Where Souls Embrace (Jasmine Cottage Book 4) by Maureen Driscoll

Author:Maureen Driscoll [Driscoll, Maureen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2018-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

She found him in the library.

The shelves weren’t nearly as well-stocked as the ones at his estate or his townhome, but it was still a comfortable room with a desk which would allow him to work. However, when Lily entered the room she was surprised to see him not at the desk, but lying on one of the settees, instead. He immediately rose when she entered. He’d removed his jacket and loosened his cravat. He was by no means unclothed, but the relative informality of his attire warmed her through and through.

“I am sorry to disturb you, sir,” said Lily, trying not to look at his throat.

“You have not. I was simply thinking.”

“One can be disturbed while thinking. In fact, I sometimes find it is more irritating to be interrupted mid-thought than while in the midst of doing something like darning a sock.”

“You shouldn’t be darning your own socks. A maid will gladly do that.”

“A maid would gladly darn your socks or Mrs. Greer’s stockings, but I am a companion, not a guest.”

“They will still darn your socks and whatever else you require. Do you have socks which require darning? I’m almost certain Toby must. When I was his age, I was forever destroying my clothes – quite unintentionally, of course. It’s just something which occurs when one is a lad.”

“Our socks are quite well mended, thank you.” She just hoped he didn’t ever look too closely at them. They’d been so well worn that Lily often had to darn the darning.

“Thank you for your help, earlier – trying to dissuade my grandmother from asking about my mission.”

“I am afraid I wasn’t successful. I’m certain she has many questions which will not go away.”

“I believe you are right, but it appears we won the battle for today.”

Lily liked thinking they were somehow allied with each other. “When you questioned Mrs. Greer about Lord Atherton’s finances, were you trying to discern if he might be persuaded to betray his country for monetary gain?”

“Yes. But he doesn’t sound like a promising candidate given what Grandmama said.”

“There are those who believe they’re never wealthy enough.”

“True, but given the punishment for treason, I’m not certain someone like Atherton would risk it.”

“What about Lord Creston, his son?”

Sir Oliver considered it. “He’s the heir, so he has much to lose.”

“What about the other son, Kenneth? Many a second son is desperate for money.”

“True. He is a colleague of mine at the Home Office, which would allow him a great deal of access to government secrets. He’s definitely someone I’m keeping my eye on.” He paused for a moment, then continued. “I’m keeping my eye on you.”

The quiet sentence seemed to echo throughout the house. “Why is that exactly?” She barely whispered the sentence and immediately wondered if she should somehow take it back. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry and she licked her lips to try to remedy it.

His eyes were immediately drawn to her mouth. He closed the gap between them to a few feet, then looked surprised to find himself there.

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