Page 44 of Her Runaway Duke
There I couch when owls do cry.
On the bat's back I do fly
After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily, shall I live now,
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.”’
If he hadn’t been leading her, Siena was fairly certain that she would have stopped dancing entirely, transfixed by him.
“Levi,” she said as he came to a close. “Your voice… is magnificent.”
It was his turn to blush as he murmured, “Thank you.”
“Shakespeare,” she said, recognizing the song. “The Tempest. That’s very romantic.”
“You bring out the romantic in me, I suppose,” he said as his gaze remained intent on her while he gripped her in his embrace, leading her around the room.
Siena felt like she was floating on air as they danced, her hand in Levi's strong grasp, her gaze locked with his. The melody woven by Mrs. Porter filled the room, swirling around them like an enchantment.
They moved gracefully across the floor, Levi’s steps as sure and as fluid as when he rode Lucky. His presence was commanding yet gentle, his eye sparkling with a warmth that melted her defenses.
The way Levi sang those lines from Shakespeare's play made Siena's heart ache with longing. His voice carried a depth of emotion that resonated with her soul as if he were baring his heart to her through the lyrics. She was falling deeper under his spell, drawn to him in a way she couldn't quite comprehend.
She knew she was being selfish, that at some point she would have to leave this sanctuary and find a new direction.
But she would give anything to be lost in this moment forever.
CHAPTER 16
When the last notes of the song came to an end, Levi held Siena’s hand up between them, placing a kiss upon it before bowing to her and she sank into a deep curtsy, the gold of her dress shimmering in the dimly lit room.
He had become accustomed to small fires in the grate – he’d had no choice, or else he would freeze to death – but he felt more at ease than he had been in quite some time with Siena’s presence.
“Well, Lady Siena,” he said, grinning at her mischievously. “You must be tired. I will walk you to your chamber.”
“I would appreciate that,” she said, a spark in her eyes that matched his playfulness. “Thank you for the lovely dinner. Truly.” She turned toward Mrs. Porter, who was still sitting on the stool in front of the piano, watching the two of them with a knowing expression, not fooled by their innocent words. “Thank you, Mrs. Porter. That was truly lovely.”
“I was happy to play, and will do so at any time,” she said as she pushed the stool out and dipped her head toward them. “Goodnight.”
After she slipped out of the room, Levi placed his hand on Siena’s lower back, guiding her toward the doorway. “It’s getting late,” he murmured in her ear, the growl returned, although this time, she welcomed it. “Thank you for the best night I believe I might have ever had.”
“You are the one to thank. No one has ever done anything like this for me before,” she said as they climbed the stairs together. “But I am not ready for the evening to be over.”
“Are you not?”
“No,” she said, and Levi thought it was overly endearing how she pressed her lips together to prevent the smile from emerging. “Perhaps we could extend the evening?”
“In what way do you suggest?” he asked, and with that she grabbed his hand and pulled him into her bedroom, shutting the door behind them.
“You made tonight so special for me,” she said. “I would like to do the same for you.”
He reached to take her in his arms, but she shook her head, trailing her fingers from his shoulders over his chest, her touch barely noticeable through the fabric of his jacket, waistcoat, and shirt.
Yet he could feel her deep within his soul.
“What are you doing?” he asked hoarsely, for he had a fair idea and yet he wondered how an innocent young woman such as she would have any idea that such a thing was even a possibility, let alone something she would be willing to try.
