Page 28 of Pleasantly Pursued

We made our way around Chelton’s massive edifice to the servants’ entrance, and I pulled on the door, breathing a sigh of relief when it opened.

“I began to wonder if you would have to wake the servants.”

“I began to wonder if I would be climbing up to Henry’s window. Thankfully, neither of those are required.” Moonlight trailed into the small vestibule with us, and I noticed the butler’s door just down the corridor sat open.

Thea opened her mouth to speak, and I clamped my hand over her lips to stop the sound. Her round eyes widened further, and I pointed to the butler’s open door to indicate why she needed to be silent, ignoring the velvet of her lips and how the softness seemed to cling to my skin.

“If he hears us, we’re done for,” I whispered, swallowing hard. I raised my eyebrows and waited for her to nod in understanding before I removed my hand from her mouth and covertly shook my tense fingers loose again.

I reached for her hand and took it, tugging softly and holding her gaze. It wasn’t a romantic gesture by any means. I only wished to lead her through the darkened corridors I knew so well, but her warm fingers curled around mine and sent a spark up my arm. We passed the butler’s chambers to the blessed sound of low, soft snoring, and down another empty corridor toward the stairs that would lead us to the front door.

“I should have waited by the door,” she whispered after we had cleared the stairs and made our way down an innocuous corridor.

I looked over my shoulder. “Why did you not?”

Her eyes cut to me. “I felt exposed, waiting there alone. Standing before the door felt like waiting on a stage.”

“Have you any experience standing on a stage?” I whispered. “Was that your occupation prior to being a governess?”

“I will do my best not to take offense at that.”

“There is nothing wrong with actresses.”

“If you are a member of thetonthere is, and you know it. My reputation would never recover from such a rumor.”

“Then I will refrain from telling anyone of your sordid past with the stage.”

She pulled her hand free, and I stopped walking, pivoting to find her outline in the dark corridor. Blanketed in darkness, it was difficult to see her expression, but the emotion wafting from her was taut and burdensome. I had only been joking, but she appeared bothered. The moment stretched on. I badly wanted to know what she was thinking, what she was deciding to say or not say.

But she remained silent.

I attempted to lighten the thickness in the air. “We must make haste or someone will find us and wonder why you are wearing breeches.”

“You are impossible, Benedict.”

“Most people find me charming.”

“I am not most people.”

No, she was not. She had the ability to drive herself beneath my skin and fill my belly with the flutter of a bird’s wings simultaneously. No one drove me to distraction the way Thea did, and despite the bickering, Ienjoyedit. I fought the lightness in my stomach and the heaviness in my chest and held out my hand for her. I brushed her arm, unable to see very clearly.

“It isn’t necessary for you to lead me. I do know how to find my way around Chelton.”

I dropped my hand. “Very well, but please refrain from bumping any of the tables along the wall. Some of them hold very expensive vases.”

Thea snatched my hand and warmth shot up to my heart. “Be quick about it,” she grumbled.

I tightened my hold and continued through the corridors, rounding corners and slipping quietly across the black and white checkered floor in the large hall and up the carpeted stairs to the family rooms. We reached Thea’s old bedchamber, and I opened the door. It was cold and dark, but the bed was empty and the blankets were thick.

“What of my clothing?” she asked when I released her hand. “I cannot go down to breakfast in breeches.”

“Why not? It would be a lark.”

“Ben.”

My stomach flipped. “I intend to return for our valises now. I will leave yours just inside your door. You can expect your trunk in the morning.”

She hesitated. Moonlight slipped through the window, and I could see the indecision playing across her features. “Should I come for it now?”

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