Page 16 of Swindled By a Spinster
“How did you know which residence to search first?” Foxton asked before he could.
Phoebe shrugged and said, “I simply selected the one I would have, if I were in her shoes.”
“Then there is nothing to do but wait.” Foxton sighed and sank back into his chair. Foxton flickered his gaze to the door and then back to Phoebe—what was the man trying to tell him?
“I had hoped Lord Archbroke would arrive by morn.” Phoebe stopped her pacing.
The worry on her face had Torrance jumping to his feet and joining her by the fireplace. Voice lowered, he asked, “What is the matter?”
“There is only one bed chamber above stairs.”
Aha. That explained the sudden lack of color in Phoebe’s cheeks. He blinked and tilted his head. “And?”
“I’ve not a maid nor a companion with me.”
“And?” he asked again.
“I don’t want you to feel obligated to marry me.”
“I don’t.”
Phoebe glared up at him and her cheeks reddened. Oh, how he had missed her. He couldn’t help but smile, which sparked a twinkle in her eyes. He placed one hand on the mantle and leaned in closer. “It was not but a week ago thatIaskedyouto marry me, and it wasyouwho rejectedme. As a result of Lady Margeret’s actions, there is no escaping the parson’s trap. So… Ithink it more befitting for me to be the one asking you if you will marry me of your own free will.”
His future wife’s lips turned up at the corners and rather than reply, she took him by the hand and led him past Foxton, whose eyes were closed. Torrance would have wagered the man was only pretending to be asleep. In typical Phoebe fashion, the woman preferred action over words, and he was happy to accompany her wherever she wished to venture.
CHAPTER TEN
With Kilman’s arm firmly in her grasp, Phoebe led the way up the stairs to the chamber where she had been held prisoner for one night. Ossie had been stationed outside her door, much like when he had guarded Ruth and Lillian at the inn three weeks before when Phoebe tracked her friends down.
Phoebe stopped on the top stair riser and turned to look down at Kilman. “Do you think of Lady Margaret as a villain or perhaps merely a bored spinster up to no good?”
“Is this a trick question?”
The dark circles under Kilman’s eyes was evidence that the man had very little sleep over the past few days. Perhaps now was not the time to discuss his kidnappers' motivations. She shook her head and turned back around to step up onto the landing, except Phoebe couldn’t help but wonder if they had been in fact swindled by a spinster. She turned around. “I can’t seem to figure out what Lady Margaret’s true motivations are for taking such bold actions.”
Kilman rubbed his eyes with his free hand and then blinked up at her. “After spending multiple days with the woman, who made it a point to not to answer any of my questions, I doubtI could provide any insight into how Lady Margaret’s mind works.”
“If the two of you didn’t converse, what transpired?” She dropped his arm and placed both hands upon her hips.
He covered her hands with his and said, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
“How can that be? You are an agent for the Home Office, trained to extract information from others.”
“Lady Margaret is extremely talented at evading questions and was quite content to simply sit in the corner and observe me. Thinking upon it, I don’t believe I’ve ever met a woman that quiet.”
His lopsided smile told her he was teasing her. But she wasn’t going to be distracted by the roguish glimmer in his eyes. There had been many a stolen kiss or two over the years, with which Kilman had managed to elicit a moan from her that he claimed he would never tire of.
“Behave, Kilman or I’ll…” Her empty threat was left unspoken as he picked her up by the waist and then hauled her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She knew it to be useless to ask to be put down. Needing to regain control over the situation, her gaze fell upon his bottom and before she could think twice she planted her palm flat against his bottom with a swat.
Kilman didn’t even break his stride, he merely chuckled and forged forward.
Only when they were in front of the bedchamber door did he stop. “You know, I’ve always been in favor of treating others how you wish to be treated.” He rubbed his buttocks and over his shoulder he gave her a wink.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
He let her slide down his chest until her feet were firmly back on the floor and then said, “Oh…is that so?”
Eyes narrowed, she studied his features carefully. Phoebe had the distinct feeling he was being entirely serious despite the teasing smile that remained on his handsome face. “Kilman…We need to talk…first.”
