Watching her face fall, he wondered if she needed platitudes of love. He didn’t love her . . . did he? Of course not.
“So now what?” she asked.
He decided it was time to drop the idea of marriage. Obviously, getting her used to the idea would take time. “I’m not entirely certain.”
“I suppose we go back to what we were doing and find Jonathon before he kills himself.”
It always came back around to his brother. Braden did want to find him, but now wondered what would happen once he did. Would Tia run into his arms and profess her love? He couldn’t think about that or he would never try to find Jonathon.
“Braden?”
He looked over at her and his heart pounded in his chest. “We find Jonathon.”
“Of course we will. But not tomorrow. I want you in bed all day.” Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
He raised an eyebrow at her.
“I meant, you must rest one more day before returning to your normal activities.”
“I believe I proved an hour ago that I am up to any task.”
She gave him a humorless look. “You shall rest one more day.” Tia sipped the last of her brandy and rose. After placing the glass on the table, she said. “I shall go up now.”
“Good night.”
“You’re not coming up?”
“I suppose if I don’t, my wise woman will scold me.” He rose slowly, feeling weaker than he wanted to admit to anyone. “Sleep in my room tonight. We made a mess of your bed.”
“I couldn’t do that,” she said, walking toward the threshold.
“I shall be a perfect gentleman.”
“And who would want that,” she muttered so softly he almost didn’t hear her.
Braden smiled. “Come along.”
She hesitated when they reached the door to his room.
“Why are you stopping? You’ve been sleeping in my room for the past few nights.”
“In a chair.”
“Well, you can sleep in a chair tonight if you prefer it to a nice, soft bed.” He brushed past her and opened the door. “I promised to behave tonight.”
“Very well.” She walked into the room and then into the bedchamber. Quickly, she slipped off her shawl and crawled under the covers.
Braden tossed some coal on the fire before sitting on the edge of the bed. After removing his shirt, he unbuttoned his trousers and slid them off. For her modesty, he kept his drawers on. Once under the covers, he drew her near.
“I thought you were to be a gentleman tonight?”
“I am. I just want to hold you,” he whispered, then kissed her head.
She released a long sigh. “Why did you make that vow to reform? You couldn’t have been all that bad. I know you said you’d been with too many women, but that doesn’t mean you have to be celibate like a priest.”
“It wasn’t just women. It was everything. Before my mother died, she made me promise that if I inherited the title, I would do better in life. Settle down and find a fine woman to marry. Stop gambling and chasing women.”
“And have you done that for her?”