AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTERNINE
Did Ace know that his voice grew deeper when he lied?
Emily could hear it, the way he drew strength from inside when he protected his family with his story.
She supposed it was wrong to admire him for his strength but she couldn’t quell the emotion. How far would she go if Ken’s wellbeing were hanging in the balance? Very far.
The butler came in to announce dinner and their small party made their way to the dining room, she and Ken walking in front of Ace.
She could feel him behind her. His energy, his strength.
He stole her breath.
She peeked back, catching his eye as a blush filled her cheeks. She shouldn’t respond. There was little point to blushing, to the rush of emotion that filled her whenever their gazes met. But the breathless rush of excitement filled her anyway.
He was a fortress of strength. How could she think she’d ever be able to penetrate his defenses and win his heart? In all likelihood, the task was a fool’s errand, but she had to try anyway.
Her chin snapped forward again, breaking their eye contact as she held her brother’s elbow.
They made their way into the dining room, their conversation continuing as a delicate French vichyssoise was ladled out for the first course.
Her stomach protested. How could she eat when butterflies beat like mad all through her chest and abdomen?
Thankfully, she managed a few bites of the light fare before the next course arrived.
“Emily.” Her brother gave her a meaningful stare. “You hardly touched your soup.”
A sigh of exasperation rested on her lips as she attempted to hold it in. “Kind of you to notice.”
“You’re thin enough as it is,” he chastised.
Her shoulders straightened. Didn’t he realize this was embarrassing? But she clamped her lips shut.
Ace caught her eye, giving her the tiniest wink. The simple gesture made her spine straighten. “Must we discuss my eating habits now?”
Ken grimaced. “You’re the one who didn’t finish your soup.”
She opened her mouth to protest but drew in a fortifying breath. She could tell him how embarrassing all this was or she could say nothing. But as her mind calmed, she found a nice middle. “Lord Smith does not need to hear our nightly bickering.”
“Quite right,” Ken answered as he continued to frown at her. Quail was set in front of each of them and the conversation moved on until a toe softly tapped her slipper under the table.
Her fork nearly dropped from her hand as Ace winked again. And then the foot gently nudged hers…twice.
A grin played at her lips as she nudged back.
She’d once heard a lady in the repose tell a fascinating tale of a gentleman with wandering hands under the dinner table. It had been a mesmerizing and mildly embarrassing story to a younger Emily. She’d both been a bit appalled a man would do such a thing so publicly and intrigued at the obvious excitement in the woman’s voice.
This was not that.
The small touch was meant as a comfort. A way for Ace to offer her support at the tension between her and her brother.
But all the same, she had a moment where she wished…
What would it be like to feel Ace’s hand sliding over her skirts and up her leg?
A delicious sensation throbbed at her core. She set down her fork, her hand fluttering to her throat as she considered whether or not she might fan herself because heat was now rising up her body and it would infuse her cheeks soon enough.
Did Ace see it?
