The Haunting of Rose Abbey by Kathleen Ayers

Author:Kathleen Ayers [Ayers, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-10-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

On Edwina’s fourth day at Rose Abbey, the rain finally slowed to a misty drizzle. The sky remained overcast, with only a bare hint of gray light seeping through the clouds. Edwina had slept well the previous night, as she had every night since the incident in the library. Nothing disturbed her. Well, if one didn’t count the highly erotic dreams Edwina was having about Bascomb. Naked, wicked images of them together, his big hands roaming over her body. She’d awoken this morning flushed and aroused, the space between her thighs aching.

Making her way to the breakfast room, Edwina was unsurprised to find Bascomb enjoying his usual large breakfast. What did surprise her was that he was in the breakfast room at all. He’d not been present yesterday, and Edwina had eaten alone. She’d thought it likely his avoidance of her had something to do with the kiss they’d very nearly shared. Wise of him.

An enormous plate of scrambled eggs sat before Bascomb, two thick slices of ham hanging off the edge of his plate. His gray-green eyes trailed over Edwina in annoyance.

“The rain has nearly stopped,” he grumbled, pointing the fork at the window. “Hope you haven’t unpacked, Collins.”

Not much of a greeting. She would have preferred a cheery good morning. “Of course not, my lord.” Edwina sipped her tea. “Perish the thought. I’m ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

Her employer made a noncommittal grunt, scowling at her from across the table.

Edwina lifted her chin. “Is there something else, my lord?”

He cleared his throat and looked down at his eggs. Small touches of pink shone on the curves of his cheeks. “Are you well this morning? I was busy yesterday and didn’t—”

“Very well, my lord,” she interrupted.

Bascomb raised his eyes back to her. The green was more pronounced today. The color of leaves at the first sign of spring. “I’ve been busy making repairs in the east wing. Water leaks have sprouted in nearly every room. I’ve not had time to check on your progress.”

“Everything is well in hand,” she assured him.

They stared at each other for a moment, long enough for warmth to crawl between Edwina’s breasts and settle low in her belly.

“Thomas will put the library back to rights once he’s finished helping me, Collins.” Bascomb stood, rather abruptly, and laid down his napkin. Longing flashed briefly in the depths of green, and Edwina did not think it was for more eggs. “You should get to work. Be…careful, Collins.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Edwina sipped her tea and picked absently at a piece of toast as the sound of his footsteps faded. Once the room grew silent again, she made her way to the library, balancing the cup of tea in her hand. She wasn’t at all sure how to handle the attraction between them, and apparently, neither did Bascomb. Yes, she was physically drawn to him, but Edwina also found she liked Bascomb. Quite a bit.

Settling in at her desk, Edwina shuffled the papers, searching through the desk drawers again for the receipts from Jeffers.

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