“Yes.”
“Ina good way or a bad way?”
Heangled his head as he regarded her. “Depends.”
“Onwhat?”
“Onwhat you’re being stubborn about.Isee you went against my suggestion to make your little friend more comfortable.”Rowangestured to the folded sheet on top of the mat.”
Hercheeks turned a rosy hue. “Ihopped over and then hopped right back.Ipromise.Andit sounded more like an order, not a suggestion,” she said, her lips curving into a smile.
Heshook his head and walked into the kitchen searching for a tin of tea.Butthere were only a few dusty jars of honey and jam.
“Notea, butIfound honey.AndIthinkIknow whereIcan find some tea.”
“Thegroundskeeper’s cottage?” she said, perking up.
“Exactly.IwishIhad thought of it whenIwent for the food.I’llhead over there in a few minutes.”Hewould remember to ask his man of business to reimburse the groundskeeper for his food and supplies.
Rowanwent back to the kitchen and filled a basin with snow from outside the kitchen, then carried it to her and set it at her feet.Tryingto keep his body from reacting, he bit the inside of his bottom lip as he unwrapped the makeshift bandage and gently set her foot into the basin.
Theinitial shock of the cold snow made her jerk her foot away, but he guided it back to the basin. “Thiswill help,Ipromise,” he said.
Asthe snow began to numb the ankle,Lucygave a little moan and then a deep sigh as she closed her eyes and leaned back. “Oh, you’re right.Thatfeels much better…”
God, whatIwouldn’t give for a cold lake right now.“Right,” he said, clearing his throat. “Justkeep icing your foot.I’llgo and see about those supplies from the groundskeeper’s cottage.”
Hestrode out without his jacket, welcoming the bracing cold.Hecouldn’t comprehend how such a beautiful and engaging young woman had gone virtually unnoticed by every eligible bachelor inLondon.God,tonmen could be so such idiots.
Shewas absolutely delectable.Ifshe’d been truly a widow and not one in name only, he’d have seduced her by now.Hegroaned as he rubbed the back of his neck as he remembered the sweet little moan she uttered from those luscious lips.
Hewould have to be careful aroundLucy.Verycareful.
CHAPTER SIX
Sunshinehad barely broken through the thick cloud cover that stretched across the sky and promised the day would be cold and gray again.Snowwas already falling.Rowanstretched out on the longer sofa across the room from the fireplace and folded his arms, placing his hands behind his head.Castinga quick look to his right, he regarded the woman still asleep on the settee, dressed in his clothing.Sheis truly beautiful.
Soon, she would wake up, and he could look at those glorious brandy-colored eyes again—in the candlelight, they were heart-stopping.Whatwould today bring?Theywere supposed to be at a house party—but they were here.Hewondered how different things would have been had they been at the house party instead of here.Wouldhe have flirted with her?Wouldhe have tried to steal a kiss?
Buthow did we get here…she in my clothes, and us stranded in my dilapidated manor house?Hismind struggled to comprehend all that had transpired the day before.Oneminute,Rowanwas joining his friends on a foxhunt, the next thing he knew, he was rescuing the stubborn young woman from herself at the gamekeeper’s shed, catching her in the act of stealing the fox that had been caged for the upcoming hunt.Andthen he’d had no choice but to bring her here because of a sudden and fierce snowstorm.Andnow, here they were in his manor house—with a fox, who was curiously staring at him from across the room—and the beautiful woman who rescued the fox lay in a deep sleep on the smaller settee to his right.
WhenLucyhad changed into his clothing the night before, it nearly undid him.He’dmade some excuse about getting dinner started and practically ran from the parlor until the tightening in his own breeches relaxed.Despitethe effect she had on him, he couldn’t stop staring at her as she slept.Herhair was loose, with curls cascading around her face and on the pillow, framing her face.Shewas adorable.Evenher soft snore was sweet.
Andit was still snowing.
Howmuch snowfall can they expect today, and would they make it back toLatham’shouse party?Thishouse wasn’t far fromLatham’s, but with this much snow, travel could take several hours.Andthe elements were unforgiving.Noone had expected almost a foot of snow to fall in less than a day.Unheardof.Butthe weather this year had been anything but predictable.
“Wouldyou allow me to make breakfast for you?”Lucyasked suddenly, sitting up and wiping the sleep from her eyes.
Hervoice sounded deeper from having just awakened, and her hair was messy and tumbling around her shoulders.Shewas a dream come to life.Ifonly they were in a comfortable four-poster bed with satin sheets.Oh, how he’d enjoy waking her up.
Hecovered himself with one of the old blankets he’d found. “You’reawake,” he said, trying to keep his voice neutral. “Haveyou withheld important information from me?Doyou know how to cook?”
“Notmuch, but your cooking impressed me.Imight know how to make toast and tea.”Shegiggled. “Butnot much else.MotherpreferredIlearned those irksome skills such as painting pictures of flowers and making needlepoint samplers.”
Helaughed. “I’vealways wondered what one does with those small squares of needlepoint.”
“Iused mine to line the bird feeders at our estate,” she said, slipping her spectacles on her nose. “ButI’veknown many young ladies to make them into footstool covers or frame them.”
