“Have I offended you?”
“No, but you have reminded me how innocent you are.”
She hurried after him as he descended the stairs. “Did Lottie offer to suck something for you?”
He spun around so fast, she nearly ran into him and sent them both tumbling down the stairs. Narrowing his eyes, he studied her for a full minute before saying, “She did as a matter of fact.”
“Will you go to her now?”
His gaze grew soft as he tucked his bent finger beneath her chin and stroked his thumb over her lips. “No.”
“She made you laugh.”
“She said something funny. I can’t even remember what it was now. But I remember every word you’ve ever spoken to me.”
As though he hadn’t just captured a corner of her heart, he continued on down the stairs. She hastened to catch up, but his legs were so much longer that she arrived at the foot of the stairs just in time to hear the doorsnickingback into place. After turning the lock, she lowered the light and fairly floated up the stairs. Sometimes he would say the most touching things, almost poetic in their simplicity.
After changing into her nightgown, she took her book from the table beside her bed, walked to the window and pulled the draperies aside, smiling at the sight of Matthew, a shadow surrounded by light in the window across the way. Settling onto the bench, bringing her feet up, and adjusting the pillows behind her back, she opened her book, pretending to give it attention while peering to the side over at him.
As he had the other night, he dragged a chair over, sat, and held an open book at eye level.
With a sigh of happiness, she began to read, feeling as though they weren’t separated by a mews but were together in the same room, or at least the same world. It was calming and peaceful, something she’d miss when she no longer lived here.
Chapter 18
She had just moved beyond the Duke and Duchess of Hedley after greeting them and thanking them for hosting the ball and including her when she spotted Aiden and Finn, along with their wives, waiting for her. Mick and Aslyn were still conversing with the duke and duchess.
“You’re here early. I didn’t expect to see you until at least half ten,” she teased as each brother leaned in and brushed a feathery light kiss across her cheek.
“We wanted to catch you as soon as possible, before the gents started asking you for dances,” Aiden said. “We’ve let it be known no further incentives from the Trewlove brothers are to be had.”
“Thank you. I truly appreciate it, although you’re far more optimistic about gents asking me to dance than I am.” Still, she was relatively certain Lord Beresford and Mr. Whitley would sign her dance card.
“I have a reason to be optimistic. Regarding the offer I made the gents at the last ball... You should know three of them told me not to tear up their vowels. Seemed they enjoyed dancing with you.”
A spark of joy swept through her. “Truly?”
“I told you that once they spent time with you—”
“But that wasn’t the way to make it come about.”
“I’ll concede your point.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a folded scrap of parchment. “The names, in case you wanted to look at them more favorably.”
She clutched it in her hand, unable to stop her broad smile. “Oh, Aiden, I do believe you’ve made my night.”
“Don’t give him too much credit,” Finn said with a grin. “It’ll go to his head. I’ll let you know if anyone takes me up on my offer so you can look at them unfavorably.”
“No one has taken you up on the offer regarding horses and breeding?”
“Not so far.”
“Looks like some good news is being shared here,” Mick said as he and Aslyn joined the group.
“It seems not all the gents are collecting on the offers made last week,” she told him. “Has anyone come to you for advice?”
“A couple of gents did.” He shrugged. “But they are already married. I should have put a few stipulations on who I was willing to assist.”
“Are we having a family gathering?” Gillie asked as she and Thornley entered their circle.
