“She is much improved. Thank you for your concern,” Fifi said.
Slade considered her as he lazily strolled around the cards table, approaching her side. He took note of her delicate throat muscles working. Did his closeness make her nervous?
“I do apologize if I caused any undue worry with my sudden departure,” she said.
He stopped next to her. “Not at all. I’m pleased your aunt’s friend is improved and you are safe,” Slade said.
Her eyes seemed to snag on his hand, then she gasped. “Oh no, your hand!”
CHAPTER 25
Fifi closed the distance between them and took hold of his right hand, concern lining her brows.
Fifi was so near, Slade caught a whiff of her seductive orange blossom and bergamot scent. The sunlight, now more gold than flaxen, streamed through the window, highlighting the fiery strands in her flaming hair arranged in a loose bun.
Her hands were dainty as they held his, so much smaller than his own, and her skin soft, warm and dewy against his callouses. Her blisters were gone.
“Were you bitten by the snakes?” she asked, worry raising her tone.
Slade absently eyed his hand where she indicated, taking note of the reddish bruise where the snake had struck him.
“There’s no need for concern. Grass snakes don’t bite. They simply strike at you with their heads,” Slade said. His eyes returned to hers as the memory of her delectable softness against his hard frame sent a shock of craving like a thunderbolt through his body.
Fifi blinked up at him. Something cleared the concern in her eyes, perhaps the realization she was holding his hand. Or perhaps shocked at sensing the illicitness of his thoughts.
She released his hand as if it had scorched her. “Oh, pardon me. I am relieved you are not hurt,” she said, blinking as if uncertain, even as her cheeks flushed.
Fifi stepped away from the cards table and sauntered towards the billiard table.
“Do you play?” he asked, facing her and the billiard table.
She considered the table for a few breaths.
“I was quite proficient while at Ayr Academy. The other girls and I spent much of our free time at a friend’s estate, whose family had a billiards table,” she said.
“Care to refresh your skills?” He couldn’t help the tinge of playfulness and challenge in his voice.
She smiled with interest. “Why not.”
He used a rack to arrange nine balls on the table. He placed the white cue ball on the other end of the table then selected two cue sticks and chalked their tips.
Slade strode over to where she stood and handed her the lighter of the two sticks as he considered her. She took hold of the offered stick, but he didn’t let go. Her eyes widened in question. His eyes landed on her mouth. The top lip prim and perfectly shaped and the bottom, moist and plump with a tinge of rose blush and the promise of something mischievous, even sinful.
“As a young girl you were always getting into trouble with Alex in some scheme or other. You were an open book, full of mischief. Now you’re a closed book and you go out of your way to appear prim and proper. Hiding the fact you’re a staunch Jacobite. One could even say a zealot considering the lengths you will go to help this Jacobite friend of yours. What changed you, Fifi?” Slade said.
Fifi’s eyes narrowed at him. Something more complex than anger flashed across her delicate features. He stilled. The force of the emotion on her face squeezed something deep inside his chest.
“Everyone changes. I suppose I grew up and embraced the world’s harsh realities,” she said.
He released the cue, and she stepped away.
“It broke my heart to hear of Alex’s accident. Egan was devastated. I can imagine it was much more difficult for you,” Slade said.
Fifi stilled, her back to him. She made a move to turn, her chin landing on her shoulder, but then seemed to reconsider. She instead sauntered to the farthest end of the billiard table and turned to eye him.
Her expression was even. “It was. It still affects me in some ways. But I imagine you are familiar with the pain of losing someone dear.”
Slade’s fingers curled around the cue stick as something sharp and darkly familiar pierced his gut.
