She laughed, and when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she faced him, folding her arms over her bosom. “You would have me sit on a chair that is broken? If I didn’t know you any better, I would think you wanted me to sit on that rickety piece of furniture just to have it break underneath me.” She paused for a moment, before adding, “But I do know you, so perhaps I assume wrongly.”
Although she was still upset at him, he detected a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Maybe she was finally ready to hear him out and forgive him.
“If you think it will help, I shall sit on the chair first. If it doesn’t break for me, then it won’t break for you.”
She released a tiny snort, which was most humorous.
“Youare willing to take the fall?” Her laughter grew and she shook her head. “Oh, my lord, that is something I didn’t expect from you.”
“You think I jest?”
“Actually, I do.”
“Then please watch carefully, my lovely, because I assure you, I’m quite serious.” Keeping his shoulders straight, he strode into the kitchen and right to the chair. He held his breath as he turned and plopped his butt—as easy as he could—on the oldseat. At first, the wood creaked, groaned, and even wobbled. He gritted his teeth, waiting for the moment the aged wood would break beneath him.
Waiting, he kept his eyes locked to hers. Anticipation nearly jumped out of her gaze, and the longer he sat, the more her mouth stretched wider.
Unbelievable, but nothing had happened. Sighing with relief, he raised his hands, palms up, and shrugged. “Apparently, this chair is sturdy enough—”
Suddenly, the chair shifted and the legs crumbled. In an instant, his bottom hit the ground with a loudcrash!
Worry splayed on Tabitha’s face, but within seconds, she threw back her head and laughed heartily. “Oh, Dominic.” She stepped to him and offered her hand. “Forgive me for laughing, but your expression just now was priceless.” Tears gathered in her eyes as she gripped his hand with her own. “I don’t think I shall ever forget the look on your face when you fell.”
His backside didn’t sting as much as his pride, but hearing his name on her lips erased all the pain and made falling worthwhile. The warmth from her palm sliding against his, created havoc inside of him as desire weaved its way throughout his body. He couldn’t understand why seeing her smile and laugh made him react so quickly.
He couldn’t be feeling this way about her. Not when she had accused him of having seduction on his mind all the time. He didn’t think that wayallthe time.
Right now he needed to say or do something quickly to keep both of their moods light. He couldn’t mess this up!
Chapter Ten
Tabitha couldn’t recallthe last time she’d laughed so hard. But it was impossible to stop now. Nic was trying—almost too much—to be gallant and heroic so far this afternoon. Although she questioned his motives, she kept the doubts to herself and allowed him to show her what he probably figured she’d wanted to see. Knowing that it nearly killed him to sit on a broken chair with the end result being on his backside on a dirty floor, was most humorous.
When he’d slipped his hand into hers, she didn’t like the jolt of awareness that shot through her limbs. Hopefully, Nic couldn’t feel it, or he would certainly act on her reaction. Whether or not he’d felt it, the spark in his eyes had changed. No longer were they laughing eyes, but the gray color had lightened and it appeared as if desire coated his gaze now.
Drat!She knew it! He couldn’t even be with a woman without trying to turn it sensual. Just when she was feeling hopeful that Nic had actually changed since the last time she saw him in Mayfair, he went and proved her wrong.
Within a blink of an eye, the shade of his eyes changed and no longer appeared that desire was roaring through him. In fact, he looked light hearted and almost playful.
Before she knew it, his hand gripped hers tighter. Even his smile was different…almost mischievous.
“I’m delighted to have entertained you, Tabitha. But I have never enjoyed being the center of attention for very long.”
In one quick jerk, he pulled her arm. She lost balance and fell on him. A surprised gasp released from between her lips once her body touched his. Before she had time to process the very improper position they were in, he made another quick move and wrapped his arms around her waist before rolling her onto her back with him looming over her.
“I figured it just wouldn’t be fair for me to enjoy the dirty floor by myself.” He shrugged as he rose to his knees and pulled her to a sitting position.
It took her a few moments to realize he was back to teasing again, so she hesitated in scolding him for trying to charm her. Yet, in a way, his playfulness was rather charming in itself.
She smiled, but not fully. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a table for our lunch now.” She grabbed the basket and pulled it toward them. “So I suppose we’ll just have to use our laps as plates.” Confusion creased his features, so she continued, “Allow me to demonstrate.”
Tabitha opened the basket and proceeded to take out the food, placing it on her lap. Immediately, she detected a strange odor coming from within the wicker basket. Since she wasn’t too certain where the smell was coming from, she decided not to say anything. It wasn’t until she removed the wrapped-up meat that she knew. Silently, she groaned. The meat was spoiled. If they ate this, they would be sick. Whoever cooked for Nic and his cousin, needed to be relieved, and very soon, or the cook would have both men violently ill.
“I understand now,” Nic said as he reached into the basket and pulled out the bowl of strawberries and loaf of bread, setting it on his lap. “Tabitha, I must say how nice our visit has been thus far. Thank you for being so polite and kind when I know you would rather not.”
She arched an eyebrow. Funny, he should mention it, because she had literally forgotten. “It’s only because you have shown me a different person so far this afternoon. Once you bring back the Lord Hawthorne I remember, then I’ll return to the Tabitha you remember.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Then I pray that man doesn’t come back.”
