“Well, you are the prettiest sack of potatoes I’ve ever carried.”
Selena resisted the urge to pummel his back like a madwoman. Had he ever even carried a sack of potatoes in his entire lofty life? But his steps were fluid, without any hesitation as he fetched her back to her house, lowering her only once they entered the hallway and the door slammed shut as though carrying the sack of potatoes—her—had been nothing but a walk in the park.
The butler scampered at their arrival, shooing curious servants away as well.
She ripped his jacket from her head and flung it to the ground. “Where is my brother and Theo?”
“I’m not sure. Your friend slipped away. Last I saw of your brother he was following in her wake.”
“Good for her if she slipped away, you knave. I cannot believe you would cause such a public spectacle!”
“We were already in a public spectacle.” Thick arms crossed over a heavy chest, drawing her attention to the solid wall that had so effortlessly supported her weight. “What are you up to, Lady Selena?”
Selena averted her gaze, shrugging off the sudden sense of conflict within her over whether to admire the man’s body or meet his eyes. “Why do you think I’m up to anything?”
“I don’t know.” The frustration in his tone echoed off the walls of the front hall. “I have this feeling you are courting mischief.”
“Did the trousers give me away?”
“Yes.”
She couldn’t help but peek at him, catching his gaze mere seconds before his eyes lowered to her trousers. The flash of annoyance gave way to a thrill of delight. A sliver of power. A surge, or perhaps more of an urge, a little nudge to tease him flared to life.
“I might be up to something.”
A brow arched, even while his gaze remained steadfastlythere.
“Well, more insearchof something.”
“We are all in search of something.”
“How philosophical of you. Tell me then, what areyouin search of?”
His eyes shifted back up before flicking again to her trousers before finally settling on her face once again. His lips pursed. “Peace of mind.”
“I’m afraid you shall be searching for a long time.” She gave a deliberate, mocking pause. “Then how about we help each other out?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Do not sound so skeptical, Warrick.” Selena smiled. Just how far would this man go in the name of his watchdog duties? “Cooperating could benefit both of us.”
“That would meanyouwill be the one to help me gain peace of mind.”
What was with that tone? “Why not me? I’m certain I can aid in that regard.”
“When you are the origin of my turmoil in the first place?” His face turned grim. “Forgive me, but whatever deal or quid pro quo you could offer, no matter how I look at it, I lose.”
“Interesting...” Her gaze tracked over his length. Had he grown wiser to her schemes since she last conversed with him? No matter. She was merely teasing him. If the earl did truly want peace of mind, he should become a monk.
Still, a distant sense of curiosity prevailed. “What will give you a moment of peace?”
“Only a moment?”
She nodded. “We are creatures that live in compounding moments, are we not?”
“I suppose we are.”
“There you go with that skeptical tone again. You say I am the problem, correct? Well you must be aware that within every problem lies the solution.”
