Aubrey stood as well. “I’ll just gather the rest of our meal for the larder before we go.”
“You mean you won’t leave it for the servants to clean up?” she asked, sounding surprised.
There she went again, looking at him as if he were her knight errant.
“Not because I am noble and considerate, however,” he corrected at once. “I am merely selfish. I want you all to myself, without interruptions. I instructed the servants not to come until I request them.”
That much was also true.
“Of course,” she agreed easily.
Too easily.
But he didn’t bother arguing, because he knew what would happen when that obstinate expression appeared on her lovely face. She would continue to fight him. He would simply have to prove it to her another way.
Together, they emptied the remaining food into the larder. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the sway of her hips as she made her short trips from the kitchen to the small alcove. Her curves were on full display in her bloomers and shirtsleeves.
Thunder cracked loudly overhead as they completed their task.
“I do believe we may be stranded here for the night,” he told her. “There is no sense trying to ride back to the manor house in the dark and the rain, particularly with it being so wet from the storm.”
Rhiannon gave him a searching look. “Is there anyone who will take note of your absence at the main house? It wouldn’t do for someone to come looking for the both of us and find us here together.”
“Perhaps King, Riverdale, or Whit, but I doubt very much that any of them would search for long. They would assume I’m with a woman and leave it at that.”
“Ah, of course,” she said lightly. “Silly me. This is hardly your first assignation, is it?”
Aubrey almost told her that this was far more to him than any assignation had ever been. But he stopped himself. He was trying to convince her that he was no bloody good for her, damn it. When they inevitably parted at the house party’s end, he had no wish for her to have developed tender feelings for him. Already, he feared they were treading a dangerous path. He had meant every word of warning he had issued to her earlier. She deserved far better than he could ever give her.
He held her gaze now, unflinching. “It is not my first, nor will it be my last.”
She nodded, her lips tightening as if she forced a smile. “I am already aware of who and what you are. You needn’t fear I shall forget.”
Good. That was what he wanted, wasn’t it?
Of course it was.
“Then shall we adjourn upstairs?” he asked, offering her his arm.
Her gaze never faltered as she settled her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Of course. I have been promised an orgy, and I am determined to see it.”
“I am afraid you may be doomed to disappointment on that count, minx. I have no intention of sharing you this evening.”
He guided her back down the hall to the staircase at the front of the cottage. With the darkness of the skies and the shade of the tree foliage, the steps were shadowy and mysterious. He fetched a small, handled oil lamp, lighting it to illuminate the way.
Aubrey gestured for Rhiannon to precede him. “You first, and I’ll light our path from behind.”
She made her way up the stairs with hesitant care. They were steep and fashioned of worn, slippery old wood, which didn’t suit her fashionable heeled boots. He didn’t want her falling andinjuring herself, and this way, he could be sure to catch her if needed whilst also ogling her bottom.
And what a fine bottom it was, particularly when lovingly outlined by her bloomers.
“I think I’m going to have to burn these bloody things before the house party is at an end,” he grumbled, hating the thought of anyone else admiring her in them.
Especially that boring bastard, Carnis. The earl wasn’t worthy of Rhiannon’s passionate fire. But then, neither was Aubrey.
“Burn what things?” she asked, sounding indignant. “Not my boots. They’re my favorite pair.”
“Your trousers,” he growled.
