Free Unknown by Unknown

on the light she crossed to the window and stared out at the luminous moon which enhanced the countryside in its silvery beam. It looked so inviting that impulsively she slipped a coat round her shoulders and quietly let herself out of the house.
    The air was cold, but Laura welcomed its freshness against her hot cheeks. The memory of Brad’s kiss was uppermost in her mind and she could not help wondering what had motivated him. Was it because he wanted to kiss her or was it an impulsive reaction caused by their being thrust together? She did not think he was a man usually given to impulses, but on the other hand he had never given her any reason to believe that he held any affection for her. Apart from the two occasions they had met in Shrewsbury he had had scant regard for her feelings, in fact he seemed to enjoy humiliating her whenever possible.
    The shrill hoot of an owl startled Laura. She had wandered farther than she intended. The house was now out of sight and heavy moisture in the grass and leaves beneath the trees soon soaked through her shoes. She shivered, pulling her thin coat more closely. Retracing her steps, she gently pushed open the heavy door. Not wishing to disturb anyone, she took off her shoes and padded with wet feet across the cold marble floor. She had almost reached the staircase when Brad’s study door opened. Caught in the stream of light, Laura looked guiltily over her shoulder.
    ‘Where on earth have you been?’ Brad sounded concerned, despite the sharp note in his voice, but as the light behind him threw his face into shadow she was unable to read his expression. Even so she was acutely aware of his tall leanness as he stood silhouetted in the door frame, and wondered whether he too was remembering their earlier embrace. ‘And why are you carrying your shoes as though you were an intruder?’
    ‘I—I went for a walk and I didn’t want to interrupt you. I thought you might be working and if you heard a noise out here you would—’
    He snapped on the hall light, noticing for the first time her soaking feet. ‘You silly child, what are you trying to do? Catch pneumonia? Come inside and get off those wet stockings while I heat some milk .'
    Obediently Laura entered his study, taking off her tights and curling her toes before the fire. Despite Brad’s anger he had been genuinely concerned about her wellbeing, and the thought brought a comforting warmth not entirely due to the glowing logs.
    He returned in a remarkably short time with the drink and a towel. While Laura dried her feet he poured a measure of whisky into the milk.
    Laura wrinkled her nose when she saw what he was doing. ‘Ugh ! I don’t like whisky .'
    ‘Like it or not, you’re going to drink it,' he said gruffly, standing over her while she forced the burning liquid down her throat. His eyes were unusually kind and Laura’s heart beat a tattoo in her breast. She hastily lowered her lashes, puzzled by her own reaction to his solicitude.
    When she had finished he took the glass, setting it aside on his desk before pulling her to her feet. ‘Come now, straight to bed before you catch cold. I don’t want anything to stop you going to London. I’ve arranged everything for tomorrow, before Helen changes her mind .'
    Laura felt rebuffed. So that was the reason for his concern, she thought, as together they climbed the stairs. She had been idiotic enough to believe that his benevolence was for her own sake. When in fact he merely wanted to make sure she was well enough to accompany Helen.
    Outside her door he halted. He tipped her chin with his finger and for one moment Laura thought he was going to kiss her again. His eyes smouldered like twin coals and her heart beat so loudly she was sure he must hear it. She waited expectantly, but after giving her a long, searching look as if trying to see into the depths of her mind Brad gave a barely perceptible sigh and pushed his hands into his pockets. ‘Good-night, sleep well,'