“Elba?” She tilted her head to the side. “Have you been to Elba?”
“Many times.”
She puzzled over that. “It’s my new perfume,” she breathed. And then, “I didn’t know orchids grew in Elba.”
“TheSpiranthes spiralisdoes. It’s subtle. Small. Its blooms are white. It seems insignificant, nearly invisible to those who don’t pay attention, until you look closer. It’s gorgeous and it smells heavenly.”
How to reply to that? She didn’t realize for several seconds that she was holding her breath. His words were so similar to what she’d been thinking a moment earlier. It was as if the man had read her mind. She didn’t have to answer because Cade said, “Just follow my lead.” He stepped forward, then back, then to the side.
Danielle felt herself swept into the easy, lilting rhythm with a partner who, despite claims to the contrary, obviously knew precisely what he was doing.
They turned in time to the music in the small space by the bed. For a moment Danielle felt like a young lady of thetonat her debut. She would pretend for just a few minutes more.
“You’re a quick study.” Cade smiled down at her.
“You’re an effortless teacher.” She paused before asking, “When were you in Elba?”
“Years ago.”
“Why were you there?”
He contemplated that for several seconds before saying evenly, “I ran off from home and joined the Navy when I was thirteen.”
“Thirteen!” She gasped. So young. But she’d run away herself at that age. Why did it seem so terribly young when someone else said it?
“When you come from the alleys of Seven Dials, a life in the Navy seems preferable, believe me.”
Seven Dials? Is that where he and Rafe grew up? She’d never imagined. “Was it preferable?” Why couldn’t she keep herself from asking these questions?
“In some ways, yes. In some ways, no.”
“In what ways was it not?”
Still leading her in the dance, Cade scoffed, “Let’s just say I didn’t grow up with a healthy respect for authority, which is an essential trait in a sailor.”
I didn’t, either. “Did it end badly?”
He downright grinned at that. “Everything I’ve ever attempted has ended badly. That’s the hallmark of a black sheep, don’t you know?” He was silent for a second, “Except…”
She watched him carefully. “Except? Except what?”
“There are only two things I’ve ever been truly good at.” His voice took on an almost wistful tone.
“What is the first one?” she asked, holding her breath.
His smile turned downright roguish. “Breaking the law.”
Danielle nearly choked. She peered up at him, examining his face. “You must be joking.”
“Absolutely not. I became proficient at it from a young age.”
“When you were in Elba, were you in the Navy or breaking the law?”
His grin didn’t diminish. “Both.” His white teeth flashed in the darkness.
The strains of the waltz faded and the music went silent. The musicians were no doubt taking a break. Cade released Danielle’s hand and with a small shiver she took a step back. She rubbed the gooseflesh that had popped up along her arms. Cade rubbed his hands along her arms, too. It was much too forward a gesture, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to stop.
He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered huskily, “Better?”
