Page 53 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
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Forcing himself torest, Logan made his way to his bedchamber and slid beneath the covers. He fell into a fitful sleep and rose shortly after sunrise. By the time Amelia strolled into his studyafter the clock struck nine, he was pouring through a stack of documents Finn had delivered that morning.
She’d pinned up her long reddish-gold curls, framing her face with soft tendrils, while her dark gray walking suit intensified the stormy blue color of her eyes. Even with slight shadows of weariness, her softly rounded face and rosy mouth were beautiful. Too blasted tempting.
Tearing his gaze from her plump mouth, he cleared his throat. “Ye slept well?”
“I drifted off.” She glanced down at the carpet, seeming preoccupied by her thoughts. “Considering my horrid dreams, I almost wished I hadn’t slept at all.”
“I seldom dream. When I do, it always seems to be the same memories, again and again.”
Lifting her gaze, her brow furrowed. “I take it your dreams are not fond recollections.”
He set the papers aside on his desk. “To some, sleep is a refuge. But I prefer the waking hours, when I can control my fate.”
She studied him. “Can you now?”
“’Tis the plan, Amelia.” He rose and came to her side. “It’s high time we broke our fast. Mrs. Garrett is eager for ye to have a taste of her cooking.”
“I’m afraid I have little appetite this morning.”
“Ye would not want to wound Mrs. Garrett’s feelings now, would ye?”
“Very well,” she said without enthusiasm. “But I will be on my way to the library immediately after we dine. I cannot rest until I’ve put it back in order.”
“I’ll accompany ye.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary. Surely the hooligans would not return during the morning hours.” Weaving her fingers in a nervous knot, she pulled her mouth into a primseam. The woman who’d passionately tasted his kiss the night before seemed to have departed the residence.
“Ye cannot count on the rotter to use caution. The bastards that ransacked the place were reckless.”
“You do have a point,” she said, resignation marking her tone. “Your assistance would be helpful. Now that it’s daylight, perhaps we should do a thorough search. In my heart, I don’t want to believe that Helen was lying. But still, the notion that Paul stashed a treasure in some secret cache is rather far-fetched.”
“Far-fetched or not, someone believes it’s there. We need to find the truth.”
“Indeed.” Her gaze fell on the fingers she’d laced loosely together. “To know that my brother was not honest with me... the very thought of it cuts to the bone.”
“He wanted to keep ye out of this ugly scheme.” Gently, he placed his hand over hers. “I won’t allow the cutthroats to draw ye in deeper. Ye can count on this, Amelia—I will put a stop to the threat. One way or another.”
Chapter Sixteen
As Amelia enteredthe library with Logan at her side, his steady presence offered a sense of security. Somehow, she knew she could count on this man. Days earlier, they’d been strangers. But now, she felt an instinctive bond.
Trust.
And perhaps, something more.
Surveying the chamber, she pulled in a breath. Even Logan’s nearness could not ease the tumult in the pit of her stomach while she made her way through the chaos.
How dare the curs invade her sanctuary!
The light of day brought the damage into harsh view. So much of the vandalism seemed utterly pointless, more the product of rage than of a purposeful search for a hidden valuable. Moving toward a chair that had been tipped on its side, its stuffing strewn about the floor, Amelia blinked back angry tears. Near her desk, she spied a flowerpot shattered on the floor. Dirt and uprooted plants lay among the bits of broken pottery. Utterly senseless. There’d been no true reason for the destruction.
No reason beyond a desire to instill fear.
She squared her shoulders, feeling a surge of determination course through her. If the intruder thought she would scurry away like a frightened mouse, they’d soon discover their error. The heathen who’d ransacked this place would not leave hercowering in a fit of despair. No, she would restore order from the chaos.
Just as she would find justice for her brother.
