Page 26 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
A river of impossible heat roared through her. She felt herself flush. “Go now.”
“I will have your promise first, that you will not go out those windows or otherwise attempt to leave here without me.”
“Am I to be your prisoner then?”
“No. Never.” He dropped his voice. “Carvelle does not just smell like death. He runs a smuggling ring and some say pirate ships. He is a criminal conspirator of the most dangerous sort. He will want back what he thinks is his.”
“I will be no man’s property.”
“Then let me help you keep your freedom.”
Oh. The wind left her anger, and her heart swelled again. At this rate, it would burst. “I could not leave anyway. I have no clothing. Even I would rather not run through the streets of London in a dressing gown.”
“We’ll find a dress of Lady Sirena’s for you and alter it.” Mrs. Windle bustled closer. Dark circles smudged her eyes, and in the growing light of dawn, her face looked grayer. “Or, you are closer in figure to Lady Perry. Mayhap your maid will bring something of hers that we can tack up.”
“You have not slept either, Mrs. Windle.” Graciela looked at Mr. Everly. “Mrs. Windle must rest also. I will not run away, I promise.”
Charley pacedthe corridor of the tidy house waiting for the housekeeper. With another bedchamber on this floor, and probably two more on the next, the tidy little house would be easy enough to protect. It was more than sufficient for a bachelor, but he could see why his sister-in-law, Sirena, had elected to live at Shaldon House. Bakeley’spied-a-terrewould not be big enough for the family that Perry reported was already on the way.
The door opened and closed with a sharpsnick.
“You are not going back in there.” Mrs. Windle rested her hands on her plump hips. “And you are not going to linger here in this hallway.” She wagged a finger. “There is a spark between the two of you.”
Not a spark—a conflagration.
“I was waiting for you, Windy.” He took her arm. “Come, I’ll escort you downstairs. That is where you are headed, is it not? With a visitor here and it almost dawn, you’re not off to bed, are you?”
She expelled a long breath and toddled along down the corridor next to him. “I got her settled, though she cannot rest upon that back for a few days. Who would do such a thing?” She shook her head. “Your mother would never have allowed it. She didn’t even like me swatting your bottom, Master Charley, and I’m thinking I didn’t do enough of it. The stories I hear—”
“Shhh, Windy. You will shame me into taking holy orders.”
She frowned up at him.
“I won’t dally with her, my word of honor. And Bink will be along shortly, and Perry has sent for Father.” He patted her hand. “She’s in great danger, but not from me.”
She grunted. “I must get the breakfast started. I doubt she’ll sleep much and she needs to eat something. Not an ounce of fat on the girl.”
Except in all the right places.
