Chapter 14

"You're spoiling me rotten, you know," Shelby said as she sat cross-legged on a plush Persian carpet while Noel carefully combed the tangles from her wet hair.

"Yeah, but I'm having fun doing it." He paused while she took the last sip of her hot tea. As soon as she set the cup down, he resumed his task.

A tea tray had appeared on the table while they'd luxuriated in the tub. It had been a tight fit for two, but being snuggled up against Noel's broad chest and having him wash every inch of her skin had been wonderful. After the bath, they'd wrapped up in their robes and sprawled on the rug in front of the fire with the tea tray and gobbled down scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream - or so Noel had told her - before he'd picked up the comb and told her to turn around.

"So, are you going to see your mother for Christmas?"

She was so relaxed from the bath and the food and so soothed by his hands on her hair that she'd almost dozed off. As it was, it took her a minute to shake her head and answer, "No. My mother is in Europe somewhere, I think. Or maybe it's the Caribbean. I can never keep track. She goes through boyfriends like water, but they're always rich enough to take her places. Sometimes she remembers to send me a postcard."

"Oh baby, I'm sorry," he said, pushing her hair aside to drop a kiss at the sensitive point where her neck met her shoulder. "I don't understand how she can miss seeing what a treasure she has in you."

"I quit worrying about it years ago," she lied, touched by his concern. "It just is what it is. I have a good life, all on my own." Even if it was lonely as hell some days.

"You've sure accomplished a lot," he agreed. He worked out the last tangle before setting the comb aside. "I've heard rumors about you being made director of the accounting department when Hawkins retires next year. Now sit with your back to the fire until it dries. We don't want you catching cold."

"I'll be fine." She turned, leaning up to kiss his chin as she did. "Healthy as a horse, that's me. I have to admit, I've been getting a good, solid workout. I bet I'll sleep like a rock tonight."

His sultry grin made her mouth go dry. "I think we can make sure of that. I can't seem to stop wanting you, Miss Shelby Carter. There's so much more to you than the shy little accountant I met in the office."

"Whereas you live up to your playboy reputation very nicely," she teased. "To my immense satisfaction. This weekend's going to be an education for me, if nothing else." Keep it light, keep it easy. If she chanted that refrain in her head often enough, maybe it would sink in.

Noel paused with his mouth half open, as if he'd been about to say something, but stopped. He shook his head. "I'm going to run down and get the rest of our stuff from the library and maybe a book to read for a while. You want me to grab you something?"

Shelby thought a moment then nodded. "There are a couple of ledgers on the desk - household accounts from the 1850s and '60s. I'd planned to take a closer look at those, just for the fun of it."

He raised one eyebrow and his upper lip twitched. "Account ledgers. For fun." His chest shook with suppressed laughter.

Shelby grinned and shrugged. "I'm a nerd. Sue me."

"Hmm." He pretended to consider something before shaking his head. "Nope. I'd still rather kiss you, nerdiness and all." He leaned over, kissed her and scrambled to his feet. "Back in a bit." Moving swiftly, he disappeared out the door.

Good grief, she was in way over her head. While he was gone, she decided clothes might help her maintain her emotional distance. She put on clean underclothes, reluctantly putting on the least-restrictive-looking of the corsets. This one laced up the front, so she could tighten it just enough for support. She'd been feeling really odd running around without a bra. Best of all, she found a dress that was loose enough to go over her barely laced stays. The soft green wool had long sleeves and a high neck. The bodice buttoned up the front, so she could dress without help. She didn't bother with petticoats or hoops. Enough was enough.

By the time Noel reappeared, she was sitting in the wing chair she'd pulled up by the fire, fully clothed except for shoes.

"Take away all my fun, why don't you?" he said with a good-natured leer. "Oh fine, clothing it is." He handed her the ledgers then moved off to the dressing room, returning in his wool slacks, linen shirt and a woolen sweater - maybe the kind men used to wear for playing tennis or cricket. Drawing the other chair up across from her, he settled in with a book of his own. They passed away the next few hours in the most companionable silence Shelby could ever recall.

Was this what it would be like to live with someone? To be so comfortable just being together that words weren't necessary? It had never been like that for her mother and any of her boyfriends, not that Shelby could recall. Still, none of those men had been like Noel. Was it possible...?

Keep it light, silly girl. Keep it easy. Don't get your heart broken.