Page 28 of Camellia and the Christmas Curse
They lingered in the room for a little while, pacing along the walls, searching for any hint that the music had a sane, logical, earthly source.
“Do you think this is the old ballroom?” Camellia asked.
“Probably it was used as such. I think they’d have called it the great hall, then.”
“It’s sad it never gets used anymore.”
“Its time has passed,” Finn said, in a more subdued voice than usual.
Camellia sought to change the subject. “What will you do after Christmas? After leaving the castle, I mean?” she asked.
Finn shrugged. “I have a certain commitment to fulfill, and then I’ll be of no more use to anyone. Perhaps I’ll go east. India needs men, no matter what their reputations.”
Camellia didn’t like the idea of his leaving for India. Particularly not while she had to stay in England. But she could not tell him that. Not while she was pursuing his best friend. She cleared her throat. “I must go. It’s getting quite late. I should be getting rest.”
“Yes, you have plans of your own. You’re after him, aren’t you?” He paused. “I have been keeping an eye out.”
“Then you are a good friend to him.” Her cheeks went red. “He is a very kind person.”
“I know that. But it isn’t enough.”
She paused in the doorway. The double doors were flung wide. “Do you oppose my pursuit of Elliot?”
“Why should you pursue Elliot as a husband? What attraction does he hold for you, other than kindness?”
Camellia turned back, walking toward him purposefully. “It would be a sensible marriage. He’d be able to provide for me materially. I could manage Elliot well, and we could live our own lives. It could be very”—she came to a stop in front of him—“sensible,” she finished weakly.
“Yes, I would oppose that,” he said flatly.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think you deserve a sensible marriage.”
“What other option do I have?” Camellia burst out.
Instead of answering, Finn bent his head and kissed her.
This was not supposed to happen, Camellia thought. She tilted her head up, and her hands curled around his shoulders without her even thinking about it. His lips were warm on hers, and though she knew it was wrong, quite wrong, it felt right. She felt his hands at her waist, and wished he’d bring her closer to him, and then, as if he’d read her mind, he did bring her closer.
Camellia reveled in feeling him next to her, and she broke off the kiss only because her body insisted on breathing. “How inconvenient,” she murmured.
“The kiss?”
“The need to take a breath.”
At that, he laughed, low and close to her heart, then kissed her again. Camellia noted with a dazed mind that kissing could really be quite addictive. She hoped he’d go on forever.
The kiss evoked a host of emotions she was not prepared to deal with. Surprise, pleasure, curiosity—a lot of curiosity, and most of all, a sort of unadulterated happiness. No matter who Finn Ryder was, or who she was, Lia was so happy to be right there in his embrace.
He pulled away after a moment, leaving her flushed and newly shy.
“I hope I’ve convinced you that being practical is not the only consideration…Lia,” he said.
“Yes,” she answered, unaccountably thrilled to hear him say her pet name like that. It was as intimate as the kiss itself. “I can see—”
She broke off, stunned at something just flickering into her vision. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Finn, I can see a ghost.”
Chapter 13
