“ROSE, DON’T!” Lily admonished in a whisper.
“Whyever not? It’s a kind gesture to see to a guest’s welfare.” Ignoring her sister, Rose knocked on the door. “Lord Randal?” She raised her voice—and an Ashcroft’s raised voice was no timid thing, living as they did with the half-deaf earl. “Lord Randal, are you quite all right? Will you be needing anything more this evening?”
Lily huffed, then caught her breath when the door suddenly swung open. Rand stood there in shirtsleeves, and those rolled up. His forearms looked a healthy brown. The top of his shirt was unlaced as well, revealing a bronzed triangle of skin.
How was it that a professor saw the sun? Didn’t academics spend their days secluded in research?
Once again, she found herself staring. Although he was handsome—arresting, even—his wasn’t a pretty face. The jaw was a mite too strong, the nose too long, the brows too heavy and straight. But there was something about those eyes, that smile…
“Yes?” he said, amusement in his gaze as he examined her quite as boldly as she’d been examining him.
She released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I—”
“I only wanted to inquire as to your welfare,” Rose hurried to put in, so quickly Lily wondered if she sensed something between the two of them.
“I’m quite fine,” he said, stepping closer to the doorway.
A cloud of scent moved with him. Not a subtle cloud. “Have you been testing Mum’s perfumes?” Rose wrinkled her nose. “I apologize, my lord. Evidently one of my mother’s creations is less than pleasing.”
Very tactful wording for Rose, Lily thought with admiration. She really seemed to be watching herself in this quest to win Rand for a husband.
He waved a hand, releasing another burst of cloying fragrance. “Oh, I’ve quite enjoyed the perfumes,” he assured them.
“I expect you have,” Lily said, biting her lip to stifle the smile that threatened. It wasn’t a bad bottle, if she didn’t miss her guess, but rather an unfortunate mixture of several. “How many scents have you sampled?”
“All of them,” he said blithely, rubbing his jaw, then sniffing his fingers. He stepped back, perhaps belatedly realizing he reeked. “I suppose that wasn’t such a good idea?”
“One doesn’t mix fragrances. That’s the perfumer’s job,” Rose informed him, sounding both intelligent and instructor-like.
A professor should admire that tone, Lily thought.
But he only shrugged. “I did it rather absently, I expect. My mind was elsewhere.”
His eyes met Lily’s, implying exactly where his mind had been.
“I…I must see to my animals before bed,” she stammered, feeling her cheeks heat. Wondering if that was because of his hot gaze or her mention of the word bed, she hoped he hadn’t noticed her blush. “Shall I order you up a bath first?”
Judging from the way Rand’s lips curved—knowingly—he’d noticed. “I expect that would be an excellent idea.”
“Go ahead, Lily,” Rose said. “Your menagerie needs attending.” She waved a graceful arm. “I’ll wait here until the bath arrives, so I can see to Lord Randal’s comfort.”
He looked amused at that, as though Rose was so transparent he could see right through her. “I can see to my own comfort,” he said dryly. “But I thank you ladies for your kindness.”
Then he caught Lily’s gaze and grinned before shutting the door, leaving both girls outside.