Chapter Fourteen #2
“Aw, damnation, Emma, what are you doing to me?” For a man who liked everyone around him to think he had managed to evict all emotion from his life, so many flitted through his dark blue eyes it was as if someone was flipping pages of a diary quickly.
Then he put a gloved hand on either side of her head and gently lowered his lips to hers.
It was such an unexpected response that Emma could do nothing else but rest her palms on his chest, perhaps curl her gloved fingers into the lapels of his greatcoat, and for once, she didn’t rush to match him kiss for kiss.
Instead, she let herself enjoy the embrace, to experience the sheer joy of being sought out by him.
When he slipped his arms around her to deepen that one meeting of mouths, she sighed against his lips and surrendered fully to the magic she’d only been able to find with him.
Passion easily fogged her brain. Perhaps she should lead him into the heart of the maze and encourage him to have his wicked way with her after all.
There was something about Cecil she could never manage to forget.
Teasing him about taking a lover had been nothing more than stupid words designed to invoke his anger and his attention; there was no one else in this world for her than him.
Oddly enough, Thornton didn’t push for more. It seemed he was quite content with moving over her mouth and merely kissing her, which he continued until the strength threatened to fail in her legs and her knees wobbled. Only then did he pull away to peer down at her with that faint grin.
“Apologies. I was rather carried away in the moment.”
“Never apologize for a great kiss, Thornton.” She lifted a hand and patted his cheek.
Somehow, he’d perfectly expressed what had concerned him, and she was glad to know her sentiments were returned.
Did she need to hear the words? Yes, of course, but they would come, and she wouldn’t push him.
“Now, tell me why you needed time to think.”
He nodded. “I think holding the Valentine’s Day ball is a bad idea.”
“All right.” Her eyebrows soared with surprise.
Clearly, he wasn’t one to beat about the bush, and she appreciated that forthrightness.
“However, from what everyone has told me, it’s a tradition with your family, and one that benefits the tenant farmers.
For that alone, I believe we need to continue with it, especially this year. ”
“Why?”
“I don’t keep abreast on the news of the day as much as I should, but I can’t help but worry that our world will be forever changed with that volcanic eruption.
” She gestured to the cloud-filled skies.
“While I realize it is still February, haven’t you wondered why we’ve not seen more than a handful of sunny days over the course of the whole winter?
It’s decidedly odd, as well as bone-chillingly cold.
The early spring flowers will soon die, and I’ll wager they won’t soon make a return if we’re to constantly have winter. ”
A chill racked her shoulders. Surely that wouldn’t happen. Winter long after spring should have arrived? How could they endure it? What would happen to the crops and commerce?
“It doesn’t bode well, I’ll agree.” When he slipped an arm about her waist, she laid her head on his chest. “However, the future can take care of itself. I have mixed feelings about hosting the ball.”
“Everything in in the final stages, though. Invitations have gone out. Food has been purchased and is in the process of being prepared. The ballroom has been decorated. Additional maids and footmen have been hired for the event. It only needs you and I in our finery to preside over the affair.”
And she’d had a new gown commissioned for the event that she couldn’t wait to wear for him in the hopes he’d lead her out in a waltz.
He uttered what sounded like a long-suffering sigh. It rumbled in her ear. “Then we must go through with it.”
“Yes.” Emma nodded. Taking a chance, she asked, “Are you worried that we will become like your parents if we host this ball together?”
His fingers at her side tightened slightly as he urged them into motion once more. “Perhaps.”
“Tell me about them so I can understand your fears.”
“Oh, God, my parents.” With the slow shake of his head, Cecil uttered a soft chuckle that didn’t hold much mirth.
“If there were two people less suited for each other, I don’t know who they might be.
” A muscle in his jaw ticced as they walked.
“Eventually, toward the end of their union, there was one Valentine’s ball when my father had the audacity to show up in his cups with a mistress on his arm.
Mother was enraged. She overturned a punch bowl on my father’s head and then set fire to the mistress’ gown. ”
“Good heavens.” That was something she hadn’t known about him.
He nodded. “It only grew worse after that until the bitter end when my father died. I refuse to go down that path.”
“Yet thinking you hosting this ball will make you like him is flawed thinking.”
“How do you figure?”
“Already, you are a better man than he could ever hope to be. I don’t believe there is anything you wouldn’t do for your tenants or farmers. And if I was in peril or needed help, you would be right there, regardless that you feel you need to hide yourself away.”
“Of course I would. You are my wife.”
Simple words from a man who wished to live a simple life. “Never have you laid a hand on me in anger or hate. Though you might have your vices, none of that means you are a horrid person, and certainly not your father.”
For the space of a few heartbeats, he walked in silence beside her.
“Do you honestly believe that you and I have a chance at a future, Emma?” That tiny touch of vulnerability in his voice went straight to her heart.
“That we can have all that we dreamed of together once upon a time? Before I fled out of fear?”
“I honestly do.” Again, she stopped him then when she turned to him, she lifted her gaze to catch his. “We were able to give our union the attention it needed in time. Quite frankly, I’m excited to see where you and I will go from here.”
“Back to London?” The cheeky man slid his hands to her hips beneath the cloak.
“Perhaps. I see nothing wrong with splitting our time between here and there.”
“Ah.” Then he put both palms on her arse cheeks and tugged her flush to his body. “I’m glad you’re here, and I…” His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. “I think I’m falling in love with you all over again.”
Sensation engulfed her, but the warmth that emanated through her from those words was glorious.
“Oh, Cecil.” Emma looped her arms about his shoulders and layered herself to him.
Into his ear, she whispered, “Take me to bed, Thornton. You are exactly the sweet I want for tea today. And I’ll wager your mother never told your father that,” she added with a daring wink, for there was no shame in professing one’s interest in one’s husband.
Wicked intent filled his eyes. “Hell, no, she didn’t, which makes us nothing like them.
” With a sound that was much like victory if he were indeed doing battle with himself, the duke hefted up and slung her over his shoulder as easily as if she were feather weighted.
When a squeal left her throat, he merely chuckled.
“At least we’ll work up an appetite for dinner.
I know Cook, for one, is thrilled she has someone else to feed than merely me. ”
Emma was lost after that, and she didn’t mind at all.