Tristan did not like this conversation one bit. “Are you saying my family is not good enough for you?”
“I’m saying that the considerations of family are larger than one person. A second son may think of love, but the heir must think of the family legacy as a whole. As a woman must as well, since she will enter into a new family, raising the next scion.”
“You make it sound like my existence is such a waste,” Tristan said, not bothering to keep the bitterness from his voice.
“Not at all,” Lady Emily said, her voice measured and kind. “I’m saying that you have a freedom that Arthur does not. If you wish to marry the merchant’s daughter, then by all means, you should.”
They turned on the dance floor, and he caught sight of Herringbone and Eleanor again. Lady Emily had a point. What did it matter if his wife was not of the aristocracy? Especially if she came from money, that would excuse a great number of trespasses.
The set ended, and Tristan bowed to his partner. “Thank you for the conversation, Lady Emily. It has been most enlightening.”
“Likewise,” she said, rising up from her curtsy. Tristan escorted her back to her mother and wandered off to the terrace to get some air. He sat in the dark, thinking about wealth and class, adventure, and future. Seriously courting Eleanor would have to wait until after the expedition completed, which would be several years. They weren’t even planning on going to the Alps until next year. But if Eleanor wasn’t a part of the expedition team, it wouldn’t matter. He could court her in the manner she deserved.
The cold seeped through his trousers, and he knew he should get up and go back in. He had promised a dance to someone,though he couldn’t remember who, since it wasn’t Eleanor. Ophelia was the expedition leader, and therefore, the person who could get Eleanor off the team.
This wasn’t the moment to go to her about such a personnel change.
“Oh!” A feminine voice exclaimed.
Tristan was on his feet before he squinted against the light of the house. “My sincere apologies, Eleanor.”
“I didn’t realize you were out here,” she said. Her face was shadowed by the light of the ballroom spilling out behind her.
“I’m glad that you allowed me to call you Eleanor,” he responded. His body warmed, whether that was from no longer sitting on the stone wall or being in her presence, he didn’t care.
She stepped closer to him. “I’m surprised you aren’t in there, charming everyone.”
“You think I’m charming?” He liked that idea. He also liked how she sputtered and backtracked in the face of his confidence. She was adorable when she was on her back foot. He crept forward as she stuttered out a confirmation.
“I mean that it is a room full of your friends.”
Tristan nodded. “And yours too, now. But you aren’t in there either. And I know for a fact that your dance card is full.”
“It is,” she admitted, her fingers twisting the ribbon that dangled from her waist.
“Are you tying a knot right now?” he asked.
She snatched her fingers away. “It’s an old habit. I do it when I’m nervous.”
He stepped closer, trying very hard to keep a grin off his face. “Are you nervous right now? With me?” Because that was a very good sign.
“Well yes,” she said. “Last time we were alone together, you kissed me and then ran away as fast as a racehorse. I’m afraid if you took that speed through the ballroom, you’d run overMr. Moon’s aged mother, and I don’t think she can take the excitement.”
Tristan laughed. “So are you nervous for me to kiss you, or for the health of Mrs. Moon?”
“Frankly, both.” Eleanor smiled wide enough that he could see it despite the shadows.
Tristan didn’t care who saw or what might happen. He took the last two steps towards her and tilted her head up, roundly kissing her. It was heady embracing her, the softness of her body melting into his. Catching her gasp as it escaped her soft lips was sheer delight. He gathered her up, encircling her waist, trying to pull her ever closer. Because he was wild about her, and it didn’t need to be a secret.
She was funny and capable. She was intelligent and kind. She was beautiful and soft. What was he thinking, putting off a woman such as this?
Her hands pressed against his chest, clutching his lapels. She kissed him back with as much fervor. Her lips crushed against his, and when he tested her willingness with his tongue, her mouth opened.
He gripped her tighter, taking small steps back. His body was aflame, and all he could think was sitting down on that cold stone wall and pulling her on top of him. He explored her mouth, consumed by her scent and her taste.
Abruptly she pulled away, her eyes dark, her chest heaving in the most tantalizing way. If his body hadn’t already gone hard a minute ago, the sight of her would undo him now.
“But—” she panted.
