Page 18

Ten minutes before the noon hour, he slipped on his raincoat and hat, grabbed the basket and stepped outside.

A drizzle of rain fell on him, and he groaned.

His first reaction was to become upset, but then he realized this would be perfect for his afternoon enjoyment.

The light moisture would keep curious townsfolk from venturing outside and it would keep his lovely Tabitha inside the abandoned cottage, exactly where he wanted her to be.

It would be difficult to convince her of his sincerity, to be sure, but the longer he could get her to stay in their secluded hideaway, the more he could work his charms on her.

At first he tried to act as if carrying a basket was a normal routine for him, and he casually made his way up the street toward the opposite side of town, but after a few minutes, the rain fell faster and he wished he’d brought along his umbrella.

Soon, he was quickening his pace and hustling up the side street that was on an incline.

The road became slick with water and his boots slipped a few times.

He contemplated walking in the grass, but he realized that would only make his boots wetter and more slippery.

A disturbing thought struck him just as he neared the abandoned cottage…what if the rain kept Tabitha from venturing out, as well? It was possible. After all, what excuse could she give her aunt and Mrs. Stiles for taking a stroll on a rainy day?

As he reached the door, his hopes sank. She wouldn’t be here. No woman, no matter how enamored she was with him, would go out in this weather to meet him in private. And because Tabitha was not smitten with him, she wouldn’t be here.

He stopped on the porch and glanced down the hillside.

Not one person was out and about. Apparently, he was the only fool outside at this time.

Well, he’d go inside the cottage and wait out the storm, then return home.

It would probably be best to eat the food he’d prepared in the basket.

It would give him something to do while he waited for the perfect time to leave.

He jiggled the door handle, but it was locked.

Frowning, he studied the door and the places around the porch, hoping there would be a key somewhere close by.

But after a few minutes of not finding one, he shrugged.

He’d try the back door and if that was locked, he’d trudge back through the rain and return home.

As he turned to step off the porch, the door handle rattled, followed by a squeak.

Panicked of someone actually still living there, he whipped his head toward the opening door and held his breath.

At first he didn’t see anyone, but seconds later, a woman’s head—still wearing a white bonnet—peeked through the shadows.

Big, curious blue eyes met his gaze. Recognition must have struck her because she expelled a relieved sigh.

“Oh, it’s you,” Tabitha exclaimed. “I wondered if someone was trying to break in.”

The sight of her calmed his nerves, and he grinned. “Break in? Like we are doing?”

“Yes, exactly.” She opened the door wider for him to enter.

“How did you get in?” He walked in and she closed the door behind him.

“The back door was unlocked.”

“I was about to go around when you opened the door for me.” He placed the basket on the floor, and then shrugged out of his raincoat.

That was when he noticed the bare room. Not a stitch of furniture.

Even the grate from the fireplace had been removed.

He glanced at Tabitha who was removing her bonnet.

She still wore her gray rain-cloak. “How long have you been here?”

“Only a few minutes.” She shook the moisture off her bonnet.

He glanced at the wall by the door. “There isn’t even a place to hang my coat.”

“There are a few nails in the wall right there.” She pointed. “Shall we see if they are strong enough to hold our coats?”

“We can certainly try it.” He adjusted his coat over the nail until it settled in place.

Returning his gaze to her, he noticed her lovely long-sleeve lavender dress with a beige lace over- skirt.

Once again, he was reminded what a beautiful woman she was, and her fancier clothes brightened her face more than the servant’s dresses he’d seen her in before.

“Here,” he said, taking her cloak, “let me hang that for you.”

“Thank you.” She handed him her bonnet to place on another nail. Thankfully, it stayed there.

He sighed. “Well, now. I wonder what the kitchen looks like.”

“Just as bare, I’m afraid.”

He headed to the other room with her following. Once he entered the kitchen, he stopped short. Only one chair was left in the room, and it looked almost too rickety to sit upon. He scanned the floor and cringed. Disgusting!

Shaking his head, he groaned. “I must apologize, Tabitha.” He met her gaze as she stood next to him. “A little over a month ago, the place actually had furniture.”

“Indeed?” She arched an eyebrow. “Am I to assume this isn’t your first time meeting a woman here for a little privacy?”

He didn’t enjoy the snicker of her voice or the accusation written on her face.

Soon, he’d change her mind about him, he was certain.

“If you must know, I was with my cousin, Frederick. We were visiting some people in the parish and he wanted to check this house out because he knew the man who’d lived here had moved out. ”

“Oh.” Her cheeks stained with a pink color. “If that is the case, I wonder why the place is stripped bare now.”

“I’m wondering the same.” He glanced toward the stairs. “It makes me wonder if the rooms upstairs are also free of furniture.”

She motioned her arm. “Shall we investigate, then?”

“Yes, we shall.” He pointed ahead of him. “After you, my lovely.”

Her gaze stayed on him long enough for him to see her roll her eyes. He held in the chuckle that wanted to escape his throat. He’d make sure she’d come to like that endearment.

Tabitha lifted her dress to her ankles as she climbed each stair.

Behind her, Nic couldn’t keep his focus off the way her dress clung to her calves and the top of her boots.

Once again, it struck him odd to see such fancy footwear on her when she’d been a maid not more than six months ago.

Perhaps he could convince her into sharing with him what had happened to bring her into some money.

They reached the top floor and he moved to walk beside her. As they passed each room, they peeked inside. Nothing but dirt coated the floors. The last room they stopped at had several footprints in the dust near the corner by the window.

“How very curious,” Tabitha said.

“I agree. I’ll be certain to inform my cousin of our findings. This definitely has me perplexed.”

“Do you think the matter needs further investigation from the magistrate?” She tilted her head as she kept her eyes on him.

“Indeed, I do. If this house had furniture not more than six weeks ago, and the owner is not living here now, where has everything disappeared to?”

“It does look suspicious.” She nodded.

“I agree.”

“Well,” she sighed heavily, “shall we return downstairs to see what we can eat for lunch?”

He gave a light chuckle. “I do have our meal prepared, but now I’m wondering where we can eat it.” He led them back down the hall. “When I was here last, there was a table and chairs.”

“That does present a problem.” She started down the stairs first. “I suppose we could use the chair to be our table, and we’ll have to sit on the floor while we eat.”

Nic groaned under his breath. That option was out of the question.

How could she ask a man of his status to sit on a dirty floor?

As soon as the thought passed through his mind, he had the answer.

Tabitha was a servant. She had sat on dirty floors before, so to her, this was a simple solution.

If Nic tried to argue, would she think less of him than she did already?

Of course, she would. So, in order to make peace with her, he must act as if the thought didn’t disgust him.

“Or perhaps,” he said, “we could keep the food in the basket and you could sit on the chair. I shall lay my coat on the ground as somewhat of a covering, and sit on it.”

She laughed, and when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she faced him, folding her arms over her bosom.

“You would have me sit on a chair that is broken? If I didn’t know you any better, I would think you wanted me to sit on that rickety piece of furniture just to have it break underneath me.

” She paused for a moment, before adding, “But I do know you, so perhaps I assume wrongly.”

Although she was still upset at him, he detected a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Maybe she was finally ready to hear him out and forgive him.

“If you think it will help, I shall sit on the chair first. If it doesn’t break for me, then it won’t break for you.”

She released a tiny snort, which was most humorous.

“ You are willing to take the fall?” Her laughter grew and she shook her head. “Oh, my lord, that is something I didn’t expect from you.”

“You think I jest?”

“Actually, I do.”

“Then please watch carefully, my lovely, because I assure you, I’m quite serious.

” Keeping his shoulders straight, he strode into the kitchen and right to the chair.

He held his breath as he turned and plopped his butt—as easy as he could—on the old seat.

At first, the wood creaked, groaned, and even wobbled.

He gritted his teeth, waiting for the moment the aged wood would break beneath him.

Waiting, he kept his eyes locked to hers. Anticipation nearly jumped out of her gaze, and the longer he sat, the more her mouth stretched wider.

Unbelievable, but nothing had happened. Sighing with relief, he raised his hands, palms up, and shrugged. “Apparently, this chair is sturdy enough—”

Suddenly, the chair shifted and the legs crumbled. In an instant, his bottom hit the ground with a loud crash!

Worry splayed on Tabitha’s face, but within seconds, she threw back her head and laughed heartily.

“Oh, Dominic.” She stepped to him and offered her hand.

“Forgive me for laughing, but your expression just now was priceless.” Tears gathered in her eyes as she gripped his hand with her own.

“I don’t think I shall ever forget the look on your face when you fell. ”

His backside didn’t sting as much as his pride, but hearing his name on her lips erased all the pain and made falling worthwhile.

The warmth from her palm sliding against his, created havoc inside of him as desire weaved its way throughout his body.

He couldn’t understand why seeing her smile and laugh made him react so quickly.

He couldn’t be feeling this way about her. Not when she had accused him of having seduction on his mind all the time. He didn’t think that way all the time.

Right now he needed to say or do something quickly to keep both of their moods light. He couldn’t mess this up!