He gazed down into her liquid eyes of bottomless blue. Eyes currently filled with intelligence and curiosity and…something else. Something he could not discern with any degree of certainty.
Conspicuously absent—for the moment, at any rate—was the pomposity he’d previously attributed as her hallmark.
His sister had been right all along. There was more to her. Arrogant, overly confident, and ignorant about several social matters she might be. She was also kind, inquisitive, and fair. In short, he’d been wrong to pigeonhole her.
“Lord Randall, are you going to gape at me all day, or do you intend to answer my simple question?”
He snorted. Simple, indeed.
“The question is moot, Annabelle. Until I know who killed Lucy, and why, your safety is not assured. You will not go haring off across the country alone, period.”
“Sir, allow me to point out that you do not have the right to tell me what I will or will not do. You are neither my husband nor my parent.”
He shrugged. “Nevertheless, you are under my purview, and my statement stands.”
She glared at him. “I demand you answer my question.”
“Fine. As to why you cannot travel without a chaperone, you know very well that doing so would invite scandal, which could easily land on my doorstep, and I will not allow it.”
“I see.”
He would swear he saw disappointment, maybe even hurt, in her eyes before she lowered her lashes.
What had she expected him to say, if not that? Mayhap, clever as she was, she had worked out the same realization he had.
Still. He was reluctant to open Pandora’s box. He’d all but accused her of attempting to entrap him when she’d arrived. Now he wouldn’t put it past her to argue against what must be done.
“I will take care of you, Annabelle. You’re my…responsibilitynow,” he settled for saying. It was one way of putting it. His bloody obsession was another.
She gave him a sullen look. “Yes. Your responsibility. Just like Lady Caroline and your younger brother are, no doubt.”
“I beg your pardon? What on earth is that supposed to mean?”
She sniffed. “If you don’t mind, it has been a long day. I would like to retire to my guest chamber before supper.”
He frowned and weighed the benefits of pressing her for an explanation. In the end, he decided it behooved him to let the matter drop—for now. “Very well. I have business off the island as it happens.” He hesitated, then added, “I’d take it as a personal favor if you refrain from leaving the castle in my absence.”
She nodded and started for the exit.
He had the sure feeling he’d misstepped. But exactly how, he couldn’t say.
From nowhere, a vague recollection came to him of laughing at his friend, Zeke, as Lady Kitty, prior to their recent marriage, led him about in a merry chase. For the first time, he felt a degree of sympathy for the man.
***
The following morning, shortly past dawn, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, Sterling entered the castle. He removed his greatcoat, hung it on the rack, and trudged for the stairs.
He had every right to his exhaustion considering the last twenty-four hours he’d endured, starting with having Lucy’s body deposited on his doorstep.
Yet, as he climbed the spiral staircase, a distinct feeling of satisfaction over yesterday’s accomplishments pervaded his bones. He grinned to himself, imagining what this day would bring—after he’d had a chance to sleep an hour or two, of course. Without a doubt, the trajectory of his life, and that of Annabelle’s, would be forever altered. If just last week someone had prophesied what his future would hold, he’d have laughed.
Nearing the first-floor landing, he lifted his gaze to find Annabelle bearing down on him. She did not look pleased.
“Sir, how dare you stay out all night."
He took in the sight of her, starting with her small, bare feet and working his way up, over the thin night rail and wrapper she wore, cinched at the waist. Her lacy white cap, which no doubt Babette had procured for her, sat atop her head, askew, and accomplishing little as most of her glorious flaxen hair had escaped its confines.
He couldn’t help himself. He smiled. “Why, Annabelle. Never say you missed me.”
