“Then you must know I live here.” He was speaking to her as if she were an infant now.
Eloise supposed she deserved it, but his manner still made her jaw clench. “Fleetingly, perhaps. As a guest.”
“Townsbridge House is my home when I am in England. It is the only permanent address I have.” He leaned forward. “I’ve certainly spent more time here than you. In response to that other comment you made, you should know that I intend to roam about as I see fit, Mrs. Lamont. No room in this house is off limits to me. Not even...”
Eloise gasped. Her eyes widened while heat rose to her cheeks.
“The kitchen,” he finished with a devilish smirk.
Anger flared within her, hot and prickly. The cad had been about to say,not even yours. She knew it as surely as she knew how to ice a cake or bake a soufflé. The arrogant mockery in his eyes was proof enough.
Initially, she’d wanted him gone because he’d been too attractive. The last thing she wanted was for some foolish fancy to get in the way of her work. Except she’d been wrong to worry. Mr. Townsbridge was a beastly man – certainly not the sort who’d ever inspire more tender feelings within her.
A pity, since it meant his looks had been wasted.
Eloise grabbed her shopping list. “I think it’s time for us to bid each other good night.”
“If that is your wish,” he said, turning away as if he’d lost interest in her. “I’ll just fix myself a quick snack before I head back upstairs.”
“The devil you will,” Eloise exploded.
She froze as the words she’d spoken settled around her. Mr. Townsbridge swung back and pinned her in place with the most intense gaze she had even been subjected to.
“My,” he murmured, “you are a feisty thing.”
Eloise gulped.Remember your place. “For—” she cleared her throat and tried again “—forgive me. That was intolerably rude.”
A slow smile slid into place on his face. “I probably ought to apologize too. For the teasing. It clearly made you uncomfortable.”
She managed a stiff nod. Spending more time in his company was an incredibly bad idea, but the thought of him or anyone else rummaging through her cupboards was somehow worse.
Which was the only reason why she found herself saying, “Allow me to fix you a plate.”
“Thank you. But I can manage.”
“Not if you wish to leave this kitchen in one piece you can’t.”
He laughed, quite suddenly and with a shocking degree of mirth. Eloise pressed her lips together until her own laughter forced them apart.
“I can vividly imagine you chasing me with a rolling pin or a frying pan,” he choked.
“The carving knife has just been sharpened,” she said.
“Good God. You’re not just a spitfire or a good cook, you’re also a bloodthirsty hellion.” He stepped back in mock terror. “No wonder my parents and sisters were trying to hide you. They must have feared for my life.”
“They certainly have better sense than to try and meddle with my supplies.” Although the truth was, Eloise had come to adore the family. They were kind and generous. She’d even begun considering Lady Athena her friend after they’d started spending their Sunday mornings together. And she appreciated the brief chats she occasionally had with Lady Roxley whenever the viscountess wished to check up on meal plans.
Giving Mr. Townsbridge a wide berth, Eloise pocketed her shopping list and went to the cupboard. “Will a lemon cream puff do?”
“Make it two and we have a deal,” Mr. Townsbridge told her.
Eloise deliberately kept her back toward him as she smiled. “It’syourwaistline,monsieur, not mine.”
“The things you say,” he muttered with a hint of wonder. “You’re quite unlike any other servant I’ve ever met.”
Collecting a plate, Eloise retrieved the tin containing the leftover pastries and pulled off the lid. Risking a glance in his direction she told him wryly, “I’m French. Meekness is not in my blood.”
A spark of awareness flared to life in his eyes, prompting her to drop her gaze quickly. She finished preparing his plate and handed it to him. His thumb brushed hers and her heart leapt. This was wrong, this response she was having toward him. Nothing about it made sense when only moments ago she’d been ready to hit him.
