Page 82 of Never Dare a Duke
Christopher interrupted. “Just go, Madeleine!”
When they were alone, Abigail raised a brow. “How kind of her to grant me her permission.”
“We have that kind of relationship,” Christopher said dryly.
“I came to see if you needed to be rescued.”
“And I appreciate the thought.”
“We’re all to give our final effort in the ghost hunt, and since Gwen wished to have some time with Mr. Wesley, I am alone. I have a lead to follow. Would you like to accompany me?”
“I would welcome the distraction,” he said, approaching her.
“Well, you really must be upset if the ghost and a dozen people carrying candles about your immense home can intrigue you.”
He shrugged.
“And itwillintrigue you. Mr. Wesley, Gwen, and I have figured out where the ghost appears the most. Would you like to explore that room with me?”
Alone in a room with Abigail. He was flirting with danger, and knew he needed the distraction. Unless he gave in to blackmail, his orderly world was about to come apart, and there was nothing he could do about it. His past had returned to haunt him. A brief liaison with Abigail was the least of his problems.
“Lead on,” he said, feeling the old thrill of danger taking over him.
She glanced at him with narrowed eyes, and he thought he could see the pulse in her neck—where he wanted to press his lips.
She cleared her throat. “We’re going to the family wing. Do you know a more indirect route, known to few?”
“And to think I was going to enjoy the sway of your hips as I followed you. But yes, I know a better way.”
Abigail found herself watching Christopher’s hips, now that he’d given her the idea. She admired the width of his back, the way his body tapered in such a masculine way. He picked up a candleholder and lit the taper from a lamp. As she followed him into a servants’ corridor, narrow and dimly lit, she forced herself to forget her questions about Miss Preston. Now was not the time.
After several flights of stairs, and surprising a few servants, Christopher said over his shoulder, “Where in the family wing?”
“Your dressing room.”
He came to a stop on a step above her and blinked. “You’re hunting for a ghost there.”
“Thanks to Gwen’s research, we realized that the ghost appeared the most in your dressing room. There has to be a reason, don’t you think?”
“You’re persistent, even with a party game.”
She shrugged. “Let us simply call it curious. And have I distracted you?”
His gaze dropped to her breasts. “Oh, yes.”
She gave him a push. “Go, Your Grace.”
Eventually, they left the servants’ corridor right next to his chambers, but instead of using the main door to his room, he went beyond and entered what had to be the dressing room, lit by a single lamp. It was decorated in a far more subdued manner, papered walls and simple draperies, but there was plenty of light. A standing mirror stood ready for him, and through another doorway, she caught a glimpse of his own private bathing tub. She sighed with the decadence of it.
The dressing room held several wardrobes, some appearing far older than others, as well as chests of drawers. She eyed the differences in the furniture with curiosity.
Christopher closed the door and leaned back against it. “I appreciate how much you want to be alone with me.”
She gave a start and glanced at him. “But I also promised Gwen I would search this room. I cannot disappoint her after she’s worked so hard on the mystery of your ghost.”
“My ghost.”
“Your servants’ ghost. And it appeared here the most. Don’t you wonder why?”
