Page 55 of The Last Chance
“After all my family has been through, I could never wish for that.”
“No, you’ve all survived a great injustice.”
Not having her was the greatest injustice of his life.
Perhaps when the Earl of Berridge was dead, things would be different. Yet he couldn’t shake the fear of impending doom. A storm was coming. He could sense it gaining momentum, gathering force and growing stronger each day.
“We should return to the house and assist Daventry.” It was still early by the demimonde’s standards, and the thought of being cajoled into sharing more intimate moments with her would test Aaron’s sanity.
“It would be impolite not to greet our hostess.” She patted her elegant coiffure and brushed the creases from her gown. “When we see Mr Daventry, we’ll need to explain where we’ve been.”
“If he asks, we’ve been looking for Venus.”
“Yes.” She seemed forlorn, like she’d heard a sad tale, not come apart beneath the stars, her beauty bared to the heavens.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Nothing.” Her half smile said she was lying.
In truth, he felt deflated, too. He’d lived his greatest fantasy but had woken from the dream. They should be racing home to make love until dawn, not allowing a strained distance to open up between them.
“Neither of us is good at pretending each kiss doesn’t matter,” he said.
Woeful blue eyes searched his face as if he were off to war and she might not see him again. Did she feel like she had lost the man she’d kissed mere moments ago? Could she sense him slipping away with each passing second?
“I’m a wallflower, remember,” she said, her forced laugh abid to lighten the mood. “I know life doesn’t always work out as one planned.”
“You’re not a wallflower.”
“Why? Because I’m old enough to be a spinster?”
He had to touch her, though his fingers lingered at her elbow a little too long. “No. Because you steal my attention every time you enter a room.”
Her eyes glistened beneath the moonlight’s embrace, her deep sigh almost mournful. She hugged her abdomen like it pained her. “Can we spend the rest of the evening just being colleagues? My emotions are somewhat fragile. Too fragile to cope with another kiss or compliment.”
“Hurting you is the last thing I want.” Aaron ignored the crushing pain in his chest. Whatever happened, they could not indulge their desires again. “It was easier for both of us when we kept our distance.”
“I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened between us. Every perfect moment will live with me always.” She averted her gaze, shutting him out. “But I cannot kiss you again, Mr Chance. Not even when we pretend to be other people. Please do your utmost to respect my wishes.”
He stepped back and bowed, his throat so tight it was hard to speak. “I’ll do anything you ask. You’re the only woman I have ever wanted. The only woman I respect. We must be strong for each other.”
She nodded. “We’ll play at being enquiry agents and throw ourselves into our work. In the throes of passion, we’ve forgotten our lives are at stake.”
He wanted to tell her she was beautiful inside and out. To admit he felt something other than lust. That his heart wasn’t dead because it hurt like the devil now. He had lost many things—his mother, his home, pieces of himself stolen with every childhood beating. Joanna was the greatest loss of his life.
“I still need a friend, Joanna.”
She dabbed her eyes. “We’re the best of friends, Mr Chance. Nothing will ever change that.” She slipped her arm through his and hugged him so tightly he could cry. “Now, come. Let us hunt for the elusive Venus. I can’t help but feel she lured us here tonight.”
They left the maze and began searching the garden.
Wherever they went, they met couples locked in passionate clinches, their aroused cries a testament to their freedom. The tangle of four bodies writhing on the orangery floor turned Aaron’s stomach. He would treasure Joanna always, not share her with other men.
“Didn’t Mr Parker say Venus approached him in the garden?”
Aaron glanced around the autumn landscape. The only people outside were those engaged in amorous activities. “Yes, though I wonder what Parker was doing out here alone.”
“Perhaps she slipped him a note and lured him outside.”
