AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Nine
Several hours after dinner, Ethan closed the ledger over which he had been pouring. A quick glance at the ormolu clock on the mantle showed it to be minutes to two in the morning. He had spent too long with the books his steward had sent him from Cornwall, and of course, everything was in great shape with the mines, and he made a notation to have his steward look into getting a steam engine to pump the water or to set up a water wheel. Of great concern to Ethan was an accident that had occurred a month ago.
Thankfully there had been no deaths, but a few of the workers had suffered from broken limbs. A study of the books showed they were not being compensated while they recovered. This was unacceptable to Ethan, and he did not like that the foreman did not have that insight and compassion. Writing his command in a letter, he ordered the village doctor to see to their welfare at the estate’s expenses and pay the men full salary for the entire time needed for recovery. If the local doctor’s expertise was insufficient, he would request his private physician to pay the workers a visit. Ethan also made a note to travel down and visit the workers and their families himself.
Pushing from behind his desk, he outed the lamps and made his way from the study. In the hallway, he paused as an odd noise reached his ears. It sounded like a shriek and perhaps laughter. To his surprise, in the dark of the hallway, he saw a lady running towards him, a lantern in her hand to guide her way. If he had been a lesser man, Ethan would have been startled. That lady ran toward him then suddenly turned, and bounded up the stairs on light feet, her auburn hair streaming behind her.
Lady Charity.
A quick glance behind her showed no one followed. Why was she running about at this hour? Quickly deciding, he bounded after her, careful to keep his steps just as muffled. The house seemed to absorb the darkness of the night, that little flicker of candlelight a dancing beacon as he followed the hoyden. She went to the third floor and was panting upon reaching the landing. Lifting the candle high about her head, she peered up at the walls of paintings showing generations of his family members. She lingered on the large portrait of his father. The light from the candle was too dim for him to discern her expression. He stealthily padded up to her, amused with his own actions. Ethan was not a man who played or acted in this ridiculous fashion, yet he did not want her to hear his approach. He stood a few feet from her and studied her for several moments, trying his damnedest to explain the increase in his heartbeat.
Ethan could never remember a time in his life his heart raced for a woman. Not even when he had chased a beautiful actress a few years ago enticing her to be his paramour. When she had played coy and almost impossible to seduce, he had walked away. Outwitted at her own sensual game, she had been the one to reapproach him. Laura had not made his heart race or provoked this longing to engage in conversation.
Impatient with himself, Ethan drawled, “You do have a penchant for snooping.”
Muffling a shriek, Charity whirled around. She laughed, pressing a hand over her heart. “You gave me a scare.”
“Yet you laugh.”
“Well, it was a thrilling scare. I thought you a spectral anomaly.”
Ethan had nothing to say to that. “Why are you creeping about the house at this hour?”
“I wanted to take a tour, if you recall, my lord. I was invited to do so earlier.”
“When I left the library, it was after two.”
“I know,” she wrinkled her nose in that charming manner. “It merely seemed exciting to do it at this odd hour than in the morning with the housekeeper’s voice droning on in the background.”
Ethan stared at her for a moment, wondering at the creature before him. With a flash of insight, he realized Lady Charity was dreadfully bored. It was indeed a challenge to stroll about the massive mansion in the dark, with echoing sounds coming from all angles and large paintings mounted on the wall staring down in judgment or warning. Whichever whimsy, a person’s imagination chose to prefer. She was well aware that touring the house in the dead of night would be frightening, and even knowing that she had gone forward, hoping for something thrilling…hoping for an adventure.
Ethan was arrested…by her.
“I have never known a woman like you.”
She lifted the lone candle as if hoping to see his expression. “Is that a compliment?”
“I am still undecided.”
The corners of her mouth went up in a quick smile. “I have decided it is a compliment. Thank you, my lord.”
Silence fell between them, and she shuffled nervously. It was then he noted her bare toes. The stone floor was cold, yet she seemed to bear it stoically.
“Did you follow me?” she whispered.
“I thought you a spectral anomaly.”
“You tease me.”
“That I do.”
She seemed to be biting the inside of her lip against a smile. “I should return to my bedchamber. Jenna and I have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“I shall bid you a pleasant sleep, Lady Charity.”
Yet neither of them moved, and Ethan could not stop thinking about why she was in the gallery hallway of his home.
“I should go.”
