When I wished for you to talk to me, I did not mean about this!Thomas thought, his stomach twisting painfully.
Trying to keep calm, Thomas shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention to picking some fruit from a platter between himself and Lady Skeffington. "I am in no rush."
"Then you are not courting anyone at present?" she asked, eyebrow raised in interest.
Though a certain mildly attractive brunette popped into Thomas' head at the young woman's question, he shook his head.Is she trying to make me feel uncomfortable because I have made her feel awkward?He wondered before answering aloud, "I am not attached in any way at the moment."
It was not entirely a lie. He had not attached himself officially to anyone. There had been no promises voiced. So why did he feel guilty for his answer?
Miss Skeffington gave him quite the look of surprise and Thomas wondered whether maybe she had heard of Miss Hyatt after all. His time with her had not exactly been secret though he had definitely not announced it anywhere.
When Miss Skeffington drew her face around to gaze at him directly, Thomas could not look away. The silence between them was slightly unnerving and he quickly said, "I am in no hurry to be married."
A silent look of understanding passed between the two of them. Miss Skeffington's hazel eyes sparked with intrigue and Thomas' own insides instinctively urged him toward her. For a second, he was lost in her gaze, unable to do anything but lean toward the beautiful woman. He forgot where they were, that they were surrounded by all the other guests, and only saw her. His breath was caught in his throat, hand gripping the edge of the dining table harshly until the cloth bunched beneath his fingers.
It was Lady Kendall who saved him from himself. The clearing of her throat, and her announcement that they should all separate for some rest and relaxation after such a delight meal, brought Thomas back to reality and he leaned back in his wrought iron chair, hoping nobody else had noticed his moment of weakness. The way Miss Skeffington continued to gaze at him, her cheeks blushing, told him that she may well have noticed.
Thomas waited until he was almost absolutely sure that everyone else had retired to their rooms or gone off for some other activity before he left the patio.
Having watched Miss Skeffington aid her mother into the manor, he was sure she would be preoccupied with helping her get ready for her nap, and so he began to make his way to his own room, unsure as to why her actions were of such interest to him. It had to be because he did not wish to have another confrontation with her. What else could it possibly have been?
Yet the moment he turned onto the corridor where the guest rooms lay, Thomas stopped dead in his tracks. A door had opened at the far end, and he watched Miss Skeffington step out of the room with the grace of an angel, calling over her shoulder, "Rest well, Mother."
Lady Skeffington's response was inaudible, but her daughter's smile suggested she had said something.
"I will, Mother," Miss Skeffington assured her before stepping the rest of the way out of the room and clicking the door shut behind her. Thomas stood stock-still, hoping that perhaps she might merely cross the corridor and go directly into her own room.
Instead, she turned in his direction, taking only a step before she stopped short. Her head whipped up as if she had just sensed him standing there. Thomas cursed himself for having not quickly stepped back around the corner the moment that he heard the door open.
"Oh, Lord Warrington!" Miss Skeffington exclaimed. Her hand flew to her chest, and she gulped for breath. Even at this distance, Thomas could see the way her hand trembled. "You startled me."
"Forgive me," Thomas said before clearing his throat. He took a step forward and shook his head, "I did not mean to. I shall leave you to your rest."
Thomas bowed, half-turning to leave. Though his guest room was beyond her, he could not bring himself to pass by. Already feeling the urge to draw closer to her, he knew it would be dangerous.
"I was just on my way to look for Nancy," Miss Skeffington blurted, clearly reluctant for him to leave.Why would she be?he wondered, remembering how cool she had been toward him on the patio.
"I'm afraid you will not find her. She and Owen went to rest," Thomas announced, turning back to her. He saw the intrigued expression that spread across her face and knew she was thinking of what 'rest' a couple might share together. His own mind went there also but he did not picture Owen and Nancy…
"I suppose I ought to go and rest myself then." Miss Skeffington sighed, her tone disappointed. "Though I believe I may have far too much energy to do so."
I would happily help you expel some energy,Thomas thought crudely. He scolded himself,She is a fine young lady. Do not think of her in such a way!
At the same moment he blurted, "Join me for a wander up to the observatory."
Though it was a suggestion, it had sounded an awful lot like an order and Thomas' cheeks heated. Miss Skeffington looked quite startled, and he was certain she would politely decline. It was not exactly appropriate for them to be alone together, even having just stumbled upon each other in the corridor.
Yet Miss Skeffington surprised him when she burst in response, "I would love to."
Stunned by her response, Thomas was unsure of what to say. Instead of saying anything, he smiled and half -turned, offering Miss Skeffington his elbow. Though she was still blushing, clearly embarrassed by her sudden outburst, she closed the distance between them and slipped her warm gloved hand into the crook of his elbow.
"Do not tell Lady Kendall of this or she might get the wrong idea." Thomas chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood a little and make her feel more at ease.
"Oh, God forbid she should ever find out!" she exclaimed, smiling at him in such a friendly manner that he could almost forget her coolness on the patio.
They walked in relative silence through the manor, up and up, only talking of the interesting paintings they found hung along the way. She was the main one to point them out as Thomas found he only had eyes for her.
It became even more apparent to him when they entered the observatory and he found himself admiring Miss Skeffington who in turn was marveling over the place, the telescopes and the fine tropical plants that had been placed in planters and hanging baskets all over the place, giving it a magical forest-like presence.