Page 12 of A Rogue for Christmas
He nodded and watched her go. At least he’d be able to continue watching her as she sang. And he’d be able to speak to her tomorrow morning.
CHAPTER7
Nothing would have prevented him from waking early and heading down to the breakfast room.
Iris had been correct—there were only a few people at that hour. Fortunately, he wouldn’t have to wait to speak to her again. She was already seated at the table, along with her younger sister and Seaford’s sister.
“Good morning,” he said as he passed them on the way to the sideboard.
He could feel Iris’s eyes on him, but he didn’t turn around. And the trio’s voices had lowered. He hoped that was because they were talking about him.
Iris wasn’t sitting in the middle, thank goodness, and the seat next to her was still empty when he returned with his filled plate to the table. He would take that as a good sign.
“You’re up early, my lord. I would have thought you’d be the sort to lie abed until midday.”
He took a sip of tea and met her eyes. Their gazes held for several seconds. He waged and lost an internal battle to combat his worst impulses. “Do you often imagine me in bed?”
Her eyes widened a fraction at his outrageous taunt, but in the end, she merely shook her head in exasperation. “I’ll concede the point in this match to you.”
He behaved himself for the rest of the meal. A few people wandered in but, fortunately, none of the people who had appointed themselves to making sure he behaved himself.
“So what are you planning to do this morning, my lord?” she said when she’d finished.
Violet and Clara had already wandered off, and for the moment, they were the only guests still seated. The footmen were refilling some of the trays, and he knew that others would be arriving.
“I’m not sure. What does one do so early at such an event when many of the guests are still sleeping? I’ll admit I’ve never been on this side of such a situation before.”
She laughed. “We entertain ourselves. I was heading to the library to find something to read.”
She stood, and he did as well. “That sounds acceptable. Perhaps you can show me the way? In case I’m ever in need of reading material, of course.”
“Of course,” she said.
He saw the ghost of something flitter across her face, but she masked it quickly. They exited the breakfast room, and he fell into step beside her.
“The library is on the second floor. It is quite large. You’ll have to tell me how it compares to yours.” She stopped and turned to look at him. “You do have a library?”
Did she think him a barbarian who didn’t read? “Of course. Several, in fact. I’m sure you would enjoy exploring all the nooks and crannies of the various libraries in my holdings.”
He froze as soon as the words left his mouth. No woman who wasn’t already a member of his family had visited any of his estates. Not even his town house in London. He liked to conduct his affairs away from his residences. So much easier to slip away when it was time to go.
If Iris thought his words strange, she didn’t show it. And honestly, he was overreacting. It was an innocent statement. He was tying himself in knots over this young woman, and he didn’t know why.
They said nothing further as they made their way upstairs. Fortunately, they only ran into two footmen along the way. The men didn’t even glance their way. Thornton was a fool. His host should have assigned a footman to follow along behind him to ensure he behaved. Wentworth would never be so trusting.
They arrived at the room in question. It was large but nothing out of the ordinary. It certainly wouldn’t compare with the library at his country seat.
He followed her into the room, and she didn’t protest.
They were well away from the door when she slipped behind a bookshelf that divided the room. Curious, he followed.
He wasn’t sure what he expected, probably that she was scampering up one of the ladders to reach a book on a high shelf. Instead, she was facing him, arms crossed.
He stopped opposite her and waited.
She licked her lower lip, and he was powerless to stop his gaze from settling briefly on her mouth. He’d wondered, of course, what it would be like to kiss Iris. He didn’t actually believe he’d get that opportunity.
“I would like you to kiss me,” she said.
