He gave a small shake of his head as he directed her to the right. “You owe me nothing, miss. You’re doing this man a great service. That woman has kept him in a dark place for too long.”

“I sensed that.”

He pointed at the set of double doors at the end of the hall. “His quarters. Do you need anything else before you turn in?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

He hesitated. “May I ask you something, miss?”

“Sure.”

He tucked his hands behind him and took a deep breath. “Do you like Sebastian?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“Do you think you could ever…care for him?”

She smiled. She already did in some small way. “Yes, I think I could. But I don’t know if he’s ready or open to that.”

“No, I suppose not.”

She watched the man’s tender expression. It matched the emotion coming off him. “You love him, don’t you? In your own way.”

Greaves sniffed. “Been with him nearly four centuries. He’s all the family I have. We’ve been through a great deal. And I am his rook, after all.” His gaze shifted toward the stairs. “But that woman…she’s been the worst of it.”

She nodded. “I can imagine.”

He straightened. “I’ve bothered you long enough. Have a good night, miss.”

“Thank you, Greaves. You too.” She watched him go for a moment, then opened the doors and went in.

The room was as neat and masculine as Sebastian, but the object that stood out the most was the one thing she hadn’t really thought about.

The bed.

And the fact that there was only one.

Sebastian freed himself from Evangeline as soon as possible. He made a quick trip to his office to make sure his desk drawers were secured, then he locked the door and went upstairs.

He found Tessa standing in the middle of the room, staring at his bed.

He understood instantly. He closed the doors behind him. “I’ll sleep on the couch by the window. Unless you’d rather not have me in the room.”

She turned. “No, that’s fine. And very generous of you.”

“If one of us is being generous, it’s you. I know I’ve thanked you, but that seems so insufficient against the reality of what you’re doing for me.”

She smiled and shrugged. “It’s okay, really.”

“Did Greaves show you around? Where the bathroom is?”

“No, he just dropped me off at the door. It was nice of him to come with me. I wouldn’t have found it on my own.” She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “He’s a good man. I like him.”

“He is a good man. Been with me since before I was turned. Hugh’s rook was his valet too.”

“And Julian’s rook?”

“He doesn’t have one. For all his catting around, he’s a rather private sort. Likes to be alone more than he lets on.”

“That’s interesting. Of your two brothers, he’s the hardest to read. It’s like he’s covered in a fog that hides his true intent.”

Sebastian loosened his tie. “Can fae magic interrupt your abilities?”

She nodded. “Possibly. That’s old magic and earth bound.”

“That might be what it is, then. Hugh told me Julian had Willa make him a charm. She can put fae magic into the pieces she makes if the customer requests it. Supposed to help him with the ladies or something. Anyway, maybe it’s what causes the fog.”

He pulled his tie free. She hadn’t moved from the center of the room. “Is everything all right?”

She glanced down at her dress. “I don’t have anything to sleep in.”

“Ah.” He thought for a moment. “I must have something, but I’m not sure what to offer you.”

“I don’t suppose you have any souvenir T-shirts lying around?” She laughed. “You don’t seem like the type to wear anything that qualifies as casual.”

“No, I’m not.”

“What do you normally wear to bed?”

“Pajamas.” Although he rarely wore the top. He didn’t like to feel confined under the covers. He motioned to her. “Come on, they’re in the closet. I’ll show you.”

He headed into the walk-in with her behind him.

“Wow, this might be bigger than my last apartment.” She did a slow circle as she looked around. “Also, you have a lot of suits. And shirts. And shoes.”

“A well-dressed man is prepared for anything.”

She gave him the eye. “I thought you rarely left your house?”

“I don’t.”

“Then what exactly do you think is going to happen?”

“I…yes, I see your point. I like to look presentable. Whatever I’m doing.” He opened one of the drawers of the built-in dresser and extracted the first set of pajamas on the stack. He held the top out to her. “You can have the top, I’ll wear the bottoms.”

She took it, shook it out and held it up to herself. She looked down, presumably to check the length. “Okay, that will do.”

He held his hand out toward the door. “The bathroom is all yours. It’s the door next to this one. I’ll change in here.”

“Thanks.” She hugged the pajama top to her chest as she left.

He heard her gather up her things, then the bathroom door opened and closed. He undressed, putting his shoes, belt and cuff links away before hanging up his suit and throwing his shirt and socks in the hamper.