The Princess and the Peer(44)

Under ordinary circumstances, he would have found her inattentiveness amusing. But lately nothing seemed ordinary, certainly not his life, which felt as if it had been turned on its head and given a very thorough shaking.

From the moment he’d met Emma, nothing had been the same.

Fixing his gaze on the stage, he concentrated on the players, but Orsino and Viola’s comedic misunderstandings held little interest for him. He knew the play and had seen it performed in the past, so his distraction was understandable, he assured himself. But only moments later, he admitted that he was lying to himself.

The play wasn’t responsible for his distraction.

Emma was.

As if he were a planet being pulled by the gravity of a distant sun, his gaze turned toward her.

How lovely she looked; the reflected gleam from the candlelit stage lending her an ethereal glow that put him in mind of an angel. Her upswept golden hair waved like a halo around her head, her skin as creamy and smooth as milk, while her lips were pink, satiny petals, as ripe as they were sweet.

He drew a reflexive breath, his fingers suddenly burning with the urge to stroke the gentle curve of her cheek and the long, graceful line of her throat. His hand ached with the memory of touching her soft skin and savoring the honeyed flavor of her mouth.

Without warning, as if she sensed his appraising stare, she turned her head and looked straight into his eyes. Her own gaze shone like starlight with rings of rich, velvety blue.

Despite knowing he ought to look away, he couldn’t. Even if his life had been in jeopardy, he could not have torn his gaze from hers in that moment.

Below them, the actors continued their speeches and struts, but he was barely aware of them, too intent on the young woman at his side.

Emma—whom he’d known only a handful of days.

Emma—whom he liked more than he could ever have imagined, and whom he desired with an intensity he could not seem to escape.

Tomorrow would be her final day in his house, their week together nearly done. If he had any sense whatsoever, he would send her on her way and pick up the threads of his old bachelor’s existence. But how could he when she had made such an indelible mark on his life? Even his household felt different with her in it. When she went, she would leave an emptiness behind.

Suddenly he could not abide the thought.

Once she left, would he have any chance of seeing her again? Or would she take a new teaching position, a post somewhere distant that would send her away from him—perhaps forever?

His heart thundered inside his ears, as if he were on the deck of his ship again and had just taken a round of lethal cannon fire.

“Th-the play is good,” she whispered. “It quite makes the story come alive.”

“Yes,” he agreed absently. But he didn’t care about the play. “Don’t go,” he murmured without thinking.

“What?”

“Tomorrow. Instead of leaving, why don’t you stay a few days more? I am sure my aunt would be willing to extend her visit a while longer.”

On his other side, Aunt Felicity slept on, oblivious to the fact that her generosity was being further promised.

“We haven’t had time to see the British Museum yet,” he continued, “or the Tower of London and the crown jewels. I saw a notice in the newspaper about an autumn fair that’s scheduled to be held soon just outside the city. Surely you won’t want to miss that?”

She gave a slow smile. “No, such a loss would be most unfortunate.”

“What say you, then?”

“You truly want me to stay?” she asked wonderingly. “I rather thought…”

“Thought what?”

She hesitated. “That you were tried of houseguests and anxious to send me on my way.”

I should be, he realized. I should be contemplating how best to enjoy my impending freedom. But what good is freedom in an empty house?

“You are mistaken,” he said. “You and my aunt are most amiable company.”

“How long would I stay?” she asked.

He shrugged. “A few days. Another week or two.”

As long as it takes to decide if I feel more for you than simple lust, and what to do if that proves to be the case.

She was silent, a minor battle being waged on her lovely features as she debated his suggestion. Then finally, when he thought he could stand her silence no more, she nodded. “Yes, all right. I will stay a while longer.”

He smiled, wondering what insanity had possessed him. Still, he did not regret his offer or her acceptance.

“Good,” he said softly. “That is good.”

He turned back to the play and she did as well. But he barely heard another word of the performance, his thoughts all for her.