“You don’t have to answer right now. I will seek out Lillian and properly consummate our union.” Lord Kendrick offered a persuasive grin as he visibly tried to rally his spirits. He trailed a finger down my hand. His touch sparked the need brighter. Every touch, every lingering glance had the desired effect. He truly was a master at seduction, and I his willing victim. “You can join us later if that is your wish.”
It was my greatest wish. I swallowed, wavering in my resolve. What he promised was what I longed for. I huffed out a breath, nodding at my inevitable agreement. “I will consider it.”
Footsteps sounded, and he stepped back, his arms crossed over his chest.
My stomach churned, and I gulped in air to calm my growing unrest. My senses were heightened by our conversation. I fought the urge to remain calm. My consolation was Lord Kendrick’s title would cushion us from ridicule. Mine would also safeguard me.
“Excuse me, my good man,” Lord Kendrick said, addressing the elderly concierge. “Your name?”
“Detrick, Your Grace.” The man cast me a nervous glance.
I gave him a slight nod to bolster his confidence. Lord Kendrick belittled no one on his staff or anyone in service. In that regard, he was a very generous sort, unlike his father before him, who used to terrorize my own father.
“I’ll need a room prepared for the vicar. Can you see to it?” Lord Kendrick asked.
“Yes, Your Grace, yes, of course,” Detrick said, bowing in deference to the duke’s station. “I’ll see to it right away.”
He disappeared as quickly as he came, cutting short my brief reprieve.
“I guess I can check that off my list.” I raked a hand through my hair and settled my palm on my neck. Restlessness stillcontinued to dog me, a trait very unlike me. It was maddening, to be sure.
“You’re no longer working for me, and because you’re not in my employ ...” He leaned in and caught my mouth, kissing me with bittersweet need. I growled low in my throat, angling my jaw to press my lips tighter to his before I pushed away.
“What does that have to do with anything? If I recall, we did more, and damned if I won’t agree to more. However, it is for Lillian. I made a promise, and I’ll keep that promise for her.” Although I said it with force, the staccato pace of my breath gave away my proper reasons. I desired him. I always had, and I always would. Added to my anguish was my ever-increasing passion for the duchess. Every time she entered a room, she brightened it with her enthusiasm. After years of doubting my ability to spin a yarn, she helped spur my creativity. Because of her, I’d finished plotting out my first novel.
“I’ll gladly accept your concession if it means working my way back into your good graces. I have a lot to make up for. If you allow me, I’ll start tonight.” His sheepish expression added to my unrest. “As soon as you point me to my stateroom.”
“You really are helpless without me.” I turned on my heel and took the stairs to the next floor, amused despite myself.
“I know.” Lord Kendrick followed me, every step drawing us closer to our destination and our destiny. I had agreed to his request, but it was still difficult to absorb that I no longer worked for him. If I was smart, I would flee the ship. Except I continued to climb the stairs, each step cementing my fate.
On the landing, I turned down the wide hallway to a door at the left. I opened the door to my stateroom and stepped inside. The room was narrow with a bed tucked into the corner and a desk.
“There’s the door to your dressing room,” I said, pointing to the portal. As much as I wished him to leave me, I wanted him to stay.
He entered the room and inspected the surroundings. The space appeared smaller with his presence, the well-tailored suit fitting his broad frame to perfection. On the small desk was my typewriter. He lifted the sheet in the tumbler. “Is this your book?”
“No, it is Lady Lillian’s. She asked me to bring it so she could work on her book. I do mine by hand.” He was taking an interest in me. If I wished to have a different relationship with him, I would have to learn to be myself. Except I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.
“I see.” He tapped his finger to his temple, and his grin broadened. “I have an idea.”
“To quote Lady Lillian, oh dear.” I leaned my hip against the desk, waiting to hear what he had on his mind. Our new roles would take some getting used to. Where before I tried to steer him in a different direction, I would have to let him make his own choices.
He offered me a brief kiss with a devilish grin, and any thought of resistance left me.
It was foolish, but I guess I was a fool. His fool.
