Eliza simply gaped at him then slowly drew herself up and smoothed her night clothing.
“Why…”
“I took advantage. You were vulnerable. I apologize.”
“I was not vulnerable. Besides, I kissed you.”
He chuckled and shook his head, his back still to her. “However, I took liberties that I should not have.” He took a long drink of his brandy. “Go to bed Eliza.”
He was just sending her off after he had touched her and his kisses had been so delicious.
Rejected!
He was rejecting her.
Chapter18
Lucian finally rosewith the sun. He barely slept and when he did, he dreamt of Eliza. He’d gone to bed frustrated and angry with himself for giving in. When her sweet lips had pressed against his, Lucian willed himself not to react, but when she started to pull away, he could not let her go. It only grew heated the more they kissed until he had her beneath him as he caressed one perfect breast, her nipple tight with desire. Had he wished to, Lucian had no doubt that Eliza would have allowed him to completely seduce her last night, which would have been a mistake.
He did not know for certain that she was innocent, but suspected that she was, and it wasn’t a question he could ask.
Had he claimed Eliza, he would have had no choice but to marry her as it would have been the honorable thing to do, and while the idea of having Eliza in his bed permanently was something he would enjoy, away from the bedchamber they would not suit.
She was impetuous and undisciplined, proven by the way she had kissed himtwice; once almost ten years ago and the other last night. Eliza went after what she wanted without considering the ramifications while he proceeded with caution at every turn, and carefully considered the options in all situations and decisions, until she kissed him.
Bloody hell!
She would be the death of him, of that Lucian had no doubt, or at least see him Bedlam bound, though perhaps Xavier would take pity on him and turn Hardwood Hall into a hospital where he would see that Lucian was cared for by professionals while he spent his days on the terrace watching the sea, a man reduced to nearly nothing because he had succumbed to desire for the wrong woman.
Yes, he was being dramatic, but where Eliza was concerned, nothing was impossible. She was beautiful, spontaneous, and fearless—unless a storm was raging. He was pragmatic, thoughtful, and proceeded with caution.
Yet, he wanted her. Desired her like no other woman, which had been the case since he first saw her step from the lake ten years ago. Over the years, he had come to know other women with potential courtship in mind, but he had compared each woman he met to Eliza, even knowing she was not for him. It was a constant war within him. In his mind, Lucian knew that he needed a calm, reasonable, and thoughtful wife. His heart desired a woman who challenged him, who sparked desire and passion—the woman he burned for.
Once he had dressed for the day, Lucian retreated to the library where estate work waited. He shut the door and was tempted to lock it so that he wasn’t disturbed by her but thought that a bit ridiculous. Besides, he was not one to hide, just avoid. When it came time to break his fast, he had a tray delivered to the library and continued to work and did the same in the afternoon.
Yes, he was avoiding Eliza because he was weak, but he could not continue to do this during her entire stay. Except, concentrating on accounting, and crops, and the tenants were the only items that helped keep her from his mind…that wasn’t true either. He had to force himself to concentrate and keep his arse in the chair or he would search her out and likely nothing else would be accomplished that day. However, as the dinner time came, Lucian could not stand being in the library any longer. He thought to take his horse from the stables for a ride, except, his feet took him toward the parlor where he found Eliza sitting on the settee, sheets of parchment on the table beside a stack of cards that she would look at one and then read from a sheet, then place it aside and pick up another card.
What also held his notice was that she was bent, a coppery curl falling over her shoulder and caressing the top of a perfect breast nearly revealed by the gape in her pale green gown.
Lucian was just about to ask her what she was doing when the butler appeared to announce dinner.
Only then did Eliza look up, her grey eyes widened and then she smiled. “Ah, you have emerged from the library and are no longer hiding from me.”
“I was not hiding,” Lucian argued, and lied. “There were several matters that needed my attention.” That was the truth.
She set the card and parchment aside, stood and shook out her gown. “I am glad to know that it is not my presence that kept you hidden away.” She walked toward him. “I am famished” She announced crossing before him. “What do you suppose Cook has served for dinner this evening?”
All Lucian could do was watch as she walked past him and then down the corridor. Had she been unaffected by what occurred last night?
Had she been able to return to her bed after the storm and enjoy a pleasant and dreamless sleep?
Did she not want him as much as he wanted her and had she just been toying with desire and affection?
If so, and if she continued, Eliza would likely get burned and by him.
Eliza was beginningto wonder when she would see Lucian again.
She feared that she’d gone too far in kissing him and that he had regretted what had happened next, though it was not much, given what all could have occurred. Regardless, he had still walked away, unaffected, while her body had remained achy and she had wondered if she would get any sleep. When she finally had escaped to slumber, Eliza had slept much later than normal and when she had emerged downstairs was told that her host was in the library and asked not to be disturbed. This had left her to eat alone and then she had gone into the parlor and thought to write, then decided to allow her hand to rest one more day. Instead, she sat to study the tarot cards her brother had sent to her.
