“I assure you I’ve been properly chaperoned by Grace and Mrs. Clint. Besides, I asked to stay at the home so that I could work on the party easier.”
“That makes sense.” Mrs. Miller took a sip of wine.
Ed’s muscles in his face that twitched all through dinner relaxed a little when they retired to the cigar room and the women to the library, but he didn’t truly let down his guard until they sat in the carriage on the way down the hill.
Ed moved to Cora’s side since her eyes were closing, out of fear she’d tumble from the seat on the downhill home.
She moaned and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m not used to so much wine.”
“No worries. I’ve got you.” He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the floral aroma that was so distinct about Cora’s hair. In the carriage, he closed his eyes and embraced the comfort of her at his side. The evening had been pleasant and easy when they weren’t working to cover up the wounding words of Mr. Grous.
When they reached the house, Ed slid out and then helped Cora from the carriage. She fell into him, so he lifted her into his arms and carried her inside, past Ghost who was holding open the door. “I’m going to put her to bed. Tell Grace to come upstairs.”
Ed didn’t stop until he reached Cora’s room and set her down on the bed.
“You must hate me even more now.” Cora touched his stomach, sending a parade of want through him. “You’re so handsome and beautiful and handsome.” Her head rolled to one side.
“Let’s get you to bed.” Ed unbuttoned her coat and slid it down her shoulders.
“But I thought you didn’t want me. Am I not pretty?” Cora asked, tears welling in her eyes. “Why don’t you want to bed me?”
Ed glanced at the door, knowing he needed to leave as soon as possible. “That’s the wine talking.” Ed placed the coat over the chair and called out, “Grace?”
No answer.
Cora tugged and ripped at her new dress. “Take it off. I can’t breathe.” She stood and fell forward into his arms. “Can never breathe when you touch me or look at me.” She lifted to her tiptoes with lips puckered. “Kiss me.”
She pushed away and grabbed at her dress again. “Unbutton me.”
He did as she ordered, and her dress slipped to her waist. “Grace!” he hollered, but still no answer.
“Corset, loosen. Still can’t breathe.”
Ed’s muscles tightened, but he remained fixed on the task and not on the soft skin of her shoulders exposed to him. He loosened the corset, and she collapsed onto the bed, her breasts heaving over the material. He rolled her to one side so he could pull the covers down from under her.
“Tell me the truth. Do you still wish I was Mary?”
Her words speared him. “Is that what you’ve thought all this time?”
“If you sent for Mary, then you planned for her to be your bride, yet you reject me. It must be that you don’t want me.”
Ed’s eyes swept the length of her. He snagged the covers and yanked them to her chin. “I want you so much that my body aches for you.”
“I’m here,” Grace announced, her eyes wide and face blushed.
“What took you so long?”
“Sorry. I was tending to something, and Ghost didn’t know where to find me. I’m here now and will care for Miss McKinnie. Is she ill?”
“No, but she will be.” He fled from the room and far from the woman who turned him inside out with only a glance his way.
He went to shut himself away in his office, but Ghost waited for him, holding up a drink of whiskey. For once, he’d had enough and didn’t even want to see the glass. “No thanks.”
“Didn’t go well?”
Ed removed his coat and tie and collapsed into his chair, eyeing the dark world outside. “Went fine. Mr. Miller says he’s almost positive he’ll be investing, but I’ll have his final answer Saturday. I think he’s waiting to make sure the other investors are on board with him.”
“Then why you so sour?”
