“And you might have remained where you were safe. I saw someone in the gardens. You could have been in danger.”
“Who did you see?” Alarm coiled in her belly. “Not another intruder?”
“No,” he hastened to say. “It was one of my men come to find me.”
Another of the guards, then. Relief washed over her, chasing the worry that had never been far since the realization that someone was trying to do her brother great bodily harm. But just as quickly as the relief had arrived, it occurred to her that something could still be amiss.
“What did he want?” she asked. “Is something wrong?”
Theo hesitated, his lips twisting. “He had a message for me. But, my lady, please. When it comes to your welfare, if nothing else, heed me. When I tell you to remain in one place, remain there.”
“Are you concerned for me?”
The moment the question left her lips, she wished she could recall it. Likely, his nearness and the intimacy of his body pressing hers to the rough stone wall at her back was the source of her foolishness. That and what had happened between them last night. Her mind wandered, and heat flushed her skin at the memory of his mouth on her, the wicked pleasure that had ruined her every good intention.
“The duke has paid me handsomely to make you and everyone in this household my concern,” Theo said coolly, frowning down at her.
Of course. But she hadn’t required that particular reminder.
She pushed at his chest, her pride stinging. “As you can see, I am unharmed. Now, if you don’t mind, I have herbs that need harvesting.”
But he didn’t move. His hands were still splayed on the walls on either side of her, keeping her there.
“You’re unharmed this time,” he corrected sternly, his lips flattening into a grim line. “But what of next time, my lady? Promise me that you’ll heed me and have a care for your wellbeing.”
“I don’t heed anyone. I’m my own woman.”
And how dare he tell her he was only concerned for her because he was being paid to do so, then make demands? He had no right. She had allowed his sinful mouth to rot her mind.
“Marchioness,” he hissed, his tone warning.
“Beast,” she returned, her tone biting. Because if he intended to act as if whatever this was between them didn’t signify, then so did she. And he was keeping her from her garden. “Let me go.”
His jaw tightened. “Not until I have your promise.”
She pursed her lips, holding his stare. “I suppose you’ll be here all day, then.”
Theo sighed. “My lady, be reasonable, if you please. I’m only trying to protect you as I’ve been tasked with doing.”
“You’ve been tasked with protecting Ridgely as I understood it,” she countered, “and you’ve made it clear that protecting me is merely a duty you’re being paid for. But I must thank you, truly, for your misplaced sense of obligation. I absolve you of it.”
“Don’t be so damned stubborn.”
What did he want from her? It seemed that just as soon as the invisible boundaries separating them were crossed, he built them up again. They stared at each other, both of them refusing to relent, and suddenly the sky opened in truth, sending raindrops falling around them, loudly splattering on plants and hedges and gravel.
“It’s raining,” she said lamely, as if she were imparting a secret he wasn’t privy to.
Thank heavens for the terrace above, the ledge of which stretched out overhead, keeping them dry.
“So it is.” His gaze had strayed to her lips.
Pamela didn’t miss it. She shifted so that she was pressed against him, from hip to chest, and she felt the evidence of his desire. He wasn’t as unaffected as he pretended.
“Will you let me go now?” she prodded, even though remaining where she was appealed more and more by the moment.
“Don’t think I will.”
The hint of his accent had returned to lace his low, gruff voice. She shivered, but it was neither from the cold, nor the damp.
