Page 46

Edwin sighed, and for just a brief moment, Ava could have sworn she saw a flicker of sadness behind his eyes.

“I suppose I had a rough childhood. The army was a welcome distraction—I simply couldn’t wait to leave,” he said.

Ava’s heart went out to him, and she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

This was by far the most vulnerable she had ever seen him. She was curious to know what truly happened to him. However, she knew not to prod him. He would tell her everything when the time was right.

His eyes, even though they were unreadable, were trained on her. She wondered what was going through his mind at that moment. However, she did not ask. Speaking would simply ruin the moment.

She could feel the air shift between them.

“It is getting dark,” Edwin whispered. “We should go back inside.”

Ava’s heart skipped a beat. She was not quite certain if it was him or simply the words he was saying to her.

“We should,” she agreed, even though she did not want their walk to come to an end.

She studied him. His eyes were narrowed, and deep lines marred his brow. A muscle twitched in his jaw, and she felt his shoulder become tense.

But then he took a step towards her.

Ava knew she must step back, stay away from him, but she did not. Instead, she remained rooted to the spot while her heart pounded in her chest.

His warm breath fanned her face, and when he finally reached out his hand towards her, her heart stuttered for a brief moment. She let out a long breath when he brushed some strands from her face.

Without even realizing what she was doing, she tilted her face up to his.

This was the bravest she had ever been, and her heart thudded terribly against her ribs.

Their gazes met, his green eyes boring into her own. She could not avert her gaze; she wasenchantedby him.

She could feel his breath on her cheeks now. She knew that if she shifted, if she closed the distance between them, their lips would touch.

And yet she noticed the troubled look in his eyes, the tick in his jaw. She realized then that he was just as terrified as she was.

“You seem troubled,” she whispered.

His eyes widened slightly as he seemed to finally realize what was happening.

“I simply cannot take my mind off the fact that some of my business partners will be at the masquerade ball. An Italian noble shall be there with his wife, and I must convince him that partnering with me will benefit his business,” he said.

Ava felt her heart sink to her stomach.

Of course, he was not trying to kiss me.

She suddenly felt like a fool. She had misread his worry as an interest in her.

She took several steps away from him. “We must return to the house,” she muttered.

“Indeed.” He nodded. “Do you think we know enough about each other?”

The question confused her.

“I suppose,” she replied.

“This masquerade ball might be the start of an even better partnership, and as much as they will be studying me, theymight simply want to know more about you and how we met,” he explained. “We must be able to answer their questions. They must be totally convinced that we are smitten with each other.”

Ava’s heart broke slightly.