“No? I thought you were going to strangle the ivories at any moment.”
Humor laced his brogue but Hero sensed he wasn’t at all disappointed by her eagerness. “It was a difficult piece.”
“You’re a difficult piece.”
Uncertain whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, she merely inclined her head and boldly asked, “Shall we take our evening stroll, my lord?”
“Much to my regret, it has begun to rain.”
Surprised, Hero turned to the windows to ascertain the truth for herself and within moments was inwardly cursing Cooper for his delay in the most unladylike terms.
“Perhaps there is an alternative, however,” Ian went on silkily. “If you’re not too tired?”
With her curiosity roused by his mysterious tone, she shook her head. “What do you have in mind?”
The provocative query startled her as it emerged from her lips, not so much because of the question itself but because of the ideas it brought tohermind. Was he going to suggest they retire together? Or perhaps she might lead him to her rooms. Whisper in his ear how she longed for his kiss and so much more. Hero knew without a doubt, he wanted her as well. She knew it from the way his heart beat in unison with hers, hear it in his labored breathing, feel it when his hands trembled.
Anaffaire du coeurwas something she’d never dreamed of engaging in. Indeed, after almost ten years with Robert, she would have happily avoided the marriage bed were it not for her yearning for a child. The idea of actively pursuing sexual relations was once absurd.
Making love with Ian however…the thought—and she’d engaged in many on the subject—thrilled her beyond measure. Instinctively she knew it would not be abhorrent but rather extraordinary. She longed to put her hands on him. To have his on her. To explore and discover the elusive something his every kiss promised her.
What her father had said earlier touched her deeply. Over the course of their meal, Hero had mulled over the life lesson and compared it to her current circumstances. She wanted to embrace the life she had remaining and she wanted to do that with Ian for however long fate allowed.
If only she had the experience she was obviously lacking to relate her willingness to share those things with him.
If only she had the courage to simply say it aloud.
Much to her disappointment, Ian said none of things Hero hoped he might in the face of her splendidly ambiguous question. He only took her hand and led her into the hall. Not to her room or his but to the stairs, urging her to descend.
What was he waiting for?
Stifling her frustration as they descended, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“Did you know that I have a music room?”
“I did,” she answered, wondering at the innocence of his chosen topic. “I take it, you did not?”
“No.” He led her to the room below and to the left of the Round Drawing Room above. Dropping his arms, Ian indicated that she should precede him. “I discovered this just today.”
“It’s directly next to your study.”
“Makes the find that much more astounding, doesn’t it?” The corner of his lips tilted in a decidedly roguish half-grin that made Hero’s heart skip.
“So many instruments. A pianoforte even finer than the one above. A harp, horns, and much more. But I’m curious, what is that thing?” He tilted his head and she tore her gaze from him to study the indicated instrument, taking a few deep, steadying breaths.
About four times as large as an upright piano with a heavily carved wooden shell, the orchestrion held a complete woodwind orchestra inside. Multiple horns fanned along the back like the pipes of an organ, but there were kettledrums, side drums, cymbals, tambourines, and even a triangle inside this model as well, explaining the clamorous sound it produced. “It is an orchestrion,” She explained. “The bellows power it. Those big cylinders hold the music. I believe there are ten songs on each one? In any case, the Queen and Prince Albert have one and Robert felt it a compliment to their good taste to acquire one as well.”
“It is a monstrosity.” His soft tone was at odds with the words. And he was not looking at it at all but rather at her.
“There is no other word better suited for it.”
“But it is made to play music, aye?”
His eyes were dark and intense as he looked down at her, and anticipation skittered across Hero’s skin. She felt unnerved and inexplicitly jumpy. “Yes, but it’s better suited to a larger venue.”
Ian looked oddly disappointed by that, so she ducked under his arm and crossed over to another wooden box that was set on a side table near the fireplace. This one was of smooth burly maple set with brass. She ran her hand over it lovingly before lifting the lid. “This one is perfectly suited to play in a room this size, though.”
Gooseflesh lifted on her skin as she sensed his approach behind her until he was just inches away. She could feel the heat radiating from his skin, nearly feel the change in the air pressure between them with every breath he took. The tempo of her heart raced once more, quavering unsteadily in her chest until it felt as if her ribs encased a flock of butterflies.
