The shackles of his arms around her instantly disappeared, providing her an opportunity to scramble from the bed.
Warrick sat up. “Would you be there in reality? Christ, my temples are killing me.” He glanced at her and seemed to take in his surroundings properly for the first time. “What are you doing here in my bedchamber?”
Selena took a moment to gather her wits. She inhaled focus and exhaled the feel of his body beneath hers before shereturned her gaze to him. “You were supposed to meet me this morning. It’s already past noon.”
He grunted. “Who the hell let you into my chamber?”
“I let myself in,” Selena said, trying hard not to stare at his chest. “Your servants did not stop me. They even pointed the way.”
“I’ll fire the lot of them.”
“Don’t be so hasty. Rather ask yourself why they had no problem lending me a hand to find you.”
“Was it a footman with red hair?”
“How did you know?” Clarity came in a flash. “Is he one of your foot soldiers meant to keep an eye on me while you are”—her gaze roamed the bed—“out of commission?”
“He still shouldn’t have sent you to my chamber,” Warrick growled.
“Perhaps he was worried. You looked rather corpse-like when I entered.”
“Nothing excuses your presence here, Selena.”
“Oh, settle your feathers. I shan’t be ruined over this minor thing.”
“Strictly speaking, you are ruined right now.”
“Strictly speaking, ruination follows discovery. Rest assured, even if your servants are not trustworthy, no one shall believe I entered your chamber of my own accord.”
“What a flattering thing to say.”
“Are you always such a grump when rising from a near-death experience?”
“A bottle of brandy is not enough to send one of my feet into a grave.” He massaged his temples again. “Where are you dragging me off to again?”
“To gather information on curses. I cannot believe I’m saying this, but we should be able to find out how to break this familycurse of yours today.” She gave him an assessing look. “Given your state of being, I’m starting to believe this curse exists.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
What a grump!
“I meant to ask you last night, but what did you do to that woman for her to keep attacking you with a candelabra?”
“Hell if I know. I’ve never met her before.”
“That can’t be right. Why would she attack you then?”
“I’d love to know the answer to that as well.”
“You must have done something.” Selena tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Either to her or someone she knows.”
“I have never done anything to warrant such attacks.”
“Then can it be the curse?”
“Lady Selena.” He gave her a hard look. “Please wait for me in the drawing room while I wash up.”
Selena sighed. “Very well, I shall go. But first tell me what this curse of yours is about.” She was dying of curiosity.
