Page 46 of Wolfhaven

A muscle in his jaw worked. His fingers tightened almost painfully around her biceps. “You’re free to leave whenever you wish.”

“Where would we go?”

“Anywhere but here.”

“The only money we have is a few shillings in a sock. Barely enough to get on a train to the next town, never mind all the way back to London. I need the funds you’ve promised me, Gareth.” She met his gaze and held it. Conflicted emotions roiled in those blue depths. “I am not easily scared off by haunts. Or by grouchy groundskeepers, or cranky dukes, for that matter.”

“I am not cranky.” His mouth quirked up on one side.

“As fussy as a newborn baby,” she teased. His grip on her arms eased. “Marina wants us to find her ‘treasure.’ I am not leaving until I’ve helped put her soul to rest.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in ghosts.”

“I don’t. I am not entirely persuaded that the Cogswells aren’t behind these supposed hauntings.” But despite her suspicion that Bess had stolen her cloak and led her on a merry chase this morning, that didn’t explain the way she’d found Marina’s journal. Or what had transpired in the attic yesterday.

But it might explain those footsteps that had followed them through the forest on the night of the storm.

“The Cogswells have been faithful servants to Wolfhaven since before I was born,” he argued. “They could have left after the fire. Everyone else did.”

“Then they have had ample opportunity to feed the rumors about this house over the years.”

“You are a very stubborn woman, Miss Ballard.” Gareth stepped closer. She edged back. Like those statues of dancers when set close together, the space between their bodies narrowed. She took another step back. He pressed the advantage, using his height to full effect.

“You’re only figuring this out now?” she said a little breathlessly.

He chuckled mirthlessly. “I have known you for all of a few days. You are either impressively brave, or mind-bogglingly foolish.”

“Why not both?” she grinned. Her back hit the wall. Gareth caged her with his body. Her pulse skittered. His scent of citrus soap and hints of bay rum teased her nose. He smelled so damned good all the time.

“What if I paid you to leave?” he said quietly.

“No.” She shook her head.

“Why not? It’s for your safety. Your grandmother’s, too. I cannot allow anything to happen to either of you.”

“I’m not leaving, Gareth. For one thing, you are just as strong-willed as I am. You would stay and try to finish this inventory alone, and probably get yourself killed in the process. I won’t allow that to happen, either. We stay together, or we leave together.”

His mouth hovered inches from her own. “You’re protecting me, now?”

“Clearly, I could be doing a better job of it.” Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me. When he didn’t, she added, “I am not leaving until I help put Marina’s spirit to rest. She deserves that.”

“How noble of you, considering you don’t believe in ghosts,” he said dryly. A crack of thunder outside startled them apart. The puffy white clouds from the morning had turned dark and foreboding on her return trip, and now they were delivering the rain they’d threatened.

“If you’re going to kiss me again, Gareth, you won’t find a better opportunity.”

His mouth turned up into a smile. He brought one hand to her jaw, feathering his fingertips along her cheek. Her heart thudded against her ribs.

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes.”

Chapter 23

Evaine

Evaine had hardly finished the word when he brought his lips down on hers. Achingly sweet, firm and soft. Nothing tentative, though she sensed Gareth was holding back. She parted eagerly for him, darting her tongue past his lower lip and feeling the rumble of his low groan deep in his chest. He accepted her invitation and deepened the kiss. Her breasts turned heavy and aching. She wanted him to slide his palm up from her waist where it had landed and explore her there.

He didn’t. At least, not at first. He seemed content to explore her mouth with his. He did it so well that she didn’t quite mind waiting despite wanting more.