7. A Re is Sweet but Short

CHAPTER 7

A REUNION IS SWEET BUT SHORT

M eanwhile, in the kitchen

Having consumed two cups of coffee and all the bread and cheese Clara had offered him whilst sharing what gossip he knew from London, Tom Walker stood and begged forgiveness.

“It’s been a long day, Clara, and I really need to be getting out of these damp clothes,” he said by way of an excuse.

“Well, I need to be finishing the master’s dinner,” Clara replied. She had spent the time whilst Tom was regaling her with stories putting together the soup and main course for that night’s dinner as well as the servants’ supper. She had bustled about the kitchen for nearly an hour, wielding a wicked looking knife on a hunk of beef followed by some vegetables that didn’t deserve the ferocity she showed them.

Now that everything seemed to be either on the stove or in the oven, she turned her attention to some apples. “Well, off with you then,” she said, waving a gnarled hand in his direction.

Tom gathered his greatcoat, hat, and valise and headed up the servants’ stairs. He had just made it to the second-floor landing when a soft body collided with his.

“Ooof.”

“Oh!”

He leaned back as far as he could in the tight, confined space of the stairwell at the same moment the woman who had joined him on the stairs took a step up to give him more room.

His eyes widened. “Anne?”

“Tom?”

The two stared at one another, their gazes level given she was up one step from the landing. “Aye,” he said, finally blinking.

She inhaled sharply, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

All at once, her arms were around his neck, and Tom was forced to drop the valise so that he might steady himself by wrapping an arm around her. The bag tumbled down the steep stairs, bumping and thumping as Anne’s lips found his.

Tom was sure he had never been kissed quite like Anne was kissing him, as if her life—and his—depended on it. Besides her soft, suckling lips, there were her fingers, which were doing their best to comb through every bit of hair he had left on his head.

If he had been feeling chilled from his damp shirt and waistcoat, he certainly wasn’t now, what with her practically plastered to the front of his body. Her livery was probably growing just as damp, especially where her bosom pressed to his chest.

As for the rest of him, it still seemed it was in the process of catching up to what his mouth was doing, his hands dropping his greatcoat and hat to move to her waist. His nether region certainly understood what was happening, for his cock was rising to the occasion in a way it hadn’t done in a very long time.

He hoped she wouldn’t notice, but when her hips tilted against the bulge in his breeches, he broke off the kiss and struggled to catch his breath.

“I’m so glad to see you,” he whispered.

“Obviously,” she replied, a grin brightening her face, even in the darkened stairwell.

“Apologies, doll, but I cannot help?—”

“Don’t you dare apologize,” she murmured. “Have you anywhere you must be?”

He glanced down the stairs. “I was going to wash up before, well, before I was going to come find you,” he stammered.

“There’s a guest bedchamber we can use on the first floor,” she whispered.

“Anne...” he started to scold her.

“It’s all right. Her ladyship gave us permission. I didn’t even ask—not that I would—she just offered it. I think because she appreciates how quickly you got her here,” she explained. “And...”

Tom chuckled softly. “She is a bit of a romantic,” he murmured.

“No one else can know,” she said in a quiet voice.

“Hello?” a voice called from below.

Anne was quick to step down and out of the stairwell, while Tom turned on the landing and said, “Who’s there?”

Bobby appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “I take it this is yours?” he asked, holding up the valise.

“Aye,” Tom said. “Trying to take up too much at once, I suppose,” he said. He made a move to go back down the stairs, but Bobby was already on his way up.

“It’s no bother. I wondered how long it would be ’afore Clara would let you out of the kitchen. ”

“Well, I’m free now,” Tom sighed, bending to retrieve his hat and greatcoat. “You can show me which room I’m in, if you would,” he added, giving Anne a pointed glance only a moment before Bobby joined him.

Anne ducked around the corner, and then, when she heard Lord Ritchfield’s voice down the hall, she hurried into one of the guest bedchambers. She held her breath, hoping the commotion hadn’t attracted the master’s attention.

From the way he had been staring at Lady Ritchfield only a few moments earlier, she doubted he would have noticed. He was obviously besotted with his countess. His comment, You look surprised and rather lovely this evening , had come out sounding as if he might follow it up with a growl. Anne was sure he was about to tear her gown from her body and have his way with her right then and there.

She had escaped into the dressing room and scampered out of the connecting room as fast as she could.

Deciding she had waited long enough, she left the guest bedchamber and hurried up the stairs. Before she made it to the servants’ floor, Bobby reappeared at the top of the stairs. He stepped aside to allow her off the stairs.

“Good afternoon,” she said, giving him a nod.

“Afternoon,” he acknowledged. “Have you seen Christina?”

She paused and furrowed a brow. “Not since this morning,” she replied. “At breakfast.”

He allowed a grunt of thanks and hurried down the stairs.

Waiting until she was sure he was gone, Anne made her way down the corridor until she came to one of the servant’s rooms she knew was usually unoccupied. Knocking softly, she heard movement behind the wooden panel before it opened an inch.

“Yes?”

Anne blinked. “Christina? ”

The young woman opened the door wider. “Yes, it’s me,” she said in a whisper.

“Bobby was just looking for you,” Anne said, curious as to what the other housemaid was doing in the room Tom should have been in.

“I know,” she said on a sigh. “I just wanted an afternoon to myself,” Christina said, once again sighing as she moved to sit on the edge of the cot. It was obvious she had been napping.

“Well, if you’re in here, then where do you suppose Mr. Walker is?”

“He’s here?” Christina asked, her eyes widening in delight. “You must be so happy.”

Anne nodded, but she glanced around nervously. “I am, but I would be happier if I knew where he was.”

“Prob’ly in Bobby’s old room.”

Anne’s gaze darted to the side. “I thought this was Bobby’s old room,” she whispered.

“This is my old room,” Christina replied, grinning.

Confused, Anne asked, “Why didn’t Bobby try to find you in here?”

“Who says he didn’t?” Christina countered with a smirk. The two broke into a fit of giggles.

“I will leave you to your nap,” Anne said finally, rising from the edge of the cot. “But you should know the earl and countess just went down for their dinner. Ours won’t be long.”

“Promise you won’t tell Bobby?”

Anne turned and held up a pair of crossed fingers. “I promise,” she replied. She pulled the door shut behind her.

She would have gone to Bobby’s old room next, but Graves appeared at the top of the servants’ stairs. “Cook has the staff supper ready,” he said.

“Already?” Anne couldn’t help the sound of incredulousness in her voice .

“His lord and ladyship are back in residence, so our schedules will be a bit different this next fortnight,” Graves replied. “Might you know the whereabouts of Mrs. Ashton?”

Anne struggled to keep a straight face. “I do. I’ll let her know about supper,” she replied, sighing when she realized any other attempt to speak with Tom would have to wait until after supper.