Grayson smiled wryly at his vanity, for he doubted Kate would notice.She seemed to be more interested in him when he was wearing nothing at all.
Drawing in a sharp breath at that observation, Grayson forced his thoughts back to his shabby attire.Once he found out more about Kate’s situation, he would have to send for some fresh clothes.
The house was silent, as usual, when Grayson left the bedroom, and he slowly descended the staircase without seeing a soul.Pausing at the bottom, he gazed up at the ceiling and knew again a strange sense of familiarity.He had been here before.But when?
He wandered into a large receiving room and on into what were obviously the state rooms, each one teasing at the corners of his memory.Having visited many a country home in his life, Grayson searched for something readily identifiable, but found nothing and saw no one.
It was eerie, and if Grayson had not fully recovered his wits, he might have thought it all some bizarre dream.He had hoped to find a servant to question, but his footsteps echoed forlornly.He paused in the dining hall, staring at the mural of a fox hunt for a long time, trying to place it, to no avail.
Whoever owned the place had fallen on hard times, for Grayson noted the telltale signs of slipping fortunes: an empty side table and a blank spot on the wall that marked a missing painting.That explained the lack of a large staff, but there had to be someone managing the house.In exasperation, Grayson finally sought the ground floor.
Past a buttery that looked woefully understocked, he heard noises, and the distinct aroma of simmering chicken led him to the kitchen.At first, Grayson thought the vast room empty, as well, for instead of the usual cook, staff, and scullery maids, there was one lone figure standing at the long wooden table.
Kate.Grayson recognized the short, dark curls that teased her nape, and stared, stunned.When she had gone off to “see to” dinner, he had never imagined that she would prepare it herself.A home this size had to employ someone.Hell, everyone had a cook, except the poor.And they did not live in houses like this one.But there she was, her gloveless fingers wrapped around a common potato.
Although Grayson made no sound, she suddenly turned, as if aware of his scrutiny, and her lovely face registered shock at his presence.
“Grayson!”she cried, and he wondered if she was ashamed to be discovered toiling over food.“I mean… my lord…” she stammered, his address coming uneasily to her lips.“You should not be taking the stairs yet.You are not well!”
Grayson remained where he was, firmly in control of his composure, and yet he felt as if something had shifted.Whether the floor, himself, or the earth beneath him, he could not decide.But the movement rocked him right down to his soul.
Although not given to premonitions, he knew that his life would change forever because of this woman, who was not concerned about herself or the drudgery she had undertaken, but about him, his health, and his recovery.Grayson realized then that he wanted her, no matter who or what she was, and he would have her.It was that simple and yet so complex.
She was eyeing him with a peculiar expression that told Grayson he had let the silence drag on too long between them.But even though he was known for his eloquent speeches, he had no idea what to say.He was not prepared to share his momentous discovery, and even if he had been, it would have sounded foolish, inane, the stuff of coxcombs like Raleigh and his set.
The thought made Grayson lift a brow in chagrin, and when he finally spoke, it was of more mundane matters.“I believe our singular acquaintance has given you leave to call me by name.Grayson,” he said, prompting her.
Kate’s gaze lifted to his, and he saw a slow, answering heat that made him wonder if he could take her right now, right here, atop the marred face of the old table.Although his mind rebelled at such an impulsive act, his body cried its assent.
“Grayson,” she whispered.His name had never been invested with such innocent yearning, and Grayson strained at the limits of his control.In an effort to maintain it, he eyed the blade in her grip.“I hope you are not planning to carve me up, now that I have recovered from the bullet wound.”
She stared at him, as if dazed, then glanced down at the large piece of cutlery and waved it in the air.“No, I was just—”
“Get back, you wretched nobleman!”
At the shout, Grayson looked up in time to see Tom charging into the kitchen as if Kate’s virtue were threatened.As well it was, but Grayson knew that he would not have to force himself on the passionate poppet.Whatever her proper demeanor, her eyes had told him as much.
It seemed that Tom cared nothing for such subtle distinctions, for he charged toward Grayson like a wild man.Despite his recent illness, the day had not arrived when Grayson could not move faster than a lackwit twice his age.
He neatly stepped out of the way just as a cat, apparently startled by the shout, leapt down from a perch above the fireplace.Hissing and spitting, the beast pounced on Tom’s chest, throwing the old man backward to sprawl upon the floor.
After felling Tom, the feline shot past Kate, knocking the potato out of her hand while the exterior door opened to admit her sister.The cat brushed Lucy’s skirts as it made its escape, and she swayed on the threshold while the potato rolled to a stop in front of her feet.
A hand at her throat, she gaped at it, then at Tom, who thrashed upon the tiles, clutching his scratches and releasing a string of foul curses that impressed even Grayson.Kate, meanwhile, called scolds after the departed beast, brandishing her knife like a weapon.
“Katie!”Lucy cried, in the whine that Grayson was beginning to recognize.“I tell you that my poor nerves cannot bear such common behavior, such foul language.”
Grayson had not made his way to the heights of political power without the ability to read people swiftly and correctly.The skill had told him Kate was harmless long before she had explained it herself.
And now it told him that Lucy was a spoiled miss who was concerned neither with Tom’s injuries nor with a possible threat to her sister.She was centered solely upon herself.
While Kate viewed the man on the floor with some alarm, Grayson stepped from his place in the shadows.“Why aren’t you helping your sister with dinner?”he asked, his tone silencing the entire room.
“I am too delicate to be slaving away in this hot, foul place!”Lucy said, recovering herself quickly.“I become queasy around food.”
“Then you won’t eat any, will you?”
“Grayson.”He heard Kate’s voice admonishing him, but he ignored it.
