Page 60 of Enthrall Shadows
It was a preview of all that could follow if I let myself go there. Let myself have this moment of intimacy with him.
“Lotte, the best thing about this house is you standing inside it.”
“Henry, that’s romantic, but…”
He stepped back. “You’re right, of course.”
“I want you to be happy.”
He blinked as though hearing that word for the first time.
Then he walked briskly over to the open door. “Ms. Chamberlain.” He motioned for me to leave. “Go get something to eat. The entrees are about to be served.”
“This is me protecting you,” I said. “It’s not a rejection. I’m the kind of friend you need.”
“Thank you,” he said, giving me a thin smile, “for letting me experience what it is to be ordinary.” He drank me in for a long time and then said, “Go.”
I wasn’t ready to give up my self-respect.
Taking advantage of that open door, I strolled out without glancing back.
I retraced my steps to the terrace, where I saw Cameron standing at a table covered in fancy food platters.
I made a beeline for him—ready to bask in the presence of the brother who always knew the right thing to say.
Fuck.
When I’d used the word “ordinary,” what I’d meant was “normal.” It had come out wrong.
Charlotte made me feel there was a place for me in this world. Why did she have to be so infuriatingly attractive? She’d come to check on me and I’d rejected her kindness.
It had taken all my strength not to possess her in that moment. My body screamed with the desire to go after her. My mind, however, remained painfully logical.
It was the reason why I’d let her walk out.
I regretted my harsh response to a woman who deserved so much more—the kind of worship I’d never felt capable of—until now.
Cameron had been able to marry Mia because as the youngest son he had the privilege of choice. Our sister, Willow would have the same freedom. She was still in New York living her best life.
I’d been the one destined to marry well and suitably into a family of equal social standing. My children—if I ever had them—were also expected to continue the Tea Dynasty.
My response to destiny was to refuse to marry anyone. My mother had failed to set me up with Chantelle, a woman who came from money and acted like it.
These rules were just another kind of prison.
Correcting my attitude, and rallying gratitude, I returned to the party.
Across from me, Cameron chatted with Lotte. They were laughing at something and seemingly having fun.
I watched them, recalling our near kiss.
I’d been close to tasting the forbidden. Lotte had drawn me toward her like a magnet, her authentic nature enhancing her natural beauty. She looked so pretty in her short dress, a shawl falling off her left shoulder, leaving it bare. She had an aura of self-assurance.
Bewitching.
She had held her own with my family. It had been impressive to observe.
I headed over, feigning that nothing was bothering me, that I was unaffected by a mere moment of intimacy. The lie was a saving grace.
