A Daring Liaison(25)

“I promise not to interfere with your current husband hunt, as you so aptly described it.”

There it was again. That harsh edge that told her he was not at all fond of her. “I did not say I was on a husband hunt, Mr. Hunter. To the contrary. I shall never wed again.”

“I am relieved to hear it. But things could change if the right man comes along. In that case, I would gladly step out of the way.”

“And if someone should put you out of the way before that happens? You are not forgetting what happens to men who become involved with me, are you?”

He laughed and a shiver went up her spine.

The carriage pulled up at her town house and Mr. Hunter opened the door before his driver could dismount the box. He hopped down and reached in to lift her out. She braced her hands on his shoulders as he swung her down and closed the carriage door.

“Home, Peter. Do not wait for me,” he called before escorting her up the stairs and holding his hand out. “Your key, Mrs. Huffington?”

She gave him what she hoped would be a quelling glance as she rapped on her door. A moment later her butler, Hathaway, opened the door. When he saw who was on the step, he opened the door wider and stepped aside.

“Madam,” he said in a disapproving voice.

“Hathaway, this is Mr. Hunter. He has seen me home.”

Her guest moved past her into the foyer and glanced around before gesturing at a door on the right. “Library?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take that nightcap now.”

“What—”

But he was already heading for the library. She handed her shawl and reticule to Hathaway, feeling an absurd need to explain. “Mr. Hunter believes I need an escort for my safety.”

Hathaway’s expression did not change, but the corner of one eyebrow twitched. “Will you be needing me, madam?”

“Ah, no. I don’t—”

The butler bowed sharply from his waist and disappeared. Georgiana knew she would not see him again tonight. According to Clara, Hathaway disappeared most nights after everyone was settled in and did not return until the wee hours of morning. To see his ladylove, she’d said with a smirk. Georgiana could only hope he was less stern with his “ladylove” than he was with his employer.

She sighed and followed Mr. Hunter into the library. He’d already found the brandy decanter and was pouring a measure into a crystal glass. “Would you like me to have a word with Hathaway?” he asked.

“A word? Why?”

“Someone should remind him who is paying him.”

Precisely. And it was long overdue. Since her guardian’s death, in fact. Still, “I suspect he does not like working for me. He barely tolerated Lady Caroline. But he was hired by Lord Betman just before his death and has been with the family since. I cannot recall a time he was not a part of life at Betman Hall.”

He carried his glass to the fireplace and left it on the mantel while he bent to stir the coals to life. “Then let him resign his position and find work more to his liking. I would consider hiring someone who is loyal to you, Mrs. Huffington.”

“Hathaway is loyal. He is just cross because he had to wait for me to come home before he could call on his lady friend.”

Mr. Hunter’s lips quirked as if he was fighting a smile. “That is his job. It is what you pay him for.”

“Thank you, but no. I will handle Hathaway.”

He looked at her as if he doubted she was equal to the task, and she bristled. “Somehow we have managed without you, Mr. Hunter. And where would you be the next time Hathaway needs a reminder?”

He straightened and rested his elbow on the mantel. His grin was a bit unnerving and she could only imagine what he was thinking. Indeed, she now regretted asking the question.

“As...as for your proposal, I cannot think of any advantage to that. Only some rather serious consequences. To you, and to me.” Oh! Why did he not say something? What was he thinking? His silence coupled with that little smile was nerve-racking.

The library door opened and Clara bustled in. “Mr. Hathaway sent me, madam. Said you might be needing me?”

Mr. Hunter’s eyebrows shot up at that statement. No doubt he was wondering what Hathaway thought they were up to. Dismissing the maid would only cause household gossip. “Clara, this is Mr. Hunter. He was good enough to escort me home.”

Clara dropped a proper curtsy and smiled, obviously smitten with Mr. Hunter’s dark good looks. “I told her not to walk, I did.”