Page 41 of The Viscount's Promise
The notes filled the room in a light, trilling cadence. His gaze fell to her fingers on the keys. How graceful they were, long and slender, hitting the ivories with rapidity one minute, slowing with quiet elegance the next, all the while dancing across the instrument with unerring precision. He felt each note vibrate through his body, sensed the music swirl through the air and wrap about his heart. Every uncertainty he’d woken with was quickly and completely snuffed out as her song worked its magic on him. Assheworked her magic on him.
How could he fail to be drawn completely under her spell? Her face was rapt, emotion saturating every line and curve. She had closed her eyes, her body swaying to the music, an extension of the instrument under her hands.
Needing to touch her again, he moved closer and let his fingers caress the graceful arch of her back.
Emily sucked in her breath, the sound sharp, her fingers stumbling over one another for a moment.
He pulled his hand back. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” she managed, the words hoarse. She cleared her throat. “I mean, I don’t mind it.”
He took that for the invitation it was, returning his fingers to her back, moving up to settle on the nape of her neck. They stayed that way for some time, his hand light on her satiny skin, stray copper tendrils falling over his fingers, her music at once calming and exciting his senses.
He had never been so contented in his life.
After some minutes, the song came to a close. The notes died away slowly, the vibration of them lingering in the air. She dragged in a deep breath and looked up at him. “Shall we go into breakfast?”
“I’ve no wish to pull you from your practice,” he murmured.
Her lips quirked in an amused smile. “I’ve had several hours’ practice already. I do think it’s time to give my fingers a rest.”
He helped her from the bench, offering his arm and guiding her from the room, Bach following at her side. “At what time did you awake this morning?”
“I’m not certain. Five, perhaps? Maybe six?”
He blanched. “Do you always practice so blasted early?”
She laughed. “Not always, no. It is just since the house party began that I’ve kept such hours. I typically don’t get to my practice until after breakfast.”
“You must be anxious for us all to leave so you can return to your schedule then.”
Her voice drifted up to him as they made the breakfast room door. “Not all of you.”
Those quiet words warmed him in the most wonderful way. What he wouldn’t give to pull her aside, to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless as he had been longing to do all morning. Just then, however, they were set upon by Lady Daphne and her contingent of females, who had apparently shaken off their malaise of yesterday and were ready to tackle the glorious new day.
“Emily, I was just coming to look for you,” she exclaimed. “And you as well, Lord Morley. We are all dying to get out of doors and revel in the sunshine after the dismal confinement of yesterday. We’ve decided on a ride across the fields. Say you’ll both come.”
“Certainly,” Emily answered. Her eyes swung up to search his face. “And you, Lord Morley? Will you join our group as well?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he murmured. Her eyes flared with happiness. As he continued to gaze at her, however, her happiness turned to something much more, a hot desire he felt clear to his toes. He forcibly dragged his attention away from the sight of it, knowing if he didn’t, he would embarrass himself in the worst way.
Blessedly, it seemed Lady Daphne had missed the small exchange. She clapped her hands. “Splendid. We shall see you within the hour at the stables.” So saying, she spun about, the other young ladies following in her wake like sheep after their shepherd.
They were left standing alone in the deserted hallway, Emily’s small hand still tucked in the crook of his arm. The heat of her seeped into his side, scattering his senses like leaves in a gust of wind. They had been about to do something, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember what.
Ah, yes. Breakfast.
“Perhaps we’d best eat now,” he said, “for I’ve a feeling we will need it to survive your sister’s exuberance.”
She laughed lightly. As he guided her into the room, the warm smell of eggs and ham drifting to him, he thought he would need the sustenance to withstand the pull of Emily even more. All the while, however, he knew that nothing on this earth could help him in that particular matter.
Chapter 16
It was when Emily emerged from her room later that morning, freshly changed into her riding habit, that she knew without a doubt things had changed between herself and Malcolm. She had expected to see him at the stables with the others, yet here he was in the picture gallery, staring up at the portrait of some long dead Masters ancestor. His gaze swung to her as she approached, a smile softening the harsh, beautiful lines of his face.
He had been waiting for her.
It warmed her, that look, bringing to mind why her feelings had taken such a drastic turn from this time yesterday. How much a heart could change in a mere twenty-four hours, how completely life could alter from one day to the next. Nay, from onemomentto the next. One bright and shining moment that would forever stay etched upon her soul.
