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The lord dropped his hand to his side and a weight seemed to sag onto his shoulders. He turned his face away and the lines were etched with pain. “A great many.”
My heartstrings were pulled by his sorrowful expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”
He shook himself and offered me a bright smile. “None of that matters now that you’re here.”
Now it was my turn for my good humor to falter. “I. . .you’re really going to keep me here, aren’t you? I can’t go back home?”
His smile dropped off. “You truly want that?”
I swept my eyes over the luxurious but unfamiliar surroundings. “I. . .I don’t know, but if I don’t have a choice then I’ll feel like a prisoner.”
His eyes showed his indecision, but after a long pause, he turned his face away from me. “I. . .I see. If that is how you feel then when the others return I will give you the chosen stone.”
He just looked so completely exhausted from his decision, and as I thought back to my life a hesitation dropped into my mind. I mean, there was my miniature apartment and my day job, and the soulless existence of trudging to and from each of them to work away until I was a slobbering mess of a human.
I took a deep breath and let it out before I offered him a smile. “You know, I’ve never been around a lord before. Maybeyou could, um, show me around for a bit? Unless I’m going to get eaten by some rabid unicorn or something. Then maybe you could just show me around the house.”
Hope sprang into his eyes and a smile appeared on his face. He crossed one arm over his chest and bowed low to me. “It would be my honor to take you wherever you desire.”
A mischievous glint slipped into my eyes as I tapped one finger against my chin. “Anywhere I desire?”
He chuckled. “Within reason. My wings will only carry us so far.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “How far?”
“At least as far as the Ponds. They are most beautiful at sunrise.”
I looked down at myself. “I have a little problem.”
His eyes took on a most sensual sheen. “I see no problem.”
I grasped the banister with both hands and glared at him. “You will if I catch my death of cold.”
He smiled and held up both hands in front of himself. “Very well. There is a change of clothes in the wardrobe in my room. I had them newly sewn only a fortnight ago and they should fit moderately well.”
“You made them for your bride?” I guessed.
His eyes met mine and there was such a gentleness in them that all the tension in my body melted. “I made them for you, and I hope they fit.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a step back. “I-I’m sure they’ll be fine. Just gimme a sec to put them on.”
CHAPTER SIX
I slipped backinto the room and shut the door behind me. There was the dresser as he said, but all I could do was put my back against the entrance and take a deep breath.
“Easy there, Rose,” I scolded myself. “Don’t go all mushy just because a handsome, wealthy guy had some clothes made just for you. He had them made for whatever girl was going to be walking through that door.”
But that girl was you.
Curse you, brain. You weren’t supposed to be in cahoots with my heart.
I sighed and pushed off from the door. The dresser was nearly as tall as I was and had six drawers. I opened the second to the bottom and discovered a pair of soft pants. They weren’t made of silk, but they may as well have been with how they felt in my hands.
There was a wide assortment of attire hidden away in those wide drawers. Dresses neatly folded, sweaters carefully put away, and enough socks to last me for a whole year. I did notice, however, that there wasn’t any underwear.
“Why am I not surprised. . .” I murmured as I slipped into the pants.
They were just a tad loose, but a belt took care of that. The blouse I chose was also loose, but that gave it an airy feel around my breasts. Those were held up by a nice-fitting bra, and a pair of socks finished off my attire.
