Page 32 of The Lord Next Door I Wished For
He sat up slower, trying to push away thoughts of how he’d prefer this day to end.
Do not rush her.
They had their whole lives ahead of them. All the time in the world for her to start to see him the way he saw her.
Hopefully.
Because if she never saw him as anything more than a friend…
If she truly wished to live a life separate from his…
Well, he’d given her his word, hadn’t he? He wouldn’t go back on it.
“It’s getting late,” she said.
She sounded…nervous.
Blast, was she afraid he’d kiss her? Was she dreading their new intimacy even as he ached for it?
He cleared his throat and got to his feet, reaching down to help her up. “We should get you home. It’s not safe to ride in the dark.”
“Says you,” she said, her teasing tone back now. “Midnight was meant for nighttime rides. It’s when he thrives.”
He laughed. “Very well. After we’re married and your parents are not waiting for you to return, I promise you all the midnight rides you wish.”
Her smile was brilliant. “And will you join me?”
The question was a benign one, and yet it caught him off guard and sent his mind reeling with questions.Would you want me to? I want nothing more…
Whatever she saw in his features, she backtracked quickly. “Nevermind, it was a silly idea. You’ll be too busy being a marquess, I imagine.”
Her words were too quick and her actions too brisk as she leaned over to start clearing the plates and leftover food.
“Don’t.” He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder and she stilled for a moment before coming to stand.
“You ought to go on ahead. I can take care of all this.”
She nodded but she didn’t quite meet his eyes.
What are you thinking? What did I do wrong?
Because he surely did do something wrong. Her demeanor had changed from playful and easygoing to nervous and…and maybe even hurt.
“Will I see you again tomorrow?” he asked.
Her head came up quickly. “Of course.”
Relief filled him until she added, “We have the engagement party tomorrow evening, if you’ll recall.”
“Ah. Yes. Of course.”
She tilted her head to the side. “You don’t seem pleased. I’m not either but that’s because I find dinner parties unbearably boring.”
He smiled. “I don’t mind the entertaining. I just…I’m not looking forward to hearing my name all night long.”
Her brows drew together in confusion as she laughed. “What does that mean?”
He winced. “Lord Northbridge,” he said. “I cannot stand it. Being addressed as Northbridge over and over…” He feigned a shudder of horror. “I know I must get used to it, but—”
