Page 56 of The Lady Tempts an Heir
“They’re here,” Violet announced, and it seemed like every eye in the room turned toward Helena.
“Let’s go meet them.” August squeezed her hand and then untied her apron.
Helena did the same and smoothed a hand over her gown. Mama led their small group to the entrance hall where Max and his parents were already stepping inside. Her breath caught at the mere sight of him. He wore a charcoal frock coat that stretched impressively across his shoulders. Her body clenched as she remembered how it had felt to hold on to those shoulders as he’d lifted and pressed her against the wall.
He turned from greeting her father and paused when he saw her. It only lasted a moment, but she felt the perusal of his gaze from the roots of her hair all the way down to her toes. He smiled, walking across the short space to greet her. “Helena.”
“Max.” She didn’t embrace him as she wanted—that wouldn’t be appropriate for many reasons; instead, she gave a quick and abbreviated curtsy.
He reached out and gently took her hand, bringing her fingers to his mouth. Her lips were jealous as she watched.
“How was the train?” She reluctantly drew her hand back as Violet and August walked up.
“Good,” but that was all he managed to say before Mrs. Crenshaw moved in, embracing both of her daughters in turn.
Helena’s own mother took over, directing a small army of footmen as they descended to deal with the Crenshaws’ luggage. Helena noted the two trunks—steamer trunks—directed to the bachelor’s hall, and the tightening around her heart throbbed a little.
“You’re in time for tea,” Mama said. “Helena, please go collect our other guests and bring them to the drawing room.”
Helena nodded and turned, hurrying away as if she were out to do her mother’s bidding. In reality, she was trying to outrun the ache that had lodged in her throat. She couldn’t understand why it hurt so much to know they had so littletime left when all along she had been preparing herself for his departure.
None of this was real. So why did itfeelreal?
•••
Because Helena’s mother enjoyed entertaining so much, afternoon tea effortlessly gave way to dinner, which melded into dessert and drinks in the drawing room with hardly a difference between the three. The atmosphere for the Christmastime house party was always so relaxed and informal that it was the one event with her parents that Helena looked forward to all year. As a little girl, she’d been able to participate in this in a way that children had been forbidden from other activities, and the magic of that had not faded as she had aged.
They had reached the part of the evening where the group had traveled from the drawing room to the gaming room, a large chamber made dark by heavy mahogany paneling on the walls and burgundy carpets. It was typically a domain reserved for men, which showed in the heads of elk, deer, and boar mounted around the room. The mantelpiece boasted large ivory tusks, one of Papa’s most prized possessions from his youth. A billiard table took up the center of the room, while several gaming tables were set up at each corner. Tonight, the women had been allowed inside.
Helena sat at one of these tables losing badly at whist. She couldn’t concentrate because she kept watching in growing jealousy as her younger sister Penelope, Camille, and Lady Blaylock took turns flirting with Max as they played at his table. It was social, perfectly acceptable flirting, but she kept noticing how he grinned and how his strong hands easily manipulated the cards and wondering why she had ever thought they couldn’t have another night together. Then she remembered that it wasbecauseof that attractive smile and those strong hands that she had beststay away. She didn’t think she was brave enough to take having him again and letting him go. She’d likely do something stupid and end up heartbroken.
For that matter, the longer she stayed here in this room increased her chance of doing something unwise. Twice between rounds she had moved to go to him, and twice she had restrained herself. With a brandy warming her blood and reminding her how alive being with him had made her feel, she knew she had best leave now before she wasn’t able to stop herself a third time. When the current round ended, she made her excuses and left for her bedroom.
The gaming room opened onto what had at one time been a great room in the original structure bestowed on their family by Henry VIII. It had been renovated multiple times throughout the centuries, so that now a row of windows looked out over the gardens on one side, leaving the space brighter during the day even though it still boasted a stone floor and wood-paneled walls. Gas lamps lit the hall at night, a medieval effect that she liked very much. She was halfway down the wide hall when the gaming room door clicked open and closed behind her. The excited swirling in her stomach told her who had followed her before she heard him say her name.
She turned as he passed below a wall sconce, the light from the flames licking over his features in flattering adoration. His deep brown eyes were as fathomless as ever, homing in on her with the weight of the immense emotion she imagined this man was capable of feeling if he ever let himself go.
“Max.”
He kept walking until there was only a foot of space between them. His size nearly blocked out the light, making her press a hand against the wall to hold herself steady. “I hoped to talk with you tonight, but there never seemed to be a moment when I could get away.”
She smiled. “You do seem to have your admirers.”
“As do you.” His smile was in his voice, as was a hint of jealousy.
“Why did you not tell me you were leaving for New York sooner than planned?” The question was out before she could think of a more tactful way to ask. It had been waiting there on her tongue for him all night.
He was silent for a moment, and though she couldn’t see his face very well now, she felt his study of her. It prickled over her cheek and settled on her mouth. Would one more kiss be acceptable? Would she still be able to walk away?
“You were happy, and I didn’t want to make you not happy.” It was a simple answer and one that made her breath catch in her throat.
“But we have so little time now.”
“Yes...”
She closed her eyes. He probably thought she was a feebleminded fool. She was rather starting to think that herself when it came to him.
“I brought this for you.”
