He should leave.
He’d done all he could.
Instead, he lingered, sitting right where he was. Close to her, her knee still familiarly against his.
Ned knew his face attracted women. He’d hadplenty throw themselves at him, something he found embarrassing and that had blessedly been curbed by his betrothal to Clarissa. Except, right now he wondered if his face appealed to her? And wouldshethrow herself at him? Would she become giddy and a bit reckless like some women did? Then he thought of the wariness in her eyes, her lack of trust.
They were cut out of the same cloth, he realized with a start. Neither of them trusted easily. He’d heard her husband had been a complete villain. The women he’d known in his life—his mother, his father’s wife, the half sisters who would have nothing to do with him—they’d hardened him. He’d learned that if he let people, especially women, too close, they would betray him. They would ferret out his vulnerabilities and use them against him.
Except, he didn’t want to believe that about her. That made her even more dangerous.
With the bandage around her head and her toes peeking out from beneath her hem, she appeared young and defenseless. He’d liked the weight of her body in his arms. He now knew the silkiness of her hair and the scent of her, a blend of the herbs she distilled.
So, so aware of her, even to the beating of her heart against the very sensitive skin where her jaw met her neck. He could almost count the beats, and his fingers longed to touch that delicate place.
There was a slight flush to her cheeks, probably from the brandy. She seemed to study some point on the brick floor.
What if he pressed his palm against the smooth skin of her cheek? What if he turned her attention toward him?
And then she moved. Her head tilted up to him, her eyes clear now. “Didyouthink I was away this evening?” She set her flask on the table. “Did you have a hand in putting him up to stealing my papers?”
Had he almost let down his guard? That was a damn idiotic thing to do. Bloody women were all alike.
“What?”Ned came to his feet, so offended he didn’t know where to start. Here he’d been thinking—well, it didn’t matter what he was thinking because he’d certainly misread all the signs.
“It is convenient that you were so close,” she observed.
“You think I was waiting to see if the deed was done? Is that what you are imagining? Oh, and of course, I rushed in to make it appear as I was not involved.” He used his most sarcastic tone, mocking her.
She didn’t blush. Instead, her gaze was steady, expectant.
“Good God.”He had to take a step away. How could he have been so deceived by her? One second she was weak and malleable and now she appeared ready to spit fire.
Perhaps he was more like his gullible father than he had imagined. “I am not devious. I’ve told you exactly what I’m going to do from the very beginning.”
“Which is to see me thrown out of the village.”
“I don’t know if I like your manner. You are very direct.”
“And you’re not?”
“Of course I am. I’m male.”
“Ah, I was wondering what the difference was between the two of us. Men say what they think and women waffle on, right?”
Ned narrowed his eyes. “I’m not pleased with you.”
“Pity,” she responded.
His temper, which he rarely lost, rose like a thundercloud. He had to take another step away from her. “I’m not treacherous. From the beginning, I have told you what will happen. Once Marsden returns, this will be straightened out—inmyfavor.”
She came to her bare feet, and he was no longer entranced by her toes. “I’m not giving up The Garland.”
“You will not have a choice. There is no will, is there?”
Her chin lifted. She didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to. She’d already told him what she had and that was a letter. He crossed to the table, avoiding her as if she was a leper, and started to pack up his medical bag. Through clenched teeth he issued his doctor’s orders.“You might have a headache on the morrow. I have a powder for that, which is good mixed with mulled wine. Do you have any wine?”
