Page 52 of Beyond Scandal and Desire
“They were all abed when I left.”
“You assume once abed, people stay abed. I assure you, my lady, they do not.” He offered his arm.
“You don’t need to accompany me.”
“I’m not going to leave you on the street.”
“And if you are seen, my reputation will be ruined.”
Eventually it would be, but not tonight. He wasn’t yet weary of the chase. “We’ll keep to the shadows.”
He didn’t much like the relief that washed through him when her hand alighted near the crook of his elbow nor his desire to flex his muscles in order to remind her of his strength. He’d never before felt the need to puff out his chest or demonstrate physical domination, preferring instead the mental prowess needed for negotiating. He wanted her sitting in his office, watching as he conferred with solicitors and investors in order to ensure the deal favored him. She’d no doubt be bored to tears. Or perhaps not.
They strolled along the edge of the drive, keeping their distance from the lighted path.
“You’re welcome to use my hotel parlor anytime you feel the need to escape the restraints here.”
She peered over at him, her crooking smile soft, intriguing. He wanted to taste it once more. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
They reached the wide steps.
“Thank—”
“I’ll escort you to the door, see you safely inside.”
He had the sense she wanted to argue, then decided she’d gain nothing from it but a delay in being rid of him. At the door, he held out his hand. “Your key.”
She scowled at him. “It’s not locked.”
Only when he tried the latch, he discovered it was. “I fear it is, my lady.”
Her eyes widened. “It can’t be.” Brushing aside his hand, she gave it a try.
“I know how to open a door,” he said laconically.
“I don’t understand. It wasn’t locked when I left.”
“Obviously the butler made his rounds, locking things up, after you left.”
She sagged against the door. “I hadn’t considered he did that. To be honest, I’d never given any thought to those rituals. Someone is always waiting for my return, no matter the hour. Of course, they’d always known I’d left.”
Tonight they’d assumed she was abed. She looked devastated. All her plans ruined for want of a key.
She moved away from the door, stretched her neck, looking one way and then the other. “Perhaps I can find a tree to climb, a window that’s open.”
“And risk breaking your neck?”
“Better than having to explain to the duke and duchess what I’m doing out here this time of night.”
With youwas left unsaid, but she telegraphed it clearly enough. He shouldn’t have been hurt by the implication she was ashamed to be seen with him. His entire life had involved facing the fact he was a shameful secret, and his rational self understood that no lady could effectively explain away being alone with a man, any man, in the dead of night. He always managed to master his emotions, but she somehow succeeded in leading them into rebellion. “I’ll get you inside with none being the wiser.”
Ceasing her survey of trees and windows, she swung around to face him. “How?”
“I’m a man of many talents.” He held out his arm. “Come on. We’ll go ’round to the back.”
When she placed her hand on his arm, he noted a small tremble. She was far more upset than she was letting on, and he recognized that she had every right to be. The future she’d planned could come crashing around her with the discovery of the night’s adventures. He escorted her around the side of the house and into the back gardens, then along the path that led to the servants’ entrance. Once there, he knocked briskly on the door.
“You’re going to awaken people.”
