Page 42 of Lord of Fortune
“Oh, come now, you weren’t a little curious? I find you vastly interesting—and a bit enigmatic. Plus, there’s that…thing between us that you don’t want to discuss.”
She sent him a look of caution. They’d had a nice day and were having a nice evening. Did he need to mess things up with talk ofthat?
Even so, her pulse picked up, and heat spread through her limbs, then pooled in her belly. He was incredibly handsome and charming when he wanted to be. He was also intelligent and committed to his family and discovering the truth. She’d wager he wouldn’t find himself over his head in debt and running out on his wife. If he’d had one.
“Do you plan to wed?” She hadn’t meant to ask that at all, but the question had shot from her mouth like an arrow at a target.
“I have no plans. Which isn’t to say I wouldn’t. If I met the right woman.” His gaze seemed to darken, the blue of his eyes glowing like sapphires beneath the brilliant candles flickering above them in the chandelier. Goodness, that was a great deal of expense and trouble for two people to have dinner.
“Why are we eating in here?” she asked, abruptly changing the subject to something far safer.
He looked around the room and then up at the dozens of candles. “That is an excellent question. I am not familiar with the workings of this house as I am at Septon House. I should have asked for us to eat in a smaller room.”
“There wasn’t time,” she said. “We arrived and left nearly immediately.”
“I suppose you’re right, and we won’t be here tomorrow.” He scooped up a bite of potatoes. “Next time, we’ll find the breakfast room.”
“You keep speaking of next times.”
“Maybe I have plans after all.” His lips curved up just before he put the potatoes in his mouth.
What the hell did that mean? He planned to what? She took a long drink of wine. “Do stop flirting.”
“You’re the one who drew attention to my speaking of the future.”
“But you’re the one actually doing it,” she said. “Speaking of the future. The future for us is tracking down my grandfather’s dagger and proving that the heart in the museum is real. That is our future.”
“And maybe it will bring us back here to London, and we’ll have occasion to eat in the breakfast room. That’s all I meant.”
She didn’t believe him for a moment. He wasn’t just flirting with her, he was teasing.
She stood up abruptly. “I think I’m finished.”
Before she could turn and leave, he jumped up and came to her side. His hand lightly cupped her elbow. “My apologies. I’m having fun—I thought you were too. Yes, I’m flirting, but I can’t help it. You’re exceptionally attractive to me in every way, and despite my intention to keep things professional between us, I find myself swept away when I’m in your company.”
“So it’s my fault if you’re boorish?”
He laughed softly. “Boorish? Is it that bad?”
She suppressed a smile. Maybe itwasfun. And maybe she could allow herself tohavefun. “No.”
He was very close. She could see his ink-dark lashes and how ridiculously long they were, spiking out from his alluring eyes. It would be so easy to sway into him, to allow that protection he’d so easily offered that afternoon. She’d shivered in the coach when he’d promised to keep her safe. He’d meant it, and she believed him.
She held herself back. What good could come of an affair? Plenty, whispered a lonely voice in the back of her mind—a voice she chose to ignore. “This is a professional relationship, but we are friends. And nothing more.”
“I’m not sure I can agree to that.”
The heat flaring through her intensified at the promise in his gaze. She continued to ignore her body’s reaction. “Then perhaps we should end things.”
“Idefinitelycan’t agree to that, but for now, I am more than content to remain friends.”
More than content.And she didn’t want to end things. For so many reasons. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Mrs. Forrest.”
His mouth curved into a seductive smile, and her resolve wavered. She wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him…
“Good night, Mr. Bowen.”
She turned and fled.
