Page 54 of Lord of Fortune
“Good night, Amelia.”
Turning, she opened the door and went inside without a backward glance.
He wondered if her maid was inside or if she was lodging somewhere else. It was a good thing he hadn’t tried to go into her room. If the maid had been there…
He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, chastising himself. None of that mattered. They were supposed to be acting professionally.
Pivoting on his heel, he stalked down the corridor toward his room. As he passed the stairs, he nearly crashed directly into Etta.
She let out a soft cry and seemed to teeter on the top stair. Penn reached out to grab her lest she lose her balance. Clasping her around the waist, he held her tightly. “I’ve got you.”
Her warm brown eyes were round as dinner plates for a moment before her features began to relax.
He realized she held something in her hands. “What do you have there?”
“My father wanted me to bring you some whiskey.” She held up a bottle and a tumbler between them.
“That was very thoughtful of him.” Before he let go, he searched her expression. “Do you have your footing, then?”
She blushed and looked away, a small smile teasing her lips. “Yes, thank you.”
He removed his hands and took the whiskey and the tumbler from her. “Now I don’t have my hands free to rescue you, so look sharp.” He winked at her.
Holding up her hands, she wriggled her fingers. “My hands are free now. Mayhap I’ll rescue you. I do owe you—twice now, I suppose.”
“You do not owe me anything, Etta. It was my pleasure to take you down from the tree all those years ago.” He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial tone. “It makes me feel a bit like a hero.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Because you are. You’remyhero.” She stepped onto the landing with him and before he realized what she was about, she kissed him.
And it wasn’t a quick brush of her lips against his. No, she pressed her mouth to his and laid her hands against his chest.
Shock froze him to the spot, and since his hands were full, he couldn’t very well push her away. Not that he wanted to dothatgiven he’d just saved her from tumbling down the stairs.Pull yourself together,he admonished himself.
He took a small step backward. “Ah, Etta. Miss Jessup,” he amended, thinking they’d been far too familiar over the years.
Scarlet flooded her face, and she pivoted so that she presented her profile. “Forgive me, I thought you might like me to do that.” She shook her head vigorously. “No, I wanted to do that.” She turned back to face him. “I’ve wanted to do that for some time.”
Apparently so.She’d called him her hero. Hell, had he encouraged her somehow? “Et—Miss Jessup, I apologize if I’ve given you the wrong impression. You are quite, er, young for me.” That was certainly true. Or it seemed to be—in his mind, she would likely always be the young girl he’s rescued. “I care for you a great deal, as if you were part of my family—like a sister.”
Her features fell as if he’d just told her that her dog had died. Penn felt terrible. But if Jessup found out about this… Penn straightened. “Let’s keep this between us, shall we? No one need know you gave me a thank-you kiss for saving you. Twice now.”
Now she looked relieved. “That’s an excellent idea. Thank you.” She tipped her head to the side. “Twice? Does that mean I should give you a second kiss?”
Penn stepped back again, moving so quickly, he almost dropped the bottle and tumbler. “No, that won’t be necessary. Your gratitude is quite noted. And appreciated.” He smiled and held up the items in his hands. “Thank you for the whiskey. Good night.”
Then he turned and fled to his room as quickly as he could. And locked the door for good measure.
* * *
Amelia surveyedherself in the glass. She looked calm and serene, her hair perfectly dressed by Culley, who was now packing up the last of their things.
Inside, however, Amelia was a tumult of emotion.
After Penn had pulled away from their kiss last night, Amelia had gone into her room with a sense of relief. However, the desire he’d awakened in her had quickly chased that relief away. Deciding shedidwant to be a bold adventurer, she’d turned and opened the door intent on inviting herself back to Penn’s room—that would have been a necessity since Culley would be sleeping on a pallet in her room.
Only Penn had no longer been in front of her door.
Peering down the corridor toward his room, she’d seen him at the top of the stairs, his hands clasping Henrietta Jessup rather intimately. Then she’d given him the bottle and cup she’d been holding only to putherhands onhim.
