The Viscount's Promise by Britton Christina

Author:Britton, Christina
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: EverAfter Romance
Published: 2018-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

It was when Emily emerged from her room later that morning, freshly changed into her riding habit, that she knew without a doubt things had changed between herself and Malcolm. She had expected to see him at the stables with the others, yet here he was in the picture gallery, staring up at the portrait of some long dead Masters ancestor. His gaze swung to her as she approached, a smile softening the harsh, beautiful lines of his face.

He had been waiting for her.

It warmed her, that look, bringing to mind why her feelings had taken such a drastic turn from this time yesterday. How much a heart could change in a mere twenty-four hours, how completely life could alter from one day to the next. Nay, from one moment to the next. One bright and shining moment that would forever stay etched upon her soul.

Never in her life had she dreamed such a thing could exist. She had known that some found pleasure in kisses, in caresses. Why, she had seen for herself firsthand the small stolen touches and looks Caleb and Imogen had shared when they thought no one was looking. Even so, the idea of such intimacy and the pleasure that could be derived from it had been as easy for her to comprehend as grasping at a waterfall. Certainly not something she ever expected to feel herself.

Not until Malcolm had taken her in his arms.

She moved to stand before him, trying with all her might to keep her steps slow and dignified. It would not do for her to grab her skirts up above her knees and dash across the gleaming floor until she could touch him again. He could not possibly feel the same way for her, after all. She would only make a fool of herself, would make him look at her in pity.

But it was not pity in his expression as she came near. No, nothing like pity at all. There was warmth and—dare she say it?—affection lighting the depths of his dark eyes.

He held out a hand to her. With but a moment’s hesitation, she placed her own in his. Even through their kidskin gloves she felt the heat and strength in his grip. She recalled in a flash those hands on her skin, baring her, touching her in a way she had thought never to be touched.

His expression was full, as if he were remembering, too. As if there were too many things he wished to say. But when he spoke, it was to ask, “Shall we meet with the others, then?”

As she nodded and turned with him to walk to the stables, she wondered at the disappointment that settled under her skin. It had been present in small waves throughout the morning, and she took advantage of the companionable silence between them to look inside herself, to turn over her peculiar reaction.

Things had changed so drastically between Malcolm and herself. She had felt drawn to him before, but it had become so much stronger since their kiss.

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