Page 16 of When a Duke Loves a Woman
“It was a couple of days and I didn’tdisappear.”
“You retreated.”
“I didn’t retreat. Damn it, Mick! I just wanted some time to myself.”
The flare of her temper seemed to satisfy him as her words hadn’t. He gave a brusque nod. “All right then.” He glanced around once more, his gaze lingering on the blasted bedroom door. “I’ll leave you to whatever you were doing.”
He headed for the front portal. His abrupt departure irritated her almost as much as his arrival had. What if she wasn’t finished speaking with him? “Did you arrive in your carriage?”
Stopping, he faced her. “I did.”
She could go in search of a hansom, but his carriage would provide a more comfortable ride. “After your driver takes you home, could he return here? I have a use for a carriage this evening.”
Those irritating, penetrating eyes of his narrowed once more. “I’ll escort you wherever you need to go.”
“I don’t need you to escort me.” She threw up her hands in frustration. “Never mind. I’ll get a hansom.”
“Don’t be daft. My carriage is safer. My driver will protect you if need be.”
“I don’t need protecting. I simply want to take a drive through London at night. I’m always working in the evening, and I am curious regarding what the city looks like for those who have leisure after darkness falls.” What rubbish! That she could say all that with a straight face astounded her, but as long as she didn’t make him suspicious regarding why she needed the carriage, perhaps he wouldn’t question his driver on the morrow. And if he did, well, by then the man would be out of her life and she could stand up on her own to Mick’s scrutiny. The key was to ensure he didn’t confront Thorne now, didn’t learn of his presence.
“I’ll have my carriage return for you then.”
“Give me your word you won’t ask your driver where he goes tonight.”
“Gillie—”
“It’s nothing nefarious, I promise. But if you can’t give me your word on that, I’ll hire a hansom.”
He studied her for a long moment before finally sighing in defeat. “You have my word. I simply hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do. Have your driver bring the carriage around to the mews. Although it may be a few hours before I’m ready to go out, so he’s welcome to have a pint while he waits in the tavern.” She’d also offer him a small stipend to discourage him from volunteering any information to her brother.
“He’ll appreciate that.” He turned for the door.
“Mick?”
Once more he stopped, looked back at her.
“Thank you for stopping by to ensure all was well.”
“We know you’re a strong woman, Gillie, perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but you’re our sister and we do worry about you being all alone here.”
“I know you do. I’d tell you if something was amiss.”
“See that you do.” And with that he was gone.
She released a huge sigh of relief that she’d gotten away with him not learning the truth regarding her absence. Now she had a way to send her guest on his way. Odd then that she wasn’t happier about it.
She returned to her bedchamber to find Thorne sitting on the edge of the bed, studying the floor as though it contained some code to be deciphered, the sheet draped across his hips, sweat beading his face and neck, his breathing labored.
“And just what do you think you’re about?” she asked, standing in the doorway, arms crossed, legs akimbo.
He lifted his gaze to her. “It was my intent to be ready in case you required assistance.”
Men were the most stubborn of creatures. “If you’d fallen flat on your face I’d have had to pick you up. Back into bed with you.”
“No. I’m weary of lying about. I need to sit up for a while, gather my bearings.”
