He walked away before she could say anything in response. He didn’t dare look back, didn’t dare to think that she might be staring back at him.
Chapter Fifteen
True to his word, the towels and dry clothes came within minutes, while Lavender desperately tried to stave off the cold in front of the dying fire. To her disappointment, Austin did not show with them. The maids he’d sent hurried to help her, one rekindling the fire while the others dried her hair and helped her change. It only lasted a few minutes, which seemed like seconds considering her mind was far away from the room.
Her thoughts remained on that small bench in the garden, those heart-racing moments before the storm struck.
Every time she thought of how Austin had leaned closer to her, Lavender lost her breath. She’d frozen at the time but his gaze had rested solely on her lips so she doubted he had noticed. What would have happened if the thunder hadn’t sounded? Would she have accepted the kiss?
Would he have kissed her?
Lavender brushed her fingers over her lips, a chill racing up her spine.
“Oh dear,” one of the maids drying her hair said. “Miss, you are still cold. You are getting gooseflesh! Come, sit by the hearth.”
She didn’t wait for Lavender to respond before ushering her over to the armchair closest to the crackling fire. Lavender didn’t bother to correct her. Gooseflesh washed her skin, yes, but it had nothing to do with her wet hair and everything to do with her soon-to-be husband somewhere in this house.
You will be my wife. It will be my duty to protect you.
A smile flitted over her face. Had he meant it or was he saying the things he thought he should as a respectable man?
“Where is the earl?” Lavender heard herself ask. She spoke so lowly that she didn’t know if any of the maids heard her.
“He may be in his study, miss,” one of them said.
Would it be too forward of her to go to see him? No, certainly not. He was her betrothed. She had no qualms with coming here, unchaperoned, before so why should it bother her now?
Only before there hadn’t been a brief moment where she considered that he might like her more than she thought he did. Perhaps he was even beginning to fancy her…
An excited giggle escaped before she could do anything to stop it. Lavender stood and the maids fell away from her. She turned to face them. “Thank you for your assistance but—”
A knock on the door cut into her words. There was silence for a moment, and then a gruff, oddly hesitant voice. “Lavender?”
Lavender’s heart shot into her throat. She ran her hands over hair, suddenly wishing it was a little drier. She knew she didn’t look her best right now.
She cleared her throat, schooling her expression. “Yes?”
Another beat of silence and then, “May I come in?”
“Yes,” she answered a little too quickly.
The door opened and Austin slid in, his eyes finding her immediately. His gaze started at her face, up to her hair, then slowly traveled down the length of her. Lavender felt exposed, heat washing through her body with such force that it chased away the lingering chill.
His eyes found hers again and then darted away as if he had just realized what he had been doing. The sight was both surprising and endearing
“Leave us,” he ordered and the maids wasted no time scurrying out of the door, their heads bowed.
Lavender waited until they were alone. “They are afraid of you.”
“As are many. I am no stranger to it.”
“Do you like it?” she asked without thinking. “How intimidating you can be?”
For some reason, Austin stayed by the door. Almost as if he didn’t dare to get any closer to her. “It matters not to me what others think of me. Though I will admit that my intimidating manner is at times favorable.” He scratched the back of his head, still not looking at her. Instead, he seemed to be rather interested in the bed posts. “Do the clothes fit?”
“They are a bit loose.” Lavender tugged on the slipping sleeve of the fine muslin gown she was wearing. “Was it the late countess’?’
“No, it was my mother’s,” Austin answered.
