A Most Dangerous Profession(66)

She laughed softly and came to him. “Why am I not surprised?” Her gaze took in his robe, and she touched one of the very slightly frayed cuffs. “I never thought to see you in anything so tattered.”

“It’s not tattered. My sister Triona bought this robe for me, and it’s very comfortable.” He took a seat by the fire and beckoned her over. “Buffon is coming back to assist me into my coat before dinner. I didn’t want it to wrinkle.”

Moira took the seat opposite his. “I’m glad you came to visit. In talking to my maid I’ve discovered a few interesting tidbits, though nothing that will assist us in our search, I fear.”

“Oh?”

“I asked if our host had ever been married, and I was informed that Ross was too busy to take a wife, though many of his neighbors had tried to fix his interest with their daughters. He rarely travels, spending time with his horses and his collections. He goes very few places and does very few things—he is a strange man.”

Robert considered this. “He is very strange, seducing every female who crosses his threshold. He certainly made sure your accommodations outshine mine. Perhaps, in his mind, he has been seducing you since you first arrived.”

“Are your accommodations so poor?”

“Compared to your suite, my bedchamber is little more than a closet.”

“That explains the quality robe, then.”

His gaze narrowed. “Let’s not bring my robe into this conversation.”

Moira fought a gurgle of laughter. “I suppose I could grow used to it.”

“Good—for I’ve every intention of seeing you wear it at some point.” His eyes darkened, and she grew breathless.

There was such a pull between them, a tug of like meeting like. She’d felt it from the first time she’d met him. She’d known he hadn’t believed she was a Russian princess, but to her surprise he hadn’t called her out. Later, it became apparent that he’d approached her merely because he’d been instructed to, but at the time, she’d foolishly allowed herself to think he’d been just as intrigued with her as she’d been with him.

The tug of camaraderie was still every bit as strong as that first meeting.

He was aware of it, too. It showed in the possessive way he looked at her. He caught her gaze now and gave her a dark smile. “Perhaps you’d be more comfortable here.” He patted his knee.

If I sit on his lap, I may want to stay forever. “No, thank you. I have more room here.”

“That was the point.”

It was so tempting. She tingled just from remembering their tryst at the inn. I need to stop remembering that morning. I’ll just miss him all the more once this is done.

The thought caught her unprepared. The bald truth was that she would miss him—far more than she wished. “Robert, perhaps . . . perhaps we should keep this relationship professional.”

“Why? We haven’t done so yet.”

“We will be more effective.”

“I disagree. I think a full partnership is in order. After all, we are already parents. We share that much, at least.” Robert regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. All humor fled from her face and she winced as if struck.

Damn it, I am ten million times a fool. “Moira, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken so lightly of Rowena. I wasn’t thinking.” He leaned forward and took her hands. “We will be partners however it is easiest for you. And we will never cease our efforts until we have her back.”

She managed a faint smile and gently withdrew her hands. “Thank you. That helps.” She brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen from its pin to caress her cheek. “The nights are the hardest. I wake up thinking about her, and it is impossible to go back to sleep.”

“Would it help to talk about her? Or would that make it worse?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t had anyone to talk with.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I am curious about our daughter. I’ve never thought of myself as a parent.”

She gave him a twisted smile. “I never thought of myself as a mother until I was one, so I know what you mean. But now I can’t imagine my life without her.”

He nodded, noting how her eyes shone. “Is she a very quiet child?”

Her expression brightened. “Oh, no! She is so curious, always asking questions and—” Moira laughed. “She would drive me mad asking more and more questions, until sometimes I was ready to snap at her.”