Page 61 of A Scandalous Bargain
Chapter 11
The house was quiet, a phenomenon that had become more and more noticeable in the fortnight since Thea’s death. Baines had noted it earlier. There was a peace the household hadn’t known in some time.
Thomas poured a glass of brandy in the sitting room adjoining his chamber before strolling out to the balcony. The events of the night Thea died knocked at his brain, but he refused to answer the call. Hopefully, when the investigation was over, keeping the memory at bay would become easier.
Unfortunately, the inquiry continued. Dearborn had postponed the meeting they’d scheduled today with the nurse and footman. He planned to come by tomorrow afternoon instead.
Thomas couldn’t help but look in the tree, but of course Beatrix wasn’t there. Not just because he’d told her not to come without notifying him first, but because he suspected she wouldn’t come again.
As he sipped his brandy, a movement in the garden behind the tree snagged his attention. No, it couldn’t be… A dark figure moved in the shadows. Thomas set his glass on the railing and dashed to the trellis. Swinging himself from the balcony, he descended even more quickly than he had last time.
He’d expected to meet her beneath the balcony, but she wasn’t there. He took off into the garden, his eyes working to adjust to the darkness. “Beatrix!” he called, using a loud, urgent whisper.
He heard the gate and ran in that direction, catching up to her just as she moved through it. Extending his arm, he nearly pitched forward as he grasped her elbow. “Beatrix!”
She stopped and turned to face him, her features unreadable beneath the brim of her hat because she kept her head down. “Yes, sorry.”
“Why are you leaving?” He didn’t let go of her.
“I… I came to see you, but then I was afraid you’d be angry that I’d come without telling you first.”
He recoiled, jerking his hand away as if she might burn him. No, as ifhemight hurther.
She was afraid. She’d fled rather than prick his anger.
Thomas fought to keep his heart from pounding out of his chest as his blood rushed loud and fast through his head. “I’m sorry. I just wanted you to be safe. I never meant to frighten you.”
She looked up at him then, and he saw the concern in her gaze. “You didn’t frighten me—not like that. I didn’t want you to think I don’t care about your wishes that I not come alone in the dark.”
Her words did more than relieve him. They touched a place deep inside him that had never seen the sun. “I never meant to control you,” he said quietly.
“I know that.” She took his hand and drew it to her chest. He could feel her warmth, even through the layers of her clothing. “I should have told you I was coming. It was a spontaneous decision.”
Thomas began to feel lighter. “Was it?” He gave her a half smile.
“Yes.”
“I’m glad I caught you. I would have hated for you to come all this way for nothing. Do you want to come up for a nightcap before I see you home?”
She hesitated the barest moment before smiling. “How can I say no?”
Had she wanted to? Thomas shook the thought away. He was being ridiculous. She’d come here to see him. Unless… “Did you come to spy on the duke again?”
“No,” she responded quickly, and with a vehemence that clearly conveyed her thoughts on the matter. “I’m finished with him.”
“I do think that’s for the best. And it’s his loss.” Thomas turned and opened the gate, gesturing for her to precede him.
She led him to the balcony and up the trellis. When he joined her, she was sipping the brandy he’d left on the railing. “Convenient,” she said around the rim of the glass with a saucy curve of her lips.
He couldn’t help but stare at her mouth. His body stirred with desire.
Following her into the sitting room, he went to pour another brandy. She removed her hat and her gloves. And her coat.
She’d never removed her coat before.
Thomas froze in the action of raising the glass to his mouth. While she might wear something to flatten her chest beneath the men’s clothing, her curves were still visible.
There was something arousing about seeing her in a state of undress in a man’s costume. He’d almost certainly think the same thing about her in women’s clothing. He just liked seeing her undressed.
