Malcolm ran the back of his knuckles down the side of her neck, his gaze following their path. His green eyes blazed with want. Was he going to kiss her? She instinctively leaned forward. This time she wasn’t going to lose her head. She would pay attention to the details.
Then he stepped back. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Adeline trailed after him over to the table, oddly disappointed. Had she wanted him to? His attention was addictive. Good Lord. Why was it so hard to remember that he only paid her attention because it was his job to discover the missing artifacts? That he only kissed her because she had asked him? Because, most likely, he felt sorry for her? That he couldn’t be trusted? She peeked at him from under her eyelashes. The thing was, Adeline already felt as though she could. She would need to ponder that further.
They sat and ate the warm rolls. Then he carried her trunk downstairs where Mr. Bosely waited outside the front door to the inn. The carriage was hitched and waited for them in the yard. He wore a rain slicker and held an umbrella to escort her to the carriage.
“Good morning, Lady Amberley. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you.” Adeline glanced up with concern at the gray sky.
“Don’t worry, it’s only a little drizzle.” Malcolm helped her into the carriage and handed her the carpet bag.
She tucked it beneath her feet. Adeline stared out the window as they began the first full day of their journey. The trees were a blanket of fall colors as they rolled past. Leaves in orange, maroon, vibrant yellows, and golden brown all glistened with a light glaze of raindrops.
“You were up early this morning,” she commented as Malcolm settled across from her.
“I am always up early. It is the way of life in the military.”
“Me, too. I mean to say that I am usually an early riser, not that I know the way of life in the navy.” Obviously. Why did she always make a hash of conversation with this man?
“Sunrise is my favorite time of day. Watching the sun come up over the water is almost like a religion for me. The start of a new day full of possibilities. A fresh beginning.” He ran a hand through his hair. “That probably sounds sacrilegious.”
She shook her head. “If it is, it doesn’t bother me. My favorite time of day is solar twilight. The time right before dawn begins to creep over the horizon. The sky is the darkest, and the stars are bright and visible with the naked eye or a telescope.”
Malcolm’s lips curved up. “Is your book of nebulae in that carpet bag?”
“No, it’s far too thick of a volume. And unfortunately, I find it terribly dry. I fell asleep reading it the other afternoon. Right at the library table.”
A chuckle erupted low and smooth. His laugh did something strange to her insides. Good Lord, how did she ever end up in a carriage being escorted to Millstone Manor by this gorgeous man? Bless George for his meddling. Adeline winced. Poor George. She wondered how he was faring? Had her mother come downstairs to check on him, or was she still abed? Would her father be looking for her yet? Adeline clutched at her bag. Had she made the right decision to take the most valuable pieces?
The rain began to pour in earnest outside the window and pounded on the roof, matching the storm of her thoughts. Everything was going to be fine. She reached into her bag and pulled out her novel. She would immerse herself in the tragic tale. She glanced up to find Malcolm looking at her. She wasn’t used to anybody paying her attention on these journeys to the estate.
“Do you mind if I read?” she asked.
“Not at all.”
Adeline turned her attention to the page. But after a few minutes, she peeked up at him. He was still watching her. “Are you going to stare at me the whole trip?”
“No, just for a bit. You are adorable when you concentrate on something. You get a little furrow right here.” He pointed to the space between his brows.
She sighed. He was making fun of her. Her brother did it as well when he was bored.
Malcolm held up his hands, palms out. “Sorry, I’ll close my eyes and nap a bit.” He leaned back against the squabs and scooted down in his seat. His long legs spread wide as he got as comfortable as someone his height could in such a small space. She tried to read, she really did, but it was the perfect opportunity to peruse the man. His large hands lay folded across his flat stomach. His coat flared open, and the navy blue waistcoat stretched taut across his chest. How hard would his chest be under her hands? Equally tight were his gray trousers across muscled thighs. She bit her bottom lip. This was no man of leisure.
One of his eyes popped open. “Now who is staring?”
“Am not! I am reading,” she said. She focused her attention on her book, trying not to furrow her brow as she read.
Chapter Eighteen
Acrash ofthunder shook the carriage. Adeline snapped shut her book and held it with white knuckles. It was fine. Everything was going to be fine. Another clap of thunder had her chest tightening like it was in a vice, making it hard to breathe. She would not make a cake of herself again in front of Kingsbury. She was a rational woman. There was nothing to be frightened of. She repeated these two mantras over and over as the rain lashed at the carriage.
Malcolm straightened and peered out the window. “It’s really coming down out there.”
“Do you think Mr. Bosely is all right up there in the box?” Adeline asked. What if lightning hit the coachman or the horses?
“Oh, he’ll be fine. No seaman worth his salt hasn’t worked on deck during a squall.” Malcolm turned from the window. “Hey, you are awfully pale.”
