Page 81 of Tempting the Highland Spy
After this mission was over, they’d be thousands of miles apart. He had his life.
And she had hers.
An existence that did not include a man, no matter how handsome, no matter how dashing.
She sighed, snuggling closer to him. She wouldn’t even consider such devastating thoughts. She deserved this pleasure in his arms, and she would savor it. Allowing the tension to ease from her body, she closed her eyes.
A quiet knock at the connecting door cut through their peace like a gunshot.
Mrs. Carmichael’s voice carried a note of urgency. “Please open the door. There’s something you need to know.”
…
Harrison called out a reply as he scrambled into his pajama pants and pulled on his robe. He tossed Grace her nightgown, smiling to himself as she slipped from beneath the covers and into the plain dress.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he opened the door. “I presume this is urgent.”
Mrs. Carmichael’s brow furrowed as her gaze fell on Grace. There was no mistaking the soft flush on Grace’s cheeks, nor his own finger-mussed hair. The matron’s expression made it clear she did not believe they’d been involved in a discussion of the day’s agenda.
“Of course,” she said, clearing her throat as if for effect. “The maid will be here shortly. I’ll endeavor to make this brief.”
Grace’s top teeth grazed her bottom lip in that way of hers. “Is something wrong?”
“A concern has arisen, though it may not pose a problem for us.” Mrs. Carmichael turned to Grace. “You see, Lady Sybil is in a dither. Evidently, she has misplaced a piece of jewelry, a valuable jeweled brooch. She is convinced someone took it from her room during the ball last night.”
Grace’s complexion paled, but she squared her shoulders in a show of spirit. “I assume you are not leveling an accusation…at me.”
“Of course not,” Mrs. Carmichael said, the concern in her eyes contradicting her words.
“It’s a coincidence, nothing more.” Harrison spoke with conviction. Grace would not endanger the mission with a foolish stunt. Her aunt might have been a concern, but Grace would not be so reckless.
“I agree,” the matron said. “Still, I thought you both should be aware. One never knows what sort of innuendo that woman will spread.”
“In this case, there can be no innuendo,” Grace said. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“I thought as much,” Mrs. Carmichael said warmly. She was obviously fond of Grace, and her relief at Grace’s calm response was nearly palpable.
“Thank you, Mrs. Carmichael,” she said.
The matron moved to the door. “Breakfast will be served within the hour. The guests are gathering in the small family dining room.”
“We will be down shortly,” he said. “I’ve developed quite an appetite this morning.”
“I can see that,” Mrs. Carmichael said with a small smile. Cheeky woman.
“Thank you,” he said in a bland voice as she closed the door.
Grace turned to him. Her eyes were wide and questioning. “You don’t think I took that brooch, do you?”
He rubbed his neck, kneading away the sudden tension. “No. I don’t think you’d be so foolish.”
Her lips pulled into a seam. “Well, I suppose that is some vote of confidence.”
The muscles in his neck went taut again. He needed to change the subject, the sooner the better.
Grace accomplished that for him. “I need to prepare for breakfast. After all, I must look presentable.” She went to the wardrobe chest, selected a pale blue ensemble trimmed with black ribbon, and stepped behind the dressing screen.
Taking a seat in the tapestried chair in the corner, he yawned. He’d managed a few hours’ sleep, but it hadn’t been nearly enough.
