The relief I felt was immediate. She was here. Here. In my home. Suddenly it didn’t matter if I had twenty dinner guests awaiting my return. Nothing mattered but seeing her…touching her, making sure this was all real.
“She refuses to leave, my lord,” he said in an offended whisper. “Said she would put up a fuss if we didn’t let her speak with you. I thought it best, instead of drawing attention…”
“You did right, Alfred.”
The old man visibly relaxed. It was the most emotion he’d shown in decades. Perhaps he was human after all. “Thank you, my lord.”
As we reached the front of the house, I could hear her raised voice. “I said I wish to speak with Lord Chambers,” she snapped, the words echoing through the foyer, “and I won’t leave until I do.”
I paused near the sweeping staircase, half-hidden in the shadows, and took my time studying her. She stood directly inside the door, her hair and dark cloak damp from sleet. She reminded me of a near drowned black kitten I’d found as a child. Full of righteous indignation, claws and energy. She should have been cold, but she looked so bloody furious I had a feeling she was shaking with heated rage. Stunning. Magnificent. Damnation, but I wanted her.
“Servants enter through the back gate,” the footman hissed.
“Go on, Alfred,” I said softly, needing a moment. “Tell the boy to head to the kitchen for now. Give us some privacy.”
“Yes, my lord.”
He moved to do my bidding while I watched from the shadows. She had no idea I was near, but I was completely aware of her presence. It was as if the very air sizzled between us. Or perhaps that was merely her anger. The closer Alfred got, the more her eyes narrowed. Hissing, sputtering kitten.
“O’Ryan, head to the kitchen,” Alfred snapped. “And you will speak to no one about this.”
“Yes, sir,” he murmured as he scurried away.
Completely unimpressed, Ginny practically stomped her foot to get attention. Not even Alfred, with his tall and austere being, could intimidate her. “I won’t leave until I see Gabe.”
If Alfred was surprised by the use of my given name upon her lips, he didn’t show it. Really, he needed a raise. As much as I was enjoying the show, it was time to put an end to this play. I started into the foyer, my shoes tapping against the marble floor and drawing not only the attention of Alfred, but also Ginny.
“Alfred, you’re excused. Come along, Ginny.”
I turned and headed toward the library, knowing she would follow. As much as she amused me, I wasn’t about to have this conversation in the foyer, in front of the staff, or worse, wandering guests. I could sense her at my back. Her very presence crawled over me, holding tight like a damn tick. She’d become an obsession I wasn’t sure I wanted to deny.
“You,” she hissed, as I crossed the threshold. “You told the Landcaster housekeeper about us!”
“What is it that you presume I supposedly divulged to this housekeeper?”
“You know exactly what you did. Don’t play the dunce.” She moved around the settee, and straight toward the fireplace. So, she was cold after all, although I doubted she would admit the weakness. “You told the housekeeper that we kissed, didn’t you? Deny it!”
More than kissed. So much more. And if things went my way, we’d do even more here, tonight. Lord, she was stunning when she was angry. Those blue eyes flashed, her face flushed, her lush body quivering. I wanted to teach her to direct that anger at something more worthwhile. How bold would she be in the bedchamber?
“Gabe,” Chris called out, watching me from the door. “Is everything alright?”
“Of course. Keep our guests entertained in the dining room, will you?”
His attention slid from me to Ginny. A wicked grin lifted the corners of his mouth. A furious woman standing in my library, wearing servant’s garments. Hell, if I didn’t look guilty. I’d never be able to lecture Chris again on propriety.
“Of course, dear brother.”
Bastard. No doubt he’d tell Miranda tonight while they fucked, and Miranda would redouble her efforts to get my attention. I shut the door. The room grew quiet, the only sound the crackle of the fireplace and patter of sleet against the windows.