Tempted By a Rake (Wicked Widows’ League #21)

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Lavinia woke the following morning with a pounding headache and dry mouth. Her stomach was not very settled either and she suffered from signs of anxiety, something that rarely afflicted her.

Instead of rising from her bed she lay back, eyes closed and willed herself to feel better as the conversation from the night before played over in her mind.

It had been such a lovely dinner and then she had accused him of being a rake and confessed to having him followed. Not even Leopold knew, but Demetrius had not seemed to mind. Or, perhaps he did, but wasn’t angered.

He also hadn’t denied her accusation of being a rake.

What must he think of her?

Why had she drunk so much wine?

She never had above two glasses a night, if she drank any at all, but she’d been nervous to have Demetrius for dinner.

Oh, she’d also asked him to call her by her first name, which she blamed on the first glass of wine, which she had drunk more like a glass of water needed to quench her thirst than sipping for enjoyment. This she had done before he arrived and on an empty stomach. She then enjoyed a second glass while they waited for dinner to be served.

Demetrius had been an enjoyable companion at dinner and she could not remember the last time she had even dined with anyone alone. Either members of her family were present, often interrupting, or her husband’s family had shared their table when she had been married. Last night had been pleasant with just the two of them, and she secretly hoped that he did not find a maid of all work so that she had an excuse to keep inviting him to dine with her.

Her only concern now was his reaction to her and her confession about wanting something for herself instead of always doing her duty.

Had he seen her as selfish?

Lavinia was aware that as the daughter of a duke she had enjoyed many privileges. She had never needed anything and enjoyed many comforts. Demetrius had been raised in a humble household and bettered his situation by becoming a solicitor. He likely had few comforts being one of ten children raised by a vicar in a village.

He must think her terribly spoiled, and perhaps she was. But what was wrong with wanting some happiness or enjoyment, no matter how fleeting?

That was a question that weighed on her and Lavinia feared that whatever friendship that may have begun between her and Demetrius could have likely ended last night.

Goodness! Had she ruined everything?

As the anxiety settled into her belly and her head pounded, she finally forced herself from the bed and dressed for the day. Following breakfast, which was only tea and bread because she could not stomach anything further, she paced the inside of the cottage until she decided on a change of scenery and stepped outside so that she could pace on the terrace.

Unfortunately, there was no sheepdog barking or rushing to greet her.

It was not good to be alone with her thoughts, but there was little to occupy her mind inside. While a book would be welcome, she also realized that she would not be able to concentrate, let alone sit still. However, she’d not visited many of the shops when she had gone into town yesterday. In fact, she’d visited none because after she’d bumped into Demetrius and invited him to dine with her, Lavinia had returned home having done no shopping whatsoever.

With those thoughts in mind, and determination, she returned inside, drew on her pelisse, and stepped out the front door only to be taken aback to witness Demetrius escorting a pretty woman from his cottage as another walked down the drive.

How many lovers did one rake need in a day?

She may not have been shocked to learn that he frequented brothels and such, but she most certainly was now. Where had they even come from? Had women learned that there was a rake living in Hartshorn and hoped to meet him? They certainly must be lightskirts for why else would any woman call on a bachelor?

As the pounding in her head increased, Lavinia continued to march down the long drive and then made the mistake of glancing back to his cottage one last time only to have their eyes meet. Demetrius smiled and lifted a hand to wave. She in turn tilted her head away and ignored him. It was one matter to be a rake; it was quite another to flaunt it to the neighbors.

Demetrius hired none of the women who answered his advertisement. It wasn’t because they were without skill, but because they were too young. He had hoped for a mother or grandmotherly figure to see to his house, laundry and cooking, not someone in their early twenties.

A few had even flirted with him, which was quite disconcerting. All he could hope was that the type of woman he wanted to hire found her way to his cottage, but in the meantime, he would simply need to wait.

Except, the lack of a servant was not what truly bothered him this afternoon. It was the fact that when Lavinia left her cottage, she had glared at him then strode away.

What had he done? Their evening had been pleasant and he could not recall insulting her.

In fact, he had been hopeful. Not that he had any right to pursue her in an official capacity, but she stated that she did not mind that he was a rake, which he was not. And, she had blushed! Given she was a widow he could only hope that perhaps she might want him as a lover.

If that came to be, it would make his holiday most enjoyable. Except, today she seemed angry with him and he did not know why.

With a sigh, he walked through the cottage and out the back door, letting Max and Cal run free. He had intentionally kept both pets inside simply to gauge the reaction of those who had come to apply for the position of maid of all work. Some had not taken to Max and the disapproval had been clear in their eyes and in the pursed lips when Max jumped into what was becoming a favorite chair and settled in. A few of the women had also found his pets adorable and scratched Max behind the ears and hadn’t minded when he slobbered on their skirt. They were the ones who were likely most desperate for a position.

Demetrius settled into a chair and watched as Cal sniffed, then crouched, still and silent. An instant later, the cat pounced and disappeared into the shrubbery before once again emerging to deposit a dead mouse at his feet.

Yes, he knew that it was a gift. His housekeeper in London had assured him of such after Demetrius kept finding dead mice in the center of the counterpane covering his bed.

Could that cat not bring him something more pleasant than the carcass of his latest kill?

Demetrius glanced over at Sea View Cottage. Where had Lavinia gone?

She left nearly two hours ago and had not returned. He knew that for certain because he had watched for her from the front parlor as he interviewed woman after woman. It was not until the last one left that he gave up and stepped out onto the terrace.

Why was she angry with him?

What could he have possibly done to upset her?

Blast! He should go after her and demand to know why she had given him the cut direct. Except, that was not a confrontation he wanted to have on the streets of Seaford where anyone might witness.

Max lifted his head, ears sightly perked as he turned his head toward Lavinia’s cottage. However, before Demetrius could react, Max was up, barking and running in that direction, then around the corner of the house, likely intent on the drive.

Demetrius ran after the dog and tried his best to catch up but was unable to stop Max before he jumped on Lavinia again. At least she held her footing this time and pushed the dog away.

“Max!” he yelled. “Do I need to tie you up to keep you from jumping on unsuspecting people?”

At least Max had the good sense to drop his head as if shamed, except he still wagged his tail.

He really needed to train that dog to behave but Demetrius did not have the first idea of how to go about doing so.

“I am truly sorry, again,” he finally said to Lavinia.

“At least I was able to brace myself this time.”

But not before Max left paw prints on her dress, one paw above each breast, not that Demetrius would mention it to her, of course.

“Still, I apologize.”

“Very well. If you will excuse me.” She then stepped around him and Max.

“What have I done to offend you?” he asked as she retreated.

Lavinia stopped, her back straightened and shoulders raised, but she did not turn. “Nothing, Mr. Valentine.”

“Mr. Valentine?” he questioned and hurried after her.

“Last evening was a mistake. I apologize for any familiarity. It should not have been shared between us.”

Bloody hell! “I found last evening quite pleasant so again, I ask how have I offended you?”

She sucked in a deep breath, jaw tightening as she turned to him. “You truly are a rake of the first order.”

He most certainly was not. “You mentioned the same last evening and now I am starting to become insulted,” he ground out. “You also did not seem to mind.”

“That was before you had women visiting your cottage. As one was leaving another was arriving. It is quite unbecoming, even for a rake.”

“You thought the women who visited my home were there for seduction?” It was all he could do not to laugh. Besides, if she was this upset, it wasn’t because she disapproved but perhaps she was jealous.

“Then I am surprised that I have the energy to stand at all,” he offered.

“What does that have to do with anything?” she demanded.

“Because there were eight women who called on me today. Had they been there for the reason you assumed I would be quite done in.”

“Eight?” she asked in alarm as she took a step back.

“Yes. Eight.”

“Why would you want eight lovers? Is one not enough?”

Did she truly think he could bed eight different women in one day? Not even when he was nine and ten could he have accomplished such a task.

“They were not there for seduction!”

“Then what purpose did they have? Women simply do not call on bachelors.”

“They do if they are answering an advertisement for a maid of all work.”

Her blue eyes widened as her perfectly kissable coral lips formed an “o”.