The feel of his breath tickling her ear, made her tingle in places she’d never dreamed. “I can’t believe you’d rely on me to be the voice of reason. My temper is rather well known.”
He chuckled close to her ear and his chest vibrated against hers. It was the most intimate and exciting moment of her life. “A woman without fire could never live with my brethren. We’re a rambunctious lot.”
She turned her face toward his then. Something inside her wanted to be even closer to him, to know not just how he felt, but how he tasted.
As she turned her head, her lips brushed his. He responded by capturing hers in a kiss that was so brief, she wondered if she’d imagined it. Except that every fiber in her body came to life at the touch. Then, he set her to the side and nearly jumped out of the carriage.
Clasping her hands to stop them from shaking, she followed to find him standing, waiting for her. He didn’t say a word as she tucked her hand into his elbow but the moment they walked through the door, he disappeared without a word or a glance back. Was he angry with her? What had she just done?
Chapter Six
Hours later, after having puzzled over it time and again, she still didn’t know what she could have been thinking. She’d never kissed a man before, what had possessed her to do so now? And him! Of all men. She supposed the devil was nothing if not tempting. But there in lay her dilemma. She’d watched him with children, seen him with the widows, and he didn’t seem the devil to her. In fact, he’d appeared to have more heart than many men she knew.
But she’d only known him for a day. And the people who lived in this province swore he was no good. Treated the people poorly. How could she deny that?
Hour of pacing had left her no closer to a solution and so she took to haunting the hall outside his office. Not the most subtle tactic, but hopefully it was effective.
She knew she wanted to see him but she hadn’t the faintest clue why. Did she hope he might tell her why she’d kissed him? Did she wish to express that she never intended to act in such a way again? Would she ask him if he was in fact the devil? Or maybe what had happened with the farmers? Because if the rumors were true, he was not the man he appeared to be.
Before she’d reached a conclusion, his door swung open. She stopped staring as a man stepped into the hall. It was not Stone but her father who greeted her.
“Eliza,” he exclaimed. “What are you doing out here?”
She stopped, staring for a moment before she finally found some words. “I was hoping to speak with Lord Alban.”
“What for?” he asked.
“I…uh…I…” her mind drew a complete blank. “I wanted to thank him. For saving me earlier.”
Her father grinned. “Excellent idea.” He came to take her arm, walking her to the door of the study. “I will wait just outside while you speak. Make sure to leave the door open. ” And then he raised his arm as a gesture for her to enter.
Mentally, she cringed. This would only fuel her father’s hopes. She either had to prove the rumors true or resign herself to a match with Stone. Marry the devil? It was a dangerous game, especially after their kiss. Why couldn’t she control herself in his presence?
She stepped in to find him seated at his desk leaning over several papers. He rubbed his brow, lines of worry creasing his eyes. He didn’t look like the devil at all. Only a man—and a worried one at that. “Lord Alban,” she spoke as quietly as she could while still being heard.
He looked up at her, surprise on his face quickly turning into a smile. “Good evening.”
“Good evening,” she said as her hands pressed flat against her stomach. “You’re working late.”
He stood. “I lost much of the day and there is a great deal to oversee and more to learn.” He gestured at the papers in front of him.
“What are you working on currently?” She leaned forward despite herself to glance at what he had his attention.
“A dispute between the mills and the farmers.”
She froze, her eyes widening. Something akin to sick dread trickled down her spine. “A dispute?”
He ran his hands through his hair. “It’s nothing, I don’t mean to trouble you.” He rested his hands on the desk. “Would you like to sit? What can I help you with?”
Eliza sat and he followed suit. Then taking a deep breath, she gave him her best smile. “I…” She stopped. What did she want? “I wanted to thank you for this morning.”
“If I recall, you already thanked me.” He raised his eyebrows.
Blast, did the man have to look so good like that? How had she not noticed how full his lips were? No wonder they’d been so soft on hers. Why had she come? And what plausible reason could she give him?
She blinked trying to think. “No…I…actually…I wanted to ask if there was anything I could do to repay you.”
His eyes narrowed as she assessed him. Silence grew between them and she resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. His intensity was both unsettling and rather exciting.