He shook his head, embarrassed to be caught like a schoolboy eyeing a bag full of treats. “Aren’t you going to eat?” His gaze filtered over her breeches. Apparently yesterday’s appearance in a dress was a rarity.
“I don’t eat breakfast,” she replied.
“Ahh yes, of course. You are usually asleep for the occasion.”
She regarded him coolly. “Shall we retire to your study? I am eager to decipher the location of the city as soon as possible.”
He nodded and gestured for her to follow him. Moments later they settled in the study, and he slid the open journal across the desk toward her.
She picked up the book, her forehead wrinkling in concentration. “I’ll need paper and ink.”
When he pushed the materials at her, she looked up at him. “It will take me some time. It isn’t like reading a book,” she explained. “Their language isn’t based on an alphabet system. It’s not as easy as exchanging a symbol for a letter.”
“How then do you translate it?”
He walked around behind her and leaned over her shoulder. Instantly, her scent filled his nostrils. Musky. Exotic. She smelled of incense. And it was incredibly arousing. He’d never experienced a scent that screamed passion like hers did. Lucinda had always smelled flowery, and he had spent most of his time suppressing the urge to sneeze.
“You piece the symbols together like a puzzle. Each symbol tells a part of the story, but the whole isn’t told until they are grouped together just right.” She looked over her shoulder at him. “I fear this will be rather tedious for you. Perhaps you should leave me to it.”
“Miss Ashton,” he began.
“Please,” she said softly, her tongue wetting her lips in her nervousness. “If we are to be partners, call me India.”
India. No matter how strange a name he thought it before, it suited her. It was as different as she was. Pleasingly so.
“Then you must call me Ridge. I would be honored to have you address me as my friends do.”
To his delight, she smiled. An action that transformed her entire face. He stared, fascinated as her eyes warmed.
“Ridge. I like that,” she said huskily.
Then as if forgetting herself, she donned a more solemn expression and turned back to her work.
He turned when Moreland entered the study.
“My Lord, you have a caller.”
Ridge twitched in annoyance and cast a glance back at India. He wanted to be at hand when the translation was finished.
“Do go on, my lord,” she urged. “I shall be a while yet.”
“I thought we agreed you would call me Ridge,” he prompted softly.
She flushed. “Very well...Ridge. Do go see to your caller.”
“I’ll return shortly,” he said as he walked out of the study. He closed the door behind him to afford her privacy and nearly ran into Udaya.
“Pardon,Sahib,” she said, bowing her head slightly.
“Miss Ashton will be working in the study,” he said pointedly, hoping she understood his unspoken directive.
“Of course. With your permission, Kavi and I will retire to our chamber. Should India have need, you will send for me.”
It wasn’t a question, and he didn’t take it as such. A smile quirked the corner of his mouth. “She is very lucky to have such a devoted...family,” he added, remembering India’s correction.
“I do not approve of this journey.”
Ridge’s eyes widened in surprise at her boldness.
