Monsieur Bowes glanced from her to Malcolm. “If you don’t mind, mademoiselle, I’ll go see Madame Lucie and eat with her. My wife is her niece, and I have news to share.”
With a nod to each of them, he disappeared into the house’s interior. They heard Mignon bark at the intrusion before he quieted.
“You don’t wish for me to take you to the coast?” Malcolm asked directly, and she could have sworn he wore a wounded expression. “In fact, as things stand, I can escort you all the way to England.”
“It’s not that I don’t wish it,” she said, then added. “In fact, I welcome your company.”
“Then it’s settled.”
***
MALCOLM FINISHED HISmeal with satisfaction. Serena was leaving France, but she was going to England. It was as though fortune were smiling upon him. If she’d been traveling deeper into the Continent, to Russia for instance, the likelihood of convincing her to start a life with him after he finished his service would be far more difficult.
He intended to declare himself and ask for her hand after she got past feeling shaken over killing a man. That might be later that evening or while they were on the road to Saint-Malo or even on the ship. Once he got her safely ensconced in England, and after his return to Paris to help Randall as best he could in a less visible position, then he would pay Prinny a visit and retire for good.
“Your family’s wine truly is superior,” he said, wishing she wasn’t so quiet. At least she’d started eating, but she was not the babbling, lively female she’d once been. He would have to work hard to distract her troubled thoughts.
“We’ll leave early. Are you ready?”
She nodded.
“Do you have a wagon, something we can abandon? While I would prefer to travel on horseback to avoid delays on the roads, you would have to leave your trunks behind. I assume you want your trunks.”
Again, she nodded, not looking particularly interested.
“We should go to bed early, then.”
Her gaze flew to his, and her cheeks uncharacteristically reddened.
Malcolm tried hard not to smile. Perhaps he knew the best way to bring her out of her doldrums and to distract her.
“I’ll show you to your room,” she said.
They both rose from the table, and for the first time, he went upstairs. The home was not elegant or fastidious. Rather, it was quaintly shabby but with an air of old graciousness, and it was certainly comfortable.
She led him into a modest-sized bedroom and lit the lamps. No chambermaid had been in to light the fire or turn down the linens.
As if reading his thoughts, she said, “You won’t need a fire tonight. And there are extra blankets in that trunk.” She pointed to the base of the bed. Then while looking as if she had more to say, she scooted toward the open door.“Bonsoir, monsieur.”
Should he let her go?She was still jittery, on edge, and moody. Recalling how relaxed she’d been after their tryst in his garret, he moved quickly after her and snagged her arm.
“Would you stay a moment?”
She looked to where his hand encircled her upper arm, then into his eyes. “What for?” The little tremble in her tone was endearing, but her green glance was wary.
“We aren’t strangers to one another, and we’re alone.” He thought that explained everything.
“We aren’t alone,” she protested. “Madame Lucie is nearby as well as Monsieur Bowes, not to mention Michel, who might need help in the night.”
“And there are grape harvesters and horses in the stables, too, but none of them matter.” He turned her to face him properly, gauging her reaction. If she resisted even the slightest, he would let her go. But he desperately hoped Serena would remain.
Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her lips, and then another across her fine cheekbone, ending by nuzzling her temple.
“Stay with me,” he whispered.
She stiffened. Then, after a brief pause, she turned her face so he could claim her lips.
When their mouths melded, she slipped her hands around his neck, and he swept his hands under her, lifting her off her feet. Gently, he placed her on the bed, bending low so their kiss wasn’t broken.
