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The sound of metal hitting stone rent the air as Jack dropped the tea tray, the implements hitting the floor and crashing loudly.
“Gads, man,” Nick yelled, his hand clutching his rapidly beating heart. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Jack’s head came up, his narrowed gaze resting on Nick.
Nick waved a dismissive hand. “Just clean it up.”
Giulia chuckled, her breathing coming in quick spurts. “Where was I?”
“The door.” Nick’s mouth curled into a slow smile.
She grinned back at him. “I am right, aren’t I? The earl must be hiding something.”
“He could be. But, as you said, the door is locked.”
“I know.” Giulia furrowed her brows and the adorable pout returned to her lips. He felt a rush of warmth and longing flow through his body.
She sighed. “If only Ames was here.”
The warmth in Nick’s veins quickly vanished. “Whatever for?”
“He is very talented at picking locks.”
Nick raised his eyebrows. What type of man was this?
She cast her gaze to the ceiling, expelling a slow breath. “Step down from your high tower, Nicholas Pepper. It came in handy a time or two on our—”
“Adventures?”
“I was going to say voyages,” she replied dryly.
He chuckled. “Perhaps you should take me to the door.”
Giulia shook her head dismissively. “It is not possible.”
“Whyever not?”
She lifted one shoulder in a dainty shrug. “Too many stairs.”
“I do not need to climb them.” And besides, he was perfectly able to do so. He simply would have to take many breaks, pretending to find the steps tricky. He couldn’t have her knowing how much better he felt. He locked her eyes in his determined gaze. “I would like to see the door.”
“Yes, but to get to the door, we need to go down a set of stairs to the landing, then up another set to the west wing, and I fear that it will tire you before we even reach the tower and the other set of stairs waiting there.”
He could manage it…but, what if he didn’t have to? Nick watched Jack pick up the remnants of the tray and leave the room before turning back to Giulia and lowering his voice. “Well, if that is all that concerns you, then I believe I have a solution to our problem.”
* * *
Giulia could not help but smile at the childish grin that spread across Nick’s face. His lips curved in a tantalizing line and his emerald eyes glittered in playful anticipation. She sighed in a long-suffering manner. “I am afraid to ask.”
“No questions, Giulia. Just help me with my dressing gown.”
She sucked in a breath. “Perhaps Jack would be better suited…” One quick glance around the room proved that the man had slipped out at some point. She swallowed.
“Relax, Jules, I am fully dressed. I just want to ward off the chill and putting my arm in a coat at this point is still painful.” He gestured to the sling on his arm for emphasis.
Her heart hammered in her chest. Nick had used her father’s nickname for her, but it did not bother her. It had rolled so easily from his tongue that she found that she rather enjoyed it. A peace settled over her heart like a balm, and she relented. “Very well.” She trudged toward his dressing gown and helped him into the sleeve before tying it around his waist to keep the gown from slipping off of his shoulder. He looked much the same as he had when they’d shared a midnight lemon tart; just as handsome, just as…tantalizing. She forced her gaze away, moving toward the door.
“Good idea. Close the door, will you?”
