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.She stroked a length of it, pushing it back behind his ear.It was enough to wake him. Good morning. You ve been watching me sleep. Killian teased in a gravelly voice still filled with theeffects of slumber.Rose propped herself up on one arm,  I ve been wondering all sorts of things about you. Like what? Or should I be frightened? Killian traced her hip bone through the sheetswith slow hands, and her need for him started to rise at his touch. Did you really make Mrs.Dempsey swoon?Killian s mouth made a playful, scolding frown. What a leading question. His handkept kneading the curve of her hip in a most delightful, possessive manner that wouldsoon render the issue of Mrs.Dempsey de trop. Well, Rose pressed. Did you?Killian rolled his eyes. Suffice it to say, Mrs.Dempsey is a woman with an overinflatedsense of her own charms. Hmmm. Rose pretended to reflect on the comment, studying him. Sounds like acertain man I know. Does it? I d agree with the overinflated part just now. Killian rejoined.Rose s eyesdropped to his waist, speculating about what she might find if she lifted the sheets. Lusty wench. Killian grinned, following her gaze. The problem with you, wench, isthat you need kissing.Badly, unless I miss my guess. He drew her to him, the evidenceof her speculations confirmed. The problem with me, is it? Rose said coyly, laughter rising up with her words Thankfully, Killian said in mock seriousness, drawing a finger up the back of her leg. I know precisely how to solve your kind of problem.Rose yelped. That tickles!Killian s eyes brightened, and she knew she d made a tactical error. Oh no, oh no, youwouldn t! Rose cried as Killian launched an avid search for more tickle-spots.They were wrestling now, kicking at the covers, grappling for pillows, laughing,screaming out their delight in the impromptu tickle war that ensued.They didn t hear the pounding of booted footsteps on the landing until it was too late.The door flew open and Rose s latest scream died a squeaky death in her throat.Shegrabbed up a sheet in a belated attempt at modesty, feeling her cheeks heat to a beet-red.Killian merely put down his pillow shield and drawled,  Good morning, Peyton.Whatbrings you out so early?They might as well have all been dressed and sitting in the parlor for tea, Rose thought,the ridiculous image causing an embarrassing bubble of laughter to creep dangerously upher throat and threaten to burst.But what Peyton had to share was no laughing matter. There s been a fire at a Mr.Franklin s place.The barn burned.He claims there s reasonto believe it s arson.Rose s heart was in her throat, replacing the errant bubble of laughter.It could indeed bearson.She heard the implied message behind Dursley s terse message and all that wentunsaid.A barn burnt meant necessities lost: a winter s supply of hay for the animals,perhaps even livestock itself.Franklin was not well-liked.He d paid his day laborerspoorly this year, citing the exigencies of a smaller crop, and had hoarded the profit forhimself.People felt he had dealt with them unfairly. What do you want me to do about it? Killian said, his strong gaze matching Dursley sin challenge.Dursley raised a supercilious eyebrow, a practiced move, Rose was sure he d done athousand times.It was no doubt quite effective in getting results. In case you veforgotten, you re the damned magistrate in these parts now, Redbourne.You need to getout there and handle this before your little part of Herefordshire falls victim to swingriots.Killian rose from the bed and drew on his discarded shirt, anger simmering in his tautmuscles. You don t need to tell me my duty, Peyton.I know it full well.I ll bedownstairs in five minutes.Chapter Eleven You have some answering to do, Killian fumed precisely five minutes later in the smallparlor of Rose s home.Peyton sat on the worn sofa, one leg elegantly crossed, lookingentirely too pleased with himself. You cannot come barging into someone s home likethat and walk into their bedroom, where God knows what s going on. Clearly. Peyton said. Stop doing that eyebrow thing you do.You re going to do it again, I can tell.I m notone of your errant brothers, you know. Leave my brothers out of this. Peyton said with a coldness that made Killian regret hiswords.Perhaps he had gone a bit too far with the comment, but deuce take it, he wasfurious with Peyton for interrupting a most private pleasure and for unnecessarily takinghim to task in front of Rose. I am sorry, Killian, for barging in.But this news is serious, far more serious than playingTup the Widow. Don t be crass. Killian cut in. It s not like that. Oh? How is it then? You d hardly been in town two days and you were in her bed andhaven t been home since.What do you think this is? She does understand that you ll beleaving as soon as you possibly can? That she s just another notch in your illustrious belt,nothing more than a sidelight compared to your conquests in London. I will not be provoked, Peyton. Killian grimaced. My relationship with Rose Janewayis not the issue on display here.It has nothing to do with these claims of arson. If you think that, you ve not been a nobleman very long. Peyton took a small measureof pity on him. About one week, by my recollection. Killian replied dryly. I m a businessman.I knowhow to make money.I don t imagine I ll ever really be a peer, regardless of what the titlesays.Peyton nodded. A businessman is very bottom-line by nature.You see profit marginsand risk, balance sheets where neat columns line up with calculated answers andassurances.A nobleman s view is quite different.A nobleman must see all things asinterconnections, interconnections that all, I might add, lead back to themselves.Abusinessman is a private citizen, but a nobleman is not.He must answer to his subjects onall levels.There is no private sector in this life, Killian.Even my mistresses are fair gamefor common knowledge.It is the same for you as it is for the rest of us.You re somethingof a celebrity now.You must go and deal with the question of arson fairly and honestly,if for no other reason than to keep Rose Janeway safe.You would not want to bring thewrath of the rioters down on her head simply because of her association with you.Peyton counseled. He s right. Rose spoke from the doorway, pale and worried.Killian had theuncomfortable sensation she d been standing there longer then he would have liked,perhaps hearing things best left unsaid until matters were sorted and heads cooled.Buther shoulders were straight and she d dressed in a subdued dress of blue wool with tightsleeves and a high neck trimmed discreetly with white cotton lace, her hair netted andtamed in a chignon at the base of her neck. I have water on for tea and toast in the oven.After breakfast, we ll go out and settle thismatter. She said matter-of-factly.Killian started towards her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]