“Is it because you’re worried about Simon? I can’t imagine he would attack us in our beds.”
“I agree. I’m probably overly cautious.” He finished his port and put down the glass. “You should go to bed. It’s been a long day.”
“It has.” She slipped into the chair beside him again, wanting to be close to him. “If you’re not planning to retire, would you like to talk for a while?”
He smiled. “Was it a good journey?”
“Except for the delay when a horse required a new shoe. I am pleased to be here. It’s especially heartwarming to find Bella and Jeremy less distressed than when I left,” she confessed.
“You have only been away for a few days.” He smiled wryly. “Aren’t you eager to go back to London? You will be missed.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “There is no one there I shall miss.”
“Not yet, perhaps. What about Ludlow? Nice fellow. You seemed to like him.”
“He told me you were very attentive to his sister some years ago. They hoped you would marry her, and now have hopes for his younger sister, Mary.” She tilted her head. “Or perhaps it’s the lady you took into supper? You seemed on very good terms.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I trust you’re not implying they have hopes of me marrying Mary. Perish the thought. Now shall we talk of something else?”
She laughed. “Very well. But that’s hardly fair, is it? When you wish to discuss my suitors.”
“Talking of fairness, was it fair to drag Gwen back here?”
She bit her lip. “No. I am sorry, but I think she’s pleased to go home for a visit. I am frightened, Nicholas. Does Uncle Simon really wish to harm Jeremy?”
“There’s no evidence he has any such plan. But we will thwart any attempt he makes to try to see them. You must trust me.”
She looked at her hands. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the world I trust more than you.” She looked up at him, his eyes dark and troubled in the candlelight. “But it was impossible to remain in London, not knowing what was occurring here. I couldn’t have enjoyed myself. And I might be of help to you.” She searched for signs his resistance weakened.
“How?”
“Another pair of eyes. Lady Penelope will not be of much help, and Scotty suffers from pains in her knees.”
“It might take weeks to resolve this problem with Simon. I’m not even sure I’ll send Jeremy back to school. It would be better for you in London. You can dance with Phillip Ludlow.”
She scowled. “What makes you think I want to dance with him.”
“Poor Ludlow. Is he so bad? You seemed to like him.”
“He is a decent man.” She forced a smile. “He has written an ode to my beauty. I like him a great deal better than some.”
“Then, when you return, you can enjoy the attention of the other keen swains. They all crowd around you like bees to honey.”
She glanced sharply up at him. Might he be jealous?
“You surely can’t prefer to be here in the country with scant entertainment on offer. And indoors for most of the time.”
“I don’t need to be entertained. I’ll keep Bella and Jeremy company. That will free you to do whatever you need to. Surely you must agree that is helpful?”
He stood and held out his hands to her. “It will be. We are pleased you are here with us, Carrie.”
Carrie gazed up at him as she came to her feet. She wanted to slip her hands around his neck and pull him down for a kiss. She wetted her lips with her tongue.
His gaze settled on her mouth before he turned away. His voice sounded strained when he said, “I don’t believe I’ve made a secret of enjoying your company.”
She sighed and picked up her shawl from the sofa. “No, you have not.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I must take Chester for a walk.”
