Page 56 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“Miss Macie, you have a delivery,” she said finally, her tone strained. As her gaze settled on Finn, her eyes flashed. “It seems to have arrived at the perfect time.”
*
I suspect ye’venever had a man worthy of ye give it a go.
At the moment when Finn had spoken the words that had seemed both a challenge and a promise, Macie knew she was playing a dangerous game. For years, she’d erected a frosty shield around herself. She’d quite thoroughly convinced herself that she neither needed nor wanted a man’s kiss. A man’s passion. She was content simply outrunning and outsmarting them all.
Until she’d gotten caught up in a snare of her own making.
Finn had looked at her as if she was something unique. Something special. How could she pretend that the heat in his eyes had not begun to melt her protective, icy armor?
She suspected Finn had not walked away unaffected by those moments. In the evening, when he joined them for the supper Mrs. Tuttle had prepared, he’d kept his attempts at conversation uncharacteristically sparse. Afterwards, he’d headed to the Rogue’s Lair. She’d heard him return well past midnight, entering through the back door with the key she’d insisted he take so as not to disturb the housekeeper at the wee hours. When Macie awoke not long after sunrise, he’d already awakened, dressed, and headed out to attend to his business interests. Or so the briskly penned note he’d left with Mrs. Tuttle indicated.
Now, she sat in her study, pretending that her world had not somehow tilted ever so slightly on its axis. She would spend a few productive hours with her camera before they began preparations for the countess’s masquerade.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting a colorful reflection upon the wall behind Nell. “I take it Mr. Caldwell plans to go about his business this morning,” she commented idly while fiddling with a ribbon around a shepherdess’s staff.
Macie nodded. “I’ve much work to do to prepare for this exhibit, I’m rather relieved we will be on our own.”
“He’s become rather protective, hasn’t he?”
“In his own way,” Macie agreed.
Nell looked up as Cleo jumped upon the arm of the settee. “Don’t even think about it,” she said, snatching away the bright red ribbon as the cat made a bold grab for it. As Cleo replied with an irkedmeow,Nell sent the feline a playful scowl. “Perhaps I will dress you as a lamb. With the libations freely flowing, I doubt anyone would notice.”
Cocking her tail at a jaunty angle, Cleo navigated her way off the settee onto the carpet. Rolling onto her back, she stretched out lazily, unfazed by Nell’s threat.
Macie reached out, touching the crook that was longer than the woman who would carry it was tall. “Really, Nell, is that thing truly necessary?”
Nell’s brows hiked. “You’ve carried swords and, if I’m not mistaken, a medieval mace to costume balls. I doubt this wooden stick can compare.”
“You’ll be pleased to see that my costume tonight requires no accessories of that sort.”
“I am quietly thrilled at the thought. Though I am rather disappointed that you won’t be wearing that bizarre little hat the seamstress made.”
Macie shrugged. “Perhaps I’ll wear it next time. Tonight, I wanted a more feminine appearance.”
“If what I’ve heard about the guest list is true, the heiress hunters will be out in full force tonight. Mr. Caldwell will be busy chasing them off.”
Macie reached down to pet Cleo. “I do wish some of the noble nobs would give up hope.”
“Some will,” Nell said. “But I suspect one or two may be more motivated to continue the chase. Perhaps Mr. Caldwell will see a need to put his pugilistic skills to use.”
“You do relish the thought, don’t you?”
Nell shrugged. “I can’t quite put into words why the notion appeals to me. I only know that it does.” She set the staff aside. “I feel confident that he would not hesitate to defend you in any manner necessary.”
Macie patted Cleo’s head, eliciting an enthusiastic purr. “He definitely would not shrink from a fight.”
“He is quite protective of you. Perhaps more so than a hired bodyguard.”
Why was Nell’s expression so very serious? It wasn’t like her. And Macie wasn’t entirely sure she liked this new side of her friend.
“He has good reason to be. Jon is holding something over his head. It’s to Finn’s advantage that I make it through the next fortnight with both my name and my person untattered.”
“I don’t think that’s all there is to it.” Nell went to the window and glanced outside. She turned back to Macie. “I see how the man looks at you.”
“Don’t be silly.” Macie dismissed the thought. “You’re the one who encourageda little romance, as you put it.”
