It would be wise to change the subject. He was beginning to understand what a mistake it had been to bring Amelia here alone. Desire was beginning to coil in his gut, the same powerful sensation that had made him act so recklessly last night. Sostupidly.
“On that note,” he continued, meeting her gaze squarely. “I would like to offer my apologies for last night. I tend to act recklessly after a moonlight swim. I should not have kissed you.”
“Of course,” she murmured.
Did she mean it? Was she relieved?
Watching her carefully, he continued, “I promise that there’ll be no repeat of such nonsense.”
“If you say so,” she answered, and now her voice was mild and bland.
Mildness and blandness, however, did not fit what he already knew about Amelia Holt.
Stephen pushed out his lips and narrowed his eyes. “I mean it, Amelia,” he said. “I shan’t trouble you again. I should have let you go last night.”
She rose gracefully to her feet, shaking out her skirts. Patches of iron-gray hair clung to the fabric. She made an abortive move, as if she planned to reach out and stroke Dust’s head, then wisely changed her mind.
“I am glad you did not,” she responded simply.
He had not expected that. The words landed in his mind like a punch to the gut, their implication blooming.
“I…” he managed, a tightening sensation curling around his abdomen.
Amelia did not elaborate, nor did she wait to hear what he would say in response. She turned away rather abruptly, hurrying out of the room before he could speak.
A draft caught the door as she hurried back into the hallway, making it slam shut. Dust chirruped in annoyance and leaped down from the desk, twisting around to regard Stephen with a questioning green gaze.
“Yes, I agree,” Stephen said, nodding to the cat. “She is going to cause me a great deal of trouble, I think. I ought to cut her loose, but somehow I know that I am not going to do that.”
Reaching over, he picked up the sextant, feeling its familiar weight in his hands. When was the last time he’d used it?
I can still feel the warmth of her hands on the brass. What on earth has she done to me?
CHAPTER 10
The door to the study creaked open. As if he’d been waiting for the opportunity, Dust flew toward the gap and darted out into the corridor.
“Goodness,” Letitia gasped, shuffling inside. “That cat is going to be the death of us one day.”
“Almost certainly,” Stephen agreed, setting aside the sextant. “Come in, Grandmother. What is it? Have our guests finished their breakfast?”
Letitia nodded, pushing the door shut behind her. She hobbled over to the desk, sitting gingerly down on the chair Amelia had vacated not too long ago.
“Miss Marjory and Miss Nancy have gone to explore the house with their sister. I thought I’d take the moment to talk to you.”
“That sounds serious.”
“It is,” Letitia agreed. “I’ve seen a good many things in my life, my dear. All sorts of situations. But youcontinue to surprise me.”
Stephen was not foolish enough to imagine that this was a compliment. Still, this conversation might help take his mind off Amelia. He recalled every detail of that moment, along with the thrilling implication that it had not been unwanted. Quite the opposite, in fact.
He remembered the soft gasps she’d made against his lips, how her heart had hammered hard enough for him to feel it. He recalled the soft warmth of her skin beneath the thin fabric of her dress.
How easy it would have been to slide his hand higher, up onto the curve of her breast, and feel the softness there. How would she have reacted? Would she have pressed into his touch or pulled away, appalled?
It didn’t matter. That was in the past. He’d promised not to repeat that, and he had better keep his promise.
Three months,he recalled, his heart sinking.I will have to be near her for three months. What on earth have I gotten myself into? Will I regret it? Most likely.
