“All our things are still in Number Five with Mr. Nichols.”
“Then I’ll retrieve them.”
The deep voice drew their attention toward Mr. Pembroke, who’d entered the dining car and was approaching their table. Lucy observed that they weren’t the only ladies who took note of his entrance. She’d wager he was a man who attracted feminine attention wherever he went.
“Oh, heishandsome,” Miss Maribel whispered.
Indeed, he was. Far too attractive for his own good and apparently for Lucy’s peace of mind.
“Shall I escort you back?”
“Miss Westmont hasn’t even had time for a cup of tea.”
“Then we can have some brought round to the train car.”
“Goodness,” Miss Maribel said in an awestruck tone. “Is there anything you haven’t thought of, sir?”
That comment poked at something inside Lucy. Itwas the sort of remark she often heard from herbest friend, Miranda. She wasn’t used to anyone being quite as thoughtful or helpful as she was.
And they were odd qualities for a charming scoundrel to possess.
“You three deserve a bit of peace after the ugliness with Nichols.”
Lucy woke with a start and sat up straight on the train car bench. Her neck, shoulder, and hand immediately protested. It took a moment to process the fact that night had fallen.
Across from her, the sisters sat side by side. Maribel leaned her head against her sister’s shoulder, and both slept soundly.
She reached up to massage the ache in her shoulder and then reached further, trying to get to the knot in her upper back.
“I’d offer to help but if we woke the sisters, it would be a proper scandal.” His words were low and warm, roughened by sleep.
“I don’t need help. Thank you very much.” Lucy glanced over to find James Pembroke looking amused.
He’d removed his suit coat and loosened his tie so that the dark lengths of fabric lay in stark contrast against the white of his shirt. His neck was exposed in a vee that revealed the base of his throat and a dusting of dark hair disappearing along his collarbone.
Her fingers itched to touch him. She should beshocked at how freely they’d touched each other since meeting just hours before. But there’d been no awkwardness in it, no shame. It felt natural and strangely right to be at ease with him.
Yet when their gazes met across the train car, she sensedhewasn’t at ease.
“Have I been asleep long?” She kept her voice low so as not to wake the sisters.
“A couple of hours.” He ran a hand through his hair, and Lucy noticed the sheen of perspiration on his forehead.
The train carriage was cool, so his heated state made no sense.
“Is something troubling you?”
He let out a breath of shaky laughter. “Perhaps it’s all the sitting still. I’m not terribly good at it.”
“I understand that. I like to keep busy too.”
He nodded and flashed her a sympathetic smile.
“But we’ll be there soon.” Lucy swept her gaze over the napping sisters. “Then we can all stretch our legs.”
At her words, Lucy couldn’t help but notice that his gaze flickered toward her legs. A scoundrel, indeed.
“You’ve never told me what’s taking you to Scotland. I’m going to visit my aunt.”
