“Shall we?” he asked.
She blinked at him. “I am not certain I am hungry any longer.”
After supper was complete,of which she ate nothing, Eliza returned to the parlor to continue working on rewriting her novel.
Her appetite had completely disappeared when she read the latest missive and though she knew that she needed to eat, her throat was too tight to have allowed any food to pass. Even if it had been possible, her stomach churned and she feared anything that she managed to swallow would send her running for a chamber pot to toss up her accounts.
Eliza had hoped that by putting her mind to her novel that she’d be able to forget about the missive that had been received today, except she couldn’t relax enough to concentrate and too often glanced to the doors leading to the terrace. Even though she knew that Lucian had made certain that there were footmen at every entrance, she no longer felt safe, not even after she had closed the draperies.
The vulnerability of her position, of being alone on the ground floor, eventually became too much and she retired to her chamber above where she prepared for bed. After making certain that the curtains were closed here as well, and the door locked to the corridor, Eliza made her way to the sitting room where she also closed the curtains and locked that door to the corridor. The only one that remained unlocked was the door between her chamber and the sitting room. She felt safer not having a locked door between her and Lucian.
He was security and safety and Eliza was glad he slept nearby.
Satisfied that all precautions had been taken, Eliza crawled into bed, and turned the lamp down, but not completely out as she wanted a small bit of light. She then pulled the covers to her chin and closed her eyes, except sleep would not come.
Had the house always been this noisy? There were scratches against her window from tree limbs being moved by a gentle wind. Somewhere in the distance a clock chimed the hour. Then there were squeaks of the floorboards, as if someone were walking down the corridor outside of her room. It was possible that the noises were from servants, but what if it wasn’t a servant but him?
Several times she lectured herself on being silly and frightened for no cause. Besides, she feared nothing…well, except for storms, but that was because she could not control their violence, whereas she had control of anyone who may threaten her. She would not cower and could scream if necessary. Except such a lecture did not help calm her fears.
When had she become such a ninny?
The answer was learning that a stranger had stood by her bed and watched while she slept without her having ever suspected.
A shiver ran down her spine and suddenly Lucian’s chamber felt as if it were on the other side of the manor—too far away to help if someone did come into this room.
The clock chimed midnight and Eliza realized that she had been trying for nearly two hours to sleep but found it impossible.
Instead of lying there longer, she rose and pulled on her dressing gown and took the lamp with her into the sitting room. She had considered pouring herself a glass of brandy because it may help her sleep, but what if she slept too deeply and wasn’t aware if someone came in?
Instead, she settled on the settee and pulled a lap blanket over her legs. If the man came to her chamber, he would not find her there. Except, would he then look in here?
If he did, she would surely scream and Lucian would hear. Well, unless he was a sound sleeper.
Though the storm had awakened him the other evening, would screams as well?
Blast! She hated this fear and weakness and had prided herself on not giving in to the same terror that she had inflicted on her schoolmates and almost felt guilty for what she had put her teachers through. Had the fates now turned on her for the years she spent at the Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies?
Eliza glanced over to the closed door that led to Lucian’s chamber. She would be safer there and perhaps she might get some rest.
Except, he likely would not appreciate waking to find her sleeping on his floor. Yet, she was exhausted and her eyes burned, but her mind would not settle so long as she heard every odd sound within the manor.
Did she dare?
A creak outside the door nearly made her jump.
Yes! She did dare.
Taking the blanket and one of the throw pillows, Eliza then blew out the lamp and crossed to his chamber door. She could barely make out where she was going but luckily the curtains were light enough that some of the brightness from the full moon penetrated the darkness.
Slowly Eliza pushed his door open and held her breath hoping that it would not squeak and disturb Lucian. When there was no sound, she pushed it wider and stepped into the large, masculine chamber and glanced at the bed draped in a blue coverlet and nearly sucked in her breath.
As her eyes adjusted to the light coming in from the open windows, Eliza noted that Lucian was asleep and there appeared to be no movement, which meant he still slept thank goodness, but that was not what had startled her. It was the fact that he lay on his back, one arm over his head and the coverlet only drawn up to his hips leaving his chest in complete view. Goodness, she’d never seen the bare chest of a man before, nor bare shoulders and arms and they were quite impressive. Or perhaps he was magnificent. Even in his sleep, she could make out the muscles in his chest and down his arms, shoulders wide, and his flat, hard stomach.
A fluttering of desire began in her mid-section then spread to her nether regions and to her breast.
Now was not the time to experience desire, though it was a far more welcoming sensation than terror. And as much as she wished to curl up by his side, where she would be safe, Eliza didn’t dare or he would likely remove her from his chamber. If he pushed away kisses, she could just imagine the insult he would deliver if he found her in his bed.
Eliza took in the rest of the room, looking for a chair or comfortable rug when she noted a chaise near the fireplace and nearly sighed with relief as she crossed the dark wood floor. At movement from the bed, Eliza stopped moving and watched him from the corner of her eyes, studying his face and waited for him to open his eyes. Instead, he pulled the blankets higher, much to her disappointment and continued sleeping. Thank goodness.
