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Mrs. Willoughby left the tarts and collected her charges, informing them that Sally would be upstairs whenever the ladies were ready to retire. He noted the droopy eyes of his guests. Miss Tia yawned loudly, and her sister announced she was done to a thumb, so he escorted them upstairs. Tia led the way, though not with the same energy she’d had at their arrival, and Miss Comden accepted his arm as they followed.
Her hair smelled of vanilla and lavender. He closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled the distinctly feminine scent. As they reached the landing, he bade them goodnight. After Tia closed her door, he caught Miss Comden by the elbow. “Please, try not to worry. Consider me your champion in this matter.” He’d pay off the villain himself if need be.
“I’m afraid your heroics have given you much more than you expected,” she half-whispered. Her eyes glistened, turning the sandy orbs to gold and back again as the tapers in the wall sconces flickered. “I am so very sorry for the inconvenience we—”
“No! Never apologize for something you have no control over.” Gus took her hand. He wanted to pull her close and tell her he’d protect her with his last breath. But how could that be? They’d met only hours ago and barely knew one another. “It sounds ludicrous, but I believe fate led me to you. If I had not glanced down the other path, if the moon had not appeared at such an opportune time, you might still be waiting along the road.”
“And MacIntyre might have caught his death.” She tried to smile, but her lips trembled as her eyes remained downcast.
“Yes.” He tipped up her chin with his free hand, cursing himself for the spontaneous familiarity. “And I would have never met the most intriguing, beautiful woman and her entertaining sister.”
He bent and placed a lingering kiss on her hand, not trusting himself to look into those amber depths a moment longer. “Goodnight, Miss Comden.”
“Goodnight, Dr. Wharren,” she breathed, then turned on her heel and disappeared behind the chamber door.
Gus stood in the hall for a long moment. He was convinced destiny had thrown them together tonight. But why? As he climbed the stairs to his own quarters, his grandmother’s words echoed in his head.Open your mind and let your heart speak.He rubbed his neck, then grunted as a wisp of cool air tickled him. He had to find out where that draft was coming from.
