“I knew it!” she whispered in triumph. “I can sense your leg bobbing up and down as you always do when you are anticipating something.”
He froze, looking down at where his leg now stiffened.
“Are we nearly there?” she asked, leaning forward and betraying the same excitement.
“Very nearly.” All night he had wanted to get her alone. It was a great pleasure indeed to see just how much she had enjoyed the ball, and he couldn’t deny having enjoyed it himself. It was truly good to see Oliver again, and for a brief time tonight, he had almost forgotten that he woke up every morning with the same purpose in mind.Revenge.
He hadn’t thought of the fire tonight. He hadn’t thought of Charity’s father and the need for justice.
I was happy…
“We are here,” he gushed before the carriage fully came to a halt.
He hopped down first and offered his hand to her. She took it, grasping for it in the air, then stepped down with him. Seth exchanged a look with his footman, Marcus, who held onto a suppressed smirk. It seemed despite Seth’s efforts to appear a little formal and restrained with Charity, it wasn’t enough to dampen all the rumors.
Blast the rumors! I could care less right now.
Seth led her into the house and closed the door behind them, listening as the carriage was towed away.
“Did you wish for a nightcap, or…” He trailed off, knowing full well he had no wish for another drink and would rather be someplace else presently…
“The chamber, Seth,” she said, echoing his very thoughts, her hand tightening across his arm. “Take me there.”
He raised her hand and kissed the back, then drew her toward the stairs. Once more, he did not bother with any candlelight and traversed his way through the house by moonlight alone. When they reached the chamber and he opened the door, a sudden heat made him halt, his body stiffening so much that he felt Charity respond beside him.
He looked toward the hearth in his room that had been lit, but oddly, tonight, the maid must have forgotten to return the fire screen before it. It would scarcely be a problem on any other day, for he would have Bates up in no time, fixing it for him.
But he did not wish to ruin the mood tonight.
Seth released Charity and lumbered toward the fire, his anxiety causing his hands to tremble as he made for the fire screen.
Inhaling sharply and holding his breath, he scooped it up, then tucked it loosely before the hearth.
His eyes darted over every part of those flames and the stone surrounding them.
Yes, it was still safe. The hearth rug hadn’t caught any errant sparks.
There will be no fire. Everything is fine.
Yet, he found himself resentfully glaring at the hearth, wishing it was no longer there.
“Seth?” Charity appeared beside him. She had managed to cross the room and find him of her own volition, her hands on his arm. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” He forced himself to say as much. “It is just the screen wasn’t in front of the fire. I prefer things to be completely safe where a fire is concerned.”
“I understand.” She breathed deeply. “Seth, there have been things I have wanted to ask you. There are snippets of rumors I’ve heard, tales, but I long for the truth. I could have asked anyone else, but I wished to hear it from your lips only.”
Seth turned to face her. He knew what she was going to ask. She was going to ask about his scars, about his fear of an open flame, and the rumor of a fire from the past.
“Someday, I will tell you everything.” He stepped toward her, closing the distance between them. “But, please, not tonight.”
He couldn’t. After such a joyful night, he was not going to taint it by talking of those lives that had been lost in the flames, nor ofthe fact that her father was responsible. All he wanted to do was return to their happiness again.
“Tonight, we are only smiling,” he murmured and reached for the pelisse at her shoulders, slipping it down her back.
“I like this idea,” she whispered, her head angling to the side. He was inches away from kissing her now as he moved to her, his hands busying themselves with reaching for the back of her gown and undoing the laces. As she reached for his cravat and tugged it free, their breaths hitched and they held themselves close, the tension mounting on the verge of their kiss.
Seth clashed his lips against her own in a sudden fierce and passionate kiss. What he loved was the ferocity she returned such a kiss with. It was as if the desire was consuming them both like fire tonight, unrelenting.
