Page 57 of Heart of Iron
And Lena’s heart twisted in her chest.
“Are you all right, my dear?”Lord Folsom asked.He was only human, his family not deemed important enough to receive the gift of the blood rites.
“Quite fine,” she managed to say, passing him her plate.“Just a slight hint of nausea.I believe I might need to escape the crush.”
She should have been working against Will instead, but she found she didn’t have the heart for it.She needed to clear her head.Gather herself.Before she did something foolish like ask Eric to dance theassahwith her.
She knew precisely how Will would take that.
Pushing through the crowd, she found herself at the edge of the ballroom.The room was located on the second highest floor of the Ivory Tower, with breathtaking views over the entirety of London.A colonnade circled the outside, a chance for a young lady to stroll within watchful distance of the ballroom.
She pushed through the French doors, the wind whipping her hair out of her face as she leaned against the rail.Hundreds of feet below, the grass beckoned.More than one blue blood had been thrown to his death here.But never when a ball was in progress.Such things weren’t done.
Tugging her gloves off, she risked another glance back into the ballroom.With the ballroom lit up so well, everything within was fully visible whilst she would remain hidden in the shadows.She found Will easily enough.His nerves appeared to have settled, for he shared a rare smile with the Norwegian clans as they wooed him.
His own people.
Dress him in furs and let him stop shaving for a day or so and he might have been mistaken for one of them.
Turning around, she balled her gloves in her fist and leaned on the rail.Foolishness.Youknewhewasneverforyou.Yet the last week had lulled her into a sense of false hope.A smile here, the brush of his body against hers, their teasing…
If he knew what she was about, he’d never speak to her again.
Lost in her own misery, she barely heard the door open.The wind chilled her skin, but the hairs that rose on the back of her neck had nothing to do with the breeze.
Spinning around, she froze against the rail.Colchester smiled at her, easing the door shut with a soft click.Behind him dancers swept past, their images distorted by the windows.So close and yet so far away.
Lena took a step to the side and Colchester echoed her.A chill ran down her spine.
Tipping her chin up, she tugged her gloves back on.If anyone caught them, there was no need to promote rumors that she’d encouraged him.A bare wrist was tantamount to exposing her breast.
Colchester watched the silk slither over her arms.“That’s not going to help, you realize?”
“I’m only observing the proprieties.”
He strolled closer, using his body to trap her against the rail.Reaching out with both hands, he caged each side of her waist.
She risked a look toward the ballroom.A man’s broad back blocked the doors she’d come through.Cavendish, by the look of it.Preventing anyone from exiting.“I told you I haven’t decided,” she said, her breath catching as he leaned closer.
His gaze ran smokily down her throat.“Perhaps the offer’s been rescinded anyway.Why would I want soiled goods?”
Fingertips brushed against the curve of her clavicle.She pressed against the rail, but there was nowhere to go.Only empty air and wind behind her.“Soiled goods?”
“Another blue blood I could have forgiven you for.But not one of those filthy beasts.”His hand closed over her throat lightly.
Lena couldn’t breathe.She looked in those insane eyes and knew he’d do it.“Don’t.Not here.People are watching.”
His fingers tightened.“Do you think I give a damn?”A bark of laughter.“I’m a duke, Helena.And you…you are nothing.”
She grabbed his wrist, trying to ease his choking hold.Her head was swimming.“P-please…”
His grip eased.“I’m sorry?Are you begging for your pathetic little life?You’re not doing a very good job, my dear.”
Think, damn it.
“You’re mistaken.Whatever you think has been happening, you’re wrong.Leo asked me to teach Will to move through the Echelon.This is…strictly business, nothing else.”
A considering look entered his eyes.He stroked her throat.“Business?After that dance?The beast seems awfully possessive of you, my dear.”
