“I’m intrigued.” Cora tugged her coat closed at the front.
“Is it too cold for you? We can return home.”
“No. I won’t miss this. I’ve never seen such a place.” Cora looked at the buttons and then at the door. “I was just making sure my dress was covered before we got out.”
He cursed himself for putting the idea in her head that she was anything but perfect, but if he tried to explain, he’d only make things worse, so he remained silent.
The carriage stopped, and they made their way to the ticketing booth, paid their quarter per person, and entered the wonderland of trees in a barren area. Cora clung to him, pointing up at the canopy. Her close contact heated him from the inside.
They strolled through to discover bear cubs climbing trees and flamingos standing on one leg. “This is exciting,” Cora squealed, her head shifting left and right, her eyes shimmering with childlike wonderment. The way she lit up with excitement chased the morning chill away.
They stopped at the lions and huddled together to avoid the wind sweeping through the area. “They’re such beautiful creatures,” Cora said in an awestruck tone.
Couples walked by them. Kids ran from beast to beast, growling and flapping their arms, mimicking the animals. For the briefest of moments, he saw happiness. In that oasis in the city, there were no debts or meetings or problems, only he and Cora clinging to each other to stay warm and share their awe and respect for the creatures around them. They weren’t in San Francisco, but some far-off land. A land where families were fed and safe and there was room in the world for luxuries beyond what money could buy, where peace and security gave room for companionship and love.
A roar sounded as if the lion agreed. It startled Cora into his side. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her tight, keeping the threat away from her. She looked up at him with those bright eyes that captured him and yanked him into an abyss. He lost himself in her gaze and didn’t care. Her body crushed to his, and all thoughts but how soft and inviting her lips looked faded away.
The crowds blurred from existence. She trembled in his arms, which only made him want to pull her tighter to him. He’d never been this close to a woman except when bedding one. But this was different. Despite the many layers of clothes between them and the people around them, he’d never embraced a woman with such intimacy. An honesty that made him feel vulnerable. He told himself he needed to pull away and run from this connection to the woman who had nothing to offer him beyond physical pleasure. Yet, he didn’t want to release her.
Ghost’s words from the docks yesterday echoed through his head about how he could choose a bride with no dowry because he’d made it, but that was a lie. Ed teetered on the cliff of destitution, and for once it wasn’t only himself he wanted to save. He’d made a promise to Cora, and he intended to keep it.
But he couldn’t stop himself from touching her pink cheek. She closed her eyes, leaning into his hand as if she trusted him. “I know you have no reason to believe me. I know I’ve spoken harshly at times. But I will not allow you to fall into ruin. I’ll keep my word and provide for you once this is over.”
She stiffened in his arms and pushed away from him, straightening her bonnet. “I see.”
Her posture stood straight, and her voice sounded cold. What had he said this time to set her off? “What I mean is that you can trust that I’ll pay for you. That you don’t have to worry about what happens to you.”
“I will not be bedded. Our engagement is a farce, but I’m worthy to find a man who will wed me someday.”
“Wait, no. I misspoke.”
She stood straight and her eyes faded from passion to persecution. “I’m ready to return to the house.” She didn’t wait for his arm before she headed toward the exit. He wasn’t sure she’d ever let him touch her again.
Mr. Grous appeared around the other side of a large tree and tipped his hat to Cora with his cane, but she didn’t respond. “I see there’s trouble before you’ve even reached the wedding bed. You don’t believe you can really handle that woman, do you? She’ll control you for the rest of your days. She needs a man who can break her to his will.”
Mr. Grous’s words spit fire in his gut. “You’ll not touch my fiancée, or I’ll make sure that you’ll never be able to touch another woman again.”
Mr. Grous lifted his cane once more, and Ed readied for a fight, but he only tipped his hat a little higher. “I won’t touch her while you’re engaged, but she’ll choose me in the end when you’re poor and living on the streets. Which is going to be sooner than you think. Perhaps by the time your party ends next weekend.” He backed away, but his warning remained.
Ed worried this time Mr. Grous wasn’t just spouting threats but he actually knew something. Ed needed to get to his office and review everything again. Had he covered his debts well enough? He caught sight of Cora, who still walked ahead. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight with Mr. Grous lurking nearby, so he hurried to catch her, but with each step he drew closer, he worried that Mr. Grous had a plan that didn’t just involve exposing Ed to ruin, but a way to make Cora his property. A fate worse than poverty.
ChapterEleven
The silencein the carriage unnerved Cora, even if she didn’t want to speak. How could she have been so stupid to believe Ed actually felt something for her beyond lustful intentions? It wasn’t until she was safely tucked into her room, warming by the fire, that she crumbled.
Grace came in to tend the fire and help Cora remove her corset. Cora couldn’t stop trembling from the passion and terror she’d felt at the realization that Ed wanted her but didn’t want to wed her.
Grace chattered on about how Cora needed to stay by the fire and she’d bring her warm soup. Her eyes grew heavy after working late into the night on her dress, so she crawled into bed and rested her head on the pillow. The softness reminded her of the way Ed’s hand had felt against her cheek. The blankets like his arms around her, holding her tight against him. The passion in his eyes like none she’d ever seen.
But that’s all it was. A man needing a woman. She’d heard stories of women giving way to a man’s desires before they were wed, only to be turned out once the man had been satisfied. No, she wouldn’t be that stupid. She’d lived through too much, seen too much, to fall for a man like Ed and his empty promises.
Yet, she’d been the one to lean into him, to crave his mouth on hers, and he’d been the one to reject her. He’d practically shoved her from him as if she’d been the one in a position to destroy his reputation.
After a short, restless nap, she’d recovered enough strength to sketch out the animals she’d seen and the trees. All her ideas had merged into one brilliant plan as she stood in Ed’s arms under the canopy of trees watching the animals. When Grace came in to help her dress for dinner, she was ready. “Please ask Ghost to meet me in the parlor. And Grace?”
“Yes, miss?”
“I’ve been thinking. It’s not proper for me to be alone with Mr. Neal before we’re married. I prefer to have a chaperone at all times.”
