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And may I ask if you have come up with any solution to my predicament?”
“I’ve given it some thought, but I can’t think straight right now. The best I can say is, let’s wait until Mrs. Williams comes home.”
“And where may I ask is she?”
“Brighton.”
“Oh, Brighton, such a gay spot.”
Deana didn’t want to tell him that adjective had an entirely different meaning these days. She saw him looking at her again.
“Yes, I am sure the Prince Regent is there. Does Mrs. Williams know the Prince personally?”
“I’m sure she knows of him, but they’re not personal friends.”
“You know, I met him on a few occasions. He can be rather odd, but a good sort, nevertheless.”
“I’m sure Mrs. Williams will know what to do with you as soon as she gets back. In fact, she should be home in about four days.”
“Four days, Madam. I have to stay with you and the imps for four whole days?”
“I can assure you, the im…my children will behave themselves. Plus, I’ll make sure they stay out of your way.”
“I hope so. I have never been fond of children.”
He broke into a yawn.
“You must be tired,” said Deana, seeing him stretch his arms into the air. The T-shirt went further up his stomach and Deana couldn’t help but notice what firm muscles he had. He must have been in great shape before he died, she thought. And he’d obviously been returned to his former splendor when the children brought him back.
Oh, this was all too crazy to even be thinking about. Dead man, attractive man, an attractive man that had been brought back into her home. She took a deep breath. Maybe he would go to sleep and return to his eternal slumber, problem solved.
“I’ll show you the spare room where you can get some sleep.”
She turned and left the room. She sensed he was now close behind her and watching her every move. She just hoped he wouldn’t see the lights, or hear the telephone ring, for that matter. She could imagine how he was going to react when he knew the whole story.
She started to go up the stairs and glanced behind her. She saw him casually straightening all the paintings on the wall. She took him along to one of the rooms at the front of the house. She almost turned on the light switch, but then took her hand away from the plate. Luckily it was still light outside.
She saw him looking at the furnishings.
“I’ll try and find you something to sleep in.”
“Do not worry about that, Madam. I prefer to sleep as nature intended us to.”
Fortunately, the bed was already made up. She walked over to the window and opened it slightly to let in some air. Deana then pulled the curtains across but kept a small gap between them. She knew if enough natural light filtered into the room, she wouldn’t have to turn on any lights.
“I’ll say good night to you now, Sir Ian.”
“Good night, Madam.”
She almost jumped back again when he grabbed her arm.
“I can imagine how frightening I must appear to you. Let me assure you, Madam, that I will not harm you.”
He lifted the back of her hand up to his mouth. He kissed it gently and let it linger under his lips while he looked her in the eyes.
Deana pulled it away. Most women probably would, because the thought of a previously dead man kissing any part of their body would be creepy. But that wasn’t why she wanted to pull away from him. She was getting the wobbly legs again, just like when she’d first set eyes on him.
This was ridiculous. She was a grown woman with two teenagers. And here she was, acting like she was back in high school, swooning over the class heartthrob.
“Good night, Sir Ian.”
