In a swift movement, Ellie put her palm under his jaw and lifted his gaze to meet hers. Her eyes were glazed but determined as she looked at him quizzically. He opened his mouth to question her, but she was too fast; her lips dropped to his jaw, placing warm kisses along the scruff on his chin, following the identical path to his ear. “Is this right?” she asked, and he shivered with pleasure at the sound of her low voice.
“P-perfect.” Rational thought was no longer possible. Instincts took over as he leaned her back onto the bed, laying his chest halfway over hers, claiming her mouth in a demanding kiss. His fingers trailed down the curve of her neck to the collar of her dress, sliding along the delicate lace covering her breasts. He tipped one fingertip under the edge—
“Henry,” she breathed, tensing.
He sat up with a start and wanted to kick himself. She was spread out under him, biting her red lower lip, eyes wide and breathing quickly.
I scared her, he thought, his stomach turning.I am the worst of scoundrels if I would terrify this innocent woman.
“I’m sorry, Ellie.” He pushed himself to standing and dug his hands into his pockets, resisting the mad desire to take her in his arms again. “That was too much.”
“No, it was—” She averted her gaze. “You kissed more than I expected.”
I am truly an ass.“This isn’t a good idea, El,” he said. “I’m not the man for this. You can’t trust me—”
“Of course I can trust you.” Her silver eyes flashed as she stood. “Don’t be silly. You’d never hurt me.”
He didn’t deserve her unguarded faith in him. He hadn’t earned it and he couldn’t be trusted with it, as he had just proven.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Henry repeated.
Ellie hugged him, her curves soft against him. He winced and shifted to the side, desperate to avoid pressing his arousal into her.
She pulled back anyway and looked at him askance. “Did I do something wrong?”
He released a low laugh. “No, El, I think you’re a natural.” He rubbed his hand through his mussed hair, wishing her fingers were back among the tresses and holding him in place. “But I think we should end things for tonight.”
Perhaps he was merely imagining, but he swore he saw disappointment flash in her eyes. “I understand. I’m a bit tired.”
He wanted to pull her close again, feel her breathe against him one more time. But if he did, he would certainly kiss her. And if he kissed her, he would never stop. So he settled for a smile as he retreated to the washroom. “Goodnight, Ellie.”
She stood in the doorway to his room for a long moment, biting her lip. Ultimately, she said nothing before closing the door behind her.
Chapter 18
25 June 1901
Gilsey Hotel, New York City
Dear Lord Morley,
We are leaving for London sooner than expected. Most likely, we will have already set sail by the time you receive this letter. I hope our arrangements are still in place as we planned. We sail to Lisbon, where we will vacation for a few days before sailing to Cardiff, then on to London. We should speak soon after I arrive. I hope you are well.
Fondly,
Miss Claire Brightling
TELEGRAM 3 July 1901
TO: Henry, Lord Morley, c/o Hotel d’Navonna, Roma
FROM: Earl of Fensworth
Received telegram from Brightling. They will arrive in London within a fortnight. I expect you to be in town when they arrive to act as the suitable host, son. Do not neglect your obligations to this family.
Chapter 19
“I’msicktodeathof art,” Henry huffed as he turned to ascend yet another flight of crumbling stairs towards the top of the Colosseum. “No more culture, no morelearning. I want to see peoplefighting.”
