“A couple of days, I should think.”
Thanking Mr. Steadford, Henry exited the office and went to collect his carriage. “St. Agatha’s Hospital,” he told his driver. Because he’d suddenly had an idea and it involved not only Viola, but her beloved dog, Rex.
Returning to her office after a lengthy discussion with Gabriella over tea and biscuits, Viola paused in the doorway when she saw Henry there, studying her bookcase. Her heart made a funny little hop, skip and jump.
“I see there are other books here besides medical texts,” he said with a glance in her direction.
She entered the room and came to see what he was looking at. “Gulliver’s Travels. That was my father’s. He used to read it to me when I was a child.”
A glimmer of interest flickered behind his eyes. “And this?”
She couldn’t help but smile as he pulled a box from a shelf and held it so they could both read what was printed on the lid. The New Game of Human Life. “Peter gave me that for my fifteenth birthday when he realized how fond I am of games.” It had been a thoughtful gesture, which only increased the value of the gift.
“We have to play it one day.” Henry lifted the lid and peeked inside. “It looks like it might be fun.”
“Oh. It is. You have to use a teetotum to progress through life from year one to eighty-four.” She returned the game to its designated spot. “It’s a game of luck rather than skill, but I must admit I find it vastly entertaining.”
He turned more fully toward her and smiled. “Speaking of entertaining, I want to propose an excursion.”
“With me?” In spite of every reason she’d given herself to resist him, excitement bubbled in her veins. Scattered around her heart were the remnants of the wall she’d been building since the age of sixteen when Robert had hurt her. Henry had not only scaled it, he’d taken a hammer to it and knocked it down completely.
“Yes.” He reached for her hand, and her insides started to fizz. “As it turns out, Robert’s case against you has been put on hold.”
“I know. Mr. Steadford informed me in a note he sent me this morning.”
“Which allows for a little reprieve,” Henry continued. “As I recall, you wish to visit the seaside. So I was thinking a day trip to Hastings might do some good.” When she opened her mouth, he cut her off quickly by adding, “The beaches are long and wide—perfect for Rex to enjoy a good run—and we can even visit the ruins of Hastings Castle if you like. It’s quite picturesque.”
“I...” Viola paused. It was so incredibly tempting. “I really shouldn’t,” she forced herself to say. “I am a widow and you are a bachelor. If anyone finds out that we’ve gone on a day trip together, they’ll assume that we’re lovers.”
His gaze darkened and his fingers tightened around hers, causing the most delightful tremor to rush down her spine. “I wouldn’t mind that.”
“Because you’re a man.” Her words scraped the air in an effort to gain a foothold. “Until a few days ago you were also a rake.”
“Perhaps I ought to become one again.” He stepped in close and her heart started racing. “Is it so terrible to want to escape with you to a place where we can be free from Society’s rules for a while?”
“No. It sounds wonderful actually. I just don’t want to give Hayes more ammunition.”
He inhaled deeply and when he exhaled that breath, she felt it stir the hair at her temple. “You know, all of this could be solved if you simply agree to marry me.”
Viola blinked. “Are you proposing?”
“No.”
Oddly, her heart took a sudden nosedive. Which of course was ridiculous since her brain had yet to decide if marrying Henry was an option she truly wanted to consider. “Oh.” God, she sounded stupid.
He didn’t seem to notice, his eyes warming and his lips tilting until he was looking at her as if she held the key to eternal life. “I have my pride, Viola, so I am not going to ask you until I am certain of what your answer will be.” Unsure of how to respond, she kept quiet, allowing him to add, “You must realize by now that I feel strongly about you, do you not?”
Her cheeks warmed as she dropped her gaze in a moment of pure self-consciousness. Tipping her chin back up with his fingers, he forced her to meet his challenging eyes. He raised an eyebrow and a single word crossed her lips. “Yes.”
“And I like to think the sentiment is reciprocated.” He dipped his head so they were only an inch apart. Just one tiny step and she’d be in his arms.
Her breath hitched and again she answered, “Yes,” though the word now sounded sensual.
His eyes darkened and Viola’s heart pounded against her chest. “God, I want to kiss you right now,” he murmured, his voice so rough it raked her skin with hot little embers. A moment passed—the most torturous moment of Viola’s life. She didn’t care that the door to her office stood open or that anyone who happened to pass would witness the tension that hummed between her and Henry. All she wanted in that moment was his mouth against hers and...
He took a step back. “Unfortunately, I cannot do so here without risking an audience.” He glanced over his shoulder at the door. “This is a busy place, and if someone were to find you in my arms like that, you would either have to face scandal or marry me right away. I do not want those to be your only choices, but if you come with me to Hastings...”
She bit her lip while trying to recall why she ought to say no.
