Unfortunately, he had made no progress in finding Mrs. Beck and her sons other accommodation this week. Their safety concerned him more and more each day. No matter the time they spent away from the Napiers’ residence, Mrs. Beck’s spirits continued to decline, too.
Glancing at himself in the full-length mirror, he felt he looked satisfactory for a man closer to old age than his youth. He felt younger today, especially so after he’d tricked Jessica into believing a kiss felt as good as his touch.
Teasing her with that hint of seduction had been more fun than it ever should have been.
He shook his head at the direction his thoughts had traveled yet again and exited the bathing room, head down, steps light on the boards so he wouldn’t draw the attention of his female staff who were lurking about—always ready to make teasing remarks about his latest mishap. Cook and the housekeeper sometimes giggled and whispered, which made him decidedly uncomfortable.
“Hello, Giddy,” Jessica whispered out of nowhere.
He spun around in a circle, clutching his robe tight to his chest.
However, the hallway was empty. He’d only imagined her voice.
“Over here,” she whispered again, and he realized the sound came from a nearby storeroom.
Jessica was here.
Gideon glanced around quickly, but he was entirely alone in the hall. Drawn by the appearance of her beckoning hand from the darkness within, he crept toward the room as silently as he could and found Jessica waiting among the preserves. “What are you doing?”
“Running away from home,” she whispered before grabbing his arm and tugging him fully into the storeroom with her.
She closed the door slightly, giving them privacy but leaving enough light so they could see each other once his eyes adjusted.
Jessica looked lovely. Fresh. Smiling. Extremely pretty in a soft yellow muslin gown.
And he…was in a robe with nothing on underneath.
His face warmed with acute embarrassment. “What the devil, Jessica? You cannot just hid
e in my storeroom.”
Her smile slipped away. “I needed an escape. Rebecca arrived on Monday afternoon.”
“I heard a whisper she was back.” He didn’t exactly blame her for this escape. Rebecca was well on her way to becoming a shrew from all he’d heard and seen in recent years. “I suppose I’d hide from her, too, if we were related, but still, surely there were other places you could go besides here. What about the attics at home? Miss Hawthorne’s?”
“I like it here better,” she confessed shyly. “Mother was still abed and feeling poorly again, and Father has been dragging Lord Newfield and Lord James about the estate since dawn each day. You’d know that if you’d called on us.”
Gideon ignored the reprimand. “Lord James has returned?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” She shrugged. “I couldn’t bear another morning of hiding from him, so Mrs. Brown and I concocted a plan to visit your staff.”
“I see.” He glanced toward the door, hoping not to see Stapleton Manor’s housekeeper next.
When he looked toward Jessica again, her attention had drifted downward to his feet as she took in his improper appearance, but then she looked up, smiling. “I’m glad to know you are wearing my gift. You really do look very well in it.”
“It is much warmer than my last one. Thank you again.” He was quite warm, despite being nearly naked. “You must leave, Jessica.”
Before her reputation was irreparably damaged by their proximity. Scandalous was putting it mildly.
“But I am still discussing housekeeping matters with Cook and Mrs. Harrow.”
“Housekeeping? Of my home?”
“Sort of.” She drew closer, and her voice dropped low. “I found this delightful little shop in London. The scent of the spices was incredible when I passed by, so I went in and purchased a few of them to experiment with. Mother’s stomach is too delicate for strong scents right now, and I couldn’t wait, so we came here to discuss the best use of them with your staff.”
At least Jessica had a fair excuse for visiting a bachelor’s household. She’d brought a chaperone with her, too, which was an excellent decision and would protect her reputation. “Are you planning to make more soap again?”
“Possibly,” she murmured. She leaned even closer, resting her hands on Gideon’s upper arms, and obviously inhaled him. “That’s the one we made for you last Christmas, isn’t it?”