Adrian flicked his tongue against the hollow at the base of Valerie’s throat and kissed his way back up to her mouth. With one slow, searing graze, he pulled back, breathing hard. As if he had heard her thoughts and realized what he was doing.
In a surprisingly sweet, but no less disappointing gesture, he pulled the open collar of her nightdress closed, fixing what his touch had tugged askew.
Then, he stepped away, putting that distance between them once more.
“I will allow this Christmas party at the orphanage,” he said, his breath still a little ragged. “But it will be your task, your responsibility. Tell Mrs. Mullens and Mr. Jarvis what you need; they will get it for you.”
Hot-cheeked and rather breathless herself, Valerie could not believe her ears. “And you will attend?”
“We shall see,” he replied, and pulled open that strange solitary door. He hesitated there for a moment. “Do not ask for too much, Miss Wightman.”
With that, he disappeared through the door, closing it firmly behind him. A warning that she was not, under any circumstances, to follow him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
You have damned yourself now.
Adrian walked through the darkened passageways of the castle, not entirely sure of where he was intending to go. He just knew he needed to be as far from Valerie as possible. Although, he did not know if there were enough closed doors in the world to manage that.
Why did she have to make that sound?
He paused and closed his eyes at the memory, the beast inside him pawing to be let out. His hand, which had explored her tantalizing curves and had never wanted to stop, curled into a fist. He smacked the side of it against the wall and sucked in a steadying breath, willing all thoughts of her to leave him be.
Indeed, he had enough nightmares to contend with, robbing him of sleep; he did not need visions of her preventing him fromfalling asleep in the first place, nor did he want her haunting his dreams. Otherwise, he doubted he would ever rest again.
“More eggs?” Valerie asked with a grin, as she watched David and Isaac devouring their breakfast.
They had already gobbled up second helpings, the pair of them, and showed no sign of slowing down. It had been the most wonderful thing when Valerie had entered the breakfast room that morning to find the boys staring at the array of food that the cook had prepared specially for the latest guests. She doubted she had ever seen eyes so wide.
Isaac nodded, already chewing a mouthful of toast and eggs and smoked mackerel. “Yes, please,” he said as he swallowed.
“I’ll have some more of that coffee stuff,” David said, gaining a sharp nudge in the ribs from his friend. “I mean… please may I have some more of that coffee stuff?”
Valerie chuckled and, although Esther and Kate were there to serve, she preferred to do it herself. Nothing brought her greater joy than seeing children well-fed and happy and, already, the two boys were looking pinker in the cheeks.
“You can have as much of everything as you like,” Valerie reassured, casting a pointed glance at Kate. “They can, can they not? We are not expecting His Grace at breakfast, are we?”
It would have been a surprise, for in the days since Valerie had arrived, he had not appeared at the breakfast table. Kate had explained that he usually took his breakfast in his study or had already been and gone, an earlier riser than Valerie.
“He seems to be sleeping late,” Kate replied with a frown. “But, when he does awaken, I am certain he will take his breakfast in his rooms.”
Valerie mustered a smile, returning her attention to the boys. “Then, please, have your fill.”
Wherearehis rooms?She had asked the same question last night, while lying in her own bed, unable to sleep with so many feverish thoughts passing through her mind. Not that she had had any inclination to visit, but it had occurred to her that she had no notion of where he disappeared to of an evening.
Her face warmed, and she chided herself silently for even contemplating where Adrian’s bedchamber might be. It was none of her concern.
What happened was… not something I should look forward to happening again.She poured some of the weak coffee for herself to moisten her dry throat.He said it himself; do not ask for too much.
In truth, she did not know what to make of the kiss last night, though she had scrutinized every moment of it before sleep had finally relieved her. Was it just… payment for the party she hadasked for? An exchange of sorts: she got to make the orphanage children happy, he got to briefly enjoy her?
I am not sure I like that.Although, shehadliked the kiss. Very much. Too much, perhaps.
“After breakfast, what do you say to a game?” Valerie said, to distract herself.
David beamed, nodding eagerly. “I’d say, I think I’ve found meself in heaven, Miss Wightman.”
“Can we build snowmen, please?” Isaac asked politely. “Mrs. Atkinson doesn’t let us.”
