Page 22 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck
A smile slid across her face, and she squeezed his hand ever-so-slightly. “Thank you. Your eyes are very nice and very blue.”
He focused, his hand still on her cheek, as he willed his ring to obey. To not ruin this moment for him.
It stopped glowing, but Drest didn’t quit making contact with Rachael. He caressed her cheek with his thumb, sliding it lower toward her lips.
Her dark brown eyes were wide as she stared up at him. “Nile.”
That one word should have cooled Drest’s hormones. It didn’t.
“He told us he would miss dinner tonight but be back after. He made it sound like he’d still be able to check in with you,” she said.
“Okay,” said Drest, his attention on her full lips.
Her tongue darted out and over them. “Please don’t blame Henry for Nile’s actions. And please don’t think I’m trying to cover for anyone. I’d tell you where Nile was if I really knew. I’m not exactly his biggest fan.”
Drest stepped closer to her, leaving them toe to toe. His hand was still on her cheek, his thumb near her lips. “I won’t blame Henry, and I don’t think you’re lying to cover for anyone. I trust you, Rachael.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from her lips. He lowered his head, his body acting on instinct. His head knew it was a bad idea, but the rest of him didn’t really give a shit. When Drest realized he was most assuredly about to kiss the woman, he stopped touching her and stepped back fast.
“Amice!” shouted Henry from the kitchen. “What were you thinking?”
Drest pivoted and was about to rush into the kitchen when Rachael grabbed his forearm. Heat flared through him from the point of contact.
“No,” Rachael said softly. “Amice is fine. Henry won’t hurt her. I’m pretty sure your presence in the kitchen will only set him off more.”
She was right.
“Henry, calm down and lower your voice,” said Amice.
“You want me to lower my voice after you all but admitted you’re trying to play matchmaker?” demanded Henry. “I should have guessed as much from the way you’ve been bringing up Rachael’s name more and more over our jailor’s last few visits.”
“Henry,” stressed Amice. “Stop shouting. They’ll hear you.”
“Good!” shouted Henry. “You can’t possibly think this is a wise idea. He’s Fae. Nightshade Clan at that. They hate us. Do you really think that man would want anything to do with my sister? His only interest in her is to know if she’s being a good little Frankenstein who obeys the sanctions.”
“Stop,” said Amice. “Drest isn’t like that.”
Henry snorted so loudly it was as if he was in the same room as Drest. “A man like him would not find a woman like Rachael attractive. He’s been alive for hundreds of years. She won’t hold any appeal to him. Nile and I have done our best to see to it she’s cultured, but honestly—”
“You should be ashamed of yourself, Henry,” said Amice, sounding as if she might very well be spitting venom on him in the kitchen. “Rachael is stunning. More than once I’ve heard others remark on it as well. I’ve been at lunch with her in the city before and seen people come up to her, offering her their cards to reach out to model for them.”
“This has nothing to do with her looks,” snapped Henry. “Though it does explain why she came down to dinner dressed as a strumpet.”
“Husband, I will geld you if you say that again,” warned Amice. “You sound like your uncle. His dislike of women dressing like anything but a Quaker is well known. She looks lovely, and the dress is what is popular right now. Truth be told, it’s more conservative than many others I’ve seen in magazines.”
“She looks like she should charge by the hour,” returned Henry. “I may not like our jailor, but even I’ll admit he’s too refined—”
Whatever else Henry said was mumbled.
Drest’s nostrils flared, and he took a step toward the kitchen door.
“No,” said Rachael quickly. “Let him say what he wants. And I’m sorry you were brought into this. Please know I wasn’t aware Amice was angling for something between us.”
Drest’s gaze narrowed. “What are you sorry for? You didn’t do anything. And I most certainly am going into that kitchen and knocking all your brother’s teeth out of his head. How dare he talk about you like that!”
She tensed. “He’s upset and emotional tonight. I understand. I don’t blame him.”
