“The last gladiatorial battles took place in the sixth century,” Ellie called from behind him, pressing her palm to the ancient stone walls as her lungs burned. “Rushing will not let us catch the last one. Could you please slow down?”
Henry turned and extended his hand, fixing her with a brilliant grin. “I’m sorry, dear wife, but the prospect of bloodlust overcame me. You know how a good decapitation makes me giddy.”
She fought a smile as she reached for his hand. The awkwardness from the previous night had burned away with the morning fog as Henry bounded along through the ruins like a puppy. As though nothing had changed, and their kisses had meant nothing.
Then he had to make that remark, reminding Ellie how well he knew her. Did he remember her letter from all those years ago, their silly plans to meet and deliver justice to that troll Fairleigh? It had amazed Ellie that this man, handsome and charming, spent his time composing letters to her, someone of no importance. Only later, when she learned how difficult he found writing, did she recognize the significance of their correspondence. He must have been terribly bored to find her so intriguing. She was merely a pastime until he resumed his normal, and far more preferable, entertainment.
He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow, ducking to place a quick kiss on her cheek. The contact scorched her skin, burning a path directly to her core as her heart stumbled.
“Miles and Alice are watching,” he murmured close to her ear, and her stomach dropped.
Ellie swallowed hard. “Do you think they suspect our ruse?”
With a shrug, Henry guided her up the stairs. “Would it matter much? Miles is oblivious to everything, but Alice has been giving me strange looks.”
Ellie suppressed a laugh as they stepped out of the covered arches and onto a wide patio, the full breadth of the Colosseum spreading before them. Henry gave a low whistle of approval at her side.
“It’s magnificent, isn’t it?” she breathed.
“Not the first time I’ve heard a woman say that,” Henry muttered, and she slapped his hand.
“You’re a nuisance.”
He winked. “And yet, you love me for it.”
If only you knew. Ellie winced at the thought and turned away, walking along the widened pathway between the stone tiered seating. After several moments of exploring, she looked back to see Henry crouched low, his sketchbook on his knee, wearing a satisfied smile as he glanced in her direction and then at the paper. “What are you drawing?”
Henry looked up and blinked, as though coming out of a trance. “The light is beautiful, coming through the arches like that. I’m trying to catch it so I can paint it later.”
And I’m only in the way. For a moment the previous night she had feltseenby Henry in a way she hadn’t before. As though she didn’t belong in the background of his life, but on the main stage, the premier attraction. But when she joined him for breakfast on the piazza, he smiled blandly before offering her a pastry and resuming his conversation with Miles about Parliamentary politics. He acted as though nothing had happened between them.
And nothinghad, really. She had been explicit about keeping their friendship separate. But he had only kissed her, and she would never be the same. How could they continue their arrangement without her falling further in love with him? Henry already owned too much of her heart, and if she lost him, she may not survive it.
“El, are you all right?” She jolted as Henry’s palm settled on her lower back and he pulled his hand away, brows furrowed. “You looked lost.”
Ellie attempted to shrug, her breath catching. “It’s a giant circle, Henry. Even you couldn’t get lost here.”
He paused for a beat too long before pressing his hand to his chest and groaning. “You wound me, my lady.” When he looked back, he was smiling, but his eyes had lost their sparkle. Had she hurt him?
But he was already trotting ahead. “I read they staged naval battles here,” he called over his shoulder, motioning out over the center of the arena where the ancient wooden floor had long since deteriorated to reveal an elaborate system of tunnels and chambers. “The Romans pumped in water from the aqueducts and used actual ships, just to entertain the emperor.” He planted his hands on his hips. “Can you imagine such decadence and waste, just for entertainment?” Henry turned and gave Ellie a smirk. “Well,Ican imagine it. Excess and waste are my forte.”
“Henry,” she said, coming up to his side. Was it her imagination, or did he stiffen at her approach? “Why do you speak of yourself so poorly?”
His jaw clenched. “I don’t speak poorly of myself,” he mumbled. “I’m only speaking the truth.”
“That’s not the truth.” Ellie took his hand and felt it tense, then relax in her hold. “You are one of the kindest people I know. Taking me on this trip is such a gift, and you had no obligation to look after me.”
He scoffed and pulled his hand away. “You make me sound like a damned martyr, when I’m nothing of the sort.”
Her gaze narrowed as he turned his face from hers. “Henry.” She cupped his chin and turned him back towards her. “You are so unkind to yourself. Don’t you realize how wonderful you are? How you light up every room you enter and make everyone around you smile? You are sunshine let loose in the dark.”
Henry shook his head. “I don't deserve your high opinion of me. I took advantage of you last night. You trusted me and I behaved like an animal. Which, given my reputation, you should have expected, but I should have controlled.”
“You’re being ridiculous, as Ialwaysexpect from you,” she shot back. “You didn’t take advantage of me. I asked you to kiss me.”
His cheeks flushed, and he removed his hat to run his fingers roughly through his hair. “I frightened you.”
Ellie let out a burst of laughter. “You didn’t frighten me.”
