At his words, she turned to find him gone. Shaking her head, she continued toward the exit of the old ballroom. She had just reached the first set of double doors when she felt him. She stopped and turned again, but he wasn’t there. Then, as if drawn, she looked up to the balcony.
He stood watching her.
She waved, feeling like Romeo and Juliet except reversed.
He gave her a formal bow then strode away and out of her view.
She held the book against her chest and left the room. As she ascended the grand stairs, she could still smell his scent, cedarwood—warm and woody. It enveloped her, as if he were still with her. She entered her room and closed the door, leaning her back against it as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Images of Tam bringing her to fulfillment flew through her head, causing her body to want him all over again. She opened her eyes and moved to her dressing table. Sitting before it, she stared at herself. Did she look different? Her hair was quite messy and there was a flush in her cheeks, but otherwise she looked the same, except…
Her green eyes gazed back at her as if taunting her with her new knowledge. Turning away, she glanced at her bed, the traveling book of the Curious Ladies hidden beneath the mattress. She’d wanted to know, and now she knew.
But she wanted more.
Chapter Fifteen
Christopher took offhis skates and strode toward the house. Despite a sleepless night and a longer time on the ice, he still felt restless. Discovering his feelings for Sophie was a problem he couldn’t solve. He felt as if he walked in a vanilla cloud, her scent still so strong a memory. He wished Lord Harewood were visiting. The man never judged him and kept his confidences from Andrew if Christopher asked him to. This would be one of those.
Once inside the house, he left his skates and coat with Harrison.
“Did you finish your timeline, my lord?”
It took him a moment to remember what the man referred to. “No, I didn’t. There were a couple of books I couldn’t find, but I did get a good start.”
“And you avoided stepping on any more books?”
“Barely. I think the next time I decide to line so many books out on the floor, I will do it in daylight and in a bigger space.”
“A good plan, sir. Your brother has also risen early.”
“Has he?”
“Yes. He’s in the faculty study. He was searching for more paper, I believe.”
Christopher had just taken a step down the corridor toward the faculty dining room, planning to break his fast, when he halted.Paper?He changed direction. “I’ll go see if I can help him in hissearch.” He ignored the butler’s raised brow and strode to the faculty study.
When he opened the door, his gut tightened.
Andrew sat at the desk with the books from Stoneleigh House spread out before him, reading the letter from Mr. Morton about the condition of the estate.
Taking a deep breath, Christopher closed the door behind him loudly.
Andrew’s head jerked up. He held the letter aloft. “What is this? I hope you haven’t promised some wanton you’ll save her home.”
Offended, Christopher crossed his arms over his chest. “Your words make clear what you think of me.”
His brother dropped the letter onto the desk and sat back. “What else am I supposed to think? Who is this Mr. Morton?”
“He’s my solicitor.”
Andrew’s brows rose. “Your solicitor? Why would you need a solicitor? What’s wrong with Mr. Anders?”
“If I used Mr. Anders, you’d try to dissuade me.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “Dissuade you from what? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of moving in with your mistress. I can tell you from these books that she’ll be lucky to have a roof over her head in two months’ time.”
Christopher uncrossed his arms and strode to the desk. He closed the ledgers and stuffed Mr. Morton’s letter inside. Then he picked them up and put them on a shelf and stood in front of them. “This is exactly why I haven’t told you. You assume the worst of me, just because I don’t want to join the military. Your focus is so narrow, you can’t even see the possibilities. Just because Father was a libertine, doesn’t mean I’m following in his footsteps. You think you’re the only one who can learn from his pathetic life?”
