Bella and the Beast by Drake Olivia

Author:Drake, Olivia [Drake, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781466865587
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

The unknown man entered the archives room. A moment of silence reigned in which Bella hardly dared to breathe. Then his firm tread advanced toward the back section where the mummies were located. He was carrying a candle, for its glow cast wavering shadows on the high ceiling.

She sat very still on the floor. The faint scent of melted wax hung in the air. Thank heavens she had chosen the last row of cabinetry in which to examine the sketches. With any luck, he wouldn’t notice her in the gloom.

She could hear his every footfall, slow and steady now, as if he were taking the time to peer into every nook and cranny. His steps seemed to turn toward the mummy on the table. The shadows shifted suddenly, an indication that he must have raised his candle to better light the area.

Who was he?

Surely not the duke; fate couldn’t play such a cruel trick on her twice. Perhaps Hasani had come to utter another chant over the mummy. Perhaps Mr. Banbury-Davis needed to fetch a forgotten notebook. Perhaps the robed apparition had actually been a thief who was prowling through the house, looking for items to steal …

She reached stealthily for the dagger in her pocket. Then something moved into the opening at the end of the cabinetry.

A dark hulking beast.

Her fingers closed around the shaft of the knife just as the fiend lifted his candle. In the pale light, he transformed into a man clad in dark trousers and a loose white shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows. The flame held high in his hand cast shadows on his harsh features.

Miles.

Bella’s heart did a somersault. Torn between relief and dismay, she left the dagger in her pocket. How guilty she must look, she realized, cowering against the cabinet with her legs tucked beneath her, the purloined sketches in her lap.

“I knew I’d seen the glimmer of a candle in here,” he said. “This room is visible from the window of my study.”

Oh, drat. She should have thought to close the draperies. Since the archives room faced the back gardens, it had never occurred to Bella that someone might spot her. But it did make horrible sense. Aylwin House was built in the shape of an H, with the two wings extending beyond the central portion. His study was in the west wing and looked out over the gardens, too.

She swallowed, her mouth so bone-dry that her voice came out a croak. “Good evening, Your Grace. What a surprise to see you.”

He fixed her with the Ducal Stare. “What the devil are you doing in here so late?”

“I’m working. I didn’t realize this room was off limits, too.”

“I never said that it was.” He stalked toward her. “Why are you sitting in the dark?”

“A draft of air blew out my candle. I was just about to leave when you came in and frightened me half to death.”

He stopped in front of her. One corner of his mouth tilted in an ironic grin that eased his severe expression.

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