“Cassandra may wish me to hell for this, but I think it’s a grand idea.” The older man thumped James congenially on the back on his way across the room. “If my lady returns before ye, I’ll be here to welcome her.” He cast a glance at James before turning to face Lucy. “The news of the inheritance might fall softer coming from me.”
“I still hope we can be back before she arrives. With a couple hours in the city, does that seem reasonable?” Lucy didn’t think anything would truly soften the news about Invermere, and learning that her niece was off on a jaunt with the man who owned her home might not go over well either.
But her aunt would want her to enjoy her time in Scotland, and whatever his reasons, the mischievous twinkle in his eye indicated Mr. Blackwood was enjoying his turn at playing matchmaker.
“If you take the train from Inverkeithing, you may.”
“There’s a connecting train from Edinburgh?” Lucy began to doubt her planning abilities, or at least the accuracy ofThe Merry Wanderertravel guide she’d relied on.
“Aye. Station’s not five miles from the manor.”
“Then we’ll go. Expect us back in the afternoon.” James looked almost as excited as she felt now that it was settled.
“Take my carriage to the station, if you like,” Blackwood urged. “I’ll go and speak to my driver now.”
“Thank you, Blackwood.” Once he was gone,James drew closer. Close enough to touch, though Lucy resisted. They’d yet to speak of last night, and she wasn’t yet sure if their feelings were the same.
“Do you wish for a chaperone?” He asked the question with such seriousness that she couldn’t help but smile. His desire to do the gentlemanly, proper thing after they’d gone far beyond the bounds of what would be expected of her somehow endeared him to her more.
“Do you?” Lucy tried for an innocent expression.
“Not at all.” He winked and leaned even closer, lowering his voice. “Though Ido seem to struggle with following the rules when you’re about.”
“Well, I appreciate the attempt.”
“Do you?” His eyes glittered, creasing at the edges as he smiled down at her.
“Of course. Having a care for my reputation is thoughtful. But I’m tired of rules and have decided to pursue what I want quite single-mindedly. I’m not willing to go back to the way I was.”
He swallowed hard and dropped his gaze to her lips.
“I have no regrets about coming to your room, James. You may call me incorrigible if you like.”
All the teasing fell away, and he looked contemplative for a moment, staring out the window over her shoulder. He seemed to be weighing a decision.
Lucy’s breath caught in her throat. On the archery field, she’d felt certain he was going to kiss her. Now she feared he was going to set her straight about his feelings. Maybe he really did consider her nothing more than an impetuous girl.
But then he dipped his head to look at her, and it was that look that only he had ever given her. As if she was fascinating. As if he didn’t want to look away.
“Meet me out front in half an hour, Lucy the Incorrigible.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lucy pitched forward, and James reached out, gripping her upper arms to keep her on the bench of the carriage. She blew at strands of hair that had slipped their pins.
“Blackwood did say it was fast.” James inched forward on his seat, better to serve as a buffer if Blackwood’s reckless driver took another turn like he had the last. “Are you all right?”
“I am, but I shall never forget this five-mile carriage ride.” She clutched the same valise she’d brought with her from London. “At least I haven’t spilled my bag this trip.”
“Yet.” James laughed when she narrowed her eyes at that. “You don’t travel light, do you? Let me carry that when we get to the city?”
“I thought I’d been quite restrained. Just my travel guide, a list of potential sights to see, and my sketchbook.”
“A sketchbook? Will you allow me to have a look?”
She gripped her valise tighter. “I’m afraid I don’t let anyone see my drawings.”
“Fair enough.” James imagined flowers, perhapsanimals, and definitely faces. Maybe even his? But most of all, he wanted her to trust that he wouldn’t insist. If she wished to show him, he wanted her to do so freely.
