Two Turtledoves by Rachel Van Dyken & Leah Sanders

Author:Rachel Van Dyken & Leah Sanders [Dyken, Rachel Van & Sanders, Leah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-10-26T15:47:25+00:00

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Baldwyn lost track of how much he had consumed somewhere after his third glass of brandy. The silence filling the house told him everyone else had retired for the night. It was a shame he hadn't paid closer attention when Lord Marks explained which room was his.

Vaguely he recalled he would have to go up the stairs to the find it, but after that he was at a loss. He stood and steadied himself before moving toward the door. Why was the room tilting to the left? With a shake of his head he made a slight navigational adjustment and began the arduous quest to find his bed.

He must have had more to drink than he thought, because the trek up the stairs was reminiscent of that tortuous voyage to the Continent so long ago, as if he was fighting the pitch of the sea. Taking a firm grasp on the banister, Baldwyn pulled himself up the stairway to the wing he knew would house the guests.

Back and forth he staggered, trying to find firm ground on which to place his next step, but the floor seemed to give way beneath his feet as he moved. After what seemed like an eternity, he cast a hazy glance about him. Every door looked the same. Could they not have labeled each room with a name? That would have been so convenient. Certainly he was only going in circles now.

Much longer and he would fall to the floor and sleep where he landed.

Out of desperation, he pounded on the door closest. When there was not an immediate answer, he rapped again, louder and longer until a soft click of the latch told him someone was there.

The door opened only a crack. Through it a dark almond-shaped eye peeked out at him, blinking against the candle light in the hall. Such long dewy lashes, batting so invitingly.

Baldwyn blinked and stared back at it.

A soft voice floated out to him, falling on his ears like that much warm molasses, sweetening his clouded mind.

"Is all well, your grace?"

"I—I am uncertain," he said, the slur of his voice coming belatedly to his ears.

Concern leapt into her expression, and the door opened wider. It was Lady Anastasia. A sense of guilt pricked at the back of his mind, as though there were some reason he should apologize to the lady, but he could not for the life of him grasp what it was.

"Might one of you show me to my room?"

"One of us, your grace?"

"Yes, you or your identical twin." Perhaps he was seeing things. There were two of them, weren't there?

"I believe your grace has had a drink or two this evening."

"That is very true." He took a step toward her but stumbled and launched himself into the wall instead. "Will you help me?"

She glanced down the corridor and then back to him. "Very well, your grace," she said with a sigh and lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. "It's just a bit farther.

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