“That’s all right, my dear,” chuckled Dorothea. “It’s a very well-kept secret, so don’t tell anyone, all right?”
The little girl raised her chin and looked at Dorothea with a serious expression on her face. “You can trust me, Miss Thea. I won’t tell a soul, I promise.”
“Well, now that that’s settled,” said Silas, “why don’t we all sit for a few moments and discuss our next steps?”
Dorothea cleared her throat. “As I mentioned, we’ll be looking for accommodations, just for tonight.”
“I understand,” he said calmly. “And in that regard, I have a suggestion to make.”
“You know a convenient inn?”
“Not exactly.” He shifted in his chair and crossed his legs, resting one boot on the other knee. It was a very masculine pose, and to her surprise, she felt a shivery tingle of awareness rocketing through her body.
As if he knew, his smile turned sensual, gentle, and Dorothea had to force herself to look away.
The man was a coggleblastedly alluring curiosity, and she was furious at her body for betraying her and responding the way it did. No other man had ever elicited shivers like that.
She raised her chin. “Well, sir. Your suggestion?”
He waved his hand around the room. “Stay here. With me.”
“Oh, but I...we couldn’t impose...” She stammered the words, shocked and confused at the same time.
“Nonsense. I have a very nice empty guest room upstairs, which I think would suit two lovely young ladies perfectly.” He grinned at Gen. “Do you think Thim might find staying here this evening acceptable? Nelson will take very good care of all of you...”
“Oh...” Gen’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Mr Gray. D’you really mean it? We could stay here?” She turned to Dorothea. “Wouldn’t that bethe most special thing, Miss Thea? It’s so nice here, and Thim would be with both of us, and Nelson would be here, and Mr Gray too...”
“Well, I...”
“It would be just perfect, and I would so enjoy your company, as would Nelson.” Silas smiled benevolently, daring Dorothea to say no.
She sighed. “It certainly seems as though the decision has been made, but I will insist on reimbursing you for any extra costs our visit incurs.”
“Of course. Most thoughtful of you.”
His expression was calm and pleasant, and she wanted nothing more than to give him a good smack upside his head. He knew, damn him. He knew exactly how to present the offer in a way that she could not refuse.
“Nelson, would you make the guest room ready for Miss Gen and Miss Thea?” He stood. “And a meal in an hour, I think.” He glanced down. “You must both be quite hungry by now. I know I am.” He winked at Gen. “How about we start with a Tickers’ tray, in honour of Thim and Nelson, and then perhaps a Smelter’s Stew?”
Dorothea’s mouth watered in spite of herself. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten. So she tucked her pride in her pocket and smiled back at him. “That sounds absolutely wonderful. And very kind of you. Smelter’s Stew has always been popular in my house, and I’m sure Gen will enjoy it, if she hasn’t overfilled herself from the Ticker’s tray, that is.”
Gen blinked. “Oh no,Miss Thea. I am so hungry I think I have room for everything. Even pudding?”
“Boilermaker Pudding, perhaps?”
The look on the little girl’s face was indeed priceless as she gasped and nodded, speechless with delight.
“Very clever, Mr Gray,” murmured Dorothea. “Very clever indeed.”
He turned an innocent smile toward her. “I can’t begin to imagine what you mean, but I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“Of course. I meant nothing more.” Nelson returned just as she rose from her chair, but she caught Silas’s lips curve as those coggleblastedly gorgeous eyes did their twinkling thing.
“Your room awaits, Miss Thea. I look forward to our meal when you’re refreshed.”
“Hmm.” She nodded, grabbed Gen’s hand a little harder than necessary and led the girl from the room in Nelson’s wake.
*~~*~~*
