Nerves forced her to say, “Is it the correct one?I could not be certain, as I recall you mentioning their timepieces but I could not recall you had ever mentioned which specific one you desire.I can only hope I choose correctly, although to be honest it was hard enough to find that one.”
He said nothing, his grip cradling the watch gently.
“Do you not like it?You have always said you would like a timepiece by Burham-Roberts but perhaps your tastes have changed?If you do not like it, please do not hide it from me.It can be returned, and then we can get you something you truly wish—”
Reaching out with his free hand, he cupped the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his.His kiss was gratitude and awe and the deepest of affection.“Thank you,” he rasped against her lips.
The glisten in his eyes set off tears in her own.“You are very welcome.”
The sounds of the distant ballroom fell away, until it was only she and he and the frantic beat of her heart.
Breaking their gaze, he looked back down at the watch.“I cannot believe you have found this for me.It is even the correct time.”
Sound returned in rush.Heart still pounding, she attempted a teasing grin.“I should not give you an unwound watch.”
His lips quirked.“I did not get you anything nearly as fine for your birthday.”
“It really is not a competition, Benedict.”
“If it were, I would be losing soundly.”He turned the watch over, examining it closely.“El, look, see here?This piece is inscribed with a rabbit.Each watch has a different creature, because Burham believed a touch of whimsy would add delight to their watches.Roberts argued against it, but he was forced to eat his words when Burham was proven correct.”
He continued, pointing out specific features of the watch, the mechanics, even the material used for the face.A smile tugged at her as she made noises of agreement, having little understanding what he referred to but loving his enthusiasm.
Finally, he fell silent with a happy sigh.Carefully, he put the watch back in its cloth and then tucked it in his pocket before holding out his hand.
Immediately, she took it with her own.“Where are we going?”
“Nowhere, but if you think I am not going to dance with you at my birthday ball, you are quite mad.”
“Here?”
“I want to hold you close, El.”Drawing her close, he held her hand to his heart.“Dance with me.”
“We could have done that in the ballroom.”
“But not like this.”Drawing her close, he wrapped an arm around her waist and, humming, he drew her into waltz.
With a sigh, she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.They were so close, from chest to thigh, and she let his gentle humming flow through her.
There was barely a breath between them, and he hummed mostly in tune with the faint sound of music from the ball.
Closing her eyes, she laid her head on his shoulder.The faint sound of music and laughter faded until all she could hear was the soft whisper of his breath and the steady beat of his heart.
Chapter Nineteen
VauxhallGardenswasalight.Lantern flickered, strung in lines between the trees and casting their flame on the thick foliage.Crowds bustled beneath the lanterns, flooding into the gardens to purchase a meal, enjoy the automaton displays, or just lose themselves in the pleasures Vauxhall provided
Drumming his fingers against the table he’d managed to secure, Benedict examined every new arrival for El.She was to come after the opera, she had said, however the night was dragging on and she was still not here.He’d left the same opera more than an hour ago, but he’d not waited for the end before departing.He did not much enjoy the opera and really only went because El liked it.Tonight, she’d been invited to watch from an acquaintance’s box and, unable to sit at her side, he’d spent the opera watching her watch the players, spellbound and mouthing along with the singers, her expression filled with delight.He rubbed his chest.She’d been achingly beautiful, and he could think of nothing he’d rather do than watch her in her joy.
“What are you doing here, Stapleton?”Daughtry slid into the seat opposite, a wide smirk on his handsome face.“Apart from your birthday the other night, it’s been an age since I’ve seen you.Been busy searching for a bride, I hear.”
Benedict made a non-committal noise.His brother was becoming more demanding about marriage.The season wore on, and Benedict had done next to nothing to secure a bride.How could he, when he only ever wanted to spend time with El?
Daughtry raised a brow.“What does that mean?Do you not search for a bride?”
“Don’t be an arse, Daughtry.”
“Well, how should I know what you intend?Perhaps your feelings have changed in the literal weeks it has been since we last spoke.Perhaps now all you desire is to find a delightful young lady, settle down, and produce some more heirs to secure the Colgrove legacy.After all, there’s only what?Twenty or so young running around Stapleton House at Christmas time.”
