Page 56 of A Most Unlikely Lady
Edward held his breath and nodded.
‘I need to think about this. I’ve never wanted to explore,’ she waved her hand between the two of them, ‘whatever this is between us before.’
‘And if you don’t wish to now, we won’t.’
Ivy puffed out a breath. ‘Idolike kissing.’
‘And I very much like kissing you.’ Edward snapped his mouth shut. He didn’t want to pressure her. While he wanted to encourage her to face her demons so that she might vanquish them, it wasn’t his place to tell Ivy how to heal from her wounds. Certainly not when the plan he recommended selfishly played into his own desires.
Ivy swallowed, the delicate column of her throat constricting as she tipped her chin up and pressed her lips together. ‘I shall think on it.’
Edward nodded. ‘Then I shall bid you goodnight.’ Bowing his head, he turned and walked from her room as every cell in his body screamed at him to stay.
When he reached his own door and undressed, he realised her list was still in his pocket. Pulling it out, he placed it on the desk next to the two notes from the Devil’s Sons. Looking at the three pages together, he realised an odd similarity between Ivy’s list and the note found on Lord Thurston.
‘Bloody fucking hell.’
13
Ivy slept terribly. Her mind was too busy swirling around all the ideas Edward inspired. She entered the kitchen intent on making a strong cup of tea and organising her agenda for the day. There was much to be done for the upcoming ball. She had an idea she wanted to discuss with Olivia that would make the preparations even more fraught but might also ensure their donations increased.
Edward was already sitting at the table, two pieces of parchment sitting in front of him. He sipped his disgustingly bitter coffee from a teacup.
Ivy felt her face heat. She wasn’t ready to re-enter their discussion from the night before, so she distracted him with another topic of conversation. ‘I have an idea about the charity ball,’ she spoke in a rush, hoping to divert any questions he might have about his proposed experiment.
Of kissing. And touching. And exploring each other.
Dear Lord!
Focus. Do not start drooling all over the kitchen counter.
Edward looked up from the notes, his dark brow raising in an unspoken question. The summer sun streaked through the window, turning his eyes an intriguing shade of indigo. There were streaks of silver at his temple, and his black hair shone like polished leather. Ivy desperately wished to test its texture against her fingers.
Grabbing the kettle and shaking it, she realised he must have refilled it for her. She lit the hob and looked over her shoulder at him. ‘I think we should bring some of the children.’
Edward put down his coffee. ‘To the ball?’
‘Yes. Henry and Sarah would be the best candidates. It’s easy to say no to an idea, but how could you possibly say no to Sarah’s sweet face? Or Henry with his endearing smile? We need to show the beau monde these children are future contributing members of our society. Henry could make a fine footman or even officer for Scotland Yard. Sarah might be taking care of a peer’s children one day. These are not just orphans. They are people the beau monde depend upon to keep their precious lives running smoothly.’
Edward leaned back in his chair and crossed his thick arms over an equally impressive muscular chest. She really should insist he wear a waistcoat and jacket at all times. The man was far too attractive.
‘Play on their sympathies, then show the lords and ladies how it benefits them to give generously?’
Ivy took the wailing kettle off the hob. ‘Exactly. You gave me the idea last night.’ She turned to the teapot and half-filled it with boiling water to warm the porcelain before dumping it out, adding tea leaves, and refilling the pot.
‘Did I?’ She could hear the amusement in his voice and warmth bloomed in her chest.
Turning, she leaned her back against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking his pose. ‘You did. When you spoke of how honourable titles rarely equate to honourable men. You are right. Most of the peers I know are motivated by their own selfish needs, so we show them how donating money to the orphanage benefits them, not the children.’
Edward’s smile was infectious. ‘You are a sneaky one, Lady Ivy.’
She grinned back. ‘Thank you.’
Just as quickly as his smile appeared, it dissipated. He waved her over to the table next to him. ‘I have had my own epiphany. I’d love your opinion on it. Look at these two notes.’
Ivy walked over to the table, her shoulder bumping against his as she bent to look at the two papers. ‘That’s my list from last night.’
Edward nodded.
