The Unwilling Miss Watkin by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: regency romance, clean romance, sweet romance, rake, reunion romance, bad boy romance, enemies to lovers, traditional regency romance
Publisher: Regina Scott

Chapter Thirteen

Eloise wasn’t entirely certain what had happened in the last few minutes. Jareth’s past should have made him universally recognized as a villain, yet he appeared to be the hero instead. He had woven his spell over all of them. And now he wanted her help?

He held out his hand palm up, smile gentle. “Please, Miss Watkin? It would mean the world to me.”

The yearning look on his face, the soft tone of his voice, and the congenial words combined to remind her of an earlier time, a time when she would have done anything for him. Even though what he asked was a small thing, she wasn’t sure she should encourage him by stepping back into that role.

The ladies at the table obviously could not understand her hesitation. They called their support to her or begged him to consider them instead.

“For pity’s sake, Miss Eloise,” Mrs. Turner muttered, leaning toward her. “Give the bloke your help before we have a riot.”

She nodded in understanding. Much as she would have liked to tell him no, she could not let her confused feelings for Jareth disrupt Mrs. Turner’s goals. She put on a smile and accepted the strength of his grip to rise. Her hand felt tiny in his.

“Certainly, I will assist you, Mr. Darby,” she said, meeting his gaze with a look of determination. “Anything to help the ladies of Comfort House.”

He squeezed her fingers as if he understood that she wasn’t doing this for him. Yet something in his gaze made her catch her breath. It was as if he appreciated that she would make such a sacrifice for others. When he released her to return his attention to the ladies at the table, she felt as if she’d lost a necessary crutch.

“Now,” he began, “young ladies of the ton are not so much taught what I am going to teach you, but learn by necessity and example. For instance, I would suspect the lovely Miss Watkin has learned any number of ways to depress a gentleman’s notions.”

Not the least of which was a well-placed pitchfork. “I believe Mr. Darby has experienced a rather pointed demonstration of that fact,” she replied with an over-bright smile.

His smile widened. “Indeed, Miss Watkin. Quite pointed. However,” he gazed back at their rapt audience, smile fading, “I would hazard a guess that you are likely to meet unsuitable advances in less congenial places than a dress ball or musicale.”

Rather insightful of him, Eloise thought, though a part of her maintained that he had come by the knowledge first hand.

“That’s God’s truth,” someone put in.

“So, let us say,” Jareth continued, holding them with his sharp blue gaze, “that you have been engaged to work at a house, and the master proves himself more interested in your assets than your ability to polish silver. What do you do?”

“Give him what he wants, and ask for the silver,” the blonde cried out. Eloise bit back a smile at the ingenious answer. Amidst the laughter around the table, Jareth shook his head.

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