Page 42 of The Lyon Whisperer
I hope to kiss you, and to touch you, and to make you feel exquisite things…
She must have replayed her husband’s words a thousand times in the few hours he was gone.
“Thank you.” He picked up his glass and waited as she did the same.
They clinked glasses, and sipped, eyes locked.
Later in the day, while she chatted with the milliner over which hat she should purchase, and the chandler over her fine soaps and candles on display, and browsed book titles in the book shop, his words echoed relentlessly. Particularly the bit about making her feel exquisite things she had never dreamed of.
She also recalled the forbidden picture book she and the other members of her society had studied while safely ensconced in Lady Harriet’s parlor. She wondered if any of the things he meant to make her feel involved any of those rather interesting activities and positions.
“Did you pass an enjoyable afternoon?” Chase asked, interrupting her thoughts.
She set her wine on the cart. “I explored several of the local shops. You were quite right. The shopkeepers were delighted by my patronage. I made several small purchases, gifts, mostly.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, calling to mind what she imagined a tiger’s purr might sound like.
Her gaze dropped to his hand, taking in his long, tanned fingers, currently engaged in tracing the stem of his wine glass. Up and down, up and down. His languid movement utterly captivated her.
She tore her focus away from his hand when she realized watching his fingers glide over the crystal was doing funny things to her insides.
“And your day, sir? Did you accomplish all you set out to do?”
He released the goblet and leaned back on the sofa, arms spread wide over the seat back. “I learned enough. My instincts tell me Bender is right, someone deliberately set those logs and that stretch of forest ablaze. I don’t know who or why—yet—but I have a line of inquiry to tug at. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the northern perimeter of the forest, the sight of the second fire, to see if it tells me anything. Afterward, I have someone I wish to question. I may be occupied several hours.”
“Oh? I have never toured this area of the country. I should very much like to accompany you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
His instant dismissal of her suggestion dimmed her excitement. “Whyever not?”
He arched one regal brow. “For one thing, the terrain includes a steep incline.”
“I’ve told you, I’m an excellent rider.”
“Be that as it may, there’s also the matter of the man I wish to question in connection with the fires.”
She waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t she pressed. “What about him?”
“If you must know, I do not expect the interview to proceed in a pleasant fashion.”
This grew more interesting by the minute. “Why? Who is this man?”
Something that might have been irritation glinted in his eyes. She ignored it.
“A man I relieved of his position as head forester several months ago.”
“Oh?”
He sighed. “Suffice it to say, when I noted the profits differed greatly from those I’d anticipated, I looked into the matter. I discovered Mr. Dodd had been systematically pilfering funds.”
“He stole? Fromyou?” She could not fathom anything more foolhardy.
“From my uncle, technically, as this village, and all its resources are entailed to the viscountcy, but, yes. I understand Dodd made a lot of noise in the village after I let him go.”
“You suspect this man of committing the arson, out of vengeance?”
“Potentially.”
