Chapter 16
Nicholas attempted to enter his guest chamber without being spotted.In his current mood, he had no wish to converse with anyone, much less pretend to feel carefree and flirtatious.
Unfortunately, the door to his brother’s chamber across the corridor was ajar, and Nicholas’s arrival did not go unnoticed.
Before Nicholas even had a chance to ring for a footman to load his trunks into his carriage, Chris was standing in the doorway.
“Have you been to the roof of the castle?”he asked.“I have to fix my telescope.The view is astonishing.”
“I’m leaving,” Nicholas said.There was no sense keeping it from his brother.Nicholas’s accelerated departure worked out in Chris’s favor.
His brother frowned.“You have until tomorrow.Why would you leave early?This village is positively brimming with comely young ladies.”
“I don’t care about them,” Nicholas muttered.
His brother stepped into the room and lowered his voice.“Is it the lady chemist?”
Nicholas did not respond.
His brother’s mouth fell open.“Never say you’ve developed an infatuation!”
“It doesn’t matter what I feel.”Nicholas shrugged.“She was never interested in a lasting relationship.I was a convenient subject upon which to test the efficacy of her new perfume.”
Chris raised his brows.“How exactly did the lady test you?”
Nicholas glared back at him stonily.
“Let me see if I understand.”Chris came closer, stroking his chin as if deep in thought.“The individual in question slept with a willing partner, on precisely one occasion, with no inclination or promise, spoken or otherwise, to continue interaction after the deed was done?”
Nicholas crossed his arms.
“You got raked and don’t like it.”Chris’s eyes lit with mirth.“She ‘Saint Penelope’ed you.”
Sometimes, Nicholas wanted nothing more than to throttle his brother.
“You cannot possibly be angry with her over it,” Chris said in disbelief.“Do unto others, and all that.Weren’t you always worried that someday a woman would agree to one night and not really mean it?Penelope meant it.Huzzah.”
“It’s worse than that.One night was what I wanted, too.”Nicholas sighed.“Until I didn’t.”
Chris stared at him for a long moment, all humor gone.“You fell inlove?”
Nicholas shrugged.“She didn’t.So, it doesn’t matter.”
Chris stepped forward, his initial humor now replaced by wonder.“Good God.I never thought you’d fall before me.”
“I never thought I’d fall at all.”Nicholas scowled.“The landing is hell.”
Chris reached out.“Nick, I’m sorry.Do you want me to—”
“No.”Nicholas clenched his jaw tight and turned away before his brother could touch him.
He didn’t want Chris’s pity.He wanted to be as far away as possible.
It wasn’t the village of Christmas he was running from, but stacks of warm biscuits placed by the fire.Afternoons side-by-side on stools in her laboratory or in the kitchen.Laughing at private jokes.Their hands touching as they kneaded a bowl of dough.Heated kisses that tasted of spice and sugar.The scent of her skin.The softness of her hair.
The finality in her tone when she admitted his time with her had been a test trial that had now concluded.She didn’t need him anymore.
“Where will you go?”his brother asked, his voice concerned.“Home?”
