“You will be the reason I cannot find a husband,” she snapped.
Sadly, Priscilla had to enter the shop now. Then again, she didn’t want to watch any more of Miss Georgina’s tirade just because she couldn’t buy a new dress.
As Priscilla opened the door and walked inside the shop, she glanced over her shoulder to get a better look at the man, who she guessed was Lord Burns, but since she’d never met him, she couldn’t be certain. Hewassomewhat familiar, but Priscilla couldn’t put her finger on where she had seen him before.
She thought about asking Bridget, but then realized she really didn’t care about Miss Georgina or the man. As long as that woman kept her husband-hunting claws off Gavin, Priscilla would be happy.
She and her sisters didn’t spend very long in the milliner’s before they moved on to another one. Soon, Gavin and Adrian came to collect the women and take them back to the estate.
Priscilla fought back tears when she had to say goodbye to her sisters. Thankfully, they would come to her wedding, so at least she would see them again soon. With any luck, by then, she would know Gavin’s true feelings for her and the wedding. At least, she hoped.
Once her sisters left with Adrian, Gavin made his excuses so he could tend to the burned stable in preparation for the rebuilding. Although she wanted to talk to him, she needed to check on the dowager. After all, Priscilla was still her companion. At least for a few more days.
The dowager had more lessons to teach Priscilla, but she couldn’t concentrate, and several times she had to ask the woman to repeat what she’d said. The dowager laughed and accused her of having dreamy thoughts about the upcoming wedding.
If only she could confide in the dowager, but Priscilla wasn’t sure the woman wanted to hear how she still harbored some doubts about Gavin’s sincerity, or how she didn’t know if she could fully trust him not to break her heart again.
Evening came, and after she helped the dowager into her bedchamber to retire for the night, Priscilla wandered through the manor, searching for Gavin. He hadn’t been at the supper table, and she knew if she couldn’t talk to him now, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. No matter how late it was, she had to talk to him one way or another.
When she couldn’t find him, she walked to her bedchamber and ordered a bath to be drawn. Bathing had always been the time when Priscilla could think rationally. There wasn’t anything to interrupt her thoughts, and soaking in the warm water was soothing for her nerves and mind.
The maid helped Priscilla wash her hair and then left. While she ran the sponge over her arms and legs, her thoughts drifted again to Gavin. What would their wedding night be like? The few times they had passionately kissed, he had made her breathless. She wanted more, but as innocent as she was, she wasn’t sure whatmoreshe could have. Gavin would teach her, she was certain of it.
She shook the thoughts out of her head and climbed out of the tub. Why was she punishing herself this way? Until she knew for certain what he expected from their marriage, then—and only then—would she know if giving her heart to him was the best course of action.
She prayed it was.
Chapter Sixteen
After Gavin’s bath,he dressed in trousers and shirt, but that was all. He wasn’t ready to retire for the night, and yet he had nothing else to do. He debated whether he should seek out Priscilla’s company, but since it was so late in the evening, he figured she had already gone to bed for the night. Now, with their guests gone, perhaps he would find more alone time with his soon-to-be bride.
The fire was nearly out, so he knelt in front of the hearth and took the poker, stirring the embers to extinguish it. Adding another log was pointless, since the room was warm enough, and of course he wasn’t planning on staying up all night.
When a small knock came on his door, he paused and glanced in that direction. Why would someone be coming to his room at this hour? He set the poker up against the wall, moved to the door, and stopped. “Who is it?”
“Your Grace, it is Mrs. Jones. I was wondering if you would like me to bring you some food, since you missed supper.”
He opened the door. The plump woman smiled at him and curtsied.
“Forgive me for interrupting you,” she continued, “but I’m ready to retire for the night, and I wanted to make sure you were taken care of.”
“I thank you, Mrs. Jones, but I’m not hungry. Please, go to bed. You have had a rather busy day keeping our guests happy. I shall be fine.”
“You have also been busy today, which is why I offered to bring a tray of food up to you.”
He nodded. “And I will retire soon, so food is not needed. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Your Grace.”
The woman curtsied and moved down the corridor. He watched her leave before withdrawing into his room, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw something white dart around the corner at the other end of the hall. Curious about who might be sneaking around after dark, he took soft steps. Just as he reached the end of the hall, a fluff of a white night rail and black hair suddenly whipped around the corner and ran right into him.
Priscilla gasped and stumbled. He gripped her arms to keep her from falling over. When she raised her gaze and met his, her face grew a brilliant red. He grinned.
“Why, if it isn’t my lovely Cilla. What has you wandering around the house so late?”
A grin stretched across her face. “I couldn’t sleep. The visit with my sisters and going shopping made feel like I was young again.”
He caressed her warm cheek, loving the way her face lit up with excitement. “And I’m glad you were able to get that opportunity.” He glanced down the corridor, making sure the housekeeper hadn’t returned before he looked back at Priscilla. “However, I don’t believe this is the way to your bedchambers. Or have you forgotten?”
