Page 46 of No Ordinary Lady

He heard the distinct sound of a woman snicker, and he sat up to look around.

Marian was halfway up a ladder beside the door he’d come in through, a scrap of paper in her hand and a confused expression on her face.

He frowned. “What the devil are you doing up there?”

“Granny wanted a particular book.”

“What book is it?”

“I’m not sure I know. It’s written in Latin, and I can’t find anything that matches her description.”

Daniel groaned and went to hold the ladder. “Come down.”

“I’ll just be a moment longer,” Marian promised.

“I said come down at once.”

“Oh, very well. You don’t have cause to be cross with me. I’m just trying to do my job as Granny’s companion,” she promised.

He snatched the paper from her the minute her feet touched the floor, read the words neatly printed out, and then crushed it into a ball. “That’s not a book title.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a message for me.”

“Do you read Latin?”

“Yes, so I know you were sent on a fool’s errand.”

“Why would Granny do that?”

“Because when I want to escape company, I almost always come to the library to hide. It’s the last place anyone expects me to go.”

Marian looked confused. “What did the note say?”

He gulped. It had read kiss her, you fool. “I’d rather not say.”

Marian rubbed her brow hard. “Well, be that way. Do excuse me, my lord? I am expected back.”

Daniel caught her arm when she moved away, though. “Is something the matter?”

“A headache, but it’s nothing for you to worry about,” she blurted.

“Too much sun and champagne, perhaps,” he said softly, raising a hand to brush a damp lock of hair back from her flushed face.

Marian’s breath caught as she tracked his touch, and he allowed his hand to skim across her cheek, touch her shoulder, and come to a stop against her gloved fingers. Their fingers teased softly against each other’s, but they did not become entwined. “Or is it the tedium of being proper?”

“I’ve no idea what you mean,” she promised.

“I believe you do.” Daniel drew in a deep lungful of her scent and smiled at how much easier it was to be alone with someone like her. Someone he desired. Someone he wasn’t trying to impress. “Drink some plain water and go sit in a dark, quiet room for twenty minutes at least. It will help tremendously.”

“I can’t. I’m expected back with a book that doesn’t exist,” Marian said, wide-eyed and staring at his lips.

Daniel smiled and then studied the books on the shelf behind Marian’s head. He wanted to kiss her that very moment, but the anticipation heating the air between them was just as good.

He pulled a book from the shelf. “Give her this one instead,” he murmured, holding it out to her. “It’s more suitable for the occasion.”

Marian held it against her chest. “What is it about?”