The glass was warm against her skin and filled the air with the scent of cloves.
“What is it?”
“Nothing more than spiced punch. It will warm you.” Cupping her hand with his own, he lifted the glass to her lips. “Drink slowly.”
She took a cautious sip, nearly groaning in relief as the punch slid down her throat with welcome warmth, soothing the nausea.
Oh…it was delicious.
Savoring the heat spreading through her body, Brianna failed to notice they were no longer alone. Not until a choked cough filled the room.
Brianna turned her head to discover Vanya standing in the center of the room, her countenance carefully expressionless as she regarded the unwitting intimacy of the two seated on the window seat.
Despite the innocence of their position, Brianna felt a blush touch her cheeks. Perhaps it was because she sensed the older woman was far from indifferent beneath her demeanor of calm composure.
“Here you are, Richard.” The older woman smiled, her hands smoothing over the mulberry velvet of her gown. “I see you have introduced yourself to my beautiful young guest. Is anything the matter?”
Indifferent to the tension that suddenly filled the room, Richard lowered his hand and slowly lifted himself to his feet.
“Miss Quinn was not feeling well.”
Vanya’s expression softened with concern. “Oh, ma petite, how terrible. Are you in need of a doctor?”
“No, no. Please, it is nothing.” Embarrassed that her silly bout of nausea was stirring a fuss, Brianna gave a firm shake of her head. “I am feeling better already.”
Vanya moved forward, her worried gaze on Brianna although her feet instinctively seemed to carry her to Richard’s side. She even went so far as to lay a possessive hand on his arm.
“I will have a hot bath carried to your rooms. There is nothing more refreshing.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely.” Brianna did not have to pretend her gratitude. It had been too long since she had the pleasure of more than a swift wash in cold water. Rising to her feet, she dipped a small curtsey. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Monroe.”
He offered his sweet smile. “The pleasure, Miss Quinn, was entirely mine.”
Vanya shifted her attention to the gentleman at her side, an oddly somber expression settling upon her beautiful face.
“Do not pay him the least attention, ma petite. He is an incorrigible flirt,” she murmured.
“How can you say such a thing?” Richard protested, lifting Vanya’s hand to press a lingering kiss upon her fingers. “You, my love, are a master of flirtation.”
Her body arched toward him with the ease of long-time lovers. “Never with you, Richard.”
His expression held enough tenderness to twist even the most hardened heart.
“Yes,” he murmured softly, “that is what continues to give me hope.”
Feeling decidedly de trop, Brianna slipped from the room and silently made her way back to her chambers.
A wry smile touched her lips as she entered the lavish parlor and pulled the door closed behind her. Whatever Vanya’s bold words of endless lovers and glorious independence, it was obvious she was deeply attached to Mr. Richard Monroe.
Perhaps more than just attached.
Obviously, however, the woman was simply too stubborn to admit her feelings. Even to herself.
It was a knowledge that sent a chill down her spine.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE SUN WAS DIPPING TOWARD the horizon when Brianna heard the sound of Edmond’s voice in the corridor.