“Then come with me and I shall show you my library.” He stood and held out his hand. Butterflies fluttered in the pit of her stomach as she took it and came to a stand.
They left the dining room behind. And though he released her hand after a few seconds, Lavender realized at that moment that she was willing to follow him anywhere.
Chapter Sixteen
The library looked better than the last time she’d seen it. It had been in passing, when Austin had been showing her around the house and informing her of the renovations that would be done in each room. When she’d come here last, the bookshelves had been stripped of all their books, looking bare and lifeless.
Now the shelving was restored, broken joints and chipped surfaces made anew. And every nook and cranny of the bookshelves was cramped with books, making Lavender gasp in awe the moment she entered. It might be the largest room in the house, she realized, with enough armchairs and chaise lounges for there to be a comfortable literary session with a few of her closest friends. There was even a writing desk tucked in the corner. At the sight of it, she immediately thought of herself writing letters or journal entries on a beautiful sunny morning.
“Do you like it?”
If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought that Austin sounded hesitant just now. Almost as if he truly cared about what she thought about the room.
Lavender looked back at him. He was leaning against the door jamb, hands tucked into his pockets. “It was the late countess’ favourite room in the house. She loved reading but in her last few years alive, she did not get the chance to return to London. The room fell into disrepair, like so many other rooms in the house.”
“I think it’s utterly beautiful, Austin,” Lavender said honestly. She made her way to the closest bookshelf and gasped when she realized that nearly every edition of Shakespeare’s work was tucked within. “She must have been quite the collector.”
“She was. Father spared no expense when it came to her hobbies. I suppose that was one of his ways of apologising.”
He didn’t have to clarify. Lavender turned to face him. “This is quite lovely, Austin. It truly is. But I think there is something else I would rather do than read this evening. And I would love it if you could join me.”
“What is that?” he asked with a frown.
Lavender grinned. “Do you have any more wine?”
Austin raised his brow in question but she could see his own playful smile tugging at his lips. “I have something far better than wine. If you think you can handle it.”
Lavender sank onto the closest chaise lounge, watching as he crossed over the room to the sideboard. “If it is whiskey or brandy you speak of, then it does not frighten me. I was quite the rebellious child, you see. And I would sneak into my father’s sideboard many times to try a few.”
“A few?” he echoed, incredulous. “I’m surprised you were not turned away from it after the first sip.”
“Oh, I was tempted to,” Lavender laughed. “But there was something about that heartrending burn that drew me back time and time again.”
Austin poured two glasses of what Lavender assumed was scotch as he chuckled. The sound greatly startled her, causing her heart to palpitate. It was the first time she’d ever heard it in actual mirth, the sound deep enough to resonate throughout her entire being.
If Austin noticed her slight change in demeanor, he did not show it. He brought the drink over to her, and handed her the scotch with a raised brow. “I shall believe it when I see it,” he said in a challenging tone. And perhaps there was even a hint of teasing in there as well.
Lavender’s smile faltered momentarily as she experienced a pleasant warmth spreading throughout her chest. “Challenge accepted, my lord.”
She didn’t know what possessed her to do what she did next. It certainly had something to do with Austin’s proximity to her and the fading echoes of his laughter ringing in her ears. It might even have something to do with the way she felt, as if he had set her on fire and held the snuffer in his hands. Lavender didn’t question her next actions though questioning herself and everything around her was all she usually did.
She tipped the glass at her lips and downed it all in one go.
“Are you mad, woman?” Austin shouted, snatching the glass from her hand.
But it was too late. The burning liquid was already tearing through her throat, steadily making its way down her gullet and to her stomach. Lavender felt tears spring to her eyes even as she grinned victoriously. “Do you believe me now?”
“I believe that you might have lost your mind.”
She couldn’t hold it in any longer. Coughs ricocheted up her throat with such force that she doubled over. She was only vaguely aware of Austin holding her by her arms and patting her back. It took everything in her to keep from sinking to her knees.
“Blast it, woman, there wasn’t any reason to do that.” Lavender couldn’t tell if she heard annoyance or amusement in his voice. Perhaps a mixture of both.
“I know,” Lavender wheezed. Somehow, she found a chair. Austin kept hovering over her—rubbing and patting her back, brushing her hair from her face. “Honestly, I don’t know what possessed me to do such a thing either. Your bad influence, maybe?”
“My bad influence?” Now it was definitely amusement. “I cannot believe you. How are you feeling now?”
“Better,” she confessed. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, blinking them away from her vision. “I thought I saw the light for a moment, but it has passed.”
