to the door, to take her in his arms. It was the last thing she needed. A scuffle with Edward Donnington would be sure to rouse the household and Seth in particular. Her humiliation was something she didn’t wish him to witness. It would be bad enough facing him tomorrow morning when she’d be honor bound to tell him the truth of where she’d been.
As she stood still, her heart hammering, the hall was suddenly flooded with light. Seth was there, by the library door.
“Oh it’s you, I thought…” But he didn’t finish his statement.
Turning from his stare, she turned the key in the lock, retrieving it before turning back again.
“Did you think it was Jasmine?”
He hesitated. “Yes,” he murmured eventually.
“I’m sorry to be a disappointment.”
“I didn’t say you were that,” he said, “actually I thought I heard Edward’s car. It has a particular roar.”
“Mm. Well it was him. He took me to the Fox and Goose for dinner.”
Seth leaned now against the architrave, casually folding his arms across his chest.
“How nice of him.”
Daring herself, Poppy swept deeper into the hall, going towards the staircase, lingering when she reached it, her hand hugging the carved banister. “The food was delicious.”
“Yes, they have a reputation for that.”
Suddenly an alarm rang in her head. He’d said he recognized Edward Donnington’s car and assumed he’d be dropping off Jasmine. She’d not picked that up right away, too concerned with finding out if he was disappointed with her announcement or not.
“Does she see a lot of Edward—Jasmine, I mean?”
“I know who you mean. If you ask her she’ll say no, if you ask anyone around here they’ll tell you different. Personally I couldn’t care less. I just wish she’d make up her mind.”
“About what?”
“Leaving.”
“With him?”
Seth shrugged. “Who knows? Anyway, now’s not the time for that kind of conversation.”
“I’m not tired; we could talk if you like.”
“It’s not fair to you but if you’d like a drink come and be my guest.”
She swallowed, hesitated and then decided it could do no harm. Seth pushed open the library door; the blazing fire warmed her as soon as she set foot on the Persian carpet. It was a fabulous room, lined with books, tables and comfy chairs. There was a computer; Seth had obviously been working, there were books open on the desk, as well as a mound of paper.
“Would you like a brandy? I was just going to have one, or perhaps some wine?”
“Brandy would be lovely.”
She took the red leather armchair by the fire. He brought her a snifter of the dark golden liquid, putting it on the occasional table at her side. In moments he joined her, sitting in the chair opposite her, swirling the glowing liquid around in the glass.
Poppy took a sip of brandy; it was fiery but delicious, sending a ray of warmth right down her throat and into her stomach. It was very good brandy but then she hadn’t expected anything different.
“Sorry, would you like some soda?”
“I think so,” she replied and smiled. He left his chair, sauntered to the table where there were bottles of spirits.
“Half and half?” he asked, soda siphon in hand.
“Yes please. That first sip was deliciously warming but any more of the straight stuff and I’ll be legless.”
He smiled. “There you go…” He put the glass down.
They sat in silence for long moments, only the crackling of the fire disturbing the peace. Surprisingly it wasn’t uncomfortable.
Seth stretched his long legs. He appeared very relaxed. Sipping his brandy, he glanced her, his eyes lingering on her dark blonde hair. She wondered if it was disturbed, if it looked as if a man had run his hands through it. Urgently she ran her hands over it. By the time she’d finished Seth had looked away.
Damn it but just what is he thinking?
“You’re pretty secretive, you know.”
“Am I?” He was amused; his voice was full of warmth.
“Yes,