Saving the Scientist (The Restitution League #2)(48)

Now she realized she hadn’t taken all the available factors into consideration before plunging ahead. It felt very much like she imagined diving into an icy river would.

One could prepare one’s self for the first jolt of cold, but it was the unseen currents that held the real danger.





Chapter 14





When he awoke, Ada’s arm flung was across him, her palm resting over his heart.

Sunlight filtered in through the dusty windows, drawing a bright rectangle of light on the faded carpet. He knew it was only his state of mind, but everything seemed sharper. Clearer. Lighter.

Ada sighed in her sleep and rolled closer. Their legs touched. Her bare breasts pressed into the side of his arm.

He couldn’t think of a better way to wake. Or could he? He brushed tangled brown locks out of her eyes. Eyelids still heavy with sleep, she blinked up at him.

The vulnerability in her sweet smile tugged at place suspiciously close to his hardened heart.

The smile bloomed into a satisfied little grin. “Good morning, Mr. Sweet.”

He liked it that she didn’t rush to cover herself. She didn’t tense with a new modesty now that the sun had risen above the treetops.

Perhaps she wouldn’t regret their coupling over much.

Edison swept another strand of hair off of her cheek. “It is at that, Mrs. Templeton.”

He cupped one firm breast in his hand and rubbed his thumb back and forth over the budding nipple.

Her gasp of pleasure made him instantly hard.

“It is a fine morning,” he repeated, as he continued to tease the pink tip. “Such mornings require certain… procedures, if one is to begin them correctly.”

“Do tell,” she prompted, in a sweet, breathy tone.

“With pleasure.” Edison chuckled and levered her over on her back.

“Edison?” A female voice called up the stairway. “Get up, you lazy goat. We brought scones.”

“Satan’s arse.” His fingers stilled on her breast. “The family’s here.”

Mouth open, Ada stared at the door still blocked by the massive chest. “But we locked—”

“They’re thieves, remember?” Edison threw off the covers and flew out of bed.

“Of course.” She bolted upright in bed. “My gown!” She stared at him in horror. “My petticoats. The kitchen.”

Edison squeezed his eyes shut. The swath of destruction they’d left was unmistakable. “I’ll handle it.” He sped up his search for his trousers, tossing aside pillows and shoes and a moss green corset.

Even while he searched about for his trousers, he noted a distinct weakness in his legs. Ada wouldn’t be the only one feeling the effects of their wild tumbling. Much bedsport and little sleep was going to make him a step slow.

“I’ll head them off. Come down once you’re ready.” One leg went in easily, but the second required too much balance, too much concentration.

Swearing loudly, he crashed to the floor. The crystal jars on the vanity shuddered.

Ada peered at him from beneath the bedclothes. He winced. She was going to think she’d bedded an aging circus animal.

“Edison? Is everything all right?” Briar called out. “Mrs. Templeton?”

“Fine,” he yelled through the door. “We are fine. I’ll be right down.”

Still buttoned from last night, his shirt pulled on easily. The ruined cuffs he rolled back, baring his forearms. His waist coat was… in some unknown location. Best to leave it. He stuffed his shirttails into his trousers.

Now for the chest of draws still baring the door. He shoved. It moved barely an inch.

How had it gotten so much heavier since last night?

Bending low, he threw all of his weight into it. With a scream of protest the dresser gouged its way across the floor planks. But it moved.

“Take your time,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll keep them occupied.”

He was halfway down the front stairs when he realized his feet were bare.

Eyes wide, Briar and Meena were peering up at him from the front hall.

A shiny steel throwing star glinted in the light coming in from the windows that flanked the imposing front door. Briar lowered it back down to her side. “What were you doing up there? Wrestling bears?”

Edison winced. He doubted Ada would care for that comparison. “Just moving some furniture.” He chose to ignore the odd looks.

“We brought breakfast,” Meena said.

Briar peered up toward the bedrooms. “Where is Mrs. Templeton?”

“Still sleeping, I expect.”

“With all that racket?” Briar looked skeptical.

Brain still muzzy with sleep, and with Ada’s cries of delight still ringing in his ears, thinking in a tactical manner seemed beyond him. Itching to beat them to the kitchen, Edison shifted his weight from foot to foot, ready to fly of the instant the opportunity arose.

His cousin-in-law filled the doorway to the front parlor, one shoulder propped against the door frame. A swath of blue satin lay just behind Crane’s heel, as if the bright fabric were about to ooze out into the hallway.

Edison flinched. Damnable gown. He’d completely forgotten… He took care to smooth out his features, to wipe any hint of concern from his face.