Page 267 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

Mayhap she saw a mouse?

He barely avoided snickering, extending his claws and piercing the worn travel bag he’d sniffed out earlier. The one he’d pushed and prodded, kneaded and clawed, trying to drive the lumpy items to the outer edges and make a pleasant little nest for his worthy self.

But that shrill squall of hers? His ears still buzzed.

Mayhap he should rouse himself to do his man a boon and bring him a few more of the tailed rodents than he had provided of late?

He yawned, stretching one front leg out and dragging his claws forward, enjoying the slight sting as they caught on the thick, already fretted fabric.

Mayhap not. For he had more than earned his keep over the years, and now ’twas past time for his landlord to discover his sleek self guarding the parcel of goods delivered by Barnabas’s new, mysterious friend.

Oh, but what pitiful timing on her part, to wailnow, as his landlord had just spied those striking ears of his andfinallyapproached…

* * *

“B-R-I-E-R!”

The utter and complete screeched curdle of his name tore Brier away from his discovery. Whipped him around. Hied his feet back inside faster than a blink.

“Luce! What—”

She slammed into him. Knocked him back two steps. Climbed up his body. Slung her arms tight over his shoulders, her hands digging through his hair, clutching at his scalp.

“Luce, what are you—”

“’Tis him!” she gasped, trying to burrow against his chest. “Eyes… Glowing…”

Her fear conveyed. Heart thundering, he held her. Gripped her. Soothed her frantic pants and disjointed mutterings until gaining understanding. Offered to go outside and confront—

“Nay,” she pleaded, holding him ever so tightly. “Stay. Remain.”Keep me safe, she begged.

How could he deny such a request? When in his arms was exactly where he wanted her?

* * *

A long while later, the two of them ensconced within his favorite, oversized chair in Brier’s private lodgings, her agitation had finally calmed, with time and his touches. With his assurances: hewouldkeep her safe—a vow he took to heart. (Even if he had to pull out Sharpe’s discarded dueling pistols to see it done.)

The hour had grown late, his unrepentant puss returned and now slumbering contentedly by the coal bin—heedless of the worry his little external jaunt had caused.

The room was dim, their voices hushed—when their mouths weren’t occupied with things other thantalking.

Luce nuzzled her head against Brier’s jaw. Plucked at the open collar of his shirt, loosened thanks to her fingers and the “soothing” kisses he’d bestowed (ones that had much the opposite effect—on them both, he surmised).

“I looked at the accounting journal you had on the counter, when you went back outside, to snare Barnabas.” Who had given him a sharp claw for his efforts.

She exhaled a long sigh, as though finally ready to release her earlier fear. “Not trying to overstep or insert myself into your business, mind, but I noticed two numbers that were transposed on the page you were studying. Another transposition, and a basic math error on the next.”

“You did?” Relief sounded in his voice. “I have been scouring the last several weeks’ entries for errors left by my last—inept—assistant, trying to make sense of the hubble-bubble he created.

“That was the last section not in my handwriting.” Did Brier tell her he’d been studying the blasted page all day? That her presence had made it all but impossible to concentrate? “I located seven other errors to date, but you found three more?” His arms tightened around her. “Hallelujah. Between the two of us, we may just have discovered the remaining conundrum that was tying my noodle in knots.

“Show me later?” He breathed deep, enjoying the presence of her weight in his lap. “I am vastly too content to move right now.”

“I marked them with a small circle, to the left of the number. Something light that you could erase if you did not—”

“Nay. That is absolutely perfect. Thank you. Could I, perhaps, interest you in a job?”

“A job? As your assistant?” She chuckled, as though dismissing the notion out of hand. She left off playing with his shirt to curve her fingers around his neck until gripping his nape. “I know it’sterriblybrazen of me to ask…” she began in a whisper and then paused.

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