Jason lifted his fist, ready to knock on Penelope's door. But then he hesitated. He strained to hear movement on the other side, but there was only silence. He must look ridiculous standing there alone in the hall, his golden blond hair raked through and sticking out on ends. He knew the hour was late. Perhaps she was asleep already.
He turned on his heel and started for the stairs. Hardly in the mood for bed, he decided a stiff drink was in order.
***
Having taken a second bath that night, Alex rubbed the towel vigorously over his naked body. He entered the bedroom and smelled the faint musk of his and Emma's lovemaking. It clung to the sheets of his bed and he turned away from it. It was too much a reminder of what they shared earlier.
He tossed the towel and reached for his breeches and a shirt. He couldn't stay here, while the smell of her lingered in the air and on his pillow.
She refused him. He couldn't believe she actually refused to accept him. What young woman of good breeding would refuse a marriage proposal? He was an Earl, for god's sake.
But then, Emma was just the sort of person to defy convention. After all, hadn't she met him halfway instead of shying away from his advances? Alex shook his head. He couldn't understand her.
His shirt unmade, Alex slipped on boots and left the room.
He had to consider the fact that she came to him untouched. He refused to believe she would be this wanton with other men. Perhaps she really was convinced he would continue his philandering after marriage. Damn it, he'd make her his wife one way or another.
Alex knew Jason kept bottles of liquor in his study and headed there. He didn't even bother to grab a candle for light, choosing to lose himself in the darkness. The study was silent and adjusting his eyes to the night with only moonlight from the windows, he searched the wall for a drink.
"It's to your left on the counter there." Alex turned. Jason was sitting in one of the chairs near the window, a glass in his own hand. Alex poured himself a healthy portion of brandy and joined his host.
"Can't sleep." Alex murmured as he slumped into the high-backed leather chair.
Jason merely grunted and took a large gulp from his glass. For a while, they drank in silence. The room was cold, but it didn't matter as they had the warmth of their drink. Alex found himself staring through the window, thinking of Emma again. The familiar ache was back and he rubbed his chest.
"I've been watching you, Whit." Jason said, breaking Alex's thoughts. Alex looked up and lifted an eyebrow in question. "You may be one of my best friends, but I won't tolerate you breaking Emma's heart. She's like a sister to me."
Alex smirked and slumped further into the chair. "More like she'll break mine." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"Has the Earl of Whittenhall gone and fallen in love?"
Alex scowled. "I'm obsessed. There's a difference, Fords."
"She's confident, I'll give her that. But Emma is young. She thinks she can act as women twice her age can and not get hurt."
Alex frowned deeply. "You're determined to paint me the worst sort."
"You are the worst sort, Whit." Jason said, though there was no heat in his words. "That's why I'm watching you. If you've bedded her – " Alex cleared his throat, shirting in his seat.
"Damn it, Whit. She's an innocent."
"Did you expect that to stop me?" A semblance of his former attitude weighed in that sentence, but then the feeling was gone as fast as it came. He took another gulp of his drink. "I asked her to marry me."
"And?"
"She'll be my countess one way or another."
Jason let out a dry laugh. "Brava, Emma. All the women of London would wish herself in her position, yet she refused you. Lost your touch there?"
"We're on the same boat, Fords. You wouldn't be down here if it weren't for problems with the missus."
"Penelope's is just...adjusting."
"For God's sake, man, the answer is simple. Take her to bed. Women are always more compliant after sex."
"I have my own methods, thank you." Was Jason's wry comment.
"Suit yourself. But trust me on this. Seduce her. She'll melt in your arms faster than poetry ever could. I know."
"Yes, you could lecture on it."
There it was again, that ache in his heart. Alex murmured, "That's what Emma said to me." He stood up and clinked his half-empty glass with Jason's, before downing the rest of the liquid. "Cheers, mate. To the Kingsley women."
***
Two evenings later brought Penny to the front of Jason's door. She stood there for a long moment in her robe and nightgown, the letter clutched in her hand, unable to gather enough courage to knock. But a slight sound in the hall made her jump and she turned the doorknob and slipped in for fear of someone catching her.
The room was dark except for the blazing fire across the room. Her eyes flew to the still figure on the bed. Jason was fast asleep, though it looked fitful as the sheets around his bare waist were tangled and falling off the bed.
He slept on his back, his hair in disarray on the white of his pillow. The gentle rising of his chest fascinated her and she felt the need to just run her hand over him, to feel his chest move beneath her touch.
She must have made a sound, for Jason began to stir. Penny stood frozen.
Jason sat up, his eyes focusing on nothing particular until he saw Penelope standing at the door. He frowned.
"Penelope, what are you doing here?"
"I...I read the letter."
His face appeared slightly flushed, and glanced at her. "I see."
"Why didn't you ever send it to me?"
He shrugged. "It was a long time ago."
She forced her legs to carry her further into the room, until she stood at the foot of the bed. She tossed the letter onto the sheets. Jason stared at it and then leaned against the headboard.
"Why did you give it to me?"
