There would be no end to the questions or curiosity.
Not that he could blame her.
Gently bred ladies were not accustomed to such a situation. And with their luck—rather, his luck—Miss Grace wouldn’t be scandalized, but simply intrigued and insist on remaining.
It was decided then. He would stay.
He would watch the carriage wreck about to happen and hold his ground. It was the right thing to do, to support his friend in his time of great need—and chaperoning an inquiring lady in a gamble hell certainly qualified as a time of need.
So it was with great trepidation that he watched the hours tick by as he finished calculating the ledgers in his office. By three in the afternoon Ramsey had already taken tea, paced about the floor a while, and contemplated sending a servant after Heathcliff. He’d asked for a servant to notify him the moment the Viscount Kilpatrick arrived, but he was sorely tempted simply to be on the lookout himself. It was growing dangerously close to evening, and if Miss Grace didn’t arrive and depart within an hour’s time, it would be dangerous.
For his nerves.
In the end, the servant wasn’t necessary. Thank the lord.
A knock sounded at the door and he strode to answer it, expecting the servant, but instead was face to face with the minx in question.
“Good afternoon, Lord Sterling.” Miss Grace curtsied prettily while her guardian stood beside her.
“Afternoon,” Ramsey replied, casting a glance at Heathcliff.
“I told her that you were reluctant about her paying a visit, and suggested that we inform you when we arrive. No doubt you had servants watching.” Heathcliff tsked his tongue while shaking his head.
“How gracious of you,” Ramsey replied through almost clenched teeth. He didn’t want to simply underline Heathcliff’s accusation with his reaction, but he did so regardless, unwillingly.
“Is this your office?” Miss Grace asked, leaning forward slightly to peek inside. The movement brought her close enough that the now familiar scent of lavender surrounded him, teasing his senses. He swallowed against the desire that welled within him so uninvited and he nodded. “Yes.”
“May I come in?” she asked, turning to him, then as if realizing how close they were, her cheeks flushed pink and she stepped back.
“I’m sure there are more important venues you wish to see,” he said, casting a dubious glance at Heathcliff. They truly must be on with the tour if they were to get her off the premises in time.
“Oh.” Her brow puckered slightly in disappointment. “I suppose. Will you be joining us?”
He nodded, ignoring the smirk on Heathcliff’s face as he gestured down the hall. “If you’ll follow me this way, I’ll give a tour of the main floor,” Heathcliff announced.
And Ramsey followed, his nerves tense, and his mind ticking like a clock with the minutes escaping faster than he liked. Each moment ticking past reminded him that they were walking a dangerous line.
And he was the only one concerned about the danger, while the other two seemed willingly to run headlong into it. Bloody hell, it was going to be a long night.
