“There he is,” a woman’s voice called loudly, growing in intensity. “Mr. Price is over there.”
“Time to move again.” Edmund pulled her out the station door. Not missing a beat, he lifted her into the carriage and hustled in behind her, slamming the door shut.
The moment he sat, he pounded his fist against the ceiling. “Walk on, driver.”
The cab jolted into motion. Ami leaned back against the seat, supremely happy to be out of the press of humanity.
And especially glad to be away from Mr. Brudge.
Across from her, Edmund tugged at his sleeve hems, straightening his rumpled coat after the mad dash. As he did so, he peered at her. “Are you all right?”
“I am.” Despite the chaotic experience, she grinned. “Is it always like this for you?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He chuckled. “Now you know why I wore Jameson’s old set of clothes when I first met you.”
“I didn’t realize you were so popular. I mean, I did notice the looks you got when we boarded in Oxford, but I had no idea your good name would attract so much attention here.”
He ran a hand over his face, inhaling deeply. “I suspect it will only get worse should I win the election.”
“Of course you shall win, but even so”—she arched a brow—“that sounds perfectly awful.”
“I can’t say I like it much.”
The carriage swayed around a corner, and she gripped the seat to keep from toppling sideways. At least it had good springs, or they’d both have been smashed against the side of the wall.
“So why don’t you run away?” she wondered aloud.
“I did.” He smiled. “To India.”
“I thought that was because of Louisa.”
“Mostly, but not the only reason.” He grew pensive then, his gaze drifting out the window.
Which afforded her the best opportunity to study him unwatched. That jawline of his could intimidate the strongest of men should he choose to dig in his heels, and yet she’d seen it soften into compassion whenever he spoke of Sanjay. His blue eyes—ever dusky and intense—fixed on some point outside the glass, clearly not taking in the bustling street. He was miles away, lost in thoughts she couldn’t begin to guess at, and yet she itched to know ... just like so many other women, apparently. She hadn’t realized he was so sought after, and yet somehow that just made him all the more vulnerable, sparking a sense of protectiveness toward him.
And not just a small amount of jealousy.
“I must say I feel very privileged to be here with you,” she murmured, mostly to herself.
His blue gaze shot to hers. “No.” He shook his head defiantly as he scooted to the edge of the bench. Leaning close, he gathered her hands in his, the heat of his touch drying her mouth to ashes.
“I am the privileged one to have met you.” Without breaking eye contact, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a lingering kiss to her skin.
Oh my. It was stiflingly hot in here, yet she dared not pull away to fan herself. If her brow glistened, then so be it.
And it didn’t get any cooler when his voice turned huskier. “I’ve grown very attached to your company, Ami. Actually, I’ve grown very attached to you.”
There were promises in those words, hints of love, allusions to a happily ever after. Her heart, once solely devoted to her career, began to make space for the prospect of a shared journey with this man. She longed for him to choose her above all others, just as he had when he’d helped her off the train. But was that an absurd desire? The fact was, he could have any woman he wanted with naught but a crook of his finger.
She licked her lips, praying her voice would work. “I suppose I shouldn’t have laboured quite so diligently on those antiquities of yours, for I must admit I am loath to part from your company as well.”
A grin broke across his lips, so handsome her stomach flipped.
“Then it’s settled.” He squeezed her fingers. “I shall purchase another load of relics. Though you should know I value you more than your Egyptian savvy.”
“Easy now!” the driver called out as the carriage wheels slowed. “’Ere we are.”
Releasing his hold, Edmund stepped out, leaving a huge loss inside the cab without him. Of all the unfortunate timing. She’d much rather stay in this cocoon, soaking in his words of affirmation.
