The incensed glare she aimed at him told him that was not the desired response.
In the next instant, she flew down the few remaining stairs separating them, grasped the lapels of his riding waistcoat, and made every attempt to give him a good shake.
For some reason, her indignation struck him as rather endearing. He made no effort to disguise the indulgent smile curving his mouth.
“Sir, this is no joking matter. A woman died, a band of jewel thieves entrapped me in the kiln, and you thought it a grand idea to disappear all night with no word as to your safety.”
“Well, when you put itthatway…”
She yelped as he scooped her into his arms and continued his ascent. She was soft and warm, and her sweet, fresh scent enveloped him. Despite his desire for sleep, his body reacted to the feel of her, the elusive fragrance she emitted, in the usual way.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, though, far from attempting to free herself, she clung to him like a second skin.
“I’m very tired. As enthralling as I find this conversation, I fear we must continue it upstairs where I can at least rid myself of my boots.”
A few minutes later, he entered his bed chamber, strode to the center of the room, and deposited her onto her feet. He moved to the hearth, stoking the dying flames to banish the chill—mostly for Annabelle’s sake—before dropping onto one of the armchairs near the mantel.
Her useless cap fell to the floor as she tilted her head back and slowly pivoted to take in her surroundings.
For the first time in a long while, he noted the large wall tapestry with its landscape depiction, the thick Aubusson carpets, the oversized four-poster bed, custom-ordered to accommodate his frame, along with its dark velvet canopy and bed coverings. The masculine space served to emphasize Annabelle's utter femininity, and had his stomach knotting with desire.
She sniffed—though not in her usual, affronted way.
“Smell something unpleasant?” He resisted the urge to sniff himself. Hehadbeen atop his horse quite a bit since leaving the castle.
“The chamber smells like you. Like your aftershave, and the soap you wash with, and faintly, of your shampoo. It smells…nice.” She shot him a defensive look, her face going pink as if she’d realized only then what she’d said.
He bent to tug at the buckle of one of his boots and willed his thickening erection away. Ineffectually, as it happened.
He wedged his first boot free. “I was planning to speak with you later today when we’dbothhad a chance to sleep—”
“That presupposes one of us has.”
He ignored her interruption. "But since we're both here and awake, we may as well talk now. Would you care to join me for a drink? I could use one.”
His second boot hit the floor.
Arms folded around herself, she moved to the adjacent armchair to his and perched on the cushion. “Perhaps a small one.” She eyed his toes as if never having seen a man’s stocking-clad feet before.
No doubt there were many male parts she’d never glimpsed.
Heaving to his feet, he headed for the wall cabinet, unearthed the brandy he kept there, and two snifters. He splashed a portion of amber liquid into each glass and returned to where she sat, handing her one, before resuming his seat and stretching out his legs before him.
He sighed out his pleasure. ”I'm sorry if my absence disturbed you. In my defense, Ididsend word through Mr. Cogsworth informing you of my whereabouts, and as you can see, I'm very much alive and well.”
She sipped her brandy before replying. “Nevertheless. Surely, you comprehend my cause for concern. There's a murderer afoot, one who has left you markedly anxious for my safety. Why should your welfare be any more assured than mine?”
Because he was a man and able to defend himself? But something about her earnest expression had him rethinking his flippant response. “You make a fair point.”
His even-handed response appeared to mollify her somewhat. ”Well, sir? Where were you? Aside from off the island?”
He sipped. “First, I visited the diocese in Durham.”
She frowned. “Whatever for? The bishop will hardly wish to handle Lucy’s burial.”
He gave her a long look. “We’ll get to that. As it happens, I went to Fenwick to question the guide you hired, once again. Due to rough seas and the late hour of the day when I finally located his lodgings, I was forced to stay overnight. I returned once the flats were safe to cross.”
“Again?”
