Her eyes burned with so many different emotions—despair, frustration, fear, passion. He’d never known a woman quite like her, willing to reach for her dream even in the face of her family’s disapproval. She hadn’t only written an incredible play, but she was willing to take on any task for the good of the theater.
But what had truly captivated him was that she had fun while she did it, laughing amongst his staff. Getting him to laugh at himself when he got too wrapped up in a foul mood.
And even with his life crashing around him in pieces, he… He wanted her. And not how he’d wanted other women. A fierce knowing settled in his heart.
He wanted her in his life.
And how the hell was he going to manage that? It was impossible.
But before Carter could respond to her plight, or his own revelation, the door opened, revealing the one man he had not expected to see for at least another fortnight.
And that could only mean one thing.
“Oh hell,” Carter muttered.
Elle did not need to look at the newcomer glowering into the room more than once to know who he was. If not for the silver strands peppering the man’s black hair and the wrinkles lining his face, the resemblance between Carter and his father would be uncanny.
Embarrassed to be caught discussing her personal problems, she hastily turned back toward the window and brushed at her eyes.
“Edmund,” the man said.
As tension filled the room, she wanted to leave but wiped at her tears again.
She and Carter would not finish working on the last two scenes today after all.
The thought tightened her chest. Was this the end?
No. It could not be.
She had found the courage to confess her situation to him. She’d told him everything—everything he needed to know, that was.
And he’d offered his own apartment.
But nearly just as momentous… He’d called her beautiful—and talented! And he’d… He’d kissed her and then… He’d listened to her.
“Elle—Miss Sparrow.” Carter gestured almost reluctantly to the man who had entered the office so abruptly. Was he ashamed to have been caught with her? “May I present my father.”
“Good morning, sir.” Elle took a step away from the window and dropped into a practiced curtsey, very much eager to escape. “I’ll leave the two of you alone.”
“You don’t need to leave,” Carter snapped, and something Elle couldn’t read flashed across his expression.
But Elle did need to leave. She knew better than to come between family members.
“I’ll check the audition schedule and return when you’re through here.” It was for the best. Carter was not happy with this visit and, by the looks of his father, nor was the older man.
Anxious to leave father and son alone, Elle gathered a few of her belongings and skittered around the edge of the room, all while the two men squared off with one another.
When she slipped outside into the foyer, she sighed in relief, though she doubted either of them noticed.
And she would have walked away, she really would have! But then she heard the sound of something breaking. A vase?
The crashing sound was immediately followed by words she couldn’t help but overhear. Torn between her concern for Carter, but knowing well enough that she shouldn’t eavesdrop, Elle froze.
“If you think you’ve won, you’re wrong, old man.”
Elle had witnessed Carter Dodd when he was annoyed, frustrated, and horribly irritated, but in all the hours she’d spent working with the blasted man, she’d never heard him sound so very angry—so tragically bitter.
“You are prepared for Drury Lane Theater to fail, then? Just to spite me?” The older man’s voice wasn’t as robust as his son’s, but Elle heard him clearly. Both of her hands plucked at the lace on her bodice. What did he mean, allow the theater to fail?
