Strange, but removing himself from the thick of it only freed his mind for other torturous thoughts. Such as Simon flirting shamelessly with Honoria. What was the man playing at? Drake’s hands curled into fists, vowing to have words with Simon later.
Feminine chatter drifted from the drawing room, and Drake hurried past. He neither wished to see nor be seen by any of the ladies within. After he walked a good ten feet past the entrance without anyone calling his name, he relaxed.
The library doors were partially closed. Odd, as he expected them to be left wide open after everyone had departed for supper. Without bothering to open them more fully, he squeezed through the gap and stepped inside. He loved this room more than any other in the vast mansion, and he breathed in the comforting, familiar scent of the books.
Alone in the safety of the room, he remembered the joy and awe lighting Honoria’s face when she’d entered before supper. She would love it here, curled in a chair for hours on end. A warm, cozy fire blazing in the hearth. A kitten curled on her lap, a dog at her feet. He pushed the image aside and strode forward to peruse the shelves for something less idyllic. Perhaps a tragedy to fit his mood.
He perused the selection, his fingers tracing the bindings.Oedipus Rex?Hamlet? Romeo and Juliet?He snorted a laugh at the absurd appropriateness of the last.
“Oh!”
He spun around at the tiny gasp sounding behind him, only to find Honoria huddled in a wingback chair.
CHAPTER 6
So immersed in the book, Honoria startled at a masculine snort of laughter alerting her she was no longer alone. Her heart raced at the sight of Drake’s broad back, one hand on his hip as he faced one of the shelves of books.
Unbidden, a tiny gasp escaped.
He turned, his eyes widening when his gaze locked with hers. “Honoria.”
The sweet sound of her name on his lips froze her in place.
Awkward moments stretched between them as they stared at each other for what seemed an eternity.
In unison, they shattered the silence.
“I didn’t hear anyone come in.”
“I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
Before the urge to disappear into the supple leather of the chair overcame her, Drake laughed, and the tightness in her chest eased.
He took one step closer. “Why aren’t you in the drawing room with the other ladies?”
A smile tugged at her lips. “I could ask you a similar question. But I know the answer.” As he should with her. The thought that he had toask was somehow bittersweet. “This library is too glorious to sit empty. I thought I would keep it company. As did you.” She nodded to the book he held. “What did you choose?”
He stared down at the book, frowning as if it had appeared in his hands magically. “I . . . I don’t think I chose this. My hand was on it when I heard you. I must have pulled it loose.” He jerked his chin toward her. “You?”
“Well, unlike you, I deliberately chose mine. But I asked you first.”
His loopy grin plucked at her heart and opened the floodgates to memories. “Going to play that game, are you?”
“But of course. If I remember anything about you, it’s that you’re a gentleman.” Truth be told, she remembered so much more.
Color flushed his sun-bronzed skin, and she reminded herself to ask him about India.
“Do I have to tell you the title? It’s . . . embarrassing.”
Oh?Perhaps old Burwood had a section for erotic literature. Tendrils of heat crept up her neck.
Drake chuckled softly. “Not that kind of embarrassing. I don’t think there’s anything like that here. Although I haven’t searched the top shelves yet.” He gazed down at his feet, looking very much like the boy who fell into the river. “It’sRomeo and Juliet.”
Oooh. Oh!
His gaze darted back to hers. “I was looking for a tragedy.”
She couldn’t restrain her smile. “Well, it is that.”
