Chapter Two
“MISS MONTGOMERY?” LUKEstood at the foot of the stairs, yelling up them like a fool. He dreaded the thought of mounting the steps to find his unwelcome houseguest. Stairs were difficult for him. In an emergency, he could manage, but not with any degree of dignity.
“Miss Montgomery? Sarah?”
“Yes?” She stepped through a door on the left side of the landing, rubbing her eyes and looking adorably disheveled.
He’d awoken her, he realized. The husky, sleepy note in her voice sent his pulse racing. He cleared his throat, silently damning his brother once again for putting him in this situation. “Dinner is ready. Are you hungry?”
“Starved.” She lifted one hand in a self-conscious motion to her unbound hair. It shone like burnished gold in the flickering glow of the candles he’d lit in the front hall, answering his earlier question about the color. “I’ll be down in a few minutes. I need to freshen up.”
“Oh. Of course. Come down whenever you’re ready.”
She nodded and slipped back into the bedroom, closing the door behind her with a decisive click.
Luke turned away, frowning at his reflection in the hall mirror. His freshly shaven appearance mocked him. He felt ridiculous.
It killed him to think his brother had been able to gauge his loneliness, his desperate need to have someone in his life. Was it so obvious? How pathetic he must seem for Matt to go to such lengths.
But for God’s sake, what had Matt expected him to do when he opened the door and found a bride on the front porch? Was he supposed to be grateful?
He sighed and headed toward the kitchen, feeling guilty for Matt’s deception. At the very least, he owed Sarah a decent meal.
He just wished he knew what to say to her. It had been years since he’d made any attempt at polite conversation.
The kitchen was warm and brightly lit, redolent of garlic and onions. He set two places at the small pine table and filled two crystal goblets with wine. He took a sip, wishing it were whiskey, and then lit the candle he’d used as a centerpiece.
He stood back, dismayed to see he’d unconsciously set the scene for a romantic dinner for two. Perhaps he should douse the candle, move the plates farther apart. He didn’t want her to think he had seduction in mind.
Luke closed his eyes and took a deep breath, struggling to find the strength to get through this evening. Christ, she was exquisite, and it had been so damned long...
“Oh, Mr. Chandler, it smells wonderful.”
Sarah’s soft drawl broke into his thoughts and he froze, willing his overheated body back into submission. Glancing over his shoulder, he found her standing behind him in the doorway, a small, shy smile curving her luscious lips.
Her golden hair was pinned into a neat chignon, and she’d changed out of the rumpled, dove-gray traveling suit she’d worn earlier. This gown looked as though it had been mended a dozen times, but the emerald color suited her, and the low neckline showed off the lush upper curves of her breasts. For a moment, his gaze was riveted on that luminous, pale skin.
