Page 4

T ry he did. But after four dances, Lenora was rethinking Edward’s help.

True to his word and eerily close to her own, he had set her up with some daring gentleman.

One was engaged in some political reformation.

One was pursuing a career in art. One had traveled extensively to exotic locations.

And one was experimental in the sciences.

All of which were whispered in her ear by Edward moments before the dance invitation was extended.

Oddly enough, those whispers were more thrilling than the dances.

After the fourth dance finished, Lenora sought a small reprieve, but just as she left the main room and headed down the hallway, a hand reached out and snatched her, dragging her into a side room.

“What the blazes—”

“It’s just me,” Edward whisper-shouted as he pulled her into a small study and locked the door behind them. “Where are you going on your own?”

“I’m fine.”

“Any man could have followed you and taken advantage of you by snatching you into a dark room.”

“Like you?” she propped her hands on her hips as he dropped his hold of her.

“I would never take advantage of you.”

“Well maybe I want someone to take advantage—”

“Lenora—”

“Edward.”

“What’s wrong? Did you not enjoy any of those dance partners? I can find more for you.”

She heaved a sigh. “They were fine.”

“Fine means boring to you.”

“Yes. They were boring. I’m sorry to say that.”

“I’ll find more.”

“Maybe I’ll find my own. In fact, dances sound boring. If my father and sister can act recklessly, I ought to try it too. Maybe I want to have an assignation instead of a dance. That sounds far more thrilling.”

“Don’t be reckless.”

“I’m not. I’m an adult. I can make my own choices.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t treat me like a child. I’m three-and-twenty and can make my own choices.”

“You’re right.”

“And another thing—wait. You think I’m right?”

“Yes.”

And there it was again. Edward’s uncanny ability to calm her down. Instantly.

The low rumble of his voice filled the space. “You’re old enough. Smart enough. Strong enough. You can make your own choices and live with the consequences.”

“What consequences?”

She felt his eyes drilling into her soul.

“Consequences such as a ruined reputation.”

“Being found here with you would result in that consequence.”

“I’d never let the rumors start, Lenora,” he growled. “If we were found like this, I’d tell them I was asking you to marry me, and then we would wed. There would be no scandal.”

Her insides shook. Her palms sweat. And her legs squeezed together at his possessiveness. She had never seen Edward so rattled. Had never seen him rattled at all. Not even once.

When he regained control of his tight lips and furrowed brow, he looked down at her. And she swore he was studying her lips. But the room was only dimly lit, so she couldn’t be sure.

“But those weren’t the consequences I was talking about.”

“Oh?”

“If you seek out an assignation, you could end up…pregnant.”

Her hand rushed up to grab her neck as something exploded within her. The deep timbre of Edward’s voice, so close to her, alone in this room. The idea of an assignation. Pregnancy. Her legs were turning to mush.

“Are you alright, Lenora?” He stepped back to give her air, eyes scanning about, perhaps for a drink of any kind that might be tucked away.

“I’m fine,” she croaked out.

“I can—”

Her free hand darted out to his lapel and pulled him in closer. Whatever he was about to do, she didn’t need. She needed him . Closer.

“I want a baby,” she whispered, not even sure why she was admitting that in this moment. Of course she wanted a baby and a family. Edward already knew that about her.

His eyes flared with something. Something she desperately wanted to understand, for she had never seen his eyes look so dark.

“It’s best not to speak of such things unless you’re with your husband.”

“Alright, Edward. I won’t say it again.” Not one to normally retreat so quickly, she thought she might have felt more frustrated to back down. But not here. Not now. It was as if she knew she were poking a beast if she continued discussions with him on having a baby.

“But just so you know, I wouldn’t have done that with anyone. I would have only…kissed.”

His palms flattened against the door, framing her face. “You might think that you would have stopped there.”

“I would have.”

“You don’t know that though, do you?”

“Not from personal experience. But even though I’ve never been kissed, I know I would have stopped there.”

Edward’s eyes looked crazed. Like something she had never seen before. Like he wanted to consume her.

And then he did the wildest thing. He dropped his hand from the door only to bring the pad of his thumb to her bottom lip while his fingers caressed her jaw. It was the exact gesture she would expect from a man just before he kissed her. But she didn’t have any proof to think that.

“There are so many different kinds of kisses though, Lenora. How do you know you would have stopped?”

Wrapping her fingers around his wrist heated her insides. More than ever before, there was a large fire inside of her.

It was almost as if it were a…thrill.

Then two words popped out of her mouth, “Show me, and I’ll know.”