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house.
    Anne checked to make sure her locket was tucked safely into the bodice of her gown. She knew she would have an extra second or two to prepare as Lord Dravenwood approached the painting at the end of the gallery. No man had ever made it past Angelica Cadgwyck without slowing to pay homage. Still, she couldn’t resist rolling her eyes when his footsteps paused at the top of the stairs. He was doubtlessly searching Angelica’s exquisite face, trying to determine if the arrival of dawn had broken the spell she had cast over him in the night.
    By the time he started down the last flight of stairs, Anne was standing at the foot of them, her hands clasped in front of her as she dutifully awaited her master’s pleasure.
    Or displeasure, it would seem, judging by the way he was glowering at her from beneath his thick, darkbrows. Shadows brooded beneath his eyes, making it look as if he’d slept little. Or perhaps not at all. Anne pressed her lips together to suppress a smirk of triumph.
    Perhaps only one night at Cadgwyck was enough to make him realize his mistake in coming here. With any luck, he was coming down to inquire just how quickly she could arrange for his passage back to London. That would be one order she would hasten to obey.
    Stepping off the last stair, he scowled at the frozen hands of the longcase clock. “How is one ever supposed to know what time it is around here? Make a note to get the bloody thing fixed.” He must have seen her eyes widen for he shifted his scowl to her. “I hope you’re not easily offended by the occasional oath. I’m afraid I spent more of my career with the East India Company in the presence of ruffians than ladies.”
    “Ah, but I’m no lady,” she gently reminded him. “I’m your housekeeper. And I do believe the clock is quite beyond repair. From what I understand, it hasn’t worked since the night . . .”
    As she trailed off, he arched one eyebrow in a silent demand for her to continue.
    She sighed sadly, seeking only to whet his curiosity. “For a very long time.”
    His thoughtful grunt warned her he wasn’t satisfied with her answer, but was willing to content himself with it. For now.
    “I trust you slept well?” she offered, watching his face carefully.
    “As well as can be expected in an unfamiliar bed. Although you’d think by now I would be accustomed to sleeping in strange beds.”
    Now it was her turn to arch an eyebrow at him.
    A glimmer of unexpected amusement warmed his cool gray eyes. “My position on the Court of Directors of the Company required a great deal of travel. To climes far more inhospitable than this one.” He peered around the drafty entrance hall, the lines bracketing his mouth deepening a degree. “Although that might be hard to imagine.”
    “How very fortunate you were! Most people around here will go their entire lives without ever traveling more than a league away from the patch of ground where they were born.”
    “I never cared for it. I’ve always been a man who preferred the simple charms of hearth and home to the unpredictability of the unknown.”
    “So will your lady be joining us at Cadgwyck Manor after you’re properly settled in?” Anne carefully inquired.
    A fresh shadow crossed his face. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until he said shortly,“I have no lady.” He reached up to give the stubble darkening his jaw a rueful stroke. “At the moment I find myself more in need of a valet.”
    His current appearance certainly lacked the polished edges expected of a gentleman. His wavy, dark hair was tousled as if he’d raked his fingers through it instead of a brush. He had taken enough care to don a claret waistcoat of watered silk and a black coat, but he wore no cravat. His shirt was laid open at the collar to reveal the strong masculine lines of his throat.
    Something about his artless disarray made Anne suddenly feel as if her own collar were choking her. She touched a hand to her throat