of you hurt. The walk from your home to here might only be several minutes, but it was a dangerous deed. You act as if there is nothing to be afraid of. Reckless!”
It was her turn to flinch at the icy bite in his tone.
“There are many things I am afraid of, but traveling alone is not one…not when I know you are hovering in the shadows like a dragon,” she whispered with a small smile. “One with dark wings unfolded over my shoulders, a force of safety I trust in. I know you are fiercely protective of me.”
He simply stared at her, and she did nothing but return that unflinching regard.
“What is in the basket?”
“Something for you…and for Arianna. I recalled from one of our conversations that today is the anniversary of her death…and…and I thought I…”
He gave her a long, measuring stare. “You came to keep me company.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I admit I had not thought it out fully, and I am terribly sorry to have intruded.”
“I am not sorry; do not be. I am glad you came.”
He radiated with visible satisfaction, and warm flutters went off in her body.
She clutched the basket to her side. “It’s best I show you what is in the basket outside. Will you come with me to the garden?”
Once again, as if he could not understand her, Nicolas stared at her for long, silent moments, and she fought not to squirm under that hawkish stare. She almost blurted what she held in the basket when he prowled toward her, his long strides undeniably confident and graceful. He took the basket, and Maryann followed him silently into the drawing room which seemed as if it might also serve as a ballroom with its large folding doors. He opened one of the terrace doors, and they slipped outside into the cool night air.
The grass there was badly in need of cutting, the flowers lacked tending to, and the hedges untrimmed. The garden area was darkly shadowed by the thick tree limbs and hedges. “Why are your gardens so shabby?”
Before he could answer, Maryann saw a movement in the grass, a silver slither. With a squeak she jumped at him, clutching his shoulders.
“You are a woman of good senses,” he murmured exasperatingly but with some amusement.
She sniffed. “What of it?”
“Why are you on my back, and how did you even reach there?”
Her entire body flushed. “There is something in the grass.”
“A harmless grass snake perhaps. Come, down you go.”
The moan that came from Maryann was so pitiful, he encircled her ankle and rubbed his thumb soothingly along her silk-covered leg.
“I gather you are afraid of snakes?”
“They are spawn from the bowels of hell,” she said into his nape, scandalously hooking her legs around his hips.
“Ah, now I see why you involved your brother in your scheme to take down Lady Sophie. Then we shall take to the roof.”
“The roof?”
“Yes.”
She spun it around in her thoughts a little. “You mean for us to climb to the roof?”
“Afraid?”
“Of course not,” she muttered against the back of his neck, quite conscious she made no effort to get off him, and he seemed contented for her to be there. He walked with her around to the side of the house, comfortable with her weight and the basket in another hand. Maryann smiled.
“I can feel that.”
“I’ve not had this particular pleasure since I was a child with Papa. I was just thinking I should thank you for giving me the chance to ride you.”
He stumbled and muttered a curse that made her cheeks burn. He came to a complete stop and a fine tension shifted through his frame. Gently he nudged her, and she eased from his back and hopped down to the much shorter grass. She rushed around to face him and glanced up. Unexpectedly, nervousness rushed through her. “Was it something I said?”
His eyes gleamed with sudden enjoyment. “No, these were more along the lines of my rakish thoughts. Come, let’s climb.”
And to Maryann’s astonishment, there was a sort of ladder attached to the side of the house, covered with vines and trellises. He went before her and with a grin, she followed step by careful step, quite aware should they marry, this was a man who would never try to cage her.
Once he reached the top, he held out his hands and drew her up. Maryann glanced down and sucked in a sharp breath. They seemed precariously far from the ground. There was a flat surface leading