They’d done it. With every syllable she uttered, not one hint of Irish lilt, dialect or even Covent Garden slipped into her tone. Eve had spoken as a lady, a princess, and now he was kissing her.
Henry stilled and lifted his lips from hers. He should pull away, but she fit so nicely tucked against him. Too nicely.
Her green eyes stared up at him, but for the first time, he could not read the emotion in the depths.
He’d shocked her!
Of course he had. She was his ward and he’d just treated her like…well, not like a lady as he should. Slowly Henry let his hands fall from her waist and took a step back as she let go of the hold on his shoulders.
“I apologize,” he muttered.
At his words, she clutched her skirt and looked to the floor but not before he noted the blush stain her cheeks.
It hadn’t been his intention to embarrass her.
“I overstepped and for that I dearly apologize. I am your guardian and you are my ward and I can assure you that I will not take such liberties again.”
Eve still didn’t look at him, but stared at the floor.
“Please forgive me.”
She blinked up at him and frowned. “Of course, Lord Kilsyth. You were simply relieved that I’d finally learned to speak properly.”
That wasn’t it at all! Well, perhaps some of it had been relief, but it was also the desire he’d been fighting for days. Of course, Henry couldn’t tell her that, especially since he’d just assured Eve that it would never happen again.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to return to my chamber and rest.”
This time Henry wasn’t certain if she wished to be rid of him because he’d overstepped, or perhaps she was truly ill.
“I spent most of the night repeating your sentences, if you must know, and did not find sleep until the sun was rising.”
Why did she work through the night when, at the time, Eve believed they still had two weeks to prepare?
“I realized the importance of my speech to fulfill my desire for employment, especially when I still wasn’t allowed to speak in front of others. I don’t wish to be a further burden on you, Lord Kilsyth, and have already taken up far too much of your valuable time.”
“Burden? You’ve never been a burden to me, Eve,” he assured her, making certain that for once his tone was not sharp.
“You are being kind, but now you can be assured that I will not embarrass you when we attend the ball. Society will never know that your Irish ward had once lived in poverty in Covent Garden.”
Bitterness laced her tone. Had he offended her somehow? Surely the kiss hadn’t angered her so much and hehadapologized.
“If you will excuse me.” She pulled away and stepped to the door. “If you need assistance with your correspondence later, have Mrs. Peade send for me.”
Then she was gone, leaving Henry very much alone in his library. At one time, that was how he preferred to exist. Alone in this room where he could work and concentrate without interruption. Suddenly the room seemed very empty and he, very much alone.
* * *
Eve made her way to her chamber, slowly and carefully when all she really wished to do was run and put as much distance between her and Kilsyth as quickly as possible.
He’d kissed her. Not only that but he’d picked her up, turned her around and then held her close.
Never in her wildest imagination had she ever dreamed that the melding of two mouths could be so wonderful, or that such contact could heat her entire body. Or, maybe it was from his hands, where they nearly scorched her skin, even through her gown. But, before she could fully comprehend what had occurred, or make sense of it, Kilsyth was apologizing and then promised never to do so again.
Though it was right and proper that he do so, the rejection stung nonetheless. Not only had he been shocked at his own behavior, but he stepped away from her so quickly it was if she’d been the one to burn him.
If he hadn’t wished to kiss her, why had he? Was it simply that he was relieved and it was a congratulatory impulse? An impulse he quickly regretted?
Of course it was.
