He didn’t take his eyes off her. “Very appealing. The disarray. To me, at least.”
He splashed a bit of brandy into her cup and crossed the room. He pressed the cup into her hands, his dark gaze intent. The desire was there now—unmistakable, making her pulse throb—but there was something else, something warm and tender and… affectionate.
A response swirled in her. This wasn’t like before, all those years ago when a man had awakened her body but left her soul unmoved. With Northwood—only with him—she felt a restless stirring, like something rousing, breaking open, coming to life.
“Stay and rest before dinner,” he said. “No one expects you to join us downstairs.”
“I’m really not—”
“I insist.” He pushed a damp strand of hair away from her neck, his fingers lingering at the base of her throat.
Then, before she could move, before she could even breathe, he pressed the lightest kiss to her temple. “I never imagined it, you know.”
Lydia almost couldn’t speak. “What?”
“This.” His hand slid across her neck, his lips moving to her cheek before he released her and stepped back.
He smiled—beautiful, rakish, gentle—and left.
Oh, my heavens, Lydia thought as light spilled through her in waves of silver and gold. She wanted him to smile at her like that forever.
In that instant, she realized what she’d been feeling in his presence. She could name the gentle surge beneath her heart, the lightness that eased the ancient, persistent tension in her chest.
Young. Alexander made her feel young again.
No, that wasn’t quite right. He made her feel young for the first time ever.
Chapter Fifteen
Lord Castleford and Sebastian Hall nearly tripped over themselves getting to Lydia when she arrived for dinner. Shame-faced apologies tumbled from their mouths.
“So terribly sorry, Miss Kellaway… absolutely meant no offense… just having a bit of fun, you know… certainly didn’t intend to insult a very delightful guest… our deepest, deepest apologies…”
Lydia almost put a halt to the barrage of words before glancing past to where Talia stood watching, her arms firmly crossed. After the men had expressed their voluminous contrition, they both turned to look at her. She gave a satisfied nod, and relief flashed across the men’s faces.
Seated in a chair beside the fire, the earl watched the proceedings with a faint smile.
Castleford turned back to Lydia. “Really, we do hope you weren’t offended, Miss Kellaway.”
“One who is foolish enough to clamber onto a log over a river… well, that person has no right to be offended at the consequences of her actions, Lord Castleford.”
He grinned, his brown eyes twinkling. “And you know, your fish wasn’t quite so small when we looked at it more closely.”
“Under a microscope,” added a deep voice just behind Lydia.
She turned to give Northwood a glare. He smiled in response. She forgave him.
He extended his arm. “Shall we?”
They went into the dining room and indulged in a lovely dinner of oxtail soup, veal cutlets in tomato sauce, sautéed potatoes, and green peas—the fish having gone to the appreciative household cat.
After dinner and coffee, Sebastian provided piano music while the others engaged in card games and conversation. Lydia found herself sitting with Lord Rushton beside the fire, at his request, explaining a recent puzzle she’d devised.
While he worked out the solution, Lydia stood to study the contents of the bookshelf where an abacus sat on display. She extended a hand to touch the shiny frame and beads but withdrew at the sound of Talia’s voice.
“That was a gift from Lord Castleford several years ago,” Talia explained, pausing beside her. “He brought it back from a trip to China. Did you ever travel there with your father?”
“Oh, no.” Lydia curled her fingers into her palm. “I’d have loved to accompany him, but with Jane… well, it wouldn’t have been possible. I’ve always loved the idea of travel, though.”
A faint smile tugged at Talia’s mouth. “You, Castleford, my brothers… even my father used to love travel once upon a time.”
Lydia looked at her curiously. “And you?”
“I enjoy travel, yes, but since… well, lately I’ve become a bit of a home-bird, I’m afraid.”
Sensing Talia was leaving much unspoken, Lydia wondered whether she ought to pursue the conversation when Talia gave her a smile and patted her arm.
“I’m glad you came, Lydia,” she said. “It’s lovely to have a new friend.”
Warmth filled Lydia’s chest as she watched the other woman walk away. Yes, it was lovely indeed to have a new friend.
She returned to Lord Rushton’s side to discover he’d solved the puzzle