Noble Scoundrel - Amy Sandas Page 0,99
in the details of her features than he would have thought possible. He recognized her ferocious loyalty in her straight brows and firm chin. He saw nobility and courage in the curve of her cheek and compassion in the fan of her lashes. Her lips, so pink and full, were softened by...sadness.
A raw ache tightened the muscles of his chest.
“All right, dove?” His voice was roughened and raw.
“Mm-hmm. Just tired.”
When she opened her eyes, he saw the weariness she’d been holding at bay, probably for much longer than he’d realized. But he saw something else as well, something that reached out to batter his heart.
She parted her lips as if to speak, but when no sound emerged, she gave a gentle shake of her head and smiled before trying again. “Thank you. For everything. For rescuing me tonight. For insisting on coming to the party. For keeping Fredrick safe. For...everything,” she finished with a heavy sigh.
The words sounded like a good-bye.
And why wouldn’t they be?
With Shelbourne dead and the threat to Frederick apparently eliminated, his purpose was concluded. She would likely expect him to find a new residence as quickly as possible.
Perhaps he should tell her his suspicion that Shelbourne was involved in something that went much farther than the work her father had done for him. That there might be others...
Not tonight. He brushed his thumb across her cheek. Tonight, the woman needed rest.
After reaching past her to open her door, he swept her up into his arms. Rather than resist him as he half expected her to, she cuddled into his chest and sighed.
Laying her out atop her bed, Mason went about removing the trappings of her fine evening attire. She barely stirred as he stripped her down to her chemise then tucked her into bed.
When he straightened and would have walked away, she reached out to wrap her hand around his wrist. “Stay with me,” she murmured softly.
With his heart beating thick in his throat, he replied roughly, “Not tonight, luv.”
Her hand dropped away as she slipped into sleep. To keep himself from crawling into the bed with her after all, Mason turned away and left the room.
UPON WAKING THE NEXT morning, Katherine immediately went in search of Frederick. She didn’t want to wait another moment to tell him the man behind the abductions was gone for good. She found her brother in the schoolroom with Claire.
The little girl saw her first and scrambled quickly to her feet to run across the room and lift her arms toward Katherine. With a smile, she scooped the toddler into her arms and held her close, breathing deep of the child’s sweet scent.
“My lady.” The nurse rose from her chair in the corner to curtsy.
“Good morning.” She glanced to Frederick, who’d been sitting at a small writing desk but now crossed the room to her.
“Morning, Kit,” he said with a smile. “How was your evening?”
“Eventful,” Katherine replied, “and exactly what I came to talk with you about.” Her brother arched a brow. “Breakfast will be ready soon. Shall we walk down together?”
“Certainly.”
“I’ll take Claire,” the nurse offered, hurrying forward.
Katherine looked at the girl in her arms who’d started twirling a tendril that had fallen from Katherine’s coiffure around her little finger. “Has she eaten yet?”
“Uh, no. We were planning to ring for something shortly.”
“Do you mind if she joins my brother and me downstairs?”
The woman looked at her in shocked silence. After a long moment, she sputtered, “I don’t think that’d be proper, my lady.”
Katherine laughed. “You may’ve noticed we don’t worry a great deal about what is proper. I think she’d enjoy a little time away from the schoolroom.” Smiling at the flustered nurse, she assured, “I’m sure we can handle a little egg and sausage. I’ll bring her back immediately after, I promise.”
“Of course, my lady,” she finally said with another curtsy.
Lowering the girl back to her feet, Katherine took her hand. “To the breakfast room, then?”
“Fweddie come, too?”
“I’ll lead the way,” her brother replied.
Not much later, they were all settled at the small dining table in the sunny yellow room with plates filled from the generous breakfast buffet. A footman had found a large, firm cushion to boost Claire higher in her seat, and Katherine sat close beside her, with Frederick taking a place across from them.
Assisting the little girl triggered a swift rush of memories to when Frederick had been the same age. Though they’d eaten in the schoolroom together, Katherine had always insisted on helping