“Well, if your business has concluded, I assume you shall want to break your fast before our tour?” she asked, seeming to give up on the matter. For now.
“Breakfast and a tour sounds like a rather diverting morning. I’m looking forward to it.”
Her expression revealed nothing of her thoughts on the matter. She smiled amicably and gestured for me to follow her back to the house. It seemed today I would have the company of the proper Miss Apsley.
Disappointment coiled its way through me, and I reminded myself that this was a good thing. It was far easier to keep my thoughts from wandering inherpresence than when in the company of the wild lady I had picked flowers with last night. I had yet to put the moment I held her hand from my mind, nor the sensation of her touch. The distance would do me good.
After breakfast, Annette took me on a tour of the castle. She offered details about the castle’s history, and the information seemed to draw out an enthusiasm I rarely saw from her. I had witnessed a glimpse of that spark when she spoke of The Towers last night, which reminded me that Annette had a passion for historic architecture. Or an appreciation for it, at the very least. She had mentioned as much during our trip to the museum in Town.
Today, our time together was, in a word, easy. I was uncertain we had ever gone so long without teasing and taunting, and while I missed having that sort of exchange with her, I enjoyed the carefree conversation. Perhaps it was because my mind was desperate for anything to alleviate the guilt of not seeing progress in regards to finding Hollinsby and Adda.
“Would you like a tour of The Towers?” she asked as we exited the well-furnished music room.
“I would if it is agreeable to you. I do not wish to consume all of your time if you had other plans for today.”
She shook her head. “My only plans were executed this morning while my brother was out. Besides, I shouldn’t mind visiting The Towers. I’ve not done so in some time, and the view of the gardens is lovely this time of year.”
I smiled. The fact that she was willing to extend our time together was an improvement. “Then please, lead the way.”
I followed her down the long corridor, passing the servants’ stairs and library. Once we had reached the grand vestibule, she requested that I wait for her while she gathered her pelisse and gloves. Obliging, I watched her take the stairs. The distance allowed me to admire her from afar in a way I hadn’t previously, and with no one to chide me for staring, my eyes followed her.
She could soon be my wife.
The stray thought set my heart to pounding, and I pulled my gaze away from her. It was not so wrong of me to appreciate how handsome Annette was, considering my intentions, but doing so hinted at an ulterior reason for marrying her. Much as I disliked it, money had prompted me into this courtship, but this growing attraction? It was a distraction. I could not become distracted by my wife.
Er—possible wife.
I winced. Things had progressed with Annette, but I was nowhere near being on well enough terms with her to propose. I had not gotten to the bottom of her reason for dismissing marriage. Until I did, friendship was the best I could hope for.
Still, friendship was a start.
Footsteps sounded above me, and I glanced up, expecting to see Annette descending the stairs. Instead, Russell Apsley flew down them, his face mottled with red. His expression softened when, about halfway down, he noticed me standing in the center of the entry hall.
He reached the bottom of the stairs and crossed the room to me. “Paget. Have you perchance seen my menace of a sister?”
I could only assume he meant Annette.
I opened my mouth but hesitated to answer. Having Apsley as a friend was important to me, but I also needed to woo his sister. Betraying her would not lead to wooing.
My indecision told him enough. “You have seen her. Where is she?”
“I…”
He took a step forward, bringing with him a familiar smell of rot that made me rear back. It was overwhelming, enough so to make my eyes water.
“Terrible, isn’t it?” Apsley spat. “She’s gone and put cuckoo-pint in my wardrobe. Every piece of clothing I own smells of excrement.”
It was a testament to the strength of my self-control that I did not laugh. “That is quite the revenge.”
A reluctant smile curled Apsley’s lips. “I will admit, her retaliation methods have developed very well. She learned from the best, after all.” His lips flattened. “But the knacky little thing has gone far enough. My valet removed the flower, but I canstillsmell it. I suspect she has hidden more in my chamber.”
I fought a grin. The poor man had my sympathies. I would not be able to stand that smell in my room either. Fortunately, I was saved from having to lie to him as Annette hurried down the stairs, her sparkling eyes settled on her brother.
“Good afternoon, Rus.”
“Good? I should think not, and do not look at me all innocent-like. You know very well why I am cranned.”
“I haven’t the slightest idea what you mean, nor what has you in such a sour mood.” She batted her eyelashes, and I nearly choked on a laugh.
