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“Until Donny’s ankle is healed, you’re not to go out at night without me.”
“Does that include social occasions?” she sarcastically replied.
“Since you apparently never go out to parties and such, that won’t be a hardship. You’re a recluse, lass, and that’s a fact.”
“Nonsense,” she said, rising to her feet. “I am not a recluse. Well, not really.”
He stood. “I’m one myself, you know. My family thinks I’m a mad scientist, locked away in my lab performing bizarre experiments.”
She chuckled as they walked toward the house. “And are you?”
“No, I’m just hopeless when it comes to social functions. Never can think of what to talk about besides what I do. You’d be amazed how many people remain unmoved by the workings of one’s digestive system.”
“Except for people with digestive problems, I imagine.”
When he laughed, she shushed him.
“Sorry,” he softly replied.
She descended the steps to the kitchen entrance, fishing a key out of her pocket. When he followed her down into the shallow stairwell, she threw him a startled glance.
“Was there something else?” she whispered.
A wee kiss would be grand.
“You still haven’t promised not to venture out at night without me. I must insist on that, Samantha.”
She stared up at him. Her eyes, huge and dark, held an expression that seemed wistful and almost shy. “I promise. And, thank you for tonight. I . . . I was just teasing, you know. I’m really very grateful for your help.”
Braden felt a pull he’d not felt for a very long time, an invisible magnetic force. His gaze drifted to her full lips, which suddenly parted on a wavering inhalation. He could feel his head dip down, as if under the control of that force. Her hand stole up to rest on the lapel of his coat, just as her eyelids fluttered shut. Her sweet breath was on his mouth, and—
The door behind her flew open, and light flooded the stairwell. Samantha jerked back, smacking her walking stick against his knee.
Hard.
“Ouch,” he muttered.
“Oh, sorry, sorry,” Samantha gasped. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Braden narrowed his eyes on the big man standing in the doorway. Donny glowered back, clearly ready to rip off his head and toss it into the garden.
Samantha turned to her manservant. “Er, Donny, I didn’t realize you were awake.”
“Ye snuck out,” he tersely said, switching his ire to his mistress.
“Yes, well, I can explain.”
“Donny, you really shouldn’t be up on that ankle,” Braden said.
“And what are ye doin’ out with my lady?” Donny asked in a rather menacing voice.
“Making sure she doesn’t get killed.”
Samantha whipped her head around to glare at him. “That’s not helpful, Dr. Kendrick.”
“Sorry,” he said, not feeling the slightest bit sorry.
