Page 54 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

“Order something valuable,” she suggested at once. “Something small and portable enough to be lifted with ease. If the thief is as bold as you suggest, he’ll not be able to resist. What about the ironmongery for the doors and windows? Are they valuable enough to tempt him, do you think?”

He considered this, nodding. “Certainly. Mr and Mrs King have chosen the best of everything, especially for the public spaces, which are all solid brass fittings. I’ll think on it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Does this mean you won’t shake me after all?”

He laughed at that, glancing at her in concern. “I never would have. I just… seeing you on the ground like that and the men all riled up. It shook me. I wanted to bloody murder whoever had done it.”

“How chivalrous of you,” she said lightly, though her heart was pounding at the idea he cared enough to be so angry.

Mr Bramwell snorted. “I’m uncertain chivalry is the motivating factor, but as you like. Just… don’t do that again, please. I’ve told you before, a building site is a dangerous place for anyone, but especially for a lady. You aren’t dressed appropriately and you do not know what to look out for. Promise me you won’t arrive unannounced like that again. If you wish to look around, tell me and I shall escort you on a visit.”

“Truly?” she asked in surprise.

He pulled a face but nodded. “Better that than having to carry your lifeless body up to the Hall.”

Hetty rolled her eyes, irritated by this unlikely suggestion. “If you weren’t so pigheaded about avoiding me, I wouldn’t be forced to hunt you down. You said we were friends, but since then I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of you… oh, no. I take it back. I’ve seen a fair bit of your hide.”

To her utter delight, a tinge of red crested his cheeks, and he swallowed, shifting uncomfortably on the seat beside her.

“Ah. Umm… yes. I’ve been meaning to… to apologise.”

“Whatever for?” she asked innocently, deciding she was going to enjoy this and make him squirm.

He cleared his throat, carefully avoiding her eyes. “You know very well what for.”

“Goodness, Mr Bramwell, you sound rather cross. I thought this was an apology.”

Silence reined for a moment longer and then he groaned. “Dammit, Hetty. I’m sorry. You know we hadn’t the faintest idea you were there, or we’d have never…”

“Run around in nothing but your skin?” she suggested sweetly.

He cast her a wrathful glance and then huffed out a laugh. “Quite. I’m afraid we gave you quite a spectacle. I hope your sister was not mortified beyond mending.”

“Mortified? Good heavens, no. Cilly was transfixed by the sight of your brother in all his manly splendour,” she replied, before she could think better of it. Clapping a hand over her mouth, she stared at him in horror. “Mr Bramwell. I shall never tease you over this again if you will forget what I just said and never repeat it. Especially not to Lord Rivington.”

He looked alarmed at the suggestion. “Good God, what manner of cad do you take me for—no, don’t answer that on second thoughts. Suffice to say, my lips are sealed.”

Hetty relaxed, knowing she could trust him. “Thank you.”

He glanced at her again. “Was she really?”

Her lips quirked as she remembered Cilly’s enraptured expression. “Indeed.”

“And what about you?” He spoke lightly, the words rather teasing, but Hetty sensed rather than heard the slight edge to them.

“Oh, no. I was quite unmoved by the sight… of Lord Rivington,” she said it slowly, deliberately, though she knew very well she ought not to. There were those blasted oughts again.

She held his gaze, noting the way his eyes darkened with a little frisson of excitement.

“Hetty,” he said, a husky quality to his voice which was so thrilling she shivered.

“Yes?” she replied, barely whispering the word as anticipation thrummed beneath her skin.

He fell quiet again, and then remarked brusquely, “You’d better put some steak on that bruise.”

Hetty glowered at him and folded her arms. “Thank you so much for your concern, Jenkins has the matter in hand,” she groused, turning away from him.

“Don’t look so annoyed. We’ve spoken about this,” he said crossly.