Snippet #1534592

Damien narrowed his eyes against a ray of bright sunlight that had managed to penetrate through a gap in the thick curtains he'd instructed his servants to draw across all of the windows on his house. The golden light stabbed at his eyes mercilessly, and he tugged the drapes closed irritably. Grogginess clouded his mind. He'd only just risen from sleep, though the aged grandfather clock that stood in the hallway marked the time well past the afternoon hour.

Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he cast his mind back over the events of the day before. His brief encounter with Miss Marwick in her nightgown was yet to be resolved. They had not spoken, though he had the distinct impression that they might have, had she not been sent scurrying back into the darkness of her room by some unknown disturbance. The memory of her figure brought a small smile to his face.

Still deep in thought, he hardly noticed what his manservant was dressing him in for the day, and only became fully aware of his surroundings once more when he was asked what he would like to eat. His household had long since grown accustomed to his odd habits. He made some vague reply, and returned to his pondering, proceeding from recollections of the previous night to consideration of the evening to come. Gerard was stopping by for a visit within the hour to collect him for their customary afternoon ride. Perhaps the evening would afford another chance to meet Miss Marwick. The though pleased him considerably, though he had no doubt she would inquire to his mysterious presence outside her house the night before. It was possible that he was overestimating her, but he thought that such a minor incident could hardly deter her from enjoying his company once more, should the opportunity arise. Scandalous or not, she obviously preferred his company far above Lord Rowley's.