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“I meant you.” Then he reached a hand along her neck to draw her close for another kiss.
Her heart filled with a tenderness that frightened her. Or was it something more? The description seemed inadequate for what flowed through her. His hand that held her elbow was warm, the one behind her neck gentle, giving her the option to pull back if she wanted.
The problem was that she didn’t. If anything, she wanted to settle along his length and continue this.
A throat clearing just outside the door had her jerking back to stare into Simon’s green eyes. “Lena is with me.”
He blinked as if it took a moment for her words to register. “Good.”
Good? At the moment, Norah thought it terrible. She straightened but decided against moving away from him. She didn’t want to. A glance behind her showed Lena peeking around the door.
“Good afternoon.” She stepped into the room, glancing about with curiosity before her gaze settled on Simon. “How is the patient today?”
“In pain,” Norah supplied, unable to resist running another hand over his brow.
Lena nodded, her expression sympathetic. “Head injuries are so painful.”
“Are there any injuries that aren’t?” Norah asked, still irritated that their kisses had been interrupted.
“I am certain some are worse than others.” Lena came closer, ignoring Norah’s poor mood. “Did you have any revelations about the evening’s events?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Simon’s lips tightened. “Some dirt and more straw were discovered but not enough to provide a true clue. I sent word to the museum director to take inventory of the exhibits to make certain nothing is missing and to have the locks changed again, though I’m not sure that will solve the problem. The police came by earlier to speak with me as well.”
“I’m just relieved your injury wasn’t worse.” Norah couldn’t imagine what she would’ve done if they’d discovered a lifeless Simon on the floor, something she’d considered numerous times during the night. The thought made her shudder.
“As am I,” Simon agreed as he sat upright and put his feet on the floor. “But I still intend to find out who was behind it.”
“Do you think it’s related to our father’s missing coin?” Lena asked.
“Yes, I do.”
Before Norah could suggest they worry about that once he was feeling better, Fletcher entered with a tea tray. Norah rose to move out of his way, and he set it on the low table in front of the couch, another new addition to the room.
“We thought you might enjoy some tea and a little something to eat,” Norah said.
“Mrs. Fletcher included your favorite cake, my lord.” Fletcher gestured toward the tray as if their attention wasn’t already focused on the piles of biscuits, small sandwiches, and thin slices of frosted cake.
“Please thank her for me,” Simon said with a smile.
Fletcher carried a chair close for Lena, and Norah settled onto the couch, careful to keep a respectable distance between her and Simon.
They passed a pleasant half-hour visiting as they had tea. Norah was pleased to see Simon eat several of the selections while he shared the history behind some of the more interesting exhibits in the museum.
Norah watched him closely, noting when his cheeks once again lost their color. She leaned close to touch his arm. “I do believe we should take our leave and allow you to rest.”
“No need.”
She rose anyway. “I am certain with a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel better tomorrow.”
Soon she and Lena were settled in the carriage. “Thank you for coming with me,” Norah said. Though she knew that having her younger, unmarried sister along hadn’t provided a proper chaperone, she liked to think these were extenuating circumstances.
“Of course. The pleasure was mine.” She held Norah’s gaze for a long moment. “I like Vanbridge.”
Norah smiled. “So do I.” Then she turned her attention to the passing scenery before her sister could ask her just how much she liked him. That was a question to which she didn’t have an answer. But she feared it was too much.
Chapter Fifteen
The following morning,Simon gritted his teeth, willing away the pounding of his head as he walked up the front steps to the museum. He was dismayed by how much he still hurt but couldn’t wait any longer to speak with Stockton and the other employees.
