Page 68 of A Torn Allegiance
“I love roses.” She hummed. “And tulips.”
“Excellent. See, that, to me, is ten times more interesting than reviewing everything we know about a traitorous spy.”
She sucked in her breath. “Spy?”
“Yes, you know them,” he teased. “The kind who pretend to know you, pretend to be your friend, only to learn everything there is to know about you so they can use the knowledge against you. Spies. I know they can have a good purpose. Marc employs plenty in our country and is working with a few here, but spying would be a difficult job for me.”
“Why difficult?” Her face had lost some of its color.
“I suspect it would be the same for you. Pretending to be something, easing into people’s good graces—what is there of integrity in such things? I prefer the honest, the open, and the real.”
He had hoped to earn her respect, to spur her on to subjects on which they could both agree, but she turned away and dropped her arms to her sides, her hands shaking slightly.
“What is it? Are you well?”
“Yes, yes, perfectly well.” She stepped toward the stream. “This is a lovely place. I don’t think I’ve been out this far before.”
He stepped closer to her, guessing she was still displeased with his lack of answer to her questions. “I am not loathe to discuss all manner of things with you, Elsie, but I’ve been confused many times as to why these same topics resurface over and over. Both you and your brother insist upon speaking of them. It’s as if the lovely conversationalist, the brilliant mind I met, is stuck in wagon ruts on a dry road with the same topics of conversation constantly running through her mind.”
“You cannot deny you are drawn to Lamoreaux and Everly. I see you with them more than anyone else.”
Drawn to them?A surge of irritation raced through him, from his gut to his face. His tongue burned with the desire to snap out in response about just how little he was drawn to the worst kinds of people. But he must have a care about how much he said. She didn’t know just how vile they were, and he could not put her in danger. He knew better than to take out his frustration on her. “I can assure you... again... that there is nothing to fascinate me about the disturbing Lamoreaux, nor about Everly.”
She stared into his face. At first, she seemed uncertain, and then he added, “You have my word.”
Her relief was obvious, and it grew. She reached a hand up to trace the lines above his eyes. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Are you satisfied? Will that do? I want nothing more with Lamoreaux than for his evil nature to be revealed to all the world.”
She started a slow nod and then reached for his hand. “I am satisfied.”
Her gloved hand linked their fingers. He shook his head. “Oh no. These will not do.” He lifted her hand and then tugged at her gloves, pulling at them bit by bit until her hands were bare and lovely and cradled in his own. “This is much better.” He cupped them in his, enjoying their softness against his skin. “Shall we sit?”
“Yes.” The breathless quality of her voice surprised him, and he noticed she was very still, her eyes on her hands.
He smiled. Excellent. She could be distracted, as could he, with an activity much more enjoyable than a discussion of Lamoreaux. They sat on a rock together. He turned her hand upside down and ran his finger up and down from her wrist to the tips of each finger.
She closed her eyes and smiled.
“Do you like that?”
She nodded. “Hmm.”
He continued running his fingers up and down her palm until her eyes opened, and then he lifted one of her hands to his lips, watching her face with supreme enjoyment.
“What are you doing?” Her voice was soft.
“Nothing.” He pulled the tip of her first finger to his mouth for a quick, soft kiss.
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away.
He smiled. “I’ve never had your bare hand in mine before. I am enjoying it immensely.”
She swallowed. “I see that.”
“There is much to discuss, but there is also enjoyment to be had, tender moments for just you and me.” He kissed the center of her palm and then the softness of her wrist. He mumbled against her skin. “Moments when I’d like to chase the world away and just be with you.” His lips lingered there for a moment, running along her wrist in a slow circle, and then he kissed her palm one more time before lacing their fingers together again. “Elsie, you are important to me. The last time I asked to court you, the conversation ended... well, not as I would have hoped. But now I ask you again, this time with much more intent. I would go to your father and ask to court you, formally, officially. One day, I’d like to seek your hand.” He reached his free hand out to cradle her face. “I see so much in you that my country needs, that I need. Would you grant me a space of time to attempt to win your heart?”
Her eyes widened. And she smiled. But when she attempted to speak, her words came out in a whisper. “I am honored you would wish to do so.”
