Page 47 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a world spun from the enchantment of the dance. The flickering candlelight reflected in Sebastian’s eyes, and Amelia’s cheeks were emblazoned with a warmth that went beyond the physical connection of the dance. Their steps became a rhythmic expression of a deeper connection, a dance of hearts entwined.
As the music swirled around them, the fiery passion intensified, fueling the dance with an intensity that set them apart from the rest of the room. In that fleeting moment, the boundaries between governess and earl blurred, and the dance floor became a stage for a silent revelation of emotions that defied societal norms.
In that moment, they were not the mere sum of their titles and statuses in life, but simply a man and a woman, with desires that mirrored each other’s. The music carried them through a realm where time seemed suspended, and the flame of passion illuminated a path that hinted at an uncharted territory of possibilities.
When the music stopped, Sebastian and Amelia lingered in each other’s arms for a few precious moments longer, reluctant to let go. He couldn’t stop looking at her. He wanted to drink in the sight of her, to inhale the very essence of her being and make her forever his, if not in real life, then in his memory of this shard dance.
“Well, then, I think it is time for us to retire,” Frederick spoke, breaking the magic of the moment.
Sebastian turned to him, finally finding one thing they could both agree on. “I believe that is a good idea.”
They all bid each other good night. Sebastian watched Amelia close the door to her chamber, smiling at him as she did so. He felt as if there were so many words left unspoken, and he wanted to share them all with her.
Those were his thoughts as he paced about the library, almost making a hole in his Axminster rug as he did so. Nervously, he glanced at the clock. He had been there for over two hours.
He had to accept the fact that she would not be coming.
Chapter 24
Amelia was not sleeping when she heard a slight knock on her door in the middle of the night. She had no idea what time it was. She didn’t even glance at the clock. Instead, she rushed over to the door, her heart all the way down in her heels. She opened the door slowly, only enough to peer through, revealing just one-half of her face.
A part of her wasn’t surprised at all when she saw Sebastian standing there. His lips were parted, as if in an effort to say something, but he wasn’t exactly sure what. Her own heart was beating inside her throat, threatening to jump out of her body and land right into the palm of his hand, for that was where it wanted to be.
All the emotions had rushed to the forefront of her mind, the longing, the sheer need, the melancholy, the hopefulness. It was all one strange amalgamation that was pulling her on all sides.
“Sebastian?” she said his name. The name of the person he was, not the title that he carried. In the middle of the night, there was no room for politeness for the mere sake of it.
“Amelia…come,” he replied, as if woken up suddenly out of a reverie he had gotten stuck in. His hand closed gently around hers, the warmth of his touch a comforting contrast to the dimly lit corridors that stretched into eternity on all sides.
He started walking, pulling her along with him, leading her with a confident stride. He knew where they were going, even if she did not. Her heart raced as she followed him, the quiet echo of their footsteps blending with the distant creaks of the old manor.
The further they ventured into the labyrinthine corridors, the more Amelia felt a mixture of thrill and vulnerability. The darkness seemed to envelop them both, intensifying the connection between them. His hand, firm in its grasp, provided both reassurance and a spark of excitement. She had no idea where he was taking her. It didn’t matter at all.
Every corner turned, every fleeting moment in the dim light, only seemed to heighten the suspense. Yet, with Sebastian leading the way, Amelia couldn’t help but trust in the unknown path they were treading together. Whenever he was leading her, she was ready to go there.
They climbed a winding flight of stairs, when he stopped in front of a door. He turned to her with a smile that beamed in the darkness like a beacon of light, a ray of sunshine after the darkest of nights.
“There is something I’ve been meaning to show you,” he said softly, and her heart danced to the music of his words. Curiosity peaked inside of her, and a million little goosebumps ran up and down her body, thrilling her to her very core.
He inhaled deeply, then opened the door, leading them both in. He let go of her hand, allowing her to focus on what she was looking at.
The observatory, though still a work in progress, held a captivating charm. The room was circular, with large, arched windows that offered a panoramic view of the night sky. The half-completed dome above hinted at the celestial wonders it would soon reveal.
In the center of the observatory stood a sturdy telescope, its polished brass gleaming in the soft light. The air was infused with the scent of wood and the faint aroma of the night outside. Planks of timber and tools scattered about, evidence of the ongoing construction, added a rustic touch to the celestial haven.
The walls were adorned with sketches and plans, a testament to Sebastian’s dedication to his astronomical pursuits. A cozy sitting area, adorned with plush cushions and draped fabrics, beckoned for contemplation and conversation under the starry expanse.
Despite its unfinished state, the observatory exuded a sense of enchantment. The combination of the celestial view, the earthy scent, and the promise of astronomical discoveries made it a space where the boundaries between the earthly realm andthe vast cosmos blurred. Amelia felt at home here, in this unexplored place, with him by her side.
She turned to him with a smile. “This is…wonderful.”
His eyes sparkled in the dim light. “Do you really think so?”
“I do,” she assured him with a small nod, as he took a few steps closer to her so that now they were standing facing each other. His closeness affected her in ways she could not describe. She allowed that sensation of warmth to wash over her, raising every little hair on her body in anticipation of what might come.
“It still needs some work,” he pointed out, looking at her lips, at the way they moved when she spoke. “I want to make it…”
He seemed to have been searching for the right word, so she offered one that she believed was the right one. “Magical?” she wondered.
