Oliver’s lips inched upward ever so slightly. “I shall be forever grateful.”
This was easier than expected.
Chapter Two
This scent.Thesoft richness of tobacco followed her as she slowly made her way up the stairs, taunting, teasing, and wholly unnerving her.Heunnerved her. In what world was Louisa leading the Duke of Mortimer, of all men,backto her bedchamber?
Her family’s nemesis.
Her nemesis?
She snuck a peek over her shoulder. He didn’t walk beside her but rather kept pace behind her right shoulder, allowing her to take charge even though he knew very well the way back. She supposed she ought to be grateful for the courtesy, however misleading it may be. But this false sense of security from him bothered her less than his overpowering presence utterly engulfing her.
No part of her wasnotaware of his exact position, his exact movement, and even though his legs were so much longer than hers, he kept the perfect pace to keep the most exact distance between them.
Her nemesis?
Yes, and yet he impossibly also felt like a savior. And not least because he did look remarkably like a man who’d stepped out of a thrilling Greek mythology tale. Handsome to the point of sin.
She entered her chamber and didn’t hesitate to stride over to the bed. She placed the kitchen candle on her small bedside table and lowered onto her knees to reach beneath the bed. Sheglanced at the duke—far too close—who took a spot right next to the source of light. She couldn’t believe the man was in her bedchamber, looming over her with his towering height.
Very well, he wasn’tlooming. But he did take up space.
A lot of space.
The cap was back on his head, hiding his soft mop of russet hair. Her eye caught on the one freckle beneath his left eye, and she quickly glanced away. She also didnotfind that freckle rather adorable.
Focus, Louisa.
She pulled the case from under the bed and opened it, rummaging through the tons of bonnets and ribbons stored there.
Her brows furrowed.
Where was the blasting thing?
She rifled deeper.
And dug and dug until all the bonnets scattered around the case and only an empty space filled the thing.
This... was rather impossible, wasn’t it? She motioned with her hand without looking at him. “Bring the candle over.” Light bloomed over her mess as the candle was lifted over her shoulder. Had exhaustion claimed her sight? “What do you see, Your Grace?”
A moment of silence. “Nothing.”
“So, I’m not imagining things.” That was something, at least.
“The book is not where you placed it?”
Her gaze lifted to his face. “No.” She could have sworn she’d hidden it here, hadn’t she? No, shedidhide it here. There could be no mistake. And yet...
“Is there another case?” he enquired.
“No.” Her eyes drifted back to the case as she inspected every inch. “This is the only one.” And no one else knew about the book.
“Are you certain you are not confusing this spot for another?”
She turned a glare his way. “I am not senile.” But could she really have been mistaken? It wouldn’t be the first time she misplaced something or thought she’d put an item in one place but found it in another. She would never admit that, of course. The man already sounded so annoyingly male with his light condescension.
She glanced around the room, her gaze falling on her writing desk. She rose and quickly padded over, motioning for him to follow with the light, hoping to find that perhaps she had put it there.
