When he retook the reins to drive them to Lady Peddington’s, Robert was surprised to realize how low the sun was. He brought his somewhat spent team to a halt before the elegant stone school for young ladies, but didn’t move to assist Miss Glasbarr down. He was aware of her expectant eyes on him. He had too fine an afternoon to permit the ride to end.
“Well, Miss Glasbarr, did you discover the gentleman of your dreams this in the park today?” He kept his tone light, though a heaviness settled on him as he awaited her reply. None of the men they’d spoken with were worthy of her.
She turned her face toward the glove encased hands in her lap. “I’m not certain.” A blush brightened her cheeks.
Though her reply meant he had failed in his duty to her, the heaviness left him. He didn’t want to see her settle for an unworthy gentleman. Cheerful again, he secured the reins and vaulted down, then went around to offer his hand.
Blue-green eyes gazed down at him from a still-blushing face. Robert held out his hand. One hand gathering her skirt, Miss Glasbarr placed the other in his. Even in gloves, they were fine, delicate fingers. He would be very careful who he gave them over to, assuming he could find a single man in Edinburgh worthy.
“Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, Mister Banbrook.”
“You are most welcome,” he said, and helped her down.
She didn’t turn away when she reached the street. Her hand tightened on his. “I will see you again?”
“At the next ball,” he agreed.
Miss Glasbarr offered a pretty smile. “Thank you.” She slipped her hand free.
He closed his fingers over the warmth left by her hand and watched her walk away. Both hands holding up her skirt ever so slightly, she gracefully ascended the steps. The door to the school opened. She looked back, still smiling, and disappeared inside.
Robert let out a slow breath. Finding a gentleman was a more formidable task than he’d excepted. The city was awash in fools, cowards and scoundrels. Not a single gentleman held the proper mix of intelligence, kindness and liveliness for Miss Glasbarr.
Trying to shake off the disquiet that settled in her absence, Robert climbed back into his curricle and took himself to his club. As the place refused to soothe him, he stayed only for a meal, forgoing his usual scotch. Soon enough, he was in his curricle again. As he maneuvered his team through streets crowded by evening festivity seekers, he turned his thoughts to his day in the park, and his beguiling companion, and finally achieved a semblance of peace.
Upon his arrival at his townhouse, he left curricle and team with his servants, then jogged up the steps. As usual, the door opened before he reached the top step. Unlike usual, his butler wore a worried frown.
“Sir.”
“What’s the trouble, Edwards?” Robert asked as he stripped off hat and gloves.
“I’m not certain there is trouble, sir.”
“Yes, you are, or you wouldn’t wear that dour expression.” Whatever the problem, Robert was resolved to deal with the issue quickly. He would not return to his earlier dark mood. To fend off his malaise, he conjured the memory of Emilia as she accepted the reins.
“A lady arrived while you were out. She insisted she be allowed in. Once inside, she ignored all protests and entered your private chambers, sir. We haven’t been able to draw her out.” Edwards’s features pulled down in mingled disapproval and worry. “We weren’t sure how firm to be, sir. She insists she’s expected and welcome, and has been making demands on the staff.”
Anger hardened in Robert’s chest and robbed him of his brief joy. “A lady? I assume you mean Cinthia.”
“I do, sir. Viscountess Dunreid, sir,” Edwards said, in a not too subtle reminder of Cinthia’s status. “I do not mean to intrude, sir, but is she expected and welcome?”
There was no mistaking the despair in his butler’s tone. The question would be impertinent, if the entire staff hadn’t been uprooted and dragged to Edinburgh in Robert’s pursuit of Cinthia, then forced to endure months of him bring misery on himself. He could only imagine how distressed the household was to have her there.
“She is neither expected nor welcome,” Robert said. “I will take care of this, and you have my future permission to bar her from the premises.”
“Thank you, sir.” Edwards almost smiled. “Shall I have a carriage brought to take the lady home? She arrived in a hired hackney.”
“Yes, immediately.”
Robert turned and took the steps two at a time. What was she thinking, coming alone to his home? Going to his rooms? Had she lost her wits? He didn’t bother to tame his angry stride, dissatisfied that the thick carpet muted his footfalls. Not slowing when he reached his chamber door, he flung it open and strode inside.
He stopped. Candles filled the room with wavering light. A heavy scent wafted through the shadows, a nearly visible miasma of honey-laden tendrils. Reclined in the middle of his bed, atop the bedclothes, clad in a confection of silk and lace that displayed more than concealed, lay Cinthia, a book in hand.
Eyes round with surprise dropped closed. They opened on a seductive look. A smile curled her lips. “Robert. I didn’t expect you so soon.” She closed the book and dropped it over the side of the bed to land on the carpet with a soft thud. “But I’m pleased you’re here.”
“What the devil are you doing in my bed, Cinthia?” He locked his gaze on her face. Damn, if he would satisfy her with even a glance south of her chin.
She stretched, her smile widening. “Waiting for you.”
