A Study In Seduction(58)

“Or we’ve a cat who could gobble it whole,” Castleford said, sending all three men off into another fit.

“Now, stop it, you three,” Talia scolded, though her green eyes danced with amusement. She patted Lydia’s hand. “It’s quite impressive for Lydia’s first catch. Now we must get her home before she catches her death. Alex! Stop it and help.”

“I did help,” he said, between guffaws so deep he ought to have been clutching his stomach. “I’m the one who rescued her from the raging current, remember?”

Talia gave a huff of exasperation and looked at Castleford pleadingly. Still grinning, he took a gallant step forward and began to lift Lydia off the ground before Northwood shouldered him aside.

“Watch yourself, old chap,” he muttered. His smile flashed white and striking as he gathered Lydia up and lifted her against his chest. He shifted her in his arms, as if testing her weight.

“Nice catch indeed,” he said in a low voice meant for her ears alone.

Her flush warmed her to the bone. She pushed halfheartedly at his chest. His very solid, very broad chest.

“I can walk,” she protested. “You’ll get all wet.”

“I’m already all wet,” he reminded her. “I dove in after you. It was quite masterful.”

“Come on, then,” Sebastian called. “Our bountiful dinner awaits!”

Sebastian flung Lydia’s rod over his shoulder, the poor hapless fish still dangling from the line, and strode forward to lead the party back to the house. They trooped along the riverbank—the men still as merry and amused as a band of jesters—and Talia trying to hide her traitorous smile every time Lydia shot her a glower.

Even through her humiliation, however, Lydia couldn’t deny the pleasure of being held against Northwood, feeling the smooth rhythm of his long stride, his strong arms tight around her.

After a minute, she allowed herself to rest her head against his chest. His lingering chuckles vibrated through him. Despite the wetness and the cold, the heat of his body seeped into her. He glanced at her occasionally, looks of such amusement and warmth that her blood shimmered.

Even with the pathetic little fish dangling mockingly in front of her, Lydia never wanted this walk to end.


“Out! Out!” Talia waved her hands to shoo Northwood and Castleford from Lydia’s room. “Anne, draw a hot bath for Miss Kellaway, quickly, then fetch her some hot tea. No, better yet, brandy. No—both! Yes, both. Susan, help me get these clothes off her. Oh, and tell Jim to bring up some wood for a fire.”

The maids fluttered around, clucking like hens, as Talia closed the door firmly behind the two men. Between the three women, Lydia found herself stripped to the skin and soaking in a hot bath in no time at all.

Lydia washed the river water from her hair, sighing with pleasure as she scrubbed herself with soap that smelled of honey. She dried off and dressed in clean clothes, combing the tangles out of her long hair as she returned to the bedchamber.

“How do you feel?” Talia asked, her brow creased with worry. “I do hope you don’t fall ill.”

“I’m fine.” In fact, Lydia hadn’t felt this good in a very long time. She smiled and squeezed the younger woman’s hands. “Really. Go on. I’m sure you want to change as well before supper.”

“My room is one floor up, so call if you need me,” Talia insisted. She pressed a kiss to Lydia’s cheek and hurried out.

Lydia sank into a chair beside the fire. Although it was warm outside, flames danced from crackling logs. Lydia fanned her hair out around her shoulders and continued combing it in the hopes the heat would dry it quickly.

A knock sounded. “Come in!”

Her heart gave a little leap when Northwood entered, a tray of tea and biscuits in his hands. He looked somewhat startled to see her, pausing two steps into the room.

“Well, come in, then.” Lydia nodded to the chair across from her. “Since you’ve all had a good laugh at my expense, you might as well make amends by pouring my tea.”

Leaving the door open behind him, he moved to sit. He looked rather lovely—all clean and fresh with a crisp white shirt and his hair still damp from his own bath. He continued staring at her with an odd expression.

“What is it?” Lydia asked with impatience. “Have I got rushes stuck in my ears?”

Northwood blinked. He gestured to her head. “I don’t think…” He cleared his throat. “I’ve never seen your hair like that.”