Amelia felt nearly human againby the time she emerged from her rooms. However, she also felt rather stealthy as she warily peered around corners. It was not odd. She simply wanted to spend some time in the music room before she had to face the household. The music hung in the corners of her mind, begging her to release it, and she craved the calm and healing such an action would bring.
She peered around the final hallway and was gratified to find it empty. With quick steps that caused embarrassingly belabored breathing, she crossed the hall and yanked the door open then closed it behind herself with relief.
“It would appear I was right.”
Amelia’s heart leaped into her throat as Edward stood from a wingback chair near the south side of the room. “Good heavens,” she breathed. “You alarmed me.” Her frustrating heart beat erratically as she struggled not to drink in the sight of him. But, as if mocking her defenses, his well-tailored jacket, cream trousers, and a faint hint of stubble along his firm jaw drew her in. Inwardly, she rebuilt her walls, even as his eyes removed stone after stone from them.
“I apologize. That was not my intention.” He moved toward her, an intensity in his eyes that Amelia could not very well understand.
“It is quite all right,” she mumbled, stepping to the side as he came closer still.
His eyes roved over her. “I am happy to see you improved.” He was only a handful of feet from her now.
“I am happy to be improved.” She continued attempting to skirt the room.
Unfortunately, his legs were longer, and he halted her arrival by coming to a stop in front of her. His sandalwood scent invaded her mind.
Would he kiss her again? She couldn’t allow him. Could she? No. Of course not. Not when her mind was now so full of questions. She swallowed, his eyes catching hers before hers darted away. Good heavens, where was she to settle her gaze?
His hair? Too enticing. His jaw? She bit her lip, looking away again. His cravat? Not ideal, but it would have to suffice. Even as she watched, his Adam’s apple bobbed down, and Amelia shivered.
“Are you cold?” Concern laced his words, and he appeared to be about to shrug out of his jacket.
“No!” She sounded terrified, even to her ears. But she was—she could not possibly be any more enveloped in that scent. She needed her wits about her.
“Very well.”
Something needed to be said to break the awkward silence between them then. Amelia opened her mouth. “How is—how is your valet? Barton?”
“I have removed the family to the dower cottage on our estate.”
Amelia forced down another shiver at the use of the wordour.
“The gentleman—if you could even call him that—who was their previous master was a disgraceful man. I may have hit him for his impudence.”
“You what?” She had been inching away, but at his words, she paused.
“Hit him. Have no fear; it was well deserved.”
“Oh.” That was somehow terrifying and attractive. Goodness, she wasnotsupposed to be finding her husband attractive just then.
“Would you play for me?”
Of their own accord, her eyes raised to his. He gazed down at her steadily, though she saw the way his jaw clenched, indicating he was not so at ease.
“Play?”
He nodded. “I have missed your playing. I did not think I would ever miss the sound of music from this room, but I do.” His eyes were still on hers, but they were unfocused now. Where was he? What was he thinking of?
Curiosity got the best of her, overcoming her desire to flee his presence. “Your mother?”
His eyes refocused, squinted somewhat, then relaxed. “Yes.”
Amelia stilled. “Would you tell me more about her?”
He seemed to war within himself a moment. “Would you consider a trade? Play me a song, and I will tell you all.”
Amelia bit her lip. Her eyes darted to the pianoforte with uncertainty, but she already knew she would relent. She wished to play, and the pain lurking in Edward’s eyes clearly needed settling just as much as the pain climbing up her spine and threatening to wrap icy fingers around her neck. As much as she feared the intimacy playing for Edward would surely bring, she also craved it.
