Page 66 of House of Thorns
Chapter Seventeen
Without Guilt
“And where are you going?”
The rumble of Nicholas’s deep voice made Olivia’s heart leap with pleasure.
She paused on the path leading through Glasgow Green, composed herself and turned.
There he sat, astride a red roan a few yards away. The horse was a fine one, but the man on its back finer still. As she watched, he crossed one arm over the saddle and leaned forward with a lazy grin.
She was half-tempted to roll her eyes at herself. She was powerless against him, no different than any other woman in Glasgow. One look at those sea-blue eyes and her heart melted like salt in water.
Ah yes, she owed him an answer.
“Where am I going?” she repeated the question, primly lifting her chin as if she’d delayed her answer due to his mere impudence of asking. “If youmustknow, I’m off to see Mr. Pitt.”
Nicholas arched a sardonic brow, swung his long leg over the saddle, and hopped down from his horse.
“Why?” He stepped up to her side.
Would she ever get used to his height or the breadth of his shoulders? Olivia lowered her lashes, but there were just as many temptations below the waist as above. The way his tan breeches stretched over his strong thighs, for one. Dryly amused at herself, she forced her gaze back to his.
“Why else?” she repeated, resuming her walk. “To pay the man his money. Believe me, it most certainly is not a social call.” Indeed, she’d dreaded facing the man alone.
“Allow me to accompany you, then,” he suggested.
“Please.” Olivia smiled. “I would be most grateful, I assure you.”
His caught her hand and slid his thumb over her palm, slowly, languorously, before he looped her arm through his. She held her breath. His touch felt like fire.
“I haven’t seen you…” She paused to clear the strangled sound from her voice. “I haven’t seen you about these past few days.”
“I had most urgent business in Edinburgh.” He paused, then asked in a teasing tone, “Did you miss me?”
Heat rose to her cheeks and she turned her head away, praying he wouldn’t notice. “Deborah has been fretting,” she said, focusing her gaze over the rolling lawns of Glasgow Green.
“She needn’t fear,” Nicholas assured.
“It’s tonight, you know.” Tonight, the blackmailer expected Deborah to bring the two thousand pounds.
“I assure you, Mr. Timms and his men stand at the ready. One of the men will be wearing her gown. We’ll catch the blackmailer in the act.”
Olivia nodded. “I’ll be so glad when this is over.”
“We all will, I assure you,” Nicholas agreed.
For a minute, perhaps more, they strolled side-by-side down the woodland path. The horse flicked its ears and snuffled as it followed.
Finally, Nicholas broke the silence with, “Are you attending the Duke’s dinner tomorrow evening?”
She hadn’t wanted to, but Deborah had begged her to come. “Most reluctantly, on my grandfather’s behalf,” she confessed dryly. “But for Deborah, how can I deny her anything?”
Nicholas chuckled. “Your cousin is most fortunate to have you.”
“I don’t think so.” Olivia sighed. “It is I who landed her in this mess.”
“Hardly,” he disagreed. “Since I am also invited, allow me to escort you, will you?”
