perhaps you owed me the unfurling of your hair, after all.”
Her indignant expression had him chuckling all the way into his bedchamber, into his bed. He sobered only after he began stroking the ribbon that had held her hair in place. Damned stupid of him to be jealous of a bit of cloth for being so intimately involved with her.
Although he’d caught himself in time, he’d nearly mistakenly confessed that he wanted her tresses freed so he could imagine the bright copper mane spread out over his pristine white pillow. Or over his bared chest. Her hair was long enough that it would reach down to his groin. He groaned as that rebellious part of his anatomy reacted as though the soft strands were in fact brushing over it, teasing it, at that very minute.
He didn’t know why he’d tormented himself by asking that particular favor of her. He should have asked for something simpler, something that would have brought him joy for more than three minutes—even if the memory of those three minutes might never fade. Smile whenever you first glimpse sight of me. Laugh when I tell a joke, even if you don’t think it’s funny. Look at me as though I’m not an irritation. Welcome my company. Never again confine your hair with pins or ribbons.
So many things he could have asked for, but following his usual habit, he’d chosen the most immediate and strongest of gratifications to which she wouldn’t object. So now he was left aching without hope of acquiring more.
Chapter 4
Disembarking from the hansom cab, Griff ambled up the drive toward the residence, feeling quite satisfied after spending an hour with his solicitor. A solicitor no one in his family was even aware he had retained.
It wasn’t only the wagering and the thrill of winning at the tables that lured him to the clubs. It was the information about various investment opportunities the members shared that was also a draw. He knew he couldn’t count on always coming out ahead each night if he wanted to save enough money to start his business. But if he wisely invested some of those winnings, then he might find himself in a better position financially. He was determined to supplement the inadequate allowance his father gave him. Then with considerable relish, he’d return to his father every farthing he’d ever given him.
He knew the greater the risk, the higher the return. Unfortunately, two investments had resulted in losses. One had yet to pay off, in spite of it showing earlier promise.
But last night, after taking a good bit of the duke’s blunt, the man had invited him for a drink and mentioned that he was investing in model dwelling companies, which were building much-needed residences for the poor. While Griff had invested only half of the amount he had won the night before, with luck, he would eventually see himself with a small but steady income. As his finances allowed, he would follow with more investments.
He had a spring in his step as he strode into the residence and handed his hat to the butler. “Is my sister about?”
“She is enjoying her afternoon nap, my lord.”
“As is Lady Kathryn, I assume.”
“No, sir. She’s presently in the garden.”
He didn’t particularly like the way his heart pounded a little harder at the thought of spending time with her alone. If he was wise, he’d retire to his bedchamber and read. But he’d spent the afternoon being wise and was in the mood to be a bit reckless.
She was sitting on a cast-iron bench beneath the shade of an elm, near the delphiniums blooming in pink, purple, and white. But she was far more colorful in her lilac frock with her hair down and held in place with a white ribbon. He suspected she’d unpinned it before taking the afternoon rest his mother insisted all ladies required. A wide-brimmed straw bonnet rested near her feet. He was glad she’d dispensed with it, so her face wasn’t lost to shadows. She was staring into the distance, her delicate brow deeply furrowed, her bottom lip barely visible as she gnawed at what should only ever be kissed. On her lap sat her small writing desk, seemingly forgotten.
“Aren’t you supposed to be napping?”
She jerked her head in his direction, and for a brief span of time, it looked as though she was pleased to see him. Then just as quickly, she shuttered whatever emotions she was feeling, but still her smile, if not