“I presume he will tell me that tomorrow morning.”His stiff posture made it clear he had no desire to discuss it further.
He was about to leave, but Hannah stopped him with a hand.“Wait.You haven’t finished everything.”
She removed a covered container and offered it to him, along with a spoon.“It’s Cook’s newest dessert.She copied it after the Sachertorte, which my parents tasted in Vienna.You’ll want to try it.”
She’d never been allowed to partake of the rich dessert, but there was no reason why the lieutenant should not enjoy the rare delicacy.Setting the container into his hands, she made him accept it.
Hannah lifted the lid, and against her will, her mouth watered.The cake was a rich chocolate, while the inner layers were filled with apricot jam.What would it be like to taste such decadence?
The lieutenant dipped his fork into the cake, and Hannah stared at the forbidden dessert.
Was it as good as it appeared to be?It looked so tempting, but she forced herself to look away.
“You look as though you’re ready to snatch my cake away,” he observed.“Did you want some?”
“No, that’s all right.”Lies.All lies.She breathed in the scent, wishing for just the tiniest taste.“I’m not allowed to have sweets very often,” she admitted.“Mother has my waist measured every day.”
The lieutenant set his fork down, studying her as though she were a foreign creature.“What do you do when you attend the dinner parties and balls?Surely you would offend the hostess if you refused to eat the dessert.”
She gave a reluctant smile.“There are ways to play with your food so it appears as if you’ve eaten it.Don’t tell me you never tried it, when you were a boy.”
“I ate everything my parents gave me.I was glad if it wasn’t rancid.”
Hannah rested her hands in her lap.She’d never worried about where her food came from.It was always there in endless variety.Only the best cuisine would meet her mother’s impossible standards.
It was sobering to remember that most people worried about whether or not they had enough to eat.She should be grateful for her circumstances, despite the lack of freedom.
“Close your eyes,” the lieutenant said suddenly.
“Why?”
“Do it.”
She obeyed, wondering what he intended.A moment later, she felt the light brush of metal tines against her lips.His thumb urged her mouth to open, and the fork slid inside.
The sweetness hit her tongue first, then the bittersweet chocolate of the cake, followed by apricot jam.Hannah breathed in as she held the unbelievable flavors against the roof of her mouth.She almost didn’t want to swallow, it tasted so good.
When at last she did, she opened her eyes.The lieutenant was staring at her, his gaze filled with heat.“Don’t ever look at a man like that,” he murmured.“Else you’ll find yourself in his bed.”There was wickedness in his tone, as if he wanted to be that man.
She returned the fork to him, suddenly conscious of the intimacy of sharing it.He set the plate aside, rising to his feet.“I’m going to go now.Thank you for the food.”
“You’re welcome.”She held the taste of the torte against the roof of her mouth, savoring the last remnants.And despite the terrible temptation, she promised herself she would not lick the plate after he’d gone away.
“Wait here for a few moments, then go and sit in the garden,” he suggested.“They’ll find Belgrave and come looking for you.”
“Heaven help me when I’m found.”
He took her shoulders, looking her straight in the eye.“You were brave enough to defeat Belgrave once before.You’ll manage it again.”
She wished she felt the same confidence.Even so, it wasn’t as if she had any choice.Lifting her gaze to his, she saw the faith in his eyes.And suddenly, she grew aware that he hadn’t pulled his hands back.
His palms dominated her narrow shoulders, while his hazel eyes bore into hers.He seemed to struggle with an invisible decision, but his hands remained where they were.She was caught by the memory of his fingers caressing her skin, and the unexpected brush of his mouth on her nape.The stolen kiss in the carriage...all of it made Hannah’s sensibilities drift away.
If it had been the lieutenant her parents wanted her to marry, she might have had a very different response.There was something forbidden about him.Something tempting.
“I’m not brave at all,” she whispered.“I’m nothing but a foolish girl.”She lifted her hands to his shoulders, knowing that she was provoking him.Knowing that he wasn’t safe at all, nor was he a gentleman.
The effect of her hands upon him was instantaneous.His hands stilled, and he leaned in, his cheek resting against hers.“Tell me to stop.”
