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With extraordinary effort, he managed to break off the thought, releasing her.
“You must beware, little happy face.” He took a step back and then another, until the rush of heat subsided.
“Of what?” She blinked.
She suddenly found herself alone.
The walk back to the castle required only a few minutes, but to Felicity it seemed an eternity. She was unaware of the wind that sighed through the trees and the clouds that scudded across the sky, blotting out the sun. In her mind she was still looking into Gareth’s eyes, seeing a tormented soul.
As she climbed the steps, she shivered against a sudden chill. Before she could reach for the front door it was opened by a servant.
“Thank you,” she said absently.
The girl nodded and bowed.
Felicity turned, throwing back the hood of her cloak as she did, and collided with a solid wall of chest. The man had to be well over six feet, with strong hands that caught roughly at her shoulders to keep her from tumbling backward.
“I say. Not quite the way I’d hoped to welcome a guest to Falcon’s Lair,” he muttered.
She looked up to see dark eyes glinting with amusement.
“Sorry.” She took several deep breaths to compose herself. “I didn’t see you.”
“Obviously.” He allowed his hands to linger a moment longer before lowering them to his sides. “I’m Ian St. John, nephew to Lord Falcon, as well as his physician.”
“I’m—“
“Felicity Andrews,” he finished. “Everyone here is talking about you.”
He turned as a beautiful blonde in a billowing gown descended the stairs and paused beside him. “Miss Felicity Andrews, this is William’s wife, Honora.”
“Honora, Lord Falcon spoke of you.” Felicity extended her hand. “How nice to meet you.”
The woman’s mouth curved into an imitation of a smile, but there was no answering warmth in her eyes or in the limp handshake she offered.
“I expect you’re hungry.” She studied Felicity thoroughly from head to toe. What she saw apparently alarmed her, for her frown grew more pronounced.
Felicity nodded. “I must admit it’s been a good many hours since my morning meal with Lord Falcon.”
Honora’s tone was frigid. “He said you’d been in to see him.”
Felicity unfastened her cloak. “Yes. We had a lovely time. He couldn’t have been more charming.”
“I must warn you, Miss Andrews. Such things tire him. From now on, I hope you will check with me before you intrude on his privacy.”
Felicity’s fingers paused in their work. She could feel her cheeks growing pink. “I’m sorry. I had no idea…”
Honora turned to the housekeeper. “Maud, I’ll show Miss Andrews to her new suite of rooms while you see about something to eat.”
The dour woman hesitated for just a moment, but it was enough to let Felicity know that she considered this additional chore a burden.
“Come, Miss Andrews. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up.”
“Yes. Well…” Felicity offered her hand, and Ian St. John accepted it. “I suppose I’ll see you here again, Doctor.”
“Oh, indeed. I’m on daily call.”
Honora paused on the stair and turned. “I was hoping you might join us for some refreshment, Ian.”