She slid out of bed and felt her way to the far side of the room. Her fingers found the window latch, and she quietly opened it. The sudden blast of air surprised her, yet it relieved her as well, for the shock made her feel very much alive. She stood there for several long minutes, breathing deeply, hoping the air would somehow cleanse her thoughts. It did not.
Perhaps it was the darkness, so sinister and complete, that was rattling her nerves. Meredith made her way to the low table and fumbled to light a candle. The soft glow momentarily calmed her nerves. She glanced back at her bed. The rumpled sheets and angled pillows were rather unappealing.
Meredith turned in the opposite direction and glanced at the door that connected her bedchamber to Trevor’s. There was no light shining beneath the door, no indication he was awake. She tilted her head and listened intently. All was quiet—no snoring, no rustling sheets.
For an instant she panicked, thinking he might not even be in his bedchamber. But no, he had promised her he would stay home tonight, and she believed he would keep his word. He must be asleep.
Meredith chewed nervously at her lower lip. Perhaps if she was very quiet and very careful, she could slip into his bed without waking him.
“That is where I really want to be,” she whispered, making up her mind. “Where I need to be.”
She did not bother to put on a robe. Padding barefoot across the thick carpet, she moved with stealthy efficiency and determination. Once at the door, she turned the latch slowly, so as not to make a sound. Swinging the door open, Meredith took a small step, halting in the doorway.
She extinguished her candle and set it on top of a large dresser. Thankfully, Trevor slept with the curtains of his bed and the draperies of the windows open. There was just enough moonlight streaking through the windows to illuminate the objects in the chamber. If she was very careful, she should be able to negotiate the room without tripping over the furniture and raising a racket.
Meredith waited for a moment to allow her eyes to adjust to the limited light The shadows were thick, but she could make out the chests and armoires that lined the wall, the chairs and tables positioned around the room.
Trevor lay in the huge canopied four-poster bed, sprawled on his stomach. One arm was flung over his head; the other rested by his side. The sheets were bunched at his waist, revealing the well-defined muscles of his bare shoulders and back.
Meredith assumed he was asleep, though she stood too far away to hear the even rise and fall of his breathing. She needed to be closer. Crossing her arms and hugging herself, Meredith made her way silently to the bed. She hesitated, wavering a bit as she drew near.
Driven by fear, she had felt determined walking in here. Now she suddenly felt unsure at invading the marquess’s intimate quarters. What would she do if he refused to allow her to stay? That horrifying question kept her still and quiet for several long moments.
Uneasily, Meredith glanced about the room again. Her eyes had adjusted to the moonlight, and she could now ascertain more specifically the contents. There were several comfortable upholstered chairs, even a long chaise. She could most likely be content sleeping in one of those for the night if absolutely necessary. It was certainly far more appealing than staying in her lonely, empty chamber.
The sudden chime of the clock on the mantelpiece made her jump. Startled, Meredith’s fears surfaced, this time accompanied by anger. She despised these feelings of not being safe, hated the taste of fear. Yet she could not deny they existed so strongly inside her. Would they ever leave?
She advanced five steps closer to the bed, overcome with a strong and painful desire to curl up in Trevor’s arms and hold herself close to his chest until all her uncertainties faded.
Holding her breath to ensure she made no noise, Meredith studied him in the moonlight. She briefly considered slipping in beside him, but she loathed to disturb his slumber, uncertain of his reaction if he awoke and found her in his bed.
Trevor’s features were oddly commanding, even in sleep. Meredith slowly let out her breath, then drew in another and held it as the seconds ticked away. As much as she might want to, she could not simply stand here until the dawn broke.
There was movement on the bed. Trevor’s head lifted off the pillow. “Has something happened?” he asked groggily.
Meredith cleared her throat. “I awoke and found it impossible to return to sleep. I fear the events of this evening have left me excessively emotional.”
He studied her, though she doubted he could see much more than the outline of her torso in the moonlight. “You are a woman. It is to be expected.”
Normally his words and tone would bring a rise of indignation from her lips, but she had no right to anger, for he spoke the truth. “I hope I did not wake you,” she said.
He raised himself on one elbow, running his hand down his face. “I had only just dozed off myself,” he admitted.
“Then I apologize for disturbing you. But I did not know what else to do.”
“Do you want me to sit by your bed again?”
“No, for if I awake after you leave the problem will return.” Meredith hesitated, giving him a doubtful frown. “I was hoping a different solution could be found.”
Taut seconds passed while Meredith gazed into his eyes. Trevor returned her regard, searching her face intently before he looked away. “I suppose you could stay in my chamber.”
Meredith blinked. It was hardly the most enthusiastic invitation. “Are you certain?” Her heart stilled, waiting for his answer.
“No. But stay anyway.”
She looked around. “Where?”
He let out a loud sigh. “The bed is comfortable. And very large.”
