Page 64 of Outrageous

Godric snatched up her hand before she could jump back. The small, cool fingers remained stiff in his grasp. For a moment he thought she might give him the slap he so roundly deserved for toying with her.

“If it bothers you, sweetheart, all you need do is ask me to stop. Nicely.” He kissed the tips of her fingers and cut her a sly look from beneath lowered lashes.

Her jaw tightened, her lovely face flushed darkly, and she stared at him with eyes that blazed a hot blue-violet. “Oh, no, darling. I wouldn’t interfere with your amusement for all the money in the world—I know the simple pleasures are all that remain once a man reaches your advanced age.”

Godric threw back his head and roared. And then immediately regretted it. “Dammit!” he howled as a pain more brutal than the blade of a hatchet struck him through the temple.

“Oh dear,” she cooed with mock concern. “Did you hurt yourself, sweetheart?”

His lips twitched with a pained smile. “You little shrew.”

There was a sharp rap on the door and it opened without warning.

Mrs. Crosby stood in the opening, a large tray between her hands, her eyes as sharp as awls.

Good God, the woman must have sprinted downstairs and back.

Eva pulled away her hand and stepped back, her full lips tightened into a scowl.

“Here you are, sir.” Mrs. Crosby set the footed tray over his lap, her hand accidentally brushing the most sensitive part of his body and causing him to jerk. “I beg your pardon,” she said quietly, her eyes demurely cast down, her lips curled into a tiny smile.

Godric knew he was handsome, but he certainly wasn’t that handsome. Just what the devil was the woman up to? Was she hoping to get him murdered in his sleep?

“I’m most grateful for your sedulous care,” he murmured.

Her magnificent eyes flashed. “Is there anything else—” She left the question hanging, the implication clear.

“This is lovely, Mrs. . . . er, Crosby. Thank you.”

She nodded. “I shall send your water and razor up when you’ve rung for me to clear your tray.”

Godric frowned. “Are you the only one working?”

“We weren’t expecting any guests in this weather, so Mr. Norton gave the girls leave to go home before the water rose so high they couldn’t go.”

“Ah, I see. I’m terribly sorry to be putting you to such inconvenience.”

Her lids turned heavy—really, the woman was laying it on a bit thick. “You could never be an inconvenience.”

Behind her, Eva made an unsubtle retching sound.

Godric’s face heated, but before he could formulate an answer, the cook curtsied and left the room with a seductive sway of her hips, brushing close enough to touch Andrew—who wore a fatuous smile—on her way out the door.

“Get in or get out. Either way, shut the door,” Eva snapped when Andrew continued to stare in the other woman’s direction.

Andrew flushed but stepped inside and closed the door.

“Why did you bring her with you?” Eva demanded.

“I didn’t bring her, she brought herself. I could hardly stop her, short of wrestling her to the ground.”

Godric doubted the slender, gentle-looking boy could have stopped the hellcat who’d just left, no matter how hard he wrestled.

Eva swung back to Godric. “I don’t like her.”

Andrew snorted. “Really? Because I never would have guessed.”

Eva whirled on him, and Godric sighed. “Children.”