Page 7 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“What were you going to do if your cook wasn’t there?”

“Heat some water.”

She laughed. “For tea?”

“Yes and no.”

“Stop being obtuse.” Goodness, why was she still standing there discussing this nonsense with this ridiculous man? Oh, right. She had nowhere else to go.

The cad had the nerve to grin at her. He motioned her forward.

Unsure what he was about, she took one tentative step toward him.

He motioned again. “Closer.”

With each step, he motioned to her again until she was standing less than a foot in front of him. “Goodness, whatisthat stench?”

His grin widened. “Me.”

She held her free hand to her nose and mouth. “It’s revolting.” She grinned back at him. “You’re revolting.”

“For once, I agree with you. Or maybe that’s twice. We did seem to be in agreement about Drake and Honoria. So you see, I need some hot water for a bath as well as some to brew some medicinal tea.”

Minutes later, as Charlotte waited, quietly tapping her foot in agitation, neither the cook nor the butler appeared. “It doesn’t appear anyone is here.”

He quirked a dark eyebrow. “Really? Isn’t that what I said in the first place?” He rose, holding onto the chair for support. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off to the kitchen.”

Oh, he truly was insufferable. “Wait. You’ll no doubt fall down the stairs and break your neck, and I have no desire to be accused of your murder.”

“Ha! It would almost be worth it.”

She should leave and let him wait until the butler returned. But with his unfailing optimism, the fool would no doubt attempt to navigate the steps on his own. Exhaling an audible sigh, she placed her bag on the floor. “Very well. I’ll help you. First, let’s get you in bed.”

He chuckled, the sound doing odd things to her stomach.

Argh. She shouldn’t have said that.

“I thought you’d never ask. Now, if you could allow me to lean on you a bit.” He lifted his arm. “Around your shoulders would work best.”

Good grief!

She made no further comments lest he twist them into something inappropriate. Goodness, but he stank. After muchstruggling, she managed to get him up the stairs, and he directed her toward his bedchamber.

“Now I shall need a bath of my own,” she said, dumping him onto his mattress.

“You could join me.”

Gah!

Ignoring that ridiculous but oddly enticing comment, she said, “Now, where is the kitchen?”

“Down the hall to the right of the entrance. At the back, there is a flight of stairs to the ground floor. You can’t miss it.”

At least he didn’t pursue his obscene suggestion about them bathing together. She nodded. “I’ll be back.”

As she walked toward the door, he chuckled. “Do you even know how to boil water?”

“How hard can it be?” With that, she slammed the door behind her.

---