desperate to get away from the wicked sensations she felt when he was near. Once she reached her bedchamber, she locked the door behind her, frightened that he might attempt to come in, and even more terrified, she would let him.
Chapter 12
Simon sipped his coffee in the breakfast room, still furious with himself for almost seducing Emma in his brother’s library last evening. He felt unclean, which after years of doing whatever he had to in order to survive in this world, was a strange sentiment indeed. Nothing about his attraction to her made any sense to him. The last thing he wanted or needed was a wife. And she wanted a title, something he would never have...or want.
He rose from his chair with the decision to go riding before his brother or Radley elected to join him. Some peace, quiet, and time alone to solve his dilemma appeared in order. Walking toward the stairs, he heard voices near the entrance, which made him pause.
“Are you certain you must leave?” Harry asked someone.
“Yes, I am dreadfully sorry, but Mamma’s note was urgent.”
Emma? Simon scowled. She was leaving, and apparently, this very moment. He should feel relieved that she decided to depart and would no longer be an enticement for him.
“Please wait until Louisa comes down,” Harry implored her.
“Would you mind fetching her so I may be off?”
Simon crept closer to watch the scene unfold. He felt like a voyeur, but something about this wasn’t right.
“Do you think Louisa and I should follow behind you?”
She shook her head. “You still have guests. You know how Mamma overreacts to even a simple cold. I’m certain whatever her impediment, there is nothing seriously wrong. If she is truly as ill as she says in her letter, I will send an express to you both.”
Harry smiled down at her. “Thank you. I shall fetch Louisa.”
Simon waited until his brother reached the top step before moving forward. “Running away?”
She gasped, turning toward him. “Not at all. My mother has taken ill, and I must return to care for her.”
“Because Mrs. Raynerson is unable to care for your mother?” He leaned against the balustrade of the lower steps.
“Tessa is busy with her daughter and, based on her last note, may be with child again.”
He nodded at her with a slight smirk to let her know that he didn’t believe a word she said. “Of course, and it is the usual practice that the spinster daughter attends to her ill mother.”
Her blue eyes narrowed on him. “I am not a spinster just yet, Mr. Kingsley.”
Hearing a door shut upstairs, he bowed. “Excuse me. I must go change before I ride.”
“You’re not returning to town yet, are you?”
He smiled at the agitated tone in her voice. “No, you are safe for a few days yet.”
She gave him a quick curtsy. “Farewell, Mr. Kingsley.”
“Good day, Miss Drake.” He walked up the steps and stopped halfway as Louisa descended. “Good morning, Louisa.”
She leaned toward him and whispered, “I will have a word with you later.”
“As you wish.”
Damn. Had Emma spoken of their kiss to her sister? Did ladies kiss and tell? He’d thought they were too well-bred for such things. Perhaps he was wrong. Damn!
Maybe he should follow Emma’s example and flee the house. There was no use in that now. With temptation departing for town, he could enjoy the rest of the week.
He quickly changed into riding clothes and slipped out the servants’ door to avoid everyone else. As the lads saddled Lucifer, he paced the stables. His mind couldn’t help but remember what if felt like to have Emma Drake against his body, her full breast in the palm of his hand. The little innocent had no idea how close he’d been to laying her on the sofa and making love to her all night.
And that was the issue. Her innocence. The woman had never been kissed before yesterday. How was that even possible at the age of two and twenty?
Once his horse was ready, he rode off, attempting to get one beautiful blonde out of his head.
SIMON DIDN’T RETURN to the house until nearly four. It wasn’t that he was precisely avoiding his sister-in-law. He just saw no need for a dressing-down from her when he’d berated himself all day. By now, she might be too busy with Daphne and her other guests to concern herself with him.
At least she should have been.
The instant he stepped into the corridor to return to his bedchamber, she caught sight