Harlequin Historical October 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Carla Kelly

Author:Carla Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

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How surprising that she would be the first person to guess he might have preferred his former life to taking up the title.

‘Likely I miss it, the way one misses a toothache after the tooth is drawn.’

She laughed as he’d expected, but her eyes showed disbelief a fraction before her face became expressionless.

Was he so easy to read? He had not thought so.

He cut the apple tart into slices and offered her one.

‘No, thank you. I will take a spoonful of Charlotte Russe, though.’

After serving her some of the custard pudding, he took a slice of the tart.

‘The Russe is delicious. And your tart?’

‘Excellent.’

He sat back in his chair. ‘I suppose we should make an early start in the morning.’

‘I plan on it. Depending on the state of the road, the journey from here can take anywhere from two to four hours.’

‘I suggest we set off together. If you run into any difficulties, I will be there to offer assistance.’

‘How kind of you.’

He frowned. Her words were gracious, but cold.

‘It is simply common courtesy to the lady who will be my hostess once we reach our destination.’

She smiled coolly. ‘As you wish. I shall retire now. Thank you for dinner and for giving up your chamber.’

Exasperated by her lack of warmth, he raised an eyebrow. ‘As a gentleman, I believe I had little choice.’

Her eyes widened a fraction. If he had surprised her by not fawning all over her, it might be a good lesson.

When they rose to their feet, he offered his arm. ‘Allow me to escort you.’

‘Please do not trouble yourself. I can find my way.’

‘It is no trouble at all. Indeed, it is my duty to see you safe to your door.’

She huffed out a little breath, but took his arm and they climbed the stairs to the first floor.

He leaned close as they neared the top. ‘Not much like our last adventure on a staircase, is it?’

He heard her breath catch. Had she also been thinking about their last meeting?

‘I would not have expected a gentleman to refer to the goings-on at a masquerade.’

Goings-on. They’d kissed. Briefly. She made it sound as if they had made love on the stairs. It would be like making love to an icicle.

He watched while she dug around in her reticule for the key and took it and opened the door.

She swung around to face him. ‘Thank you for a very pleasant evening, my lord.’

In the light from the candle guttering in a lamp on the wall, he had trouble making out her expression, but she seemed vulnerable in that moment and almost lost.

‘You are welcome, my lady.’

She hesitated on the threshold, looking up at him. ‘Would you care for a brandy before you retire?’

He hesitated. Oh, what the hell? He had the feeling she had something she wanted to say to him. ‘Yes. I would like that very much.’ He followed her inside and closed the door.

The fire glowed in the hearth and she lit a spill and lit the candelabra standing on the mantel and another on the table.

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