SURE ENOUGH, THEY HAD won the contest, much to Louisa’s dismay. Although, Meredith did find it suspicious that Hugh and Louisa were the last to finish the scavenger hunt. Hugh’s gaze lingered on her sister, not so unlike the way Meredith often caught Lucas watching her. It was an altogether dizzying sensation. So when the evening activities ended, it was with high anticipation that Meredith sought out both her sisters.
“Louisa?” She knocked softly on her sister’s door, glancing down the darkened hall, hoping no one saw her in her night robe.
“Yes?” Louisa’s voice responded through the thick wood.
“May I come in?” The door cracked open slightly.
“Meredith? Why in heaven’s name are you in your nightclothes! Someone could see you?” The door opened wider, displaying her sister, still fully dressed but not in the dress she’d worn that evening; rather, a walking gown of soft muslin.
“Why are you not ready for bed? It must be near one in the morning!” Meredith studied her sister.
“I wasn’t tired.” Louisa shrugged, but her gaze darted down the hall.
“Liar.”
“Snoop.”
“Are you meeting Hugh?” Meredith pushed her way past Louisa and into her room.
Louisa reluctantly closed the door, and turned to face her sister. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Do you realize this is Hugh…?” Meredith crossed her arms, studying her sister.
“You do realize you’re being quite the hypocrite. Lucas is just as attentive as Hugh… more even.” She hitched a shoulder.
“Yes but…”
“No excuses. I’ll let you have your secrets… but let me have my own as well,” Louisa spoke kindly, her gaze gentling with a soft smile.
It went against Meredith’s inclination, to let her younger sister have a secret, and about a gentleman no less. Yet, even though younger, Louisa was just as much friend as sister, and able to handle her own affairs.
“Very well, though I’ll expect a full report in the morning, mind you.”
“Yes, mother,” Louisa replied with a saucy grin.
“I’ll leave you to your… secrets then. Does Sara have any such secrets or will I find her in her room?” Meredith asked as she walked towards the door.
“I’m not sure. You’ll have seek those answers yourself.” Louisa glanced down the hall once more then turned back and winked at her sister.
The door shut firmly, and Meredith glanced down the hall as well, just in case. Seeing nothing out of ordinary, she padded to Sara’s room, the cool winter air seeping through the stone wall and nipping at her feet. Earlier that evening it had been warmer, but it seemed as if the temperature had dropped. Wrapping her robe tightly around her, she lifted her hand to knock on Sara’s door, but paused upon hearing a creak down the hall.
Sucking in a tight breath, she flanked towards the direction of the sound and watched. Nothing moved, save the flicker of a few candles illuminating the corridor.
She raised her hand once more. “Meredith,” a voice whispered, and she turned towards the sound, seeing Lucas step from the shadows, a grin on his face and his finger to his lips, reminding her to be silent.
“Lucas?” she mouthed, glancing down the hall, then back to him.
His grin widened as his gaze traced her outline from the top of her head, to the bottom of her bare toes, then back. Heat pooled in her belly and warmed her cheeks. He was still fully clothed, but like the night before, his coat was off leaving him only in his breeches and white shirt.
He glanced behind him, then to her once more, crooking a finger for her to come to him.
Did she dare?
Oh, yes…
With a grin, she tiptoed towards him. “And what are you doing at this time of the night?” she asked in a hushed voice as she approached him.
“Wicked things,” he whispered. Reaching out, he clutched her hands and tugged her closer. Immediately he released hers, and moved his hands to her hips, pulling her into him and meeting her lips with a driven, confident kiss. Melting into him, she kissed him back, savoring the delicious warmth of his embrace, and the searing heat of his hands at her hips, at her waist, roaming, and caressing.
“I have something to show you,” he said softly between kisses, nipping at her lips playfully.
“Oh?” she murmured, unable to restrain the smile teasing her lips.
“Yes. Come with me.” He kissed her soundly once more, then released her hips, grasping one hand and leading her down the hall.
“Where are we going?” she asked, feeling the chill of the air anew at the loss of Lucas’ warm body embracing hers.
“You’ll soon see,” he whispered mysteriously, leading her along the hall, down the stairs and into the library. A crackling fire simmered in the hearth, causing shadows to dance against the book-lined walls.
“The library?” Meredith asked, shivering slightly at the warm air within the room.
“In part. Close your eyes.” He turned to face her, smiling and lifting a hand to cover her eyes.