From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace novel Chapter 70

Adolphus met Laurinda’s shining eyes and took the keys from her hand. He bent down, his voice soft by her ear. “Give me two minutes. I just need to talk to them, then we can go.”

Laurinda nodded and stood quietly in the hallway. The others, still buzzing from their victory, lingered nearby, watching her.

Under their stares, Laurinda felt a little awkward. She turned to them and said, “Congratulations. You pulled off the rescue.”

One of them spoke up. “We should be thanking you. Really, thank you for your help.”

Together, they snapped to attention and saluted her in perfect unison.

Adolphus came out just in time to see it. He grinned. “Late-night snacks are on me tonight. Sam’s covering the bill.”

Sam, trailing behind, started to protest but gave up with a sigh, watching as Adolphus took Laurinda’s hand and led her away.

In the car, neither said a word about what happened at the station. The silence stretched all the way to the estate, comfortable and a little expectant.

When they finally pulled up, they glanced at each other and shared a quiet smile. Laurinda unbuckled her seatbelt, her hand resting on the door.

“So, are you staying over or heading back?” she asked.

Adolphus hadn’t planned on staying, but now that he was here, the idea of leaving felt wrong. He wanted to be close to her, just a little longer.

“Is it alright if I stay?”

“Of course. Just so you know, the staff’s already gone to bed. You’ll have to make your own bed tonight.”

“That’s fine with me.”

Laurinda led him upstairs to a room next to Irvin’s. Adolphus leaned in the doorway, glancing at the room next door. It definitely didn’t look like her bedroom.

“You don’t sleep on this floor?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify