“Well, that’s what I planned before …”
He stopped rubbing her feet and looked at her. “Before what?”
She caught her breath but summoned her courage. “Before you came home.”
“And now?”
Lydia thought for a moment. She loved him. When she pushed aside her silly doubts, she could feel the truth of it burning with ferocious intensity.
“And now everything has changed.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Greystone!” The cry echoed through
the corridor beyond the bedchamber. “Greystone!” The deep yet brusque voice belonged to only one man.
Miles looked at Lydia. He was about to tell her … to tell her to stay in Cuckfield, to tell her that the London ballrooms were no place for a woman with a kind heart and independent character. He wanted to make some sort of declaration. But he needed a clear mind, not one scrambling with the need to prevent Devlin Drake from charging into the room and finding them in a dishevelled state.
“Wait here a moment. Drake has returned from London as you can no doubt hear.” Supporting her ankles, Miles stood and then lowered her feet down gently onto the bed. “When I’ve dealt with Drake, we shall continue our conversation.” And there were other things he desperately wanted to do—read to her, kiss her, pleasure her until she cried his name.
“Don’t be long.” She arched her brow in such a seductive way he considered saying to hell with Drake, but the thud on the door forced him to charge off the bed.
“Lord knows how the man hopes to deal with a wife,” Miles muttered almost to himself as he reached the door just as Drake rattled the knob. “He has the patience of a gnat.”
Miles peeled the door away slowly from the jamb, slipped out into the hall and closed it behind him. Drake was forced to shuffle back or risk Miles stepping on his toes.
Drake stared at the door and then at Miles’ bare chest. A wicked grin touched his lips. “Am I disturbing something?”
Miles gritted his teeth and whispered, “You know damn well you are.”
“Forgive me. Am I too late to save the lady’s virtue?”
“Be quiet.” Miles tugged the giant’s arm and dragged him further along the hall. “As my friend, I should warn you that I will not tolerate any comments made about Miss Lovell. You will refer to her with the respect afforded her position. Is that clear?”
Drake studied him with a look of curious inquiry. “I’ve never known you to be so protective over a woman.”
“Perhaps that’s because I have never met a woman I wanted to protect.”
Drake’s eyes widened, and he gripped Miles’ shoulder. “God’s teeth. I don’t believe it. You’re in love with her. It’s either that or you’re coming down with a fever.”
“Will you lower your damn voice.”
Drake sniffed. “What’s that god-awful smell?”
“A healing ointment.”
“To help fix the problem with your questionable logic? You’re supposed to marry the respectable ones before you bed them.”
“A mistake I hope to rectify.”
“You do?” Without warning, Drake slapped Miles on the back. “If anyone deserves happiness it is you, my friend. For five tiresome years you have devoted yourself to correcting your father’s mistakes. But your future is here now. Any fool can see that. And Miss Lovell fills the void in your heart that’s been empty for too long.”
“Damn, Drake.” Miles arched a brow in amusement. “Perhaps you need the ointment. To rid you of your sudden bout of sentimentality.”
“Have no fear. My heart is still black. But can a man not want the best for his friend?”
Miles stared into Drake’s obsidian eyes. “Could the same not be said for you? You’ve worked hard. You live with the same hollow cavern in your chest.”