twenty-one
THE REST OF the day slogged through more cheques to sign and letters to answer.
Edith had worked so hard that week Perry had decided to treat her and mistreat himself just to make her happy. Because what he wanted to propose to her was one of his nightmares.
So he asked her to go to…
“Dancing?” Excitement rang in her voice. “You want to go to a ball?”
“No, not a ball. When I was younger, I used to go to Saffron Hill and take part in one of the many dancing parties in the public houses at night. I would wear plain clothes and dance all night among pints of ale and laughter.”
It sounded absolutely crazy now.
Her face brightened. “It sounds wonderful. You aren’t worried about someone witnessing a seizure then.”
He shrugged. “No one will know who I am. I’ll be just another patron.”
“What are we waiting for?”
“Dusk. The dances won’t start until nightfall.”
“I’ll change and see you later.” She hurried out of the room, humming a happy tune and tearing a smile out of him.
He drummed his fingers on the desk, wondering if he’d be able to finish a whole dance before wishing to go home. Her smile was worth his sacrifice.
After he changed into a plain brown suit and a flat hat that horrified his valet, he hailed a cab to Edith’s house. Chased by the lamplighters, darkness crawled over the wet cobbles as he waited for her.
She emerged from the shadows, wearing a pretty dark-green dress that exalted her eyes, and his mood lifted in a moment.
She sat next to him in the cab, shifting constantly as if she couldn’t stay still. “I’m ready.”
He couldn’t hold back a smile at her happiness. “Saffron Hill,” he said to the driver.
“So you’re incognito now.”
“I disappeared from London years ago, and when I lived here, Albert was the earl. Everyone paid more attention to him.”
“Do you resent him for his choice?”
“At first, I did. But now I don’t, really. He’s truly in love with Gabriela. Albert chose love.”
“Yes, but you…” She fiddled with a fold of her skirt. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not fit for the job. Is that what you wanted to say?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t mean it like that, but you went through a lot and needed to recover.”
“Albert gave me time. He didn’t leave me alone when I was still in the hospital. He waited for me to recover before marrying Gabriela. But I’m aware of my limits. Not to mention the constant worry of having a seizure in front of everyone.”
She put her hand over his, and the simple contact sent a shock through him, as usual. “The seizures are sporadic now. In a few years, they might be gone altogether.”
He laced his fingers through hers. “Oliver thinks the same. He says the seizures are caused by a trigger, and if I identify the trigger and control it, they will stop.”
She nodded. “I read that strong smells, like that of kerosene, can trigger seizures in some people. Sometimes it could be a flash of light, thunder, or even a type of food. It’s fascinating, isn’t it?” Her eyes flared wide. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. I was talking from a purely scientific point of view.”
Hell, he loved it when she talked like a scientist. “Don’t apologise. Your brain works in that way, and it’s a beautiful brain.” He laughed. “That’s an odd thing to say.”
She laughed as well and rested her head on his shoulder. He loved these simple moments of intimacy, too. They were deeper than the kisses they’d exchanged so far.
