Eliza pressed her fingertips to the cold glass. Her headache had eased, but something else now thrummed beneath her skin. A restless energy, as if the air around her buzzed with the aftermath of whatever had passed between her and Mungo.
She gathered her dressing gown closer and left the kitchen, knowing that she’d lie in her bed until the household was roused—as Mungo likely would too—and then tomorrow, they’d rise and renew their efforts to find Fenella.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
His eyes felt small and squinty, and his mood was even darker than normal as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Mungo and Calder had searched for hours last night and spoken to anyone they encountered. They’d then caught a hackney to the Baddon Boys headquarters, hoping the voice inside his head would tell him where to go next. It had remained silent. He’d tried to find a way to get inside the fortress with his brother’s help, and failed. Frustrated, they had returned home.
The light had drawn him to the kitchens, and he thought Bud would be there, but he’d found Eliza Downing instead.
The creak of floorboards above told him she was awake now, too, even though, like him, she’d not been in her bed long.
Was she still in her nightgown with her long hair in a braid over one slender shoulder? The dressing gown had been thick and warm, the same color as a mouse’s fur.
Seeing her like that, soft and approachable, not buttoned into one of her dresses, had made him stay. He’d wanted tobe close to her in that moment. Wanted something to chase away the dread for Fenella inside him.
She’d made him tea, and for a brief moment, they’d had peace between them. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt that comfortable with a woman who was not part of his family.
“What is it that draws me to you?” His eyes were on the ceiling still as he lay wondering if she was dressing for the day. Was she standing in a thin chemise, or was she seated on the bed, pulling stockings up those long legs of hers?
Clenching his eyes shut briefly, he stopped his thoughts. Rising seconds later, Mungo washed in icy water, forcing his body to forget the images of Eliza Downing.
He would start the fires, as the day would be another cold one. Today they’d find Fenella, he vowed, or he would keep looking this time until he did.
There was a scratch on his door, and he opened it. Chester trotted in and then sat, tail swishing, to look up at him with big brown eyes.
“What do you want?”
The tail kept swishing.
“I’m not sure why you think I’d give you a treat, considering you steal my boots, Chester.” Mungo scratched behind a soft ear, and the dog sighed. “Just one, and then you’ll leave, and this will be our secret.”
Chester let out a soft woof of agreement.
Mungo then pulled the small piece of dried meat from the tin he kept beside his bed and broke a piece off for the dog. “You’ll take it nicely, Chester.”
The animal took it gently from his hands and then settled down to eat it while Mungo pulled on his boots and laced them.
Suddenly, there was a muffled shriek followed by a loud thud above his head—and then silence. Seconds later, heheard Eliza’s feet moving around the room again, but fast this time. Mungo left his room and took the stairs two at a time.
He pounded his fist on the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Her voice was muffled, but not because she was on the other side. This was more like she held something over her mouth.
“I heard you shriek. Open the door, Eliza, or I’ll keep knocking and wake the entire household.”
He heard her footsteps, and then the door opened a crack. He could see half of her face.
“Go away.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing happened.” Her words came out a nervous squeak. She then looked over her shoulder.
“Let me in.”
“Absolutely not.”
