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“No, you’ve either been talking gibberish or sleeping.” Simon arched an eyebrow. “But seeing as you were near the home of the Heavenly family, I presume it was something to do with a certain lady.”
Nathan sighed. He eased back into his chair, leaning his head gingerly against the cushion propped it up for his head. The gentle pressure felt nice.
“I got to the orphanage early and I caught her coming out. Alone.” Nathan scowled. “I walked her home, just to make sure she was safe.”
He could still remember the kiss. The urge to touch her. He could still feel the stirring in his gut. What was it about this woman that made her different to everyone else? Surely, Eleanor Heavenly wasn’t the only sweet, kind woman in London. Nathan had encountered many of them before. She was the only one he wanted to pull into his arms and not let go.
Three times he had been in her presence, and all Nathan could think about was kissing her again until they were both breathless.
“Are you worrying about a woman’s safety, Nathan?” Simon asked with a sly grin.
“Why shouldn’t I? I’m not cold.”
“But this is Captain Reynolds I’m talking to. Concern for welfare is one thing…”
“You make it sound like we did something sordid. We didn’t.” Nathan shifted in his chair. “I’ve only had three interactions with her.”
“Sometimes, that’s all you need.”
“She’s a frustrating woman, Simon.”
“You’ve also called her beautiful, bright, compassionate and kind. And she can carry a conversation with you that’s interesting and debate with you as much as she wishes.” Simon chuckled.
Nathan was beginning to appreciate how attraction worked. It didn’t care how long you had known someone; it was unpredictable. Nathan didn’t like unpredictable, but he wasn’t about to underestimate it.
Chapter Twenty
“She’s stubborn. How am I supposed to be married to a woman who pushes back so much?”
“Nathan, if you married a woman who wasn’t stubborn or had no personality at all, you would be back in France before you even conceived an heir.” Simon winked. “With Eleanor Heavenly, I can see you lingering a little more.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Simon,” Nathan growled, but he felt a pressure in his gut at the mere thought of Eleanor growing with his child. Fatherhood hadn’t been something he had considered for some years; Nathan was happy either way. Now it was becoming a lot more tempting.
She would make a fantastic mother. Eleanor loved children. She would raise a child that Nathan would be proud of.
“I know you, Nate. She’s done things to you after just three interactions. I know you’re not willing to admit it yet, but she’s touched you.”
“I’m only doing this to get Mother to stop pestering me. That’s all. I’ve got more important things to deal with.”
But even as he said that, the words seemed to ring hollow. That was not sitting well with him. He had been back in London less than a week and already Nathan was getting distracted. He needed to focus on his investigation and find this Mr. Black. Not focus on his future bride, no matter how enticing she was.
He needed to keep his distance from Eleanor for the moment. Until he got something solid with his findings. That needed to be his main priority. Even as he said it, Nathan knew that he wouldn’t be able to do that.
“You Reynolds?”
Nathan looked up. A fair-haired man his age was standing over him, hands clenched at his side with a dark scowl. He was standing far too close, and Nathan had to resist the urge to lean back into the chair.
“I’m Captain Reynolds. And you are?”
“Leave Eleanor Heavenly alone.” The question was ignored. “She’s not yours.”
Eleanor? Nathan blinked.
“And why would I leave her alone?”
“Because she’s mine,” the young man snapped. “We’re meant to be together, and Eleanor knows it.”
Nathan glanced at Simon, who looked equally bewildered. Where had he come from? From his conversations with Eleanor, he had gathered that Eleanor had never found a husband because she had had the cards stacked against her. Had she been lying?
