“I hope my parents won’t be too worried,” she said.
He tilted his head to one side and watched her carefully. “Have no fear about that. I visited the stables this morning and discussed the matter with the head groom. He assures me that a groom can deliver a note to your parents.”
“It’s safe for a horse to ride through the snow? It looks quite deep.”
He nodded. “He wouldn’t advise it if the snow was wet, which would make it too heavy for a horse to manage. It would strain their muscles. But while the snow is deep, it’s dry.”
“So it’s lighter?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
She let out a soft sigh. “Perhaps I should return as well on horseback. Your groom can accompany me to make sure I’m safe.”
“No.”
His reply was swift, and he was frowning again. She couldn’t understand why he’d be angry with her.
“You said it was safe.”
His gaze bored through her. “It is as long as you’re a skilled rider.”
She grimaced. “I’m passable at best.”
He blew out a soft breath and appeared relieved by her reply. “Then it would be best for you to wait until it is safe to take the carriage.”
It was sweet, really, that Carlisle seemed so concerned for her safety. She could almost convince herself that he was concerned for her personally and not just worried about watching over his sister’s friend.
“When do you think that will be?”
He shrugged. “It will depend on the weather, of course. If it remains sunny, as it is right now, the snow can begin to melt. But if it snows again…”
Guilt speared through her. “I apologize for putting you out like this. It must be horrible having to give up so much of your time to entertain me.”
He was staring at her again in that way that had her stomach swooping. “Horrible is the last word I would use. I’m enjoying getting to know you a little better.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to be polite.”
He huffed out a frustrated breath. “I don’t know what you think is happening here, but I am not being friendly out of mere politeness. I enjoy your company very much, Millie.”
The way he said her name had heat spreading through her. And she realized that she wasn’t going to make it through this adventure without embarrassing herself. Did Carlisle already know about her tendre? Surely he was only behaving kindly toward her as a favor to his sister.
“I can see the wheels turning inside your head. What are you thinking?”
Oh no, she wasn’t going to admit that her infatuation with him was in danger of growing—hopelessly—into something much deeper. And so she said the first thing that popped into her mind.
“I should probably go write that note for my parents after breakfast. But perhaps later, when you have time, we can go for a walk in the gardens? A short one, of course. I’d go myself, but I fear I’m not yet brave enough to venture outside alone in the snow.”
He was going to see right through her and realize she was grasping at excuses to spend more time with him. She prepared herself for the return of his infamous scowl. Instead, he smiled.
“I’d be delighted to escort you, Millie.”
CHAPTER 6
Millie composed her note, assuring her parents that she’d arrived safely at Sarah’s home, and that the snowstorm was preventing her from returning with the carriage. She didn’t mention that neither Sarah nor her mother was in residence. There was no point in worrying them needlessly.
After giving the note to a footman, she made her way to the library. She stopped just inside the doorway and took in the dark shelves that lined the walls, filled with all manner of books. The room was cozy yet elegant, but the best part was the fire that was lit on the far end of the room. She made her way to the pair of armchairs that were placed at an angle to the fireplace, stopping first at the shelf that contained the small collection of novels. She chose one at random, then settled into one of the chairs.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but she began to feel tired again. She closed her eyes, lowered the book to her lap, and basked in the feel of the warm fire heating her skin.
