He blinked, shaking his head to clear it of such thoughts, as he raised his gaze from those responsive breasts to look at Lisette’s face.
A face that bore an expression of dismay now, rather than her previous satiation, followed by agitation. ‘Best to remove the chemise completely and I will dispose of it later,’ he instructed economically. ‘Then put your gown back on, your cloak over the top of it, and no one will be able to tell that you are not wearing your undergarment.’
‘Until I remove the cloak,’ she pointed out irritably even as she did as he suggested and impatiently removed the chemise.
A move that played havoc with Christian’s unsatisfied arousal as he gazed his fill of slender shoulders, those completely bared breasts, her curvaceous waist and hips. ‘Then do not remove your cloak until after you have reached the privacy of your bedchamber,’ he answered her distractedly, the throb of his manhood painful still in its intensity.
‘My bedchamber?’ Lisette stilled, seemingly unconcerned with her near nakedness.
Would that Christian felt the same disinterest!
He nodded tersely. ‘You will be staying with me at Sutherland House until...until I have opportunity to speak with Lord Maystone.’
‘After which I am no doubt to be held a prisoner in the Tower of London, where all traitors to England are incarcerated.’ Lisette’s stubborn little chin rose. ‘Whether they be innocent, as I am, or guilty,’ she added disgustedly even as she pulled her gown into place to cover her nakedness.
‘How you do love the dramatic, Lisette.’ Christian snapped his impatience with the trait as he sat up and gingerly swung his legs to the floor of the carriage, paying special attention to his injured thigh. ‘No one is going to lock you up in a tower, now or in the future.’
Lisette looked at him anxiously. ‘You promise?’
Christian’s expression softened as he saw the fear had returned to her eyes. ‘I promise.’
Although he was not quite so confident about being able to keep that promise when the first person he saw as he stepped down from his carriage with Marcus’s help was Lord Aubrey Maystone...
Chapter Ten
What the devil—?
‘My fault, I am afraid,’ Marcus muttered after glancing at the older man coming down the steps towards them. ‘I sent word ahead of the delay because of your having been shot, and to expect our arrival today. I also informed Maystone that you had not returned from France alone,’ he added at Christian’s scowl. ‘I did not tell him that Lisette was Helene Rousseau’s daughter—’
‘I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies.’ Christian continued to scowl his displeasure.
‘I did so before I came to know Lisette for the charming girl she is,’ he said defensively as Christian
gave him a censorious frown.
‘She is not a girl but a woman.’
‘So it would seem.’ Marcus gave a pointed glance towards the carriage. ‘You obviously found her to be so on the journey here.’
‘Marcus...’ he growled in warning.
The other man shrugged. ‘None of my business how and with whom you choose to pass the time of day, old chap.’
‘I am pleased to hear it.’ Christian turned to assist Lisette down from the carriage. ‘Do not be alarmed,’ he assured her gently as her panicked gaze moved past him to the rapidly approaching Aubrey Maystone. ‘All will be well, Lisette.’ He kept a firm hold of her arm, just in case she should be tempted to turn on her booted feet and run.
He would not put it past her to attempt such a move; Lisette had shown these past few days that she could be an enterprising young lady when the situation warranted it. And, damn it, her present apprehension in regard to Aubrey Maystone showed all the signs of becoming such a situation.
Maystone was usually the most charming of men, shrewd to a fault, admittedly, but invariably polite to the ladies. Unfortunately, this business with his grandson had turned even that amiable gentleman into a man intent on vengeance against the person or persons responsible for ordering the kidnapping. The three people now held in custody had only been instrumental in carrying out those orders; they had not instigated them.
Christian was certain that he now held the daughter of the person guilty of that crime close to his side. So close that he could feel the slight trembling of Lisette’s body as she pressed against him, as if for protection.
His mouth tightened determinedly as he turned to greet the older man. ‘Maystone.’
‘Sutherland.’ The other man nodded distractedly, his piercing gaze fixed on Lisette. ‘Perhaps you would care to explain...?’
‘I will make the introductions once we are inside.’ Christian spared no time in waiting to see if the other two gentlemen agreed or disagreed with his suggestion as he stepped towards the house and took Lisette with him.
Whilst he had every reason to trust the members of his own household, he had no intention of engaging in any sort of conversation in a public street.