“I suppose he will, now, won’t he?” Bella wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“It’s my fault. I should have told you. You simply cannot run free here as you did at Leeming Hall.”
“No, I realize that now.”
Carrie sat beside her, an arm around her sister’s shoulders. She hated to leave Bella like this. “I’m sure I can trust you to be sensible.”
“I will, I promise.”
“Take Scotty with you on your walks.”
Bella sighed. “She is cross with me, too.”
“Scotty is never cross for long. I think she was scared for you. You should go to the schoolroom now. You mustn’t keep her waiting.”
Alone, Carrie had time to think. Bella’s escapade could have ended badly. If one of those men… She shook her head, unable to dwell on the horror. She rested her chin on her hand and stared sightlessly into space. How impressive Nicholas was. He’d taken command and acted decisively. How relieved she was to leave Bella and Jeremy in excellent hands. And while that eased her worry, a strange yearning had lodged in her chest; she found it difficult to ignore the desire to remain here at Elm Park. To rest her weary soul and recover from the past few turbulent years. But was it just that? If she examined her feelings, it wasn’t weariness she felt now, but elation. How striking Nicholas had looked riding toward her with Bella on the horse behind him. Carrie bit her lip. It was more than profound relief that Bella was safe.
Anna came into the room and cast Carrie a glance.
Carrie rose quickly, aware her hot cheeks gave her away.
At dinner, Nicholas and Jeremy discussed ancient ruins. Nicholas promised to take him to the British Museum to see the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone. Jeremy’s eyes were like stars. Carrie felt thrilled for him. Later, when Nicholas played snap with Bella, she whooped with laughter. Today’s worrying episode slipped from their thoughts. When the others played spillikins, Carrie and Nicholas played chess. She hadn’t played the game since her father became ill and expected to be beaten soundly. She had not expected the game to be so… intense. As Bella and Jeremy argued, she and Nicholas considered their moves, drawn into a small world of their own. His eyes met hers, a small smile on his lips. She toyed with a pawn, undecided about the next move.
“Are you going to play that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t rush me.” It didn’t matter what she did, he would beat her. He knew it, too. His arrogance was insufferable, and she had the childish desire to poke her tongue out at him.
She moved her pawn, and Nicholas took it.
Carrie frowned and moved her rook.
Her senses were alert, fully aware of the flickering firelight, the snap and crackle of burning wood, and the sweet applewood smoke. She glanced up at Nicholas’s mouth and chin, his dark lashes as he studied the board. His long fingers moved the pieces with swift intent as she fought to hold off his attack on her queen. With a gleeful cry, she pounced on his knight, then discovered the smoldering humor in his eyes. He had won. She breathed deeply to slow her galloping heart as he took her queen.
“Checkmate.”
Their gazes collided. She expected to find him pleased with his victory, but he looked strangely intense.
“You toyed with me!” she complained with a half-laugh.
He took a long sip from the glass of wine at his elbow. “It wasn’t so easy. Allow me to enjoy the victory. You will beat me soon enough.”
“I will!” she said heatedly. “I shall study the books on chess games in the library!” Her passionate declaration surprised her as much as him. It would take her months to discover how to beat him if she ever could. Why was it important to her? That she sought his approval and admiration surprised her.
Nicholas replaced the pieces on the board without further comment. Carrie could sense a palpable change in mood. His expression now seemed thoughtful, although it could be the flickering candlelight. The day of her departure grew closer. Might he be sorry? She searched his face but failed to discern his thoughts. He hid his emotions too well, while she struggled to hide hers.Could he read her like a book?she wondered, frustrated.
“I enjoyed the game,” he said in an offhanded fashion, which annoyed her. “Shall we join these two quarrelsome children?”
They rose, and as he moved her chair, his fingers brushed the bare skin of her arm below her capped sleeve. The slightest touch but it sent her pulse skittering. Her gaze flickered up at him but saw only his profile as he crossed the floor.
“What is causing all this dissension?” he asked.
They had given up their game and sat glaring at each other. “Bella won’t admit she cheats,” Jeremy said with disgust.
Bella glared at him. “I don’t!”
“Shall we play cards then?” Nicholas opened the drawer in the games table and removed a pack.
Silence settled over the room as he shuffled the cards.
