Chapter Sixteen

After the time they had spent promenading, Clarissa retired to her room for a short rest. Her stomach swirled with unfamiliar feelings whenever she thought of Alexander. Whenever he was close, her flesh broke out in goosebumps, and warmth flooded her body. An entirely new feeling and, even though she and Gwen were close, she didn't dare ask about such things.

Unable to relax, and not wanting to pace the length of the room, she decided on a visit to the library so she could get something to occupy her mind and stop the wicked images that flashed whenever she closed her eyes.

She had had a taste of Alexander's lips, but she wanted more. Her stomach tugged at the thought. She wanted to feel his mouth on hers again. On her neck, lower, dare she say on her breast?

"Stop, Clarissa," she muttered in the room. Stopping in front of the mirror, she glanced at her reflection. Her skin was flushed, and she tried fanning herself, but the move did naught to stop her simmering nerves. Tossing her fan onto the vanity, she left the room and headed towards the library.

As she made her way down the hall, nearing the study, she could hear the men's voices. Alexander was speaking, and she slowed, making her steps as light as possible.

Knowing she shouldn't listen to their private conversation didn't deter her from pausing just outside the door. Looking from side to side to ensure she was alone in the corridor, she tilted her head in the direction of the study, placing her ear against the door and listened.

"…the bastard says he will start killing my sheep, one a day, unless I give in to his terms."

She clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her cry. Baron Kitt was threatening the worst of actions.

He wouldn't. Would he?

She thought of the type of man Baron Kitt was and from her encounters with him, though they were few, she could see him saying such a thing. How awful.

"He is insistent upon spending a night with Clarissa," he spat. "'Tis disgusting. The man has no class."

"I will kill him." This time it was Nicholas speaking up.

"I will do that myself. But there is a way. The bank didna outright deny my request. They want Castle Millwool as collateral. That is what I will do."

Clarissa sucked in a breath. He cannot be thinking to do that. What will happen if Kitt goes against his word, and he refuses to give Alexander his sheep back? Or if something else happens and he can't pay back the bank note? Then he would lose Millwool.

She backed slowly away from the door, shaking her head. Nay, she would not allow that to happen. If all she had to do was visit Baron Kitt for a day, as unpleasant as the thought of that was, she would do it to save Alexander and his people.

How bad could it be? It was just one day. She thought of Kitt and how uncomfortable he had made her feel at the ball and swallowed down the lump that began forming in her throat. It didn't matter. All that mattered was Alexander.

The library forgotten, she made her way back to her room, a plan forming in her mind.