Chapter 17 #3
Hector recognized the sentiment. Perhaps because it sounded painfully familiar. “He resembles someone else I know.”
She glanced sideways. “You?”
He considered denying it. Instead, he nodded once. “Perhaps.”
She smiled gently. “I thought so.”
He found himself speaking before he could reconsider. “What you did tonight...” She looked at him. “...few people would have done.”
Her expression softened. “I simply want Colin to be happy.”
“You surrendered an earldom.”
“I surrendered a title.”
“They are not the same?”
“No.” She shook her head. “My brother is not his title. He should not spend the rest of his life pretending to be someone he is not. He deserves love.”
The fire cracked. Hector looked away. “He does. The title will pass eventually. When the law finally accepts he is gone.”
She swallowed. “I know.”
“And your uncle will inherit.”
“I know.”
The words were quieter now. He saw the fear she tried so carefully to hide. Yet she did not take back a single word she had spoken to Colin.
She noticed him watching her. “Tell me something about Evan.”
He hesitated. “He was forever climbing trees.”
“I can picture that.”
“He once climbed onto the stable roof because he wished to rescue a kitten. The kitten escaped. He fell through the roof.”
Her eyes widened. “He did not.”
“He did.”
“Was he hurt?”
“He bruised his pride.”
“And you?”
“I spent the afternoon explaining to our father why the stable suddenly required repairs.”
Jane smiled. “You protected him.”
“I always did.”
Jane looked at him thoughtfully. “You have loved him for a very long time. You never stopped being his brother. Even when you were trying to be his father.”
The observation struck closer than he expected. He gave a quiet laugh. “I was not particularly successful at either.”
“I think you were.”
He met her eyes.
“You came after him.”
“I would have crossed Europe if necessary,” Hector said.
“I know.”
The room grew quiet again. She had moved closer without either of them noticing. Their shoulders nearly touched. The fire painted amber light across her hair. He could smell lavender.
His pulse slowed instead of quickening. It felt dangerously easy to sit beside her. She looked up.
“So serious.”
“I am thinking.”
“Dare I ask about what?”
“You.”
A blush warmed her cheeks. “That sounds ominous.”
“It is.”
She smiled. “I should probably flee.”
“You should.”
“But I will not.”
“No.”
Their eyes held. Neither looked away. He reached up almost without thinking and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. She leaned into the touch ever so slightly. The movement was almost imperceptible.
It undid him. He cupped her cheek.
She covered his hand with hers. “Hector.”
Hearing it now nearly unraveled the last of his restraint. He bent toward her. Slowly. Giving her every opportunity to pull away.
She closed the distance herself. Their lips met in a gentle kiss. She smiled against his mouth. He kissed her again. Longer this time. Deeper, parting her lips with his tongue. He savored the sweetness of her mouth.
His hand slid to her waist, drawing her a little closer until he could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing. His fingers slid up the bodice of her dress, cupping her breast through the fabric.
Jane arched into his hand, whimpering into his mouth. He felt himself harden instantly. Without thinking, he pulled her into his lap, never once breaking the kiss.
Her eyes widened, and they stared at one another until Jane began to move against him. Even through all the layers of fabric, he felt her as if they had been flush against each other.
She rested one hand lightly against his chest. His heart pounded beneath her fingertips. He knew that he had to stop this now or they wouldn’t be able to. He did not want to put her in that position.
He shifted her off of his lap. Neither moved very far.
“I have thought about doing that,” he admitted quietly.
“So have I.”
He smiled. A real one. One she seemed delighted to see.
She brushed her thumb across his cheek. “I rather like it when you smile.”
“It is not a common occurrence.”
“I noticed.”
He laughed softly. She answered with another brief kiss. This one lingered. His resolve began to fray. He drew a slow breath and reluctantly leaned back.
There was unmistakable longing in his eyes as he searched hers. “You make restraint exceedingly difficult, Jane.”
She smiled, though her own cheeks had turned pink. “I could say the same.”
His thumb brushed gently across her jaw. “When I kiss you again, I want it to be somewhere we need not worry about disturbing anyone.”
Her smile softened into understanding. She nodded. “I would like that too.”
He rose before temptation convinced him otherwise. He offered her his hand. She accepted it. He helped her to the sofa, arranged the folded blanket over her, then stepped back.
“Good night.”
“Good night, Hector.”
He settled onto the floor beside the dying fire. The blanket beneath him was thin. The floor was hard. Neither seemed to matter.
The last thing he saw before closing his eyes was Jane watching him with the faintest smile. For the first time in longer than he could remember, sleep came easily.