Once she was warm, she became aware of other discomforts: her throat was parched and she was beginning to feel hunger pangs. The hour was past midnight, Brie realized, glancing at the clock on the mantle. She decided against ringing for a servant, for she didn't want to wake the household when she was capable of finding her way to the kitchens, even in the dark.
But the house wasn't totally dark, Brie discovered as she moved quietly along the hall. A wall sconce had been left burning at the top of the stairway. And not everyone was asleep. Brie was halfway down the stairs when a figure detached itself from the shadows below and moved toward her.
The unexpected sight startled her, the dark presence bringing to mind her horrible encounter with Boulter. She couldn't stifle her cry of alarm, even though she swiftly covered her mouth with her hand. She stood paralyzed in the middle of the stairs, tightly gripping the polished banister, the light from the lamp outlining her night-clad body.
The shadowed figure moved into the light, giving her a clear view of ebony hair and dark, aristocratic features. When she recognized Dominic, Brie let out her breath in a rush. "What are you doing here?" she asked in a rasping voice, relief making her question sound like an accusation.
Dominic was coatless, his white shirt opened at the neck exposing an expanse of hard-muscled chest. He placed one booted foot on the bottom step and looked up at her, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I see your brush with death didn't soften your tongue any," he observed dryly. "But I could ask the same of you. Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was hungry."
He raised a dark brow, then laughed softly. "Go back to bed, I'll bring you something."
When she remained where she was, not obeying, Dominic felt a surge of irrational anger steal over him. Brie looked so damned virginal, standing there with the collar of her white nightgown buttoned up to her throat. The soft woolen wrapper she wore did nothing to hide the curves of her slender body, though, and the golden glow of the lamp behind her cast a flaming halo about her head, setting her mantle of flowing tresses on fire. She was a vision of seductive innocence, one that made his loins ache.
Yet, he knew her appearance of innocence was deceiving. He remembered quite vividly how Brie had responded to him that day in the cabin and then again in the garden. And now, when he finally had another opportunity to make love to her, he found his hands tied. He couldn't take advantage of her now, not after the experience she had gone through with Boulter. He was that much of a gentleman, at least.
But still he felt angry. Dominic bounded up the stairs and swept Brie off her feet, cradling her in his arms. "For once you'll do as you're told," he said gruffly, ignoring her surprised gasp.
The contact only made matters worse for him, and as he carried Brie back to her bedroom, Dominic found himself swearing silently. It was impossible to ignore the feel of her soft body pressed against his chest, and he knew if he held her much longer, he wouldn't be able to let her go. When he reached her room, Dominic set her on the bed none too gently, and roughly disengaged the arms she had wrapped about his neck.
Brie stared up at him in amazement, too surprised even to protest his callous treatment. But she found her tongue when Dominic turned to leave. "Must you always resort to physical violence?" she asked tartly. "Does it give you pleasure to behave so brutally with defenseless women?"
Dominic turned back at the door to give her a piercing look. His jaw was clenched tightly and his eyes glittered with an emotion Brie found hard to read. But then his mouth twisted in a ghost of a smile. "Since when have you ever been defenseless?" he said softly.
When he had gone, Brie let out her breath slowly. He was wrong, she thought despairingly. She was defenseless when it came to him. He only had to touch her and she wanted to melt. She was still quivering from the contact with his hard body. But even though his presence was unsettling, it was reassuring as well. She had no idea what Dominic was doing at Greenwood, but she was glad he was there. She didn't want to be alone with her nightmares.
When Dominic returned a short while later, Brie was sitting up in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. Her eyes widened when she saw the amount of food he had scavenged from the kitchens: a half loaf of bread, a large slab of cheese, slices of cold ham and pheasant, several pieces of fruit, and a bottle of wine.
He set the tray on the bedside table and silently served her, then poured a glass of wine for himself and left her to eat in peace. Wandering restlessly about the room, he intentionally studied his surroundings in order to keep his thoughts on something besides the beautiful young woman in the bed behind him.
He could have imagined Brie in this setting, Dominic realized without surprise. Her bedroom, done in soft blues and greens, was feminine and fresh but uncluttered. The furnishings seemed appropriate somehow—graceful but not fragile, with a subdued richness that quietly proclaimed wealth and beauty. He felt oddly at ease here.
As he stood before the fire, watching the leaping flames, Dominic felt the tenseness in his muscles begin to relax. He had full control of himself when he at last returned to Brie's side. After refilling both of their glasses, he drew an armchair close to the bed and sat facing her, his long legs stretched before him as he leisurely sipped his wine.
Brie had been watching him surreptitiously, but she looked away when she felt his gaze settle on her. She finished her meal, then drained her glass for courage before repeating her earlier question about why he was here.
"I'm leaving for London tomorrow," Dominic replied. "I thought—"
"So soon?" Brie exclaimed, her eyes fixing to his face. When Dominic's eyebrow shot up, she bit her lip. "I . . . I mean, won't it be dangerous for you?"
"Concerned for my welfare? I'm touched."
His mockery annoyed her less than the gleam of amusement in his eyes. "Of cour
se not!" Brie snapped, her own eyes flashing. "You can go to the devil for all I care."
A slow grin spread across his lips. "Do you know your eyes turn green when you're angry?"
Brie almost choked. He was baiting her again, and obviously enjoying having her at such a disadvantage. "You still haven't explained why you are here, my lord," she said stiffly.
He studied her for a moment before answering. "Your cousin gave me a room for the night," he replied, taking a sip of wine. "I thought you might be in need of moral support when you woke."
Brie frowned. "Caroline let you stay? What about Katherine?"
"I suppose you mean the elderly woman who was hovering over you like a broody hen? I imagine it will be tomorrow before she stirs. The doctor gave her a sedative to calm her nerves. She was a bit overwhelmed when she saw the blood on your jacket. Incidentally, I thought it best to tell everyone I killed Boulter. It should spare you some unpleasant questions, not to mention the good opinion of the neighborhood. I've explained to the magistrate that I found Boulter trying to attack you, but that I fired the shot. Otherwise, the story I gave was the truth. I doubt if there will even be an inquest."
"Th-Thank you," Brie stammered, knowing the words were entirely inadequate to express her appreciation. By taking the blame for killing Boulter, Dominic had protected her reputation as well as spared her further drama. It had been very considerate of him.