Free Bold Seduction by Karyn Gerrard Page B

reached for the nearby towel. “I am sorry.” He stood and wrapped it around his waist, the soapy water sluicing across the taut muscles.
    “I wasn’t complaining, Spence. Far from it. I wanted to give you a taste of what your words did to me last night. I shouldn’t tease early in the morning, at least not before we’ve had our tea.” Phil gave him a playful wink, hoping to lessen his obvious discomfort.
    He gathered his clothes in an awkward bundle and held them in front of his chest. “Regardless, I will leave you to your tasks.”
    He slipped from the room. How adorable his embarrassment was. He charmed her, aroused her, and she could not wait until the sun set tonight.
    * * * *
    Thirty minutes later, Spence dressed and waited in his room until his erection dissipated. Good God, perhaps she did create a monster. What possessed him to act in such a way in the clear light of day? Like a randy beast? His brothers, braggarts to a fault, claimed their sex drive drove their passions. Perhaps such a thing could be hereditary. What nonsense. Not having a handle on his emotions upset his equilibrium and disturbed his inner balance. Phil had been here three days and already his world had been turned on its axis. Shouldn’t he be more distressed over the prospect? Seeking solitude is how he dealt with such disturbances in the past, but he did not want to be alone while she stayed here.
    Infatuated. No other word to describe his actions. He had fallen completely and utterly under her spell. Shaking the revelation from his mind, he headed toward the dining room. Upon entering, the odor of ham and eggs inundated his senses. He could become very used to this. Don’t. She is leaving first chance she gets. Do not become attached. Spence sat at the table as she poured his tea, giving him a sunny smile that told him it was already too late. The attachment was firmly in place on his end at least.
    Phil sat opposite. “Did you see the snow? Obviously, since you cleared a path to the outside water closet. Thank you for that, by the by.” She cut into her egg. He found her chatter adorable. It warmed his heart. The revelation astounding as he could never stand mindless prattle from people. “Do you think this snowfall will hamper the old man’s travels? Boyle, you said his name was? No matter, we do have enough food.” She ate part of the fried egg and bit into her toast. “Spence, tonight will be New Year’s Eve, can you imagine? Eighteen eighty-two. We must celebrate and ring in the new. I believe there is another bottle of wine in the root cellar. I’m glad I’m making the chicken, a nice meal on New Year’s Eve will be just the ticket.”
    He ate, keeping his gaze firm on her. How animated and bright she appeared this morning. He envied her joy in simple matters like planning meals and talking of the new year.
    “I’ve been wondering, Spence, about a few things. When I first came upon you in your study, you walked in a stooped position to reach for papers from the bookcase. I must say you had me worried you suffered from a curvature of the spine until you walked into the dining room the first night straight as a broom handle. I have to ask--why?”
    He shrugged. “It is a simple question of economy of movement. I have found my workday efficiency improved by several minutes by not straightening upright every time I leave my desk.”
    She gave him an amused smile. “And I suppose that extends to shaving as well?”
    He returned her smile. “Quite so.”
    Phil nibbled at her toast. “I wonder how can you live out in this barren, lonely place with no transport? What if something happened?”
    “You mean what if I sliced my finger on a piece of paper?”
    “It can bloody well hurt, and what if it became infected? What if you fell off the edge of the cliff? Or became very ill? Who would look after you and how would you seek assistance? You should have a horse at the very least,” Phil said.
    “I did, up until two