Page 31 of Tempting a Gentleman
Pushing away from the door frame, Emma waited a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. The cold, empty kitchen was daunting compared to the last time she had visited during the bustling early morning hours. A strange yearning to stay rooted Emma to the spot. She should move. If she was caught, Emma would have to explain her actions to the Network elders. Would they believe her if she told them the only reason for her late-night visit was to seek out legal advice? No. They’d likely see through her flimsy excuses and wait for her to confess—she missed Christopher, and despite all the reasons she had formulated to stay away, she couldn’t.
Emma willed her feet to move. She slipped past the footmen in the foyer and mounted the main staircase leading up to the upper floors. It would have been safer to use the servants' passageways, but whether it was courage from the drink Sebastian provided or Emma’s desire to test her skills of going about undetected, she didn’t care. It was the quickest route to her destination—the master bedchamber. The effects of the whiskey had Emma’s mind foggy. However, scourging her memory for talk of the layout of Christopher’s townhouse, she did recall Christopher’s preference for sunsets. Looking down the corridor, Emma headed for the largest chamber that would face west.
Quietly opening the door to the chambers she hoped belonged to Christopher, Emma slipped into the room and paused for a moment. Without the aid of the moonlight, she carefully moved further into the pitch-black room. The familiar scent of Christopher, a mix of musty papers, ink, and wood. She was clearly in the right place. She stepped forward—
Arms twirled her about and wrapped about her like steel bands.
“Emma?”
The surprise in Christopher’s voice almost had her giggling. Except the warmth of his body urged her closer. Barely louder than a whisper, Emma asked, “How did ye know it was me? It’s darker than coal in here.”
He ran his hand over her head and pressed her closer. “I know of no other woman who would dare come to my residence alone and in the dead of night.”
Christopher stroked her back, melting away her stress. Instead of pulling away from the comforting gesture, Emma wrapped her arms about him and leaned her cheek against his hard, warm, bare chest. “Aye, I suppose it is a rather odd time of day to seek legal advice, but it was on me mind, and so I’m here.” It wasn’t the only reason, but it was the only one she was ready to admit to him at present.
He pulled her away from him by the shoulders. “Are you in trouble?”
She shook her head. But since she couldn’t see anything, she assumed he couldn’t either. “Nay.”
“Stay here. I’ll light a candle.” He padded over to her left, and then the flame of the candle illuminated the room.
Her cheek was still warm from his skin. Emma’s heart raced at the sight of him in only breeches. The small ridges outlining his stomach captured and retained her gaze. He was a barrister, not a laborer, yet he was muscled and toned as if he hauled bags of wheat for a living. As he came closer, his eyes raked over her from head to toe. The worry lines on his forehead were clear.
Instinctively, she rolled up onto her tiptoes and reached out to smooth the wrinkles away. “Ye need not worry. I’m fine.”
He closed his eyes as if savoring her touch. She started to withdraw her hand, but he pinned her palm to his cheek. “This will sound bizarre given my hasty departure from your shop. But I’ve missed you.”
Emboldened by drink, Emma said, “I’ve missed yer kisses.”
Christopher lifted the candle closer. “Have you been drinking?”
“A little.”
“Who was the scoundrel who plied you with wine?”
“Lord Hereford, and it was Scotch, not wine.”
“Hereford?”
“Aye. He’s the reason why I’m here.”
Christopher shook his head. “Come, my dear, let’s sit, for I’m not sure I understand.”
She followed him to the enormous bed. He placed the candle on a table, picked her up by the waist, and settled her on the edge of the bed.
Standing in front of her with his hand on his hip, he said, “Now, let’s start over. Why are you here?”
“I need ye...” She paused as his eyes widened. “I mean, I need yer help.” She held in a sigh of disappointment as Christopher clasped his hands behind him. Emma’s eyes tracked the thin trail of hair that disappeared into his breeches. She leaned closer.
“You mentioned you are in need of legal advice. How is Hereford involved?”
If she was quick about her request, then mayhap there would be time for a kiss or two before she would have to leave. “I can’t read. I need ye to look over some papers fer me.”
“Documents?” he mumbled.
“Aye. Hereford’s will.”
Christopher sank on the bed next to her. “Why would you want his will reviewed?”
