“I agree,” Graham said, glancing at her. “I must apologise for my mother’s rudeness.”
She shook her head. “It’s hardly your fault. Well, since dinner is ruined, I believe I will retire to bed.”
“As you wish.”
He continued looking at her, a faint line between his brows, and something intent in his eyes. When Ursula met his gaze,she felt an answering tug in her chest, surprisingly sudden and powerful.
Swallowing hard, she turned away. “Goodnight, then.”
Ursula walked away down the hall, her heart thumping. She found herself glancing behind more often.
Follow me,screamed a voice inside her.For goodness sake, why do you not follow me?
She had glimpsed desire in his eyes. Ursula was sure of it.
So,it is not my physical appearance that he dislikes. He is drawn to me, but then why does he keep me at a distance?HaveI done something wrong?
No answer presented itself. She reached her bedroom and stepped miserably inside.
A fire had been lit in the hearth, filling the room with a pleasant, buttery glow. A single candelabra threw light over the space, the flames flickering and dancing.
There was no sign of Ruthie, and Ursula knew she ought to ring the bell to summon her maid.
I shan’t bother with that,she thought.Ruthie works hard enough. I can undress myself, surely.
Or so she thought. Once her hair was unpinned and hanging around her shoulders, she concentrated on trying to get out of her dress. Her gown was laced at the back, and no matter whichway she twisted and turned, she couldnotreach the neatly tied ribbon.
A knock came at the door, and Ursula’s heart jumped.
It must be Ruthie, come to see if I need anything. She would have heard, of course, that our guests left early and that I had gone up to bed.
Hurrying to the door, Ursula began speaking before she even opened it.
“I’m glad you came up. I thought I could manage myself, but I…”
She trailed off as she opened the door. It was, of course, Graham standing on the threshold.
He had stripped out of his jacket at some point, wearing an embroidered silk waistcoat underneath, over a billowing white shirt. His hair was dishevelled, as if he’d run his fingers through it, and there was an air of determination about him.
“I hope I haven’t disturbed you,” he said carefully. “But I hoped to talk to you about my mother, and the plans I have to speak to her of what happened today. I simply cannot allow the matter to rest.”
Before Ursula could think twice, she had spoken.
“Could you unlace my dress for me?”
Graham stared down at her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Ursula swallowed, hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
Well, I can hardly take back the words, so I shan’t humiliate myself by trying. I suppose now I only have to wait to see if he makes some sort of excuse.
Graham only nodded, once. Ursula sucked in a breath, backing away from the door. He stepped inside and gestured briefly for her to turn around. She did so, lifting her hair off her neck and pulling it over her shoulder. Her heart thudded against her chest, and her breath kept scratching in her throat.
“I thought Ruthie might be here,” Graham murmured, tugging at the laces at the back of her dress. She felt him unravel the tight little knot at the top, and immediately the gown loosened a fraction around the shoulders.
“I should have called for her,” Ursula admitted, “but I hate to bother her. I thought I could undress myself.”
Graham’s feather-light fingertips danced down the laces, loosening and tugging, more and more until her dress sagged from her shoulders. Ursula was obliged to press her hand against her chest, keeping her dress in place.
The gown sagged at the back, sliding off her shoulders altogether as Graham unlaced the final strings. She sensed rather than saw him step back.
