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!
Chapter Nine
Tabitha couldn’t recall the last time she’d laughed so hard. But it was impossible to stop now. Nic was trying—almost too much—to be gallant and heroic so far this afternoon. Although she questioned his motives, she kept the doubts to herself and allowed him to show her what he probably figured she’d wanted to see. Knowing that it nearly killed him to sit on a broken chair with the end result being on his backside on a dirty floor, was most humorous.
When he’d slipped his hand into hers, she didn’t like the jolt of awareness that shot through her limbs. Hopefully, Nic couldn’t feel it, or he would certainly act on her reaction. Whether or not he’d felt it, the spark in his eyes had changed. No longer were they laughing eyes, but the gray color had lightened and it appeared as if desire coated his gaze now.
Drat! She knew it! He couldn’t even be with a woman without trying to turn it sensual. Just when she was feeling hopeful that Nic had actually changed since the last time she saw him in Mayfair, he went and proved her wrong.
Within a blink of an eye, the shade of his eyes changed and no longer appeared that desire was roaring through him. In fact, he looked light hearted and almost playful.
Before she knew it, his hand gripped hers tighter. Even his smile was different…almost mischievous.
“I’m delighted to have entertained you, Tabitha. But I have never enjoyed being the center of attention for very long.”
In one quick jerk, he pulled her arm. She lost balance and fell on him. A surprised gasp released from between her lips once her body touched his. Before she had time to process the very improper position they were in, he made another quick move and wrapped his arms around her waist before rolling her onto her back with him looming over her.
“I figured it just wouldn’t be fair for me to enjoy the dirty floor by myself.” He shrugged as he rose to his knees and pulled her to a sitting position.
It took her a few moments to realize he was back to teasing again, so she hesitated in scolding him for trying to charm her. Yet, in a way, his playfulness was rather charming in itself.
She smiled, but not fully. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a table for our lunch now.” She grabbed the basket and pulled it toward them. “So I suppose we’ll just have to use our laps as plates.” Confusion creased his features, so she continued, “Allow me to demonstrate.”
Tabitha opened the basket and proceeded to take out the food, placing it on her lap. Immediately, she detected a strange odor coming from within the wicker basket. Since she wasn’t too certain where the smell was coming from, she decided not to say anything. It wasn’t until she removed the wrapped up meat when she knew. Silently, she groaned. The meat was spoiled. If they ate this, they would be sick. Whoever cooked for Nic and his cousin, needed to be relieved, and very soon, or the cook would have both men violently ill.
“I understand now,” Nic said as he reached into the basket and pulled out the bowl of strawberries and loaf of bread, setting it on his lap. “Tabitha, I must say how nice our visit has been thus far. Thank you for being so polite and kind when I know you would rather not.”
She arched an eyebrow. Funny, he should mention it, because she had literally forgotten. “It’s only because you have shown me a different person so far this afternoon. Once you bring back the Lord Hawthorne I remember, then I’ll return to the Tabitha you remember.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Then I pray that man doesn’t come back.”
“I pray, as well.” She picked up a slice of cheese and sniffed it before she dared to put it in her mouth. From what she could tell, the cheese was edible. “So tell me, why are you pretending to be your cousin, the clergyman?”
Nic took the loaf of bread and broke it in half, giving her one half. Then he handed her some strawberries. “Several months ago while I was still in Mayfair, I received a letter from my cousin. Frederick was worried about some recent items that had been stolen from the church. At first he thought he’d just misplaced them, but a few weeks later, he realized they were indeed, stolen.” He lifted the bread and bit off a piece. Pausing, he chewed until it was swallowed before continuing, “A few people in his parish had discovered some of these missing items. The gossip circulating was putting the blame on Frederick. Worried that the thieves would never get caught, and eager for my help, my cousin invited me to come visit. He had a plan.”
He paused again, popping a small strawberry in his mouth. Immediately, his mouth puckered and a distasteful expression came on his face. Tabitha glanced down at her strawberries. Their color didn’t look very red and she doubted they were even ripe enough to pick, let alone eat. By the look on Nic’s face, she had her answer. She couldn’t eat the meat, and now the strawberries were too bitter. That left the bread and cheese. When she lifted the bread to her mouth, she detected another odor. Immediately, she could see why. A blue fuzzy spot had formed on the edge of the bread.
Tabitha really needed to say something to Nic who appeared not to notice anything was wrong with the food. Indeed, his cook needed to be dismissed!
“When I arrived in this township,” Nic began after a few awkward seconds, “Frederick told me of his plan. We look enough alike that we could switch roles—which we’d done many times as young boys. Anyhow, with me playing the clergyman, this gives Frederick the space
to sneak around at night and spy on people in hopes of discovering who the thief is and catching him in the act.” He shrugged. “That’s why I look like my cousin. Everyone seems to believe I’m the clergyman, so I must be excellent at acting the part.”
“I see.”
“So please, don’t say anything to your aunt or Mrs. Stiles. Nobody can know my true identity.”
She nodded. “I won’t say anything. Thankfully, you have the good fortune that nobody knows Lord Hawthorne as I do.”
“Actually, Tabitha,” he reached his hand and placed it on her arm, “you don’t know me as well as you think.”
“I beg to differ. I know a rogue when I meet one.”
“The man you met in Mayfair was only after one thing from you, and it certainly wasn’t what you had thought. I was desperately trying to help my friend. As you recall, he was accused of murder, and we all knew he didn’t do it.”
Anger rose inside of her, making her head throb. Working for Lord Elliot had been a nightmare, but this part of her life when Hawthorne had accused her of murder was a different kind of heartbreak. “And that gives you the right to accuse anyone just to ease your mind?”
He frowned. “Tabitha, it wasn’t like that—”
“It was exactly like that, and you know it.” Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand on her chest, hoping to calm herself before she said things she didn’t really mean. “But we have gotten off the subject. If you remember correctly, the only thing we were going to discuss today was why you and your cousin switched places. And now that you have told me,” she pushed the food off her lap and back into the basket, “it’s time for me to leave.”
“Tabitha, no.” He grasped her wrist. His gaze begged for her to stay. “Please don’t go. Not like this.”
“Not like this?” She arched an eyebrow. “Pray tell, how do you want me to leave?”
“Not angry.”
She tried to calm the rage building inside of her, but the more she stared into his face, the more upset she became. Not often did she loathe someone so much that she couldn’t forgive him, but for some reason, Dominic Lawrence was a man who made her edgy. He always had, and she feared he always would.
“Fine.” She took another deep breath. “Then I’m not angry, but I do know our conversation is over and I must leave.”
She yanked her hand out of his grasp and stood. He, too, had scrambled to rise. The food on his lap spilled to the floor unnoticed by the man.
“Please, Tabitha. We really need to discuss what had happened between us in Mayfair. I haven’t been the same since.”
For the nerve of him! She wanted to scream, to slap his face, and maybe even kick him in the knee. He hadn’t been the same? Yet, she was the one who had almost turned herself in to the magistrate for a murder she hadn’t committed…just to save her friend, Lady Diana. Tabitha had been the one partially seduced by the rouge, Lord Hawthorne, and then had her heart trampled upon during a weak moment when she gave into passion—only to have him accuse her of killing not one, but two lords of the realm!
Was it any wonder why she couldn’t trust men?
Closing her eyes, she rubbed the pain knocking against her forehead. For the past several months she’d tried to forget all that had happened. She tried to be a different person, tried to be the lady her half-brothers treated her as. Unfortunately, she could never feel at peace. Something was always there reminding her of everything, and building a wall around her heart.
She blinked her eyes open and looked at him. He still wore that pathetic expression, begging her to talk. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I’m not ready to discuss what happened.”
Tabitha moved past him and to the front room to collect her cloak and bonnet. He hurried after her, stopping by her side as she placed the bonnet on her head.
“Please, Tabitha, don’t go. Stay just a little longer. If you’re not ready to discuss what happened, then we won’t. I’m confident we’ll find other things to talk about. Besides,” he pointed toward the kitchen, “we still have all that food. I’d hate to see my efforts wasted.”
A part of her wanted to laugh, but she refrained. His efforts? “Lord Hawthorne, you have me confused. What efforts are you referring to?”
“Our luncheon, of course. I prepared our meal.” A hesitant smile touched his face.
Now she did want to laugh, but she knew it would be rude, especially since he hadn’t the slightest notion of what a shambles he’d made of the meal. “My lord, I do appreciate the fact that you took the time to fix the basket. However, I must advise you to let your cook prepare food from now on.”
His eyes broadened, and immediately, she could see he was on the defensive. “Why would you say that?”
Sighing heavily, she shook her head. “Because the meat is spoiled, the bread is moldy, and the strawberries are not ripe enough to eat. However, the cheese tastes just fine.”
Dejection was the emotion clouding his eyes now as his gaze dropped to the floor. Something tugged at her heart. Perhaps she’d been too harsh. Considering here was a man who she never thought would stoop so low as to do servant’s work, and yet he still prepared their meal. Obviously, he was trying to change…if only in a small way.
Placing her hand on his arm, she waited until he looked at her. “Forgive me, my lord. I’m very impressed that you did this for me.” She forced herself to smile since her heart still wasn’t in it. “I honestly thought your cook was trying to poison us. If I had known beforehand that you had done this, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
A chuckle escaped his mouth and he didn’t appear as crushed as he’d been a moment ago. “Frederick tried to teach me a few things, but it’s clear that I haven’t the slightest idea what I’m doing in a kitchen.”
At first she wondered if he was acting. After all, she knew he had wanted to make her think he was changing. Then again, the sincere look in his eyes looked genuine. Nobody could act that well.
“I don’t hold that against you,” she said. “After all, you have never had to work inside a kitchen before. You probably don’t know how to care for meat or bread, or when to pick strawberries.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m impressed that you wanted to do this for me.” She smiled, although it was still hard. She set the bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons underneath. “But I still must go. I fear if I stay any longer, the chance of us getting caught in a scandal grows by the second. That’s not what a clergyman wants anyway. And since the rain has stopped,” she glanced out the window, “I’m certain more people will be venturing outside.”
He nodded. “You are correct.” He took her cloak off the nail and held it out. “Will you allow me to assist you?”
“How very kind of you, my lord.”
Standing in back of her, he helped her as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. With his hands still holding the shoulders of the garment, he moved closer to her. His breath breezed across her neck, making her shiver.
“Tabitha,” he said in a low voice, “must I remind you not to refer to me as my lord. I’m the clergyman.”
She turned her head and glanced at him over her shoulder. “But we’re not in public. I promised not to call you that name when we are around other people, and I shall stick to our agreement.”
It was rather difficult to move away from him, only because the warmth from his body brought a little comfort to her agitated state. Strange to think how much more relaxed she was.
She stepped to the door, placed her hand on the knob, and turned, but before she could open it, he moved behind her and stopped the door with his hand. She gazed up into his gray eyes.
“Thank you, Tabitha.”
“For what?”
“For not leaving angry at me.” He grinned.
His soft voice and kind eyes began to soften her heart. She couldn’t have that! “Um, well…yes. You are welcome. And I thank you again for sharing your cousin’s secret with me.”
&nb
sp; “Perhaps one of these days in the near future, you will share one of your secrets with me?” His brows lifted.
Clearing her throat, she shook her head slowly. “That, my lord, will never happen.”
“Never say never.” He winked.
* * * *
Later that day, Nic was back to looking like the clergyman. Although he’d ruined the afternoon meal for Tabitha and even made her upset, the day hadn’t been a total wreck. He’d made her laugh, which he couldn’t wait to do again. There for a little while, they carried on an amicable conversation. All in all, he had enjoyed the time spent with her and anticipated the next time he’d see her. Of course, he would be dressed as Frederick, which now Nic realized he really didn’t like because of the baggy clothes and powder in his hair to make him appear older. It was rather nice to look like his young self again.
And this beard—he scratched his chin—needed to go! It would drive him insane if they couldn’t catch the thief soon.
The temperatures had warmed up slightly since the rain had stopped. The first thing he’d do was to wander down by the beach and look for the hole in the sand…which of course probably wasn’t there now. Frederick’s worries had been on Nic’s mind since his cousin had mentioned his concern.
He casually strolled down the middle of town toward the ocean. Just as he had predicted earlier, more people had ventured outside once the rain had stopped. Several ladies were shopping, and some men were gathered outside one of the local pubs. Nic only nodded a greeting to those who acknowledged him first. He didn’t want to start a conversation he couldn’t end quickly.
From one of the shops, a familiar face caught his eye. Miss Mildred Talbot—and without her widowed sister, Mrs. Smythe this time. When Miss Talbot noticed him, her eyes beamed and color brightened her cheeks. He chuckled to himself. Indeed, this woman had eyes only for Frederick. It was a shame Nic’s cousin couldn’t return the interest. Even if Miss Talbot wasn’t as attractive as Frederick’s late wife had been, Nic was certain the older woman had a kind and loving soul. It was obvious the woman was smitten with the clergyman.
The Sweetest Secret Page 9