Games (Timeless Series) (15 page)

“Friday would be fine,” she replied while shaking grass off her habit
.

He strode to her horse and waited until she came to stand
next to him, before helping her mount. After she was seated, he went back to retrieve the blanket.

“W
ould you like to stay for dinner,” Giselle asked him as he was mounting. “The Thorpes are in Louisville, so it will be just the two of us, with Minnie and Maizie of course. Oh, and Colin has a guest staying at the house.”

As the two rode in the direction of the stables, he replied, his voice full of regret, “I’d love nothing better than to stay, but I’m meeting my mother and her fiancé for dinner
. Maybe we can do it next Friday?”

She smiled
in relief. Thank God for Mrs. Tyler’s dependence on her son. The woman provided an excellent solution to her dilemma this evening. She wondered how she’d get through the evening if he’d actually accepted her invitation. Having both Simon and Bradford together at dinner, without the Thorpes to act as a buffer, would have been very awkward.

For the rest of the ride Giselle remained mute, her good spirits replaced with fee
lings of regret and realization—regret that she would have to do something about Bradford, and realization that she would have to do it soon.

A
t the stables, both dismounted and Jake took their horses.

Those
feelings were reinforced as she walked with Bradford to his horse tethered to the post in front of the house. Before stepping into his stirrups, he hesitated. Then he pulled Giselle into his arms and kissed her.

Caught off guard by his fervent manner, she responded in kind
.

He lifted his head, releasing her lips
. “Like I said earlier, I’m giving you fair warning,” he whispered confidently. “I’m not one to give up easily, Giselle. I want you and I will have you. I will be your future husband. I’ll see you next Friday at two o’clock sharp.”

Speechless, Giselle could only watch while he mounted his horse and rode away in the direction of the main road.

When she turned to go into the house, she noticed Simon standing several feet away. From his stance, it was obvious he’d seen and heard everything.

She ran up the porch
steps and said over her shoulder in an irritated voice, “Still spying, Simon?”

“Hey, this was another situation born of circumstances,”
he said, catching up with her. “I’m innocent…was merely on my way from the stables to the house. What you do with Bradford is your business.”

At the door, she stopped before opening it
.

“That
is right!” she said a little too abruptly, turning back to him. “This is my business and I would appreciate it if you would stay out of it.” She then sped into the house, upset for several reasons, the biggest being the man behind her.

The fact that he’d witnessed something she wished he hadn’t was not helping her mood
. She raced up to her room, slamming the door on her way to her bed.

~~

Simon stood at the bottom of the stairs, observing the display with a curious expression sliding over his face.

“Mr. Harrington? I’m Minnie Young,” a voice broke in
. “Gus told me to make sure you were comfortable. I had a maid open one of the guest rooms upstairs. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”

“Thank you
.” He turned his attention to the dour-looking woman standing in front of him. “I would like to freshen up.”

“We eat at
seven in the dining room,” she went on while walking, heading up the stairs. “Dinner is usually a formal affair. The Thorpes won’t be here, so Giselle will act as hostess.”

“That will be fine,” Simon said distractedly, following slowly behind her
. “I have work to do before dinner.”

“Here is your room
.” She stopped about halfway down the hallway and opened a door, waiting for him to catch up. “You may use the library, if you’d like, sir.” When he raised his eyebrows in question, she added, “For your work, I mean.”

He
came to a halt in front of the room. “Please call me Simon,” he said, using his most charming voice and flashing her his most disarming smile. He held out his hand and waited until she placed her fingers in his grasp, before bringing them to his lips for a quick kiss.

“You sir, are a flirt,” Minnie replied, blushing, apparently not immune to his ploys
.

“Guilty as charged,” he countered, keeping his smile in place
. “You can still call me Simon.”

“If I were but thirty years younger, I’d take you up on your charm.”

“Surely you’re jesting?” He placed his hand over his heart, acting shocked.

“That one earned you the right to call me Minnie
.” Her laugh took on a girlish quality, clearly saying she relished each word.

“Why, where did this fine
-looking gentleman come from?”

Simon glanced toward
the voice as a woman who looked to be Minnie’s twin walked up.

“Oh, Maizie, come meet Mr. Harrington.” Turning from her sister to him, a flush of color rose from Minnie’s neck to her forehead and she stammered, “I mean Simon
. Gus just informed me he’ll be staying with us for a while.”

“And who is this lovely creature?” Simon bowed and smiled, pouring the same charm on Maizie
.

“Oh
, go on with you,” Maizie gushed, blushing profusely and slapping at his arm, no more immune to his ploys than her sister. “You’re a brazen one.”

Enjoying the women’s reactions, Simon shot back, “Brazen enough to spot two pretty ladies and realize how lucky I am to be able to have dinner with them.”

“Oh my. He is a charmer, isn’t he, Minnie?”

“Yes, he’s already earned the right to call me Minnie,” she said, chuckling
. “I take it he’s also earned the right to call you Maizie.”

“Yes, definitely
.” Maizie smiled warmly, transforming her face from a dour-looking horse to an almost attractive woman. She held out her hand. “I’m Maizie Young, Mr. Harrington.”

Grinning, Simon brought her fingers to his lips, kissing them as he’d done Minnie’s, and then after releasing her hand, he murmured, “
It’s Simon.”

Maizie
smoothed back imaginary stray hairs on her head, patting her tight bun and clearing her throat, appearing totally flustered. Simon’s eyes held hers and her blush deepened. When she could finally get the words out, she said, “Well, Simon. I see Minnie has you all taken care of. I look forward to seeing you at dinner.”

“Until then, ladies
.” Simon bowed. “If you will excuse me, I think I’ll go and freshen up before I get to work.”

The two women stood, silently watching him enter his room and close his door.

~~

“Now there goes a charmer,” Minnie said.

Yes.” Maizie gazed at the door and answered with a dreamy expression in her eyes, “A true gentleman. They don’t make them like that anymore.”

Minnie laughed
. “No, they don’t and it’s just as well. We wouldn’t know what to do with him. So it’s also just as well he’s too young for us.”

Simon’s exploits gave the
two women fodder for discussion—enough to keep them talking for the rest of the afternoon.

Simon used the time between freshening up and dinner to work in the library, mostly reviewing the information Caroline Hillier had given him
. From her ledgers, he was able to discern seven men who merited checking out. He was in the process of writing out his list of names when the door opened.

Glancing up from the desk, his breath caught in his throat at the goddess
before him, wearing some silky red confection and appearing to be the most feminine beauty he’d ever seen. His gaze wouldn’t budge as she floated over to the bookshelf.

Absorbed in browsing,
Giselle didn’t notice him. Simon lounged back in the chair, totally mesmerized, unable to look away. He cleared his throat and finally found his voice. “Dare I hope I’m the cause for such an occasion?”

Startled out of her thoughts, Giselle turned
toward the desk, her eyes big as saucers, confusion taking over her expression. “What are you talking about?”

“I see you take dressing for dinner seriously
. I’d like to think I’m the reason.”

His meaning hit her, exposed
in the smile lighting her face. “Surely you flatter yourself, Simon.” Amusement resonated clearly in every syllable. “I dress for dinner every night. I refuse to dress down just because you are here. My sister creates the most spectacular gowns and I love to wear them.”

“I see
.” He allowed his gaze a slow journey over her body, starting at the top of her head, traveling downward before moving back up and meeting her eyes. Simon’s grin was quick as he added, “So I’m not someone you’re trying to lure into your net tonight by wearing that confection?”

Her spontaneous giggle
broke free. “
Non
, Simon.”

“It’s good you’re not using the strategy
, because it wouldn’t work.”

“Well
, rest assured I am not trying to lure you anywhere, so you are safe from me.” A slight blush of pink moved up her face, enchanting him, when she added with an impish gleam, “If you want, I will even sit far away from you so you will not be tempted.”

He chuckled
. “A worse solution if I were bent on being lured, because then you’d more likely be stuck in my line of vision.”

“Well then, perhaps you
would like to eat with the servants. I am sure they would be less distracting.” Then, in a thoroughly dismissive move, she picked up a book, glided over to a sofa about ten feet away, and sat. She made herself comfortable. After opening her book, she began to read, completely ignoring him.

S
econds ticked by as Simon watched her. Amused…at first. One minute led to two…then three…eventually leading to a dozen full minutes. The entire time he tried to focus on his work, yet the distraction of Giselle wearing the silk creation was too much. For a quarter of an hour he fought a mental battle. Finally, he asked with no attempt to keep his exasperation out of his tone, “What are you doing?”

She glanced
up. “What do you mean, what am I doing? I should think it is obvious. I am reading.”

“I’m trying to work here,” he said in hopes of getting rid of her
. “Can’t you read somewhere else?”

“
I always read in here before dinner.” She gave an unconcerned shrug. “It is a big room. I do not see a problem. You are not bothering me.” She stopped and thought a full minute, then grinned. “Oh, I comprehend. I am bothering you! I did not realize how distracting someone who is reading can be.” She stopped again, and this time when she continued, her grin spread from ear to ear. “Still, I am not leaving.” Her attention returned to her book, as if to dismiss him entirely from her mind.

Simon eyed her intently before eventually leaning back in his chair and drumming his fingers on the desk
. He scowled, not liking the fact that this bit of muslin could sit in front of him so calmly reading while his mind wouldn’t shut down. Her dress had his imagination working overtime. Only one thought kept coming up again and again—how long would it take to get her out of it.

He closed his eyes and sighed, rubbing his temple
, wishing he’d stayed in Washington. In frustration, he wiped his face with his hands before chancing another glance at Giselle. Her expression hadn’t changed and she seemed engrossed in her book.

He got up from the desk and went over to the liquor cabinet
. After taking out a glass, he poured himself a generous drink. When he turned back around, he noticed Giselle watching him.

“Would you care to join me?”
He held the glass up, his eyebrows slanting in question.

“Yes, please
. I would love a glass of sherry.” She smiled sweetly.

Simon grunted and rolled his eyes
. Shaking his head, he poured the drink.

After handing off her drink, he sat down next to her, crowding her
, sinking into the cushions as if totally relaxed, and took a liberal drink.

“What are you doing?”

Not missing the note of horror in her voice, Simon grinned into his glass as he brought it to his lips again. He mimicked her questioning look and said, “What do you mean? I should think it’s obvious. I’m enjoying my drink.”

Color
rose to her cheeks. She indicated the desk with a nod. “Can you not do it over there?”

“Why?
You’re not bothering me. I’m comfortable here. It’s a big sofa.” He waited for a handful of heartbeats before adding, “I’m not bothering you, am I?”

“
Non
.” Her laugh was a little too contrived when she denied this, though. “You are right. It is a big sofa.”