He scanned the darkened room, eyeing each shadow and waiting for one to move. One finally did move, and he knew it had to be Viola. He caught her about the waist and hauled her up against him.
Lord, she felt good.
She gasped. “Let me go, my lord. Why did you follow me in here?”
“Why were you sticking your little nose against the window?” He turned her to face him.
“Did you not specifically ask me to study your diamonds? That is all I intended to do. Well, that and see how everyone enjoyed the food.”
“It was spectacular. Well done, Viola.”
“Thank you. I hope you found your diamonds equally spectacular. The ladies looked exquisite in their fine silks and beautiful jewels, didn’t they? Did everyone truly enjoy my cooking?”
“The fact there was not a crumb left over from our supper ought to have told you everything you needed to know. In fact, I am considering posting armed guards around you to prevent anyone from stealing you away.”
She laughed as she gave a halfhearted push against his chest in order to squirm out of his arms. But her efforts were lame. He had very light hold of her and she could have broken away if this was truly her desire. Instead, she kept her hands on his chest and sighed. “Lady Withnall came into the kitchen earlier to make a point of complimenting me on the meal.”
“You met Lady Withnall?”
“Yes, she was quite kind to me and so very thoughtful.”
He emitted a soft growl. “The little snoop. She was checking you out.”
“Why would she be interested in me? Oh, that is why you made the comment about someone stealing me from you. You think she wants me to be her cook?”
“No. She has no interest in you as a cook. She’s the size of a dormouse and hardly eats, nor does she entertain much. Everyone is afraid of her, so she is always invited everywhere.”
Viola laughed. “That makes no sense. Why do people want her around if they don’t like her?”
“She knows everyone’s secrets. They are all desperate to stay on her good side in the hope she will not tattle on them.” She felt so perfect in his arms, as though she naturally belonged there…which she did.
He leaned closer and caught the scent of honey, onions, and ginger spices on her warm skin. No perfume ever smelled finer.
Viola shook her head. “She seemed so nice. I never took her for an extortionist or blackmailer.”
“She isn’t either of those things. But she does take delight in pricking pompous bubbles or exposing dark secrets when she believes innocents will be harmed. In truth, I like her. But just be wary around her. One never knows what she is up to.”
“All right, I’ll try to keep on guard. But I am not very good at reading people’s motives. It is much easier to be kind and friendly rather than worry about what others are plotting.”
“Just be yourself, Viola. I don’t mean for you to lie to her. However, you need not spill your heart, either.”
She emitted a short, snorting laugh. “Why should she care about my heart? I am nothing to theton.”
But she was something to him.
It troubled him that Lady Withnall already knew it. Was he that obvious? She had not even seen him with Viola. Well, his father had been spouting off about the ‘unsuitable’ girl. Now, the little gossip was sniffing around to see what might turn up.
He did not want to alarm Viola by saying anything to her.
“How was your first day in the kitchen?” he asked, changing the topic of their conversation. “Any issues?”
“None. It all went very well.”
“Everything you made for us today was excellent.” He still had his arms around her and had no intention of drawing away. “What was not so excellent were my choices in the diamonds. Lady Aurora is determined to marry a duke and only accepted my invitation in order to make him jealous.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It is a relief for me.”
