Page 33 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Thank you,” he said. “I’ve made several appointments for you and your sister in London this coming week. I hope you don’t mind traveling to town a little earlier than what would be considered fashionable, but I’ve some business that requires my presence.”
“What business do you have in London?” she asked, curiously, before realizing how forward she was being in asking such a personal question. “Oh, um, forgive me…”
He waved his hand in the air, as if it were completely normal for her to inquire about his private affairs.
“I’ve several dealings that need to be settled before I commit to this new baron role.”
Holly tilted her head.
“Do you mean to retire? From your banking career, I mean.”
“Ha,” he said, glancing around. “I prefer to think of it as trading one job for another. Managing all the Bairnsdale properties and businesses will be a job in and of itself. Besides, the bank effectively runs itself now. For the past few years, I’ve really only been maintaining an office there as I’m on the board of trustees, but I’ll likely retire fully now.”
“Oh,” she said, somewhat perplexed. “Your uncle once said that you enjoyed numbers. That’s why you went into banking.”
A short silence followed. Holly was unsure for a moment, but when he next spoke, she thought he sounded somewhat distant.
“Indeed,” he said, somewhat stiffly, before reverting back to their previous conversation. “But I assure you, you will not bankrupt this estate by buying a few dresses.”
“I’m eager not to empty the estate’s coffers.”
He let out a laugh that startled her, sending a warm wave of comfort down her back.
“You could buy a new dress every day for the rest of your life, and it wouldn’t put a dent in the monies here.”
“Yes, but what I mean is—”
“Do you know what I think?” he said, stepping forward. “I think you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be taken care of.”
Holly stared at Gavin, unsure of what to do. An uncomfortable laugh bubbled in her throat, but she stifled it, taking a step back. She didn’t want to sound like a fool, yet what a ridiculous thing to say.
“I assure you, I do not need to be taken care of—Ah!”
In her attempt to avoid him, Holly hadn’t been watching where she was going, and she tripped over a dirt-covered piece of wood. Her hands came up to brace herself against a fall when she was suddenly wrapped in the strong embrace of Gavin.
Kneeling in one swinging motion as he cradled her to his chest, he sat her on the ground as light as a butterfly dropping on a daisy’s petals. Her breathing was erratic, but then so was the pounding of Gavin’s heart. She felt it beating wildly against her shoulder.
He gazed down at her.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his tone concerned.
“I… uh, yes,” she stuttered. “Yes, quite.”
He didn’t appear convinced.
“Is your ankle twisted?” he asked, his hand dropping to the hem of her skirt as if he were going to inspect it. Holly nearly shrieked as she pushed her hands to his shoulders to dissuade him from proceeding.
“There’s no need for that.”
“If it’s swollen, you shouldn’t walk on it.”
“It’s not. It’s perfectly fine. I just need some help up,” she said, stretching her hands towards him in an effort to distract him from examining her.
He frowned at her.
“I won’t touch it, I promise,” he said, lifting the edge of her dress. “But can you press the sole of your foot against my palm? Just to placate me?”
“But my boots are filthy. You’ll dirty your hands.”
