“You do sleep, don’t you, Milton? You were up and about when I arrived and again before my ride this morning, and this afternoon, you appear as alert and commanding as Wellington himself.”
The butler straightened his back and lifted his chin. “Thank you, My Lord, and yes. I manage to capture a few winks when I can. Although I’ve never required more than four or five hours a day.”
Sebastian shook his head in admiration. “Amazing. Have you always operated on so little sleep? Imagine what could be accomplished in Parliament with someone like you at work.”
At this suggestion, Milton’s eyes widened. “I’m quite certain I don’t know, My Lord.”
“Well, you’re a better man than I. Say, Milton, did Lady Asherton come through here?”
“She did, My Lord.”
Sebastian smiled conspiratorially. “I wished to speak with her a moment in private but have no idea where she took off to.”
“I believe she was headed for Lord Danbury’s private library. Second floor, sixth door on the left.”
Sebastian pounded a fist to his chest. “You’re irreplaceable, Milton.” Backing away, he strolled along the foyer and then took the stairs two and three at a time. When he turned the corner, serendipity stepped in, bringing him face to face with Lady Asherton herself.
In fact, he nearly ran her over and was forced to grasp her by the arms so that she would not bounce off him and end up on the floor.
She had removed her bonnet and soft hair tickled his chin before she could steady herself enough to step backward. A few of the hairs stuck to her forehead and she glowed with a warm flush. When he inhaled, ah yes, he recognized the scent.
Lavender. She wore lavender.
“Pardon me, My Lord,” she gasped, her mouth parting so that he could just make out the white of her teeth.
“It seems you are destined to fall into my arms at this house party.” He slid his gaze down the length of her, smiling, as he said the words, By the stern look she sent in his direction, however, he doubted she found any humor in their situation.
And then her eyes, appearing more brown than green in the softer light indoors, shifted to the left and then the right. Anxiety rolled off her in waves. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Ah, she was going to pretend it hadn’t happened.
“You are just as lovely in the daylight, but not as… accommodating.” The temptation to tease her was too great to ignore.
Danbury’s housekeeper entered the foyer from a nearby room and Lady Asherton jumped and then hastily shushed Sebastian’s laughter. Catching sight of the two of them, the servant stared in their direction curiously. “Is there anything I can do for you, My Lord, My Lady?”
“We’re fine. Thank you,” Margaret rushed to answer.
“A dram of spirits would be most appreciated.” Sebastian winked at the woman.
“His Lordship is only joking. The last thing he needs right now is a dram of anything.”
“Ah, yes, Lady Asherton knows me better than I know myself.” Sebastian would have laughed again at the scowl she sent in his direction if he didn’t think she might give him a facer for doing so.
“If you say so.” The housekeeper glanced between the two of them. “Very well, My Lady.” She turned and went along her way hesitantly.
Once she’d disappeared down the corridor, Sebastian crossed both arms in front of him and leaned casually against the wall.
“You left me last night without saying goodbye.”
She winced at his joke. “Oh, please.”
“You are begging again?”
Lady Asherton—but she was Margaret—took a deep breath and then seemingly came to a decision, meeting his eyes at last. “We must talk, I suppose. About our, er, unfortunate—“ Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of other guests climbing the stairs had her clamping her mouth shut in what he surmised to be utter frustration.
Surprising him, she grabbed hold of his wrist. “I cannot risk anyone hearing. This way.”
He offered no resistance when she dragged him in the opposite direction than the housekeeper had gone.
Again, she glanced left and right and then opened a door that was barely discernable from the wall and molding. Sebastian tugged himself backward to examine the clever design until she increased the strength of her pulling and jerked him inside.
Sebastian barely noted that it was some sort of linen storage room before she closed the door behind him, surrounding them in darkness, alone, for the second time in less than twelve hours. And although they had just enough room so as not to be touching, a pulsating energy emanated from her.
“I am so very sorry, My Lord.” Her whispered voice in the confined space immediately took him back to the previous night—throaty, emotional, and intimate in the darkness. “I needed to explain why… I’m not, I mean. I’ve never—” She halted in her explanation, seemingly at a loss for words.
“You’ve never…?” Sebastian was quite enjoying this.
“I beg of you not to tell anyone. It was a mistake. I never intended…”
“To climb into bed with me? But you did intend to climb into my uncle’s bed.” He wasn’t yet ready to take pity on her. “And, I believe, he would have been quite unsuspecting.”
“Mr. Kirkley, George, your uncle, that is… has asked me to marry him.”
Sebastian took a half step closer to her, eliminating all but a few inches between them. “Crowded in here, don’t you think?” In all honesty, he wasn’t that interested in talking about his uncle.
“I merely wanted to…” She drew in a frustrated breath. “Would you please do me the courtesy of taking me seriously? I am not the sort of woman… I…”
“Yes?” Surely, she hadn’t believed she must offer herself to Uncle George to secure his suit?
“I needed to make certain that he was able… that he was capable.” She exhaled loudly. “I needed to be certain he was not impotent.” And then she groaned.
Sebastian’s brow lifted at this revelation. “Uncle George?” It truly was an incredible notion.
“He is the kindest of gentlemen. Always considerate and treats me with the utmost respect—too much respect. I simply needed to be certain.”
“And you could only obtain such information by seducing him? You required physical proof?” Sebastian couldn’t help but wonder how his uncle would have responded.
And then he recalled how her naked body had felt pressed up against his own. Uncle George would have responded enthusiastically. If he didn’t, then he would have been a damned fool.
“It is not something a lady can simply ask a man outright, now is it?” She was beginning to sound more than a little irritated by his lack of cooperation.
“I suppose not,” Sebastian conceded, grinning in the dark.
“I realize now, how inappropriate such an errand seems. In my defense, I can only say that knowing the truth about him is extremely important to me. But I shall find another way. I promise...” She sounded so utterly dejected and embarrassed that Sebastian couldn’t allow her to go on worrying that he would expose her.
“I will not tell him. Or anyone else.” He couldn’t help but add, “It’s not as though I was an unwilling victim.”