The maid hesitated, which he admired. Then, she handed the coin back to him with a sad shake of her head, moving past him to get in beside her mistress.
His admiration soured at once. Nevertheless, he was not one to give up easily. Swiftly barring the entrance with his arm, he stuck his head inside the carriage.
“Your servant is quite happy to sit up top,” he told Adelia, “if you’ll allow her to. It’s a warm evening.” Not balmy by any means, but not sleeting or snowing either.
Adelia frowned, looking past him to try to see her maid, who stuck her head under his arm, awaiting her mistress’s response. He’d never had to work so hard to get a lady alone.
Holding his breath, wondering what Adelia would say, he tried to keep his expression innocent and nonchalant.
“Penny,” Adelia said finally, “do you mind sitting up top?”
Owen released his breath and thought he heard angels singing.
For her part, the maid was quick to say, “No, my lady.” Turning to him, she stuck out her hand like a true woman of business. He doubled the coinage for her loyalty to her mistress and assisted her onto the dickey before climbing in next to Adelia.
Owen was more than ready to sweep her into his arms and claim her luscious mouth. However, as soon as they were underway, seated side-by-side for a change, Adelia snared him with a concerned glance.
“Did you wish to speak with me privately, my lord? Have you found out something about the handkerchief?”
Chapter Thirteen
Adelia shivered slightlywith trepidation.Had Owen discovered something about Thomas?Unlikely, since he would probably have brought it up at once. And by the look on his face, which instantly changed from happy to distressed, she wished she hadn’t mentioned the handkerchief at all.
Naturally, it had been uppermost in her mind ever since he’d shown her the cursed linen square. He leaned back against the squabs and shook his head.
“I am no closer to solving that mystery.”
Feeling the need to comfort him, she reached up and patted his shoulder. “I am terribly sorry, my lord.” If it were regarding anyone but Thomas, she would gladly give Owen the information she’d gleaned.
He looked straight ahead, his own black-gloved hands clenched.Poor man!
Boldly, Adelia took hold of one of his fists and straightened it out, soothing the tension from him. Then, she did the same with his other hand.
He allowed her to do so in silence. Normally, she never bothered to break a good, long spell of quiet, but she felt she had to distract him from his difficult thoughts.
“Thank you for taking me to the ballet. I cannot remember a night I enjoyed so much.”
Flipping his hands over suddenly, he cradled hers atop his palms. Startled by the intimate gesture, she moved to sit back and draw her hands away. Suddenly, he closed his fingers, effectively capturing her.
“What about our previous night out?” he asked. “Was this better than that one?”
She shrugged, entirely addled by his closeness, the way he lowered the timbre of his voice, the way his thumbs brushed the backs of her thin gloves.
“I do not know.” Truly, any moment with him seemed delightful. Especially when he was kissing her.
“Will you let me take you out again?” he asked.
She lifted her gaze from staring at their joined hands to his eyes. “Why?”
“Why?” He cocked his head. “Do you mean, why do I wish to go out with you again?”
“Yes.”
“You are not coyly asking for compliments. This, I know.” His blue gaze remained locked with hers. “My answer is easy. I like your company. I like you. I wish to get to know you better.”
Warmth suffused her although she didn’t know how to express it adequately. “I see.”
He squeezed her hands at the same time as he expelled an amused breath.
