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seemed frightened.
    Damn! He shouldn’t have kissed her, even though her reaction had surprised him. She’d seemed as taken as he was.
    They reached a rusty gate and he dismounted. With a firm shove, he pushed the bar locking the gate and opened it. Minnie rode through without a glance at him and, instead of waiting, she urged the mare into a canter toward the manor house.
    Gideon pulled himself into the saddle and extracted the leather thong from his windswept hair. Brushing it back with his hand, he fastened it again at his neck, then followed Minnie at a slow pace. No need to rush. He had to think.
    With her now resident, he had very little chance of discovering his grandfather’s secret. Certain the answers lay hidden in Bartholomew Walker’s study, he had to gain access to it. Soon.
    Outside the stables, Gideon watched John help her from the saddle. She nodded her thanks before almost running to the kitchen door.
    What was she running from? Him, or something else?
     
    The sun had moved westward, hanging low in the sky when finally the door to the parlor, where Gideon had made himself comfortable following the ride, opened.
    “Oh.” Minerva’s voice didn’t hide her surprise.
    Gideon rose, a book still open in his hand, and gave a curt bow. “Miss Goodridge.”
    She closed the door behind her and stood, arms crossed, glaring at him. “I thought you’d gone back to your friend’s manor.”
    He grinned, spreading his arms wide. “Apparently not.”
    “I thought you’d left after I made it clear that…” Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. “Erm.”
    “You made what clear?” His voice low, he cocked an eyebrow.
    The flush in her face deepened. “You know exactly what I mean, Lord Drake.”
    “Gideon.”
    “Pardon?” Her breathing increased.
    He couldn’t help but let his gaze roam over her rising and falling breasts, still confined inside the tight fitting riding jacket. “It’s Gideon, Minnie.”
    Minnie’s back straightened. “I can’t remember allowing you to use my given name.” The rising and falling grew quicker.
    Meeting her gaze, he snapped the book shut and dropped it onto the chair. “I’d say you have.”
    In three strides, he stood inches from her and grasped her hands firmly, not allowing her to withdraw. The stubborn set of her chin showed her apparent displeasure. His mouth quirked. Minerva Goodridge was utterly tempting when she was furious. He pulled her close.
    “I can always remind you…”
    Her intake of breath, breasts straining the tight fabric, sent heat coursing through his body. He swallowed and shifted his position, not wanting to scare her off. A flicker of shock in her eyes, she opened her mouth. His lips fastened on hers before she could speak.
    Her rigid body softened as he wove his arms around her narrow waist. Caressing her back, he deepened their kiss as he explored her mouth, tongues teasing in playful contest. He nipped her plump lips before leaving a trail of soft kisses down her delicate throat but the collar of her riding jacket put a stop to any further progress. Gideon swore softly before plundering her pliant mouth again.
    Minnie’s body relaxed into his, her curves pressing against him. God, she was unaware of what she was doing to him. Damn! He dragged himself away with a final soft kiss on her lips, keeping his arms loosely around her.
    “Do you remember now?”
    “Umm, I…” Flustered, she stepped back, and he let her go, ignoring the sudden sense of loss. With shaky hands, she patted her hair, pinning escaped strands into place. Her face a polite mask, she couldn’t meet his eyes. How endearing! So unlike the ladies who’d thrown themselves at him in London. So very much unlike Emmaline...
     

Chapter Six
     
    I think you should leave now.
    Minnie remembered her words to Gideon Drake as she pummeled the pillow into submission before lying back. Crossing her arms, she stared at the ceiling in the light of a solitary candle. How