The Irresistible Rogue (Playful Brides #4)(13)

Rafe cleared his throat. “She, uh, did mention that she’d tell Donald that we—”

Swifdon raised a hand to stop him. “I feel a bit sorry for you, Cavendish. When Daphne wants something, she gets it.”

“Yes, my lord. I’ve learned as much.”

“And now she wants an annulment.”

“Yes.”

“But you refuse to give it to her.”

“Not at all. I need her help again and getting the annulment afterward makes more sense.”

Swifdon narrowed his eyes on Rafe and pushed back in his large leather chair. “And ensures that she will agree to help you?”

“That, too,” Rafe admitted.

“Does Daphne want to help you?” Swifdon asked.

“She says as much.”

“That sounds like Daphne.” Swifdon nodded. “Is she still angry with you?”

“She wouldn’t hear me out earlier when I tried to explain why I wouldn’t grant the annulment right away. And she’s worried that I may ruin her potential engagement to Fitzwell.”

Swifdon shook his head. “Fitzwell seems like a decent enough chap and Daphne appears to have made up her mind about him.”

Rafe inclined his head toward the earl. “I hate to point it out, but given the circumstances, such a marriage would hardly be legal.”

Swifdon grinned at him. “Ha. You’re right, Cavendish. And I obviously cannot allow her to become engaged knowing she is legally bound to you, but if I know Daphne, she’ll marry Fitzwell one way or another. Regardless, I’m willing to allow her to accompany you and see to the annulment immediately after.”

Rafe shifted on his feet. “But?”

“But what?”

Rafe coughed lightly into his hand. “With all due respect, my lord, what are the conditions? I know your family well enough to know there are always conditions.”

Swifdon laughed aloud at that. “And so there are.”

Rafe smiled. “I thought so.”

Swifdon leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of his face. “The first condition is that not a hair on her head is harmed.”

Rafe bowed slightly. “Rest assured. I will protect her with my own life.”

“I know you will, Cavendish. If I didn’t believe that, I’d never allow her to go with you.”

Rafe kept his eyes trained on his boots. “I am amazed at your faith in me, my lord. After what happened with—”

“Donald’s death was not your fault, Cavendish. No one believes it was but you.”

“I intend to avenge him, Swifdon.”

The earl’s gray eyes took on a hard sheen. “You’re just the man for the job. And if you must know the truth, I’m doing this for Donald, and for Daphne. Donald saw fit to allow Daphne to go with you last time, I cannot but imagine he would agree to it a second time, especially when this time is for his own sake.” The side of his mouth tucked up in a half-smile. “Besides, since the marriage has already taken place, we may as well get more use out of it.”

“I’m glad you find this amusing, my lord. I had entered this room not knowing if you would welcome me or call me out.”

Swifdon leaned forward, and braced his arms on the desk. “I’m not unfamiliar with this case. I spoke with a friend at the War Office. You have a good chance at tracking down the men the Russians work for if you can trade for the letters.”

“Yes. They believe me to be a ship’s captain. And Daphne is my, er, cabin boy. I believe they’ll trust me again. Daphne will be completely safe.”

“I have no doubts.”

“My lord?” Rafe shifted again.

“Yes?”

“What is the second condition?”

Swifdon folded his hands together. “I hope it goes without saying, but the second condition is that you keep your hands to yourself. Regardless of the law, as far as I’m concerned, your annulment is contingent on your marriage remaining unconsummated. If you so much as lay a finger on her, I’ll kill you myself.”





CHAPTER EIGHT




Rafe watched from afar as the guests arrived one by one. He’d been taking brandy and cigars in the study with Swifdon but a seat in a corner of the drawing room provided a better view of the proceedings.

One by one Pengree ushered in the guests. This small group would be staying overnight and attending the ball the next evening. Derek Hunt, Duke of Claringdon, and his wife, Lucy. Garrett Upton, the future Earl of Upbridge, and his new wife, Jane. Upton’s mother, Mary. Viscount Berkeley, Sir Roderick Montague, Adam and Collin Hunt, the duke’s brothers, and finally, Lord Edmund Fitzwell.

Rafe disliked the man on sight. He narrowed his gaze on him. Rafe supposed he was handsome enough, if one liked men with short-cropped blond hair and light blue eyes and a bit of an arrogant attitude that was off-putting to say the least.

Minutes after the baron had strolled into the room as if he owned the entire town house, Rafe stood and made his way over to meet the man. Daphne scurried in between the two and looked as if she might jump from her skin with fright when she introduced them.

“Lord Fitzwell, Captain Rafferty Cavendish.” Her gaze darted back and forth between both of them as if she expected Rafe to blurt out their secret in front of the room at large.