know it. Although, now she wished she hadn’t asked because he was no longer touching her. He took the cheroot from her, gave it a little puff, and scrutinized the glowing end of it.
“After the Crown seized the titles and properties and left us with nothing, I began working on the docks, carting crates and sacks of goods. The hauling caused blisters and welts. Ropes and wood bit into my flesh. Until my hands toughened from scars and calluses, they were raw a good bit of the time.”
She could only imagine how painful it must have been as his skin bled and oozed. “And you toughened up along with them.”
Another puff, a slow release of the smoke. “Some of that had happened before, when they took us to the Tower. Some happened later, after the docks. But don’t ask me for details, because I won’t tell you about any of that.” Looking past her, he gave a small nod of acknowledgment. “Gertie.”
A woman she judged to be at least a decade older than herself held a folded bit of paper toward him. “This was just delivered.”
He took the offering. “Lady Kathryn Lambert, allow me the honor of introducing Mrs. Ward, who manages things here.”
“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Ward,” she said.
The woman’s nose went up ever so slightly. “You’re the exception to all the rules.”
Kathryn glanced over at Griff, who was grinning slightly as he unsealed and unfolded the missive. “Yes, I suppose I am.”
Because she was watching him, she noted all the humor disappearing from his features, the alertness that suddenly seemed to dominate. He placed the cheroot on a glass dish. “I have an urgent matter I need to attend to. Gertie, if I’ve not returned by closing, see that all is done up tightly. Lady Kathryn, feel free to continue exploring at your leisure. Ladies.”
He strode from the room, not in a rush, but definitely with some resolve. Surprised by his abrupt departure, she followed into the hallway and watched as he darted up some stairs at the far end of it. Mrs. Ward had stayed close as though fearing Kathryn would make off with the silver candlesticks. “Where is he going?”
“To his rooms, probably,” Mrs. Ward responded. “Is there anything you require of me before I return to my duties?”
“No, thank you.” As someone who no longer had anyone to accompany her, she would be wise to take her leave but couldn’t shake off the sensation that something was terribly wrong. Acknowledging a couple of people she knew who were mingling about, she casually wandered along the hallway until she reached the stairs. She was tempted to go up them but didn’t wish to intrude or become a bother when he’d seemed anxious to be rid of her.
Then he was coming down them, hat and walking stick in hand, purpose in his stride. When he reached the last step, she glided in front of him.
Impatience marred his features. “Lady Kathryn, I haven’t time—”
“What is it? What’s happened? Is it Althea?” As far as she knew, her friend was still in Scotland, but if some tragedy had befallen her, surely he would have been told.
His eyes reflected sympathy and understanding. “No.” He hesitated before continuing. “I must meet with Marcus. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
“You mentioned it was urgent.” His actions certainly reinforced that notion. “Even if you’ve a carriage, you’ll need to have it readied. Mine is waiting in the mews. Allow me to provide you with transport to wherever you need to go.”
“I’ll hire a cab.”
“My carriage will be quicker. I’ve seen all I wanted to see, anyway.” Because all she’d truly wanted to see was him. “My driver could drop you off before taking me home.”
He gave a quick nod. “All right, then. I appreciate it.”
This time when he escorted her toward the other stairs, the red-carpeted wider ones that led down to the main floor, his hand rested lightly on the small of her back, the heat from his fingers pronounced, burning through the silk of her gown so strongly it was like it had been when they were near her neck, flesh on flesh. She welcomed the surety of them, the familiarity, the intimacy. As though he’d touched her without thinking, as though doing so was as natural as breathing. As though they were in this together, whatever this was.
She suspected it involved an element of danger and dearly wanted to instruct her driver to go in the opposite direction of wherever Griff