He seated her at the end of the table, then took the chair on her right. Under cover of the jocular exchanges as the other gentlemen sat, he met her gaze, arched a brow.
“I’m impressed.”
“Indeed?” She glanced around, as if to check that everything was in order, as if it was the table that had motivated his comment.
His lips curved dangerously. He leaned closer. Murmured, “I expected you to break before now.”
She met his gaze. “Break?”
His eyes widened. “I felt cert
ain you’d be determined to wring from me just what our next step should be.”
His expression remained innocent; his eyes were anything but. Every utterance had two meanings, and she couldn’t tell which he meant.
After a moment, she murmured, “I’d thought to restrain myself until later.”
Looking down, she shook out her napkin as Castor placed her soup plate before her. Picking up her spoon, she coolly—much more coolly than she felt—met Trentham’s eyes.
He held her gaze as the footman served him, then his lips curved. “That would no doubt be wise.”
“My dear Miss Carling, I had meant to ask—”
Horace, on her other side, claimed her attention. Trentham turned to Jeremy with some inquiry. As usually occurred at such gatherings, the conversation rapidly turned to ancient writings. Leonora ate, sipped, and watched, surprised to see Trentham joining in, until she realized he was subtly probing for any suggestion of a secret find among the group.
She pricked up her ears; when the opportunity presented, she threw in a question, opening up yet another avenue of possibility among the ruins of ancient Persia. But no matter in which direction she or Trentham steered them, the six scholars were patently unaware of any potentially precious find.
Finally, the covers were removed and she rose. The gentlemen did, too. As was their habit, her uncle and Jeremy intended taking their friends to the library to consume port and brandy while poring over their latest research; normally, she retired at this point.
Naturally, Humphrey invited Trentham to join the male congregation.
Trentham’s eyes met hers; she held his gaze, willing him to decline and allow her to conduct him to the door…
His lips curved; he turned to Humphrey. “Actually, I noticed you have a large conservatory. I’ve been thinking of adding one to my town house and wondered if I might prevail upon you to allow me to inspect yours.”
“The conservatory?” Humphrey beamed genially and looked to her. “Leonora knows most about that—I’m sure she’ll be pleased to show you around.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll be happy to…”
The tenor of Trentham’s smile was pure seduction; he moved toward her. “Thank you, my dear.” He looked back at Humphrey. “I will need to leave soon, however, so in case I don’t see you again, I do thank you for your hospitality.”
“It was entirely our pleasure, my lord.” Humphrey shook hands.
Jeremy and the others exchanged farewells.
Then Trentham turned to her. Raised a brow and waved to the door. “Shall we?”
Her heart was beating faster, but she inclined her head calmly. And led him out.
Chapter Six
The conservatory was her domain. Other than the gardener, no one else came there. It was her sanctuary, her refuge, her place of safety. As she led the way down the central aisle and heard the door click behind her, for the first time within the glass walls, she felt a frisson of danger.
Her slippers slapped softly on the tiles; her silk skirts swished. Lower yet came Trentham’s soft tread as he followed her down the path.
Excitement and something sharper gripped her. “Through the winter, the room’s heated by steam piped from the kitchen.” Reaching the end of the path, halting in the deepest curve of the bow windows, she dragged in a breath. Her heart was thudding so loudly she could hear it, feel the pulse in her fingers. She reached out, touched one fingertip to the glass pane. “There are two layers of glass to help keep the heat in.”
The night outside was black; she focused on the pane, and saw Trentham approaching, his image reflected in the glass. Two lamps burned low, one on either side of the room; they threw enough light to see one’s way, to gain some idea of the plants.