“I’m not. Don’t you have business to attend to?”
Ghost retrieved his hat from the desk. “You keep protecting that heart of yours, and you’re going to end up regretting it. Trust me. I know.”
Ed thought to ask him what he meant but decided if Ghost wanted to share, he would.
Alone in the night, he closed his eyes and remembered that kiss with Cora. He’d had his share of women, but he’d never connected with another person the way he connected with her in the dining room last night. But then he’d abandoned her after declaring his feelings for her. He was no better than William. Cora deserved so much more, but for some reason, she wanted him. She’d said so, even if it was from too much drink.
Despite his rejection, she’d performed like a seasoned actress, bending Mr. Miller to her will and guiding him to the truth about Mr. Grous. How could a woman so strong be so gifted in conversation, smart enough to understand business, and talented enough to pull off a party?
A party only days away and then this would all be over. He’d be able to send Cora far from his home and life so he could return to what was important. He closed his eyes, but for the first time, he didn’t see his dead family. Instead, he saw Cora.
She clung to him, half-dressed with her laces free and her lips closed on his. He savored the vision and succumbed to sleep in hopes he could finally have her, if only in his dreams.
ChapterSeventeen
Flashes of wine,stumbling, being carried, begging Ed to love her churned Cora’s stomach more than the dizzying of her head. She stayed in the confines of her bed so she’d never have to face Ed again.
“Breakfast is served. You should try to eat something.” Grace tugged at her covers.
“No. I won’t face him.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Neal. I behaved so poorly.” Cora clutched the covers tightly over her head.
“You weren’t so bad. I’ve seen worse. My uncle once got sick in my mother’s lap, and my father once fell into the pond, and my—”
“None of them confessed their feelings and begged for someone to love them,” Cora moaned and held her aching head.
“I’m not sure you told Mr. Neal that you had feelings, but you did ask him to undress you.”
Cora threw the covers off and eyed Grace. “You’re not serious.”
“I am.” For once Grace didn’t prattle on. She stood there with a flush and a knowing grin.
Cora shooed her away. “I can’t move yet. Come back later.”
It took hours before Cora could manage to sit up, but she knew she had to face the world and her disgraceful behavior. There was too much to do before Saturday to remain in hiding. Tomorrow they’d need to start decorating and the food prep, and today she had to finalize so many details.
The acid rose in her stomach at the thought of food, but she managed to rise from bed and dress with Grace’s help. “Is Mr. Neal in the house?”
“Don’t know, but I know he’s planning on leaving for the office with Ghost. Probably won’t be back until supper.” Grace glided from the room, but Cora tiptoed down the hall.
Voices carried up from downstairs, so she snuck to the balcony and looked over. Ed walked out the front door with Ghost by his side. He glanced over his shoulder up the stairs. She jerked away, pressing her back to the wall. Her heart pounded, and her mouth turned drier than when it’d been when she awoke this morning.
At the click of the front door, her pulse slowed. In hopes of avoiding Ed, she scurried down the stairs, sprinted by the door, and made it to the hallway, but she wasn’t fast enough.
“You can’t hide from me forever.”
Cora froze at the sound of Ed’s voice behind her. The door clicked shut, and footsteps approached. “I’m not. There’s just so much to do.”
He stopped only inches behind her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Just busy.” Cora forced her legs to respond and managed to take a few steps forward.
“Cora…”
“Don’t. I understand how you feel, so can you allow me a little dignity? It was the wine that spoke, not me. We’ll get through the party, and after that, I’ll leave. I’ll go far from here, and you’ll never have to see me again.” She spun too quickly to face him and thought she’d collapse from the still spinning room.
