Courting Trouble by Jenny Schwartz Page A

bring all my clothes here. I have told him.”
    “I have told her she must not steal anything from you or yours,” Gupta said with surprising sternness.
    Lajli pulled a face. “I would not do so. I am a guest in a grand house. I know how to behave.”
    Jed took the packet of papers from the inner pocket of his jacket. “Esme and I are about to study these. You can join us, if you choose.”
    Gupta backed away. “I m-must collect Lajli’s belongings.”
    “Me, I am going to have a bath. I have never seen such a bathroom. There is running water, hot water, many bath oils, mirrors.”
    Gupta pulled her out of the room, scandalized at her improper conversation. He forgot to close the door, came back and shut it with a little bang behind them.
    “Finally.” Jed smiled crookedly. “Alone at last. Perhaps I shouldn’t complain at Gupta’s timing. There is something I must explain before I kiss you.”
    “Explain quickly,” she invited boldly.
    “To Hades with explanations.” He caught her hands.
    The door opened. Maud walked in, followed by a maid pushing a tea trolley.
    “Frogs’ fine feathers!” Jed released Esme, pushed his hands in his pockets and stalked to the window.
    “It is time for morning tea.” Maud looked suspiciously from Esme to Jed, then busied herself setting out the tea. “Past time.”
    “We’re working on a project related to Lajli’s visit,” Esme said. The difficulty with employing servants who were also friends was that one had to explain oneself. Haughty orders would be offensive and hurtful—and doubtless, not heeded. “Can you please tell Francis that no one is to be admitted to the house—and that goes for the kitchen, too. Oh, and send a message to Owens. We need him and Brutus.”
    “We’re circling the wagons,” Jed said.
    “Pardon?” Esme glanced at him. Heavens, but he was handsome. Strong, intelligent. A shiver snaked down her spine. She wanted the kiss he’d promised her. She wished she could push Maud and the maid out of the library and lock the door. Instead, she had to control her demanding passions and pretend the very air didn’t vibrate with their almost-kiss.
    “Never mind. It’s an American saying. The wagon trains that traveled west used to arrange themselves into circles when they felt an attack was likely.”
    “An attack? Gracious me.” Maud put a hand to her ample bosom.
    “Jed wasn’t speaking literally. Lajli is having trouble with a man. He’s clever and he could try anything, so we won’t trust anyone who calls without an invitation, most especially if they’re strangers.”
    “Heavens.” Maud shooed the wide-eyed maid out of the library and unpacked the tea trolley herself. “I wish your father were here, or Captain Fellowes.”
    “Uncle Henry is expected back any day,” Esme said. “He prides himself on keeping the Athena to schedule.”
    “Although it’s not like they could have prevented you offering refuge to this Lajli, who is no better than she should be. You’ve always been one to leap into trouble.” Maud placed a plate of brandy snaps filled with cream on the table beside a fruitcake, added a plate stacked high with shortbread and pushed the empty trolley out of the room. She paused in the doorway. “This door stays open.”
    “Yes, Maud.” Esme saw Jed’s lips twitching into a wry grin. “Be careful, you, or I’ll pour you a cup of tea.”
    “Threats, sweetheart?” A dedicated coffee drinker, Jed walked over to the coffee geyser that occupied a low shelf on the far wall and started the automated process that would grind the beans and ultimately produce a jet of steaming coffee.
    Until the process finished, the noise blocked out any possibility of conversation.
    Esme looked at the open library door, sighed and poured herself a cup of tea. She carried it over to her desk, swept up the pamphlets and political notes scattered over the polished jarrah surface, and tucked them into a drawer. From another drawer, she