She bit at her lips. “Yes, it’s mine.”
He followed her in and closed the door softly behind himself as she removed her hat and placed it on a nearby hook. The room was spacious, an odd combination of foyer and sitting room in one.
There was comfortable-looking furniture situated before a low burning fire in the hearth, a writing desk, and bookshelves. A newspaper sat folded upon a table, and men’s outerwear littered hooks near the entry. If he did not recognize the thought as entirely ludicrous, he would think that a man—other thanMr. Duncan Robertson—lived there.
“Please have a seat.” Maria gestured toward the sitting area. “I must change my attire.”
Their exchange was stilted, but he nodded and settled himself into the purple armchair by the hearth before Maria disappeared down a corridor.
She’d waited until he was seated before leaving him. Hell, but mayhap she had yet something else to hide.
Damn, he didn’t know what to think any longer. In his youth, he’d thought he knew Maria, had found her entirely predictable and uninspiring, like most other young ladies of theton. Over the years, however, she’d continuously proven him wrong. How ignorant he’d been! How unobservant! She was entirely the opposite. The more he learned of her passions and intelligence, the more he wished to know. He was utterly intoxicated by her exuberance. And intrigued by her mysteriousness.
He let his gaze travel around the room, taking as much of it in as he could from his seated position. It was sparse, but deliberately decorated. There were books on nearly every surface: some with folded bits of parchment inserted between pages, and others lying open. A little ornamental clock sat upon the fireplace mantel, ticking the seconds.
It appeared to be a space oft-enjoyed.Thismust be the reason for her two vocations; she was funding her housing. Butwhy? Surely this space was not used only as a means for storing her men’s attire—which was utterly erotic.
Damn, but even now she was likely slipping free of her tight breeches and removing her waistcoat.
His cock twitched, and he shifted in his seat.
Sodding hell.
The woman was a veritable puzzle, and every piece left him more intrigued than before. She had him in entirely in knots.
* * *
Placingthe last pins in her hair, Maria gave herself a cursory glance in the mirror. Everything was in place. She’d donned the frock that she had worn when she’d left her home that morning. The grey striped muslin accentuated her eyes, and the purple ribbon beneath her breasts and decorating the half sleeves and hem was a lovely adornment in her favourite colour.
She clasped her travelling satchel—which carried her uniform for that evening—and a spare cravat, and hurried from the room.
Jasper stood at her entrance, rising from precisely where she’d left him, and a breath of relief left her so swiftly that it nearly made her dizzy.
Unable to help herself, her gaze darted between the corridor and her writing desk, irrationally concerned that Jasper had somehow discovered her secrets while she’d changed attire.
She gave him a bright smile and offered him the cravat. “Thank you for waiting. This is to replace the one you…er…lost.”
His lips quirked in one corner as he accepted the cloth and tied it about his neck.
“Shall we leave?”
With a slow smile forming on his lips, he answered gruffly, “Certainly.”
Undoubtedly he meant to question her about the journey and the apartments, but she knew not how to reply.
Her gaze drifted once more to the corridor. Would Thomas remain in his bedchamber long after they left? She wished that she could bid him farewell and, at the very least, apologize.
Jasper’s gaze sharpened.
Drat. She must focus. She offered him another bright smile, and he gestured toward the front door.
“These are your apartments?” he asked again. “Alone?”
Avoiding his penetrating gaze, she opened the door and lied outright. “Yes.”
They made their way silently down the stairs and out into the front lane. Her senses were on high alert, taking in the movements of the people around them and watching for any sign of danger. Francis could, even now, be lurking in preparation of attack.
Forced to walk a short way before Jasper deftly hailed another hack, Maria attempted to calm her nerves. She breathed deeply and slowly, filling her lungs with the tainted but comforting scents of Cheapside.
