“You’d already made a fool of yourself.” He kept walking. “I didn’t think I’d give you another opportunity.”
“Oh!” Lucia skidded to a stop. The gall! She stamped her foot angrily, almost turned back, then steeled herself and called after him. “But I have something to tell you.”
He stopped before a large polished door, opened it, and disappeared inside.
“Alex!”
Nothing. She craned her neck to see down the hallway. He hadn’t shut the door behind him. Lucia bit her lip and tiptoed closer. She poked her head around the corner, then pulled it right back again.
Lord! It was his bedchamber, and she couldn’t—shouldn’t—under any circumstances be standing here.
But she made no move to leave.
She peeked again, this time allowing her gaze to linger. The room was lavishly furnished, the curtains and bedcoverings made of a sumptuous blue velvet fabric. There was a small fire in the white marble fireplace and several candles burning on the elegant mahogany desk. Books were strewn over a table near the fireplace, and the navy chair placed nearest the table looked comfortable and worn.
She pulled her head back and took a deep breath. Her hands were trembling, and she felt as though she’d just caught a glimpse of Alex more intimate than if he’d been naked. It was a masculine room, the materials dark and sensuous like him. The dozens of books lying about hadn’t surprised her. She’d known he would love knowledge, value learning. But what had surprised her was the warm, welcoming feel of the room. It invited her, enticed her—a strange sensation from a man who seemed to push her away at every opportunity.
She heard a slam and craned her head around the corner again. Alex was near the bed, and her heart skipped a beat when at last she noted that furnishing. A huge full tester bed with sumptuous blue velvet hangings, it took up nearly the entire room. Or so it seemed.
Alex stood facing her beside one of the ornately carved posts supporting the canopy, unfastening his shirt. Oh, dear!
“Wait!” Lucia said lingering in the doorway. “I have something to tell you.”
He didn’t look at her. “Tell me while I undress.”
“But—but that’s not proper!”
“Then you’d better say it before you see something you shouldn’t.” He sat down on the bed and began removing his shoes.
“I found something in John’s waistcoat.”
“I see.” He tossed one shoe on the floor.
“In the waistcoat, Selbourne. The waistcoat.”
“Uh-huh.” He dropped his other shoe and stood to finish with the shirt. Lucia told herself she should look away, but her eyes were not connected to her brain.
“It—it was in the secret pocket,” she stammered.
“Hmm.” He pulled the tails of the shirt out of his trousers and unfastened the sleeves. For a moment she’d caught the flash of the bronze skin of his abdomen. She swallowed, and her next words spilled out.
“I brought it with me to show you.” She held the reticule aloft, a flimsy shield.
Alex pulled the shirt over his head then tossed it on the floor. Lucia inhaled sharply. She’d seen her brother without his shirt many times, but Alex had muscles in places she’d never even imagined. The hard planes of his chest gleamed in the candlelight.
The flat expanse of his belly rippled as he moved. Her head spun, and she grasped the doorjamb for support.
Alex gave her a cursory glance. “Leave whatever it is on my desk in the library on your way back out the window. I’ll look at it in the morning, if I have a moment.” He reached for his pants.
“Wait!” she squeaked. “Don’t you want to see it now?”
“No.” His hands were on the waistband of his trousers, and it seemed an eon before Lucia could force her feet into motion. Her legs felt heavy and leaden as she crossed the room. Reaching him, she grasped his wrists, holding them in her hands.
“Alex, please, you have to listen to me.”
He arched a brow, but made no move to pull away. “I know you’re angry, but I wouldn’t have come if this wasn’t important.”
He narrowed his eyes, and she felt him tense.
