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“Ellie,” he repeated and a thrill went through her to hear her name on his lips. “So you don’t love books.”
“Oh.” She brought her hands up to suddenly hot cheeks. “I do. I mean, I enjoy them perfectly well. I don’t quite hold Lizzy May’s passion for them or… or yours.” She worried at her lower lip with her teeth. “I, ah, am going to mention your wonderful library idea to Lizzy May, though. I truly am.” Ellie placed a hand on his forearm. “It’s a terribly important idea. I’m certain she’ll support it.”
He looked down at her hand. With his free hand, he pushed his glasses up on his nose. Turning, he sank down on the bench.
“Thank you for agreeing to bring it to her attention.”
Ellie’s palm felt cold, bereft of his strong arm under her fingers. Hoping he didn’t mind, she perched on the bench beside him.
“You’re angry.”
“I’m confused.”
“You…” She swallowed. “You didn’t only like me because you thought I could get your library built, did you?”
He shook his head, the motion slow. “No. I like your quick replies, and how you seem to find things amusing rather than insulting. I like your smile.” He turned to her. “I like how you look at me.”
“Like you’re the only man in existence?”
“Yes. Like that. Most people see a second son who reads inordinately much and wears glasses and isn’t even half the man his older brother is.” He grimaced.
“I wouldn’t think you’d want to be half of anything he is,” she said, wrinkling her nose at the idea.
“And I like the way you scrunch up your nose.” He caught her hands in his, his expression suddenly intent. “Run away with me.”
“What?”
“Tomorrow. Come to Scotland with me. Marry me.”
Ellie shook her head. “But why? We can marry here. It will only take a few weeks for the banns to be read.”
He smoothed his thumbs across the backs of her hands, expression intent.
“Too much can happen in three weeks. Leave with me tomorrow. Say you will.”
She took in the play of moonlight across his features. She liked the way he looked at her, too. As if she were the only woman in the world.
“I will.”
“Meet me outside the Temple of the Muses at half of the hour after ten tomorrow morning. I’ll bring a carriage and arrange for changes of horse along the way.”
Ellie stared at him. They were going to run away together. Tomorrow. Excitement and joy rushed through her, dizzying.
“Half after ten, outside the Muses,” she repeated with a nod.
He raised her hands to his lips, kissing first one, then the other.
“I’ll be waiting for you, but now, you’d best return to the ballroom. You’ve been gone overlong already.”
“And we may dance?”
He shook his head, his thumbs once more caressing the backs of her hands. “We don’t dare.”
“’tis only a dance. In full view of all.”
How much gossip could a dance cause?
“You must have seen the gossip pages? We’ve caused your sister and His Grace enough trouble, surely.”
