“No.” He held out his shirt. “Youare going to change while I go down and get us something to eat.”
Her eyes went round. “You wantm-meto put onthat?”
“Did you bring anything else to wear?”
“No.”
“Well, then. Get out of those clothes before you catch your death.”
She snatched the shirt. He turned away, feeling her glare burning against his back.
He went into the corridor and shut the door behind him. Something heavy—likely her breeches—thudded against the floor.
Fuck.Those breeches.
One never could tell a woman’s true form. Now, because of those breeches, he no longer had to imagine the shape of her thighs.
He gritted his teeth and headed down the stairs.
He collected a bowl of stew and a bowl of bone broth from Mrs. White, declining her half-hearted offer of assistance.
Mrs. White’s distaste—her judgment—was written into the lines of her face. No matter. She’d proven herself mercenary, and he was used to disdain by now. There was no point in trying to convince her that nothing untoward was going to happen in that room tonight.
Which, of course, was true, if hard to believe.
Besides, the less Mrs. White saw of Julia, the better. Jack, Rayne trusted to keep his mouth shut—Jack wasn’t going to admit to getting duped. But Mrs. White?
Abductions ended two ways—a hushed-up marriage or an expensive, public prosecution. If the woman was of unblemished character—like Julia—the latter would cause her embarrassment and, perhaps, forced retirement to the country. The man, however, would be ruined. His word, good as mud.
He’d no doubt which path Markham would pursue. The last thing he needed was to people the witness box on Markham’s behalf. News of such a sensational trial would spread even to New York—obliterating his refuge.
For now, Mrs. White believed Julia was Katerina. And, if she were to spread the tale, Katerina would, no doubt, claim she’d been the one in his room. Apparently, his small role in her rescue resulted in Katerina’s continued belief he could do no wrong, despite all evidence to the contrary.
But if Julia convinced Mrs. White she was, as she asserted, abducting him with the intent of forcing him to wed, there was no telling what mayhem would follow.
He frowned as he ascended the stair.
DidJulia intend to force him to wed? She’d only asserted she was abducting him—of all the ridiculous things—but she’d also said something about requiring a carriage, hadn’t she?
He supposed he’d soon find out. He knocked on the door with his elbow.
She opened the door, the lamp setting her shape aglow from behind. He looked away from an accidental peek at her tempting silhouette.
“I hate you,” she said as he passed. “I-I’ve been trying to decide how I feel, and I’ve de-decided.”
“Well”—he set down the bowls—“that makes all thisfarmore logical.”
He proceeded to collect the tinderbox and then blinked in surprise at the young but cheerful fire in the grate.
How many young ladies could light a fire with only a tinder box, some kindling, and a log? How many could have hung off the back of a coach for more than thirty damn miles?
He refused to be impressed.
“I-If you must know—”
He knelt down and laid another log onto the fire.
“—I amnotafteryou!”
