Page 56 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
“Lady Arabella,” he said stonily, holding out his hand.
Arabella’s gaze darted to the side, where she saw a mischievous pair of siblings staring back at her. “Shall we dance a waltz, Arabella?” Alvin suggested, and she nodded tightly.
“Very well. I will begin the beats,” Alvin said, far too cheerily, and with slowness, Arabella reached her hand for Edward’s shoulder at the same time that his one hand came to rest on her lower back.
Their other hands connected, and she lifted her chin, trying to ignore the swell of love and desire that rose with even this slight touch of him. Gripping his shoulder reminded her of being lovingly pinned underneath him while he thrust inside her, and she held tight to him as pleasure overtook her.
Touching him reminded her of the feel of his rough hands against her soft skin, igniting every place he’d caressed. And lifting her eyes to look at his mouth reminded her of all the places he’d kissed and licked, and she shivered a little, hoping he did not notice.
They danced, listening to Alvin’s beats, and Arabella tried her best to glance at Seraphina to see her sister’s progress, but her eyes could only look into Edward’s.
His hazel gaze bore resemblance to what it had been, but he had shuttered himself inside because of anger or fear; she was not sure which. And so, she stared back, daring him to speak of his heart and call her out and blame her for the past.
For she would no longer attempt to get him to open up to her. It was now his chance after she had given herself so fully to him, letting him know with her acquiescence that she wanted him, body and soul, begging him to talk about the past. It was his turn to humble himself and take a chance in courage and faith.
They spun together, following some hidden music, their bodies much closer than was appropriate, but it didn’t feel like there was anyone else around them. It was just the two of them, with all the unsaid words swirling about them, following them in their dance.
And then it was over. Alvin applauded Seraphina’s efforts, and it was if a spell had broken. Edward dropped his grip on her so quickly that she stepped back, surprised they had even touched.
“Thank you both,” she said, taking care to look at Alvin only. “I know Seraphina needed a chance to dance with a gentleman.”
“And she did very well!” Alvin said happily. “You are teaching her well, sister. I know that she will be a gem of the Season.” He kissed Seraphina on the cheek, and she beamed with happiness.
“Thank you, brother and Edward.”
“Well, I think we ought to go to bed now,” Edward said, turning to go, glancing at Alvin. “I have business in London, as you know, Alvin. And I must go attend to it.”
“Of course.” Alvin said goodnight to the ladies and followed Edward out of the room.
“So, he is going to leave?” Seraphina asked.
Arabella had told her of Edward’s earlier plans to leave and how he’d changed his mind.
“Good riddance,” she said a little cruelly but unashamed. “He is running scared, and I mean to let him.”
Chapter 61
Edward hurried to his chamber, where he asked his valet to begin packing. He would leave as soon as he could get ready. He didn’t want to think anymore but wanted to just go. He would sort everything out later, but right now, he was too afraid to get hurt again that he couldn’t be in the same house as her. He feared all that had already happened, and that dance had pushed him over the edge.
“Do you plan to return soon, My Lord?” the valet asked as he packed clothes into the trunk.
“No. Everyone else will come later to London,” he said, not looking up from the desk as he collected some of his papers.
“Very good, My Lord.”
It would take a couple of hours before everything was ready, and during that time, Edward returned to his uncle’s country study to sit alone by the fire and continue drinking wine. The others had gone to bed, and he would leave a note for all, telling them where he was gone. He’d told Alvin, and the man had taken it good-naturedly enough, demanding only a promise that they would get together once they were all returned to London.
Aunt Sophia would not be pleased, and neither would his father, but he needed time to think. At least he knew that he did not plan to rush off to the Continent, but he would go to London, make plans to live there and return to the life he once had.
You are running away. Again.
The little voice inside him chastised him, but he tried to ignore it. He was not running, only going to London. It was not far, and he would see Arabella and the rest of the family again.
He was not running away from them all. Right then, he needed the time and space to sort everything out logically. That was the way he’d always been. He couldn’t focus with her so near, with the memory of their time in bed together still so fresh that it felt like it had happened only minutes ago.
“And I must help prepare for Gregory’s trial, see if I can be of any use to the barristers involved,” he said aloud, justifying himself.
A knock came on the door, and he rose, believing it to be the footman come to tell him that all was ready.
