Page 47 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
“All alone? His Grace agreed to that?”
She shrugged. “Perhaps I did not say it. Perhaps I left a note in his study. By the time he realises I am gone, I will have returned.” She peered behind him, into his house. “Mr Travers, turn me away or invite me inside. I have little to say, and I am freezing on the spot.”
He chuckled and opened the door for her.
Lady Cecilia Norbert was in his home, turning in a circle as she looked around. It was an old, almost crumbling building, but she did not seem to mind the cracks in the beams and the white-washed walls. The fire crackled in the hearth, flames lapping sadly at the brickwork. Raphael crossed the living space to stoke it.
“Your walls are bare,” she commented, staring at the only piece of artwork in sight.
“The cottage was furnished when I arrived. I have no need to redecorate.” The warmth from the fire washed over him, and he felt his cheeks flush. “What was it you came to say, Lady Cecilia?”
She gave a disapproving little laugh. “You are a poor host, Mr Travers. No tea? Not even a glass of water for me? Straight to business, then. May I?” She pointed at the only armchair that was not covered in books or ledgers. She sat when Raphael nodded.
“I have come primarily to apologise. You will say there is no need, but that will be a lie. Forgive me for driving you away last night. I acted rashly and it was not fair.”
“Lady Cecilia—” He cut himself off, refusing to feed her a lie. “You were the reason I left last night but it was not your fault.”
“That is rather contradictory.”
Raphael leaned on the wall beside the fire, keeping a safe distance between them. In spite of his rising fear, he wanted her. “My guilt was driving me mad. I could not sleep knowing you were just within reach. If that makes me a monster, so be it.”
“I fear asking this question most of all,” she said after a moment, “but I must know why you stopped. I have come to enjoy your company more than any man I have ever known. I have come to…feelthings for you that I did not know were possible. You make me laugh, and smile, and I am enamoured with every new thing I learn about you. When I slipped into your room yestereve, yes, it was madness. But I did not do it ignorantly, naively.”
She rose to her feet.
“I know what such a visit entails, Mr Travers. If you turned me away because you were under the impression you would be using me, duping me, you are wrong. I look at you with open eyes and an open heart. So again, I ask, what is stopping you?”
It seemed too good to be true. How had Lady Cecilia uncovered the truth of his predicament all on her own? How could someone so insightful, so clever, so humble and bright, discern his fears, lay them out before him, andstillwant to help him banish them?
“It would not be right.”
“You spoke of rightness last night as well. Why would it be wrong to give me what I want? Idowant you. I want you to do again what you did to me in that room.”
“You do not know what you are asking for.”
“Maybe not, but I want you to teach me.”
“To what end, Cecilia? We both know this leads nowhere.”
“Are you not tired of rationalising every little thing?” She crossed the room to stand before him. Her hat came off, she unbuttoned her pelisse.
“Is it not enough to accept that I long for you, and that you long for me? Even if you believe that we are without a future, it should not thwart you but spur you on.” She stroked his cheek. “I know only this: I would gladly take whatever future with you I can seize.”
He held her hand against his face, scared to lose her.
“What if I bare myself to you and you despise me?”
She laughed softly. “That is not possible, Raphael.”
He wanted to believe her.
Chapter 17
Her coat came off quicker than she had expected.
It had been left with her hat in the living room, which was also the kitchen and the dining hall. That was before Cecilia had asked, between kisses, to see his sleeping chamber. He had chuckled and guided her through the cottage to the room farthest from the door.
Who had known a little honesty could get her all she wanted?
