Page 13 of The Lady Glass
“‘We’?” Rolland had risked plenty in his life, but tossing a woman out a second-story window was not one of them. It was time he discover the identity of this reckless lady. “Who am I coupling my name with, exactly?”
“I think it best we part as strangers.” She curtsied her goodbye. “I will take the door after all.” Without another word, she traced the path back to the door.
Irritation flooded him.Strangers?Was that even possible at this point? His equilibrium had not been the same since coming on land, but it was nothing to how unbalanced he was in her presence. It was too late to forget her almond-shaped eyes or the vision of her playing the violin. He certainly couldn’t easily dismiss the insufferable way she disregarded him, even though it was his bedchamber she had invaded. But that meant allowing himself to feel again, and he wasn’t prepared for that. She was a Roma, worse than a servant—a degradation to England—and he was as good as engaged to another. Indeed, they were better off as strangers.
Even so, there was no way he was letting her waltz out that door and ruin them both.
Chapter 6
Theresia practically fled toward thebedchamber door, eager to put distance between her and the imposing captain. She had felt his incredible strength, sensed his quick mind, and been nearly overcome by the exposed portion of his chest decorated with scars and thick-corded muscle. Oh, why hadn’t the man donned his waistcoat sooner? She had been alive with nerves and anticipation all night, certain her sheer determination would see her plan through. But not once had she foreseen the turn of events that had led her to being tackled to the ground and challenged by her once hero.
A man strong enough to overpower a thief.
A man kind enough to care for strangers.
And better yet, a man who had literally saved her life.
But since he did not seem to recognize her from that day, it was best that he think her a Roma, lower than a servant and far beneath his notice, as nearly every other Englishman of her acquaintance had, and forget all about her. She reached the door, eager to flee the oppressive room, and pulled it open. She gasped when she saw the back of a well-dressed middle-aged man, his dark hair streaked with gray. He was about to enter the bedchamber directly across the corridor from her, but there was no way he hadn’t heard her startled reaction. Sure enough, the older man turned toward the sound. She willed herself to close the door but could not bring herself to move.
In a whirl of motion, the captain’s strong arm pulled her to the side, effectively hiding her behind the door and putting himself in the open gap.
“Rolland? I noticed you had gone to bed prematurely,” the strange voice said.
She was pressed between the door and the captain’s side and could barely bring herself to breath. She could smell whateversalve had been placed on his injured arm and see the bandages peeking out of his unbuttoned shirt. but she could smell him too, soap and a faint musk radiating from his skin.
“Yes, Father. I exhausted myself.”
Probably from knocking her off her feet.
“Did you need something, then?” his father asked from across the corridor.
The captain’s breathing was as erratic as her own, but his voice remained steady and casual. “No. I heard you coming and only meant to say good night.”
“Good night, then.”
Captain—or Rolland—whomever he was—shut the door and released a sigh of relief. He looked down at her and she up at him. Theresia was certain this position—with his arm bracing her against the door—was only appropriate for married couples. Or, at least, that is what she would have instructed any girl at the seminary. But no one had ever taught lessons on how paralyzing such close proximity could be and how to gather the strength to pull away when not wed.
Fortunately, captains seemed prepared for every scenario, because Rolland blinked twice and stepped back. Her hand flew to her heart like the first time she had been in this man’s arms, willing her pulse to slow.
“Since my parents are in the room directly across from me, I don’t think the door the most appropriate exit at the moment either.”
Theresia’s shock dissipated, leaving her entirely flustered by the captain’s implied alternative. “You cannot expect me to stay here with you.”
Rolland scratched his chin. The dark stubble there matched the short, thick hair on his head and was only marginally darker than his deep, brown eyes. “Granger, I am afraid that after a full night of avoiding women, fate has trapped me with one.”
“Seems so, Cap’n.”
Rolland gave her a once-over. “Couldn’t you have climbed through any other window?”
“Yours was the only one open.”
“Of course it was. You can take my bed for a few hours, and Granger and I will sleep in the closet. When the house is quiet, if it ever is with such diverse company, I will have Granger sneak you out.”
Theresia had already been pushed past her limit of scandals for one night by hiding her identity, sneaking into a duke’s house, and being caught in a man’s bedchamber. She wasn’t about to willingly spend the night here. “I am afraid such an idea is beyond my sensibilities.”
Rolland coughed on a laugh. “Forgive me, but our actions do have consequences. And I would much rather turn you in as an intruder than disappoint my mother by letting her think otherwise.”
Theresia crossed her arms. “I do not care what your mother thinks. I cannot stay in this room. If you will not let me leave through the door, I must take my chances through the window.”
