave again if something better comes along." Her eyes bored into his. "If I agree to a courtship, I want your unerring promise." Then she pulled him behind a grouping of trees and shrubberies that would keep them halfway hidden. "What have you to say to that?"

"I will not hurt you again. That was a mistake of my past, and I have changed as a man." When she didn't appear convinced, he offered a grin. "Perhaps this will help." He cupped her cheek while wishing fervently he wasn't wearing gloves so he could feel her skin. "Believe me when I say I missed you while I was away."

"Show me, then. Words are useless, as you've already demonstrated."

Bloody hell, had it been his fault she'd grown into this practical, slightly mistrustful woman who spoke her mind? "Gladly." Peregrine dipped his head and kissed one corner of her mouth, for it simply wouldn't do to kiss her in a frenzy when he wished to be a gentleman. When she murmured a sound of acceptance, he did the same to the other corner.

For long moments, Cora rested her hands on his chest. "Lovely, of course, but I need something more exciting before I decide." She held his gaze, searching for God only knew what, then she lifted onto her toes and pressed her mouth to his.

The sensation of falling assailed him, for it was as if the angels themselves had granted permission for him to proceed. With a growl, he took her more firmly into his embrace and set out to rediscover every secret of her lips. Over and over, he drank from her as if she held the last drink of water, and it was as if someone had dropped a match to dry tender. As he sought to deepen the embrace, one of her hands curled about his nape while she looped her other arm about his shoulders in an effort to apparently hold him close. He didn't mind, for that only pressed her body into his, and her breasts felt all too lovely crushed against his chest.

It had been quite some time since he'd let passion carry him away, but kissing this woman, knowing they shared history together, had lost something precious together, tangling his tongue with hers with nothing but raw heat and desire behind it, was beyond amazing.

And he couldn't have enough of her.

"Ah, Cora…" When he pulled slightly away, she offered a protest, he tugged her deeper into the lush foliage, turned them about, and then pushed her back against the wide trunk of an oak tree. "Would that we could erase the past few years." The whisper blended in with the bird song and other animal sounds coming from the trees.

"But we can't, and we are both changed besides. Going into this with our eyes wide open." She grazed her teeth beneath his jaw, and that exploration, that teasing sent heat licking through his blood as if she'd set fire to it.

"Perhaps the second time 'round will be better." Again, he claimed her mouth and this time it was with a series of insistent, hard kisses that would tell her in no uncertain terms how much he wanted her, wanted that new chance. As she returned those kisses, he explored her body, slid his hands up and down her sides, traced her ribcage, eased one down to squeeze one soft arse cheek. A squeal sounded against his lips, and he grinned. "I adore these curves." Pulling slightly away, he took precious seconds to yank off his gloves, toss them to the ground, but he quickly returned to kissing her and this time, he cupped one of her breasts. The thin muslin of her dress was a mere wisp of a barrier, and he was a man determined to give her the pleasure she'd alluded to. As her nipple hardened when he brushed the pad of his thumbs over it, a moan escaped her.

"Oh!" She broke the kiss to peer up into his face. "I have missed that feeling…" Those words trailed off as he urged down the plain bodice and freed her breasts from the dress. Today, she hadn't worn stays, no doubt thinking she wouldn't see anyone, and it took very little time to ease the lawn of her chemise away from those quivering mounds.

"As have I." With memories of the one time he'd seen her naked years ago dancing through his mind, Peregrine took her breasts in his hands, and they filled his palms perfectly. Needing to taste them, he lowered his head and took a pebbled tip into his mouth.

"Perry, yes!" She hissed in a breath, but when he manipulated that bud with his tongue and lips, another moan escaped her throat. "More." Her responses were much different now than they'd been when he'd stolen her innocence, and they fired his imagination as well as his desire.

With need shuddering along his stiffening shaft, her fingers dug into his shoulders. She moved her body, brushed her breasts against his jacket, so he moved his attention to her other one. When that elicited the same response, he grinned against her skin and started the cycle all over again while his length pulsed with anticipation.

"I want you." While he caressed her breast, he kissed her and let the other hand wander. Digging through layers of fabric, he encouraged one of her legs upward until it rested at his hip, and holding her between his chest and the tree, he put his hand between her silky thighs. "God help me, I want you so damned much." As soon as he glided his fingers along the soft, heated skin at her center, she trembled.

"Touch me, send me flying." The fingers of one hand curled into his lapel. "I need that release."

"That is my current endeavor." Dear God, she was heat and fire. He dipped his head, suckled one of her turgid nipples while rubbing his fingers over the swollen bud, daring to dip a finger into the honeyed heat of her. "I dreamed of this those years at sea, of you."

A blush stained her cheeks while her dark blonde lashes formed perfect arcs against that skin as her eyes shuddered closed. "I forgot how freeing this is, how empowering."

"A pox on your dragon. Let her watch as I claim you, for we were meant to be together, Cora. I firmly believe that." And he thrust another finger into her passage, priming her while he worried her button with his thumb.

"Oh, God." She groaned, and it didn't sound pleasurable at all. "I'd forgotten about her and her dratted lorgnette." With a light nip to his bottom lip, she planted her palms against his chest and pushed him away. Immediately their connection broke and her skirting fell back into place. "Trust me when I tell you she is no doubt watching. She spies on everyone in this square, knows exactly what they're doing and where they're going." As she spoke, Cora tugged her bodice back into place. "I must go. She'll need me to settle her for her nap, besides."

"Damn." His shaft pulsed with need against the front of his breeches. "You will sacrifice our hard-won time together in the face of her ire? She's a sour puss about everything." If he was more annoyed than usual, he had ever right.

"I know." Regret shadowed her eyes. "I know! But I still have a living to get, and I can't jeopardize that, not even for you."

When she would have pushed past him, he caught her hand. "I'll escort you back, for I need to retrieve Matey, but does this mean you agree to a courtship?"

Pain lined her face, which quickly changed into sadness. "I don't know. It will cause far too much friction between you and Mrs. Bromington."

"I shall handle the dragon, especially if it means winning you." He wasn't about to let the matter rest, for there had been far too much attraction and desire crackling between them to forget it altogether, and until he'd cleared her from his blood, something needed to be done. "I want to see you again, and soon."

Her nod was curt. "My next day off is Sunday, in two days. Come then. Mrs. Bromington attends church and then spends the remainder of the day visiting friends or entertaining them at home. We can go… somewhere if the day is fine."

It was better than nothing. "Do you promise to give me your answer at that time?"

"Yes." Her expression softened. "I'm sorry, Perry. I don't play games with men; there are many things in my life that I feel bound by, and if one goes bad, it's not just my life that is destroyed."

"I understand, but know this, I will prevail, and if I must continue to fight the dragon to show you my resolve, I will do it until my strength gives out or hers does."

She didn't answer, but there was a soft smile curving her lips as they slowly walked back to the house.