Chapter Five

L ord Tobias Moran

The steady rain tapping against the window created a pleasing cadence. Standing at the boxing bag that I had installed in my office, I lifted my gloved hands and hit with my left, then right. After my uncle forced us out of our home, I was lost and angry. Ash’s father had read my frustration and introduced me to boxing. Since then, I relied on the physical activity to cope with my everyday stressors.

I developed a steady rhythm that correlated with the rain, the physical activity soothing to my mind. Once Ash and I had ended our affair, I tried to keep my distance from his family for both of our sakes.

The bag swung back, and I hit it harder. Since my engagement ended a month ago, I had thrown myself into work. Elizabeth’s betrayal still stung. A butcher’s widow, she had been pushing me for ages to propose, and when I finally did, she ended up marrying that sod of an officer.

The dull thud of my fists echoed in the quiet room. I shifted on my feet, putting more energy into every punch. Her excuse was that I didn’t pay her enough attention. Granted, I spent long hours reading and editing manuscripts in lieu of attending boring social events. If my uncle hadn’t disowned my father and I had taken my place in society, my entire existence would have been one party after another. A useless waste of time, in my opinion.

A noise from the door leading to the back stairwell and into my office caught my ear and I angled my neck, glancing at the clock. It was too early for Mrs. Worth, and even if it were she, the outer door was locked, thus she had no way of getting into the building. Perhaps it was Ash?

Muffled voices sounded, along with feminine laughter. My pulse instantly picked up and not from boxing. I had an erotic dream about her last night. I scowled at my own fickleness. Ash was to blame. He put the thought of bedding her into my brain. Except that wasn’t true. I had considered an affair with her the moment I met her.

“Thank you for letting me in. I know I am early, but I am an early riser, you see.” Mrs. Worth walked through the door. After she’d left the office the previous day, I had hoped that she would come back, ready to work. Although she wasn’t tall, she filled the room without even knowing.

Mrs. Paul, the bookshop owner, stayed in the stairwell.

“You are very welcome, Mrs. Worth.” Mrs. Paul was an elderly woman, plump with steel grey hair and a ready smile. “I am sure Mr. Moran will give you a set of keys of your own. He is a very kind and courteous gentleman.”

I muffled a laugh at her pronouncement. Mrs. Paul always saw the good in everyone and despite how taciturn I had become after having my heart broken, she still had nice things to say about me.

“That is not what Mr. Moran says about himself.” Mrs. Worth wasn’t as restrained, her robust laughter drifted throughout the room. She removed her gloves. Her curvaceous figure was draped in a grey dress, her hips rounded under the wool material. She hadn’t seen me yet, and I was more curious than I should be to hear what else she might say. “He is a curmudgeon by his own admission.”

“Oh pish-posh, he says that, but watch what he does, not what he says, and you will do fine,” Mrs. Paul said. She had been a good friend to my father and was invaluable in promoting my books in her store. In the neighborhood, we watched out for each other. “Good luck, lassie. I must get back to my grandchildren. Come down to the shop at lunch. I will save you a piece of my mincemeat pie.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Paul. That is very kind of you.” Mrs. Worth removed her hat to expose light brown hair pulled back in a sensible style. The mass looked thick and shiny in the golden light that had begun filtering through the window. I wanted to look away, but I watched her every move. She shut the door and put her hands on her hips before turning her head in my direction.

Eyes widening at the sight of me, she let loose a tiny shriek, her hands flying to her chest. Her very plump chest that, I had tossed and turned all night imagining bared to my gaze. “Mr. Moran, you scared me.”

“Apparently so.” My nipples constricted, and my pulse continued its mad beat. I forced my gaze to stay on her face and greeted her with a smile that I was certain came off more like a grimace. She was my secretary, yet I wasn’t sure why, but the heaviness I had carried a few minutes before seemed lifted by her presence.

“Beg pardon. I was early, and the door was locked, and Mrs. Paul was kind enough to let me in.” Mrs. Worth lowered her lashes, her gaze sweeping down my torso. I realized, too late, I was still in an undressed state. A blush pinked her face, and she turned on her heel, her back to me. “I will leave and come back—”

“—don’t be ridiculous. The door to the reception area is right in front of you.” Ignoring my own physical reaction to her impromptu inspection of my person, I pointed to the door leading into the main office until I realized she couldn’t see me. I eyed the distance from her to my chair. I had no way of covering up my naked chest to soothe her sensibilities as my shirt still lay on my desk.

“Yes, indeed it is.” Her voice carried a noticeable tremor. To find her new employer half-dressed must be a shock for an upright woman. Knowing that many men would take advantage of a woman as pretty as she, my stomach sank at the possible implications. As a widow in an unprotected state, chances were she had been targeted by unscrupulous men. I didn’t want her to think I was that kind of man.

She went to the door and laid her hand on the knob. Her slender back remained stiff, revealing her upset. The fact she didn’t rush out the door was promising. She was a sensible sort, one I hoped would hear me out.

“Give me thirty minutes, and then we can review your duties.” My words came out in a rush, and I cursed the panic in my voice. The morning hadn’t quite gone as planned. I wished I could see her expression to determine how shaken she truly was. My shoulders slumped, and I pushed the gloves more fully onto my hands. If she was still here after I washed up and made myself presentable, that would be a plus.

My record with secretaries wasn’t a positive one. While I was disappointed each time it didn’t work out, I had high hopes for Mrs. Worth. Life had taught me not to get my hopes up. Where she was concerned, it was too late.