The Rogue's Brazen Lady. Book 5. (An Oxford Set Novel. A Regency Romance Series.) by Ava Bond

Author:Ava Bond [Bond, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-30T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

It took Viola only a moment to rush after Michael, lifting the skirts of her dress up so she could run and confront him.

“Wait,” she called out, as the figure of the retreating Trawler continued to wind his way through the corridors and away from her. “Michael.” His name on her lips drew the man to a stop, and he turned to look back at her questioningly.

He had paused right in front of the recently built orangery. Distantly, there was the noise of approaching footsteps, as well as the faint sound of a child crying. They would not be alone for long.

The orangery had been a new addition to the manor, which had been built thanks to Isabel. She had expressed a mild desire to see one during her first pregnancy and discovered only a week later that Nick had commissioned the room to be constructed. It was a sight that Viola had only seen briefly. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was be inside that warm, secluded room without the likelihood of interruption and out of the chilly corridor. She marched forward and grabbed Mr. Trawler’s hand, pulling him through the doorway with her. “Come on.”

The scented room was dense and dark when they entered. The air itself felt different, thick, heavy, and exotic with the smell of growing fruit.

Michael’s hand was tightly held within her grip, and Viola pulled him farther into what seemed like a forest rather than a room. Soon, they were immersed in the densely placed trees and vines, the large leaves blocking and climbing over each other and the hanging fruit. Not the kind that was sold at great expense in Town, these were small and brightly coloured. Viola kept walking until she realised, they were hidden from the entranceway and the rest of the household would not be heard.

Although this gave them the added benefit that their conversation, or whatever else might occur between them, would also have a degree of secrecy.

That lingering idea caught in Viola’s mind as she came to a halt in the middle of the orangery, the air heavy with the floral fruit scent. She felt brittle with longing. The previous night had simply added kindling to the fire that burnt between them.

She released his hand and hers dropped to her waist. She tried to smile and think of something light or pleasant to say that would break the tension.

“It was not my intention to make you feel uncomfortable,” she said.

“No, you just do it naturally. With ease.” He sounded bitter. Leaning forward, he captured what seemed to be a piece of lint on the edge of her day dress.

Michael twisted the small, white thing between his fingers, and Viola realised it was a fallen piece of mistletoe which had snagged on her gown from one of the numerous bunches around the manor. There was something upsetting about it before Michael pocketed it. He looked down at her, his expression hard to read. Viola reminded herself that he

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