Page 49 of A Most Unlikely Lady
Edward wagged his finger at her like a scolding headmaster. ‘Besides, you stormed in here of your own accord in pursuit of confectionery delights.’
Forcing her mouth to remain in a firm line, she put her hands on her hips in her best imitation of a scolding headmistress. ‘Which I never would have done if you weren’t an evil, chocolate-thieving villain.’
For a moment, they stared at each other. While Edward’s eyes danced with mischief, his face remained deadly serious. Ivy wasn’t about to break first. It was an epic battle against the laughter threatening to defeat them both. Ivy didn’t usually win battles, but she was determined to claim this victory.
The left corner of Edward’s mouth twitched, then the right. He shook his head as a breathtaking smile changed him from stern commissioner to charming duke. ‘You have me there.’
Ivy felt a surge of pride wash through her. She beat him. What an unusual and addictive feeling. She quite liked winning. She might try doing it again.
Deciding to be gracious in her victory, she dropped her hands and clasped them behind her. ‘What is it you wish to show me?’
He moved to his desk, waving her over and pulling out the chair for her. Ivy was achingly aware of his large, strong body just inches away from her as she carefully sat.
He leaned over her, pulling two notes into the circle of light cast by the lamp. Jamaican spice, soap, and the faintest hint of linseed enveloped her. Turning slightly, she inhaled, drawing his scent into her lungs and holding him there as something tightened in her centre, then slowly began to unfurl.
Edward clenched his hand into a fist. Almost as if he knew the strange effect he was having on her. Almost as if she might be having a similar effect on him.
He had rolled up his sleeves. She hadn’t noticed before.
I was too distracted by his toes.
His forearms were covered in a dusting of black hair, but it didn’t hide the movement of muscle and sinew. He leaned ever so slightly closer to her.
‘This is the note you found in your pocket.’ He relaxed his fist and nudged one of the notes. His low voice caused a resonating hum across her skin.
‘Yes.’ She was far too breathless.
‘And here is the one we found in Thurston’s pocket.’ He placed the second piece of parchment next to the first. With one hand on the back of her chair and the other on the desk next to her, he bracketed her body with his own. She should feel trapped. Caged. Frightened. But she didn’t. If she turned her head, their faces would be almost touching. For a wild moment, she nearly acted on impulse and closed the distance between them. Which was sheer madness.
Focus on the note.
Clearing her throat and wiping suddenly damp hands on her skirt, she bent her head to better see both missives. ‘The writing isn’t the same.’
‘Exactly.’ Edward tapped a long finger on the upward stroke of the letter ‘D’ from Ivy’s note. ‘Whoever wrote this has a light hand.’
Ivy picked up the second piece of parchment, holding it closer to better inspect the ink markings. ‘And this is a much heavier pen stroke. Also…’ She rubbed the paper between her thumb and finger, then did the same with the second one. ‘My note is on thicker parchment.’ She flipped both pages over. ‘Even the seals are slightly different. This wax is much darker.’ Offering them to Edward so he could look, his fingers brushed against hers as he took them.
He cleared his throat and straightened, moving away from her and the lamplight. He squinted valiantly at the seals. ‘Yes. Very good, Lady Ivy.’
‘Just Ivy.’
Edward’s gaze was sharp. ‘What?’
‘I think we can dispense with formalities. I have seen your naked toes, after all.’ Her attempt at levity failed the moment ‘naked’ escaped her lips.
No lady would ever utter such scandalous words. I’ve become a wanton.
She stood, nearly knocking the chair over in her haste. ‘Well. Right. I should go.’
Spinning away, she lunged for the door, let herself into the hall, and rushed to her room. It wasn’t until she slammed the door behind her and leaned against it, breathing as hard as a stallion at full gallop, she realised.
‘Damnation! The hot chocolate.’
Oh God. He’s going to know I forgot it. And that I was too much of a ninny to go back and get it. Perhaps I could wait until he is abed and sneak into his room.
Ivy slid to the floor and thunked her head against the door. The kitten crawled out from under her bed and pounced on her lap.
‘Ridiculous plan, kitty.’
