Page 2 of Adoringly, Edward
Oh!She inhaled sharply at the realization. Just from his steps alone, she could tell he had extensive ballroom training. He was someone like her. Possibly even someone in her circle. Which intrigued her even more.
Within moments, she relaxed in his arms, following his lead around the room. They slipped by dozens more couples, the tables filled with refreshments and drinks, and twirled past the musicians, all without losing a single step. Not once did his movements falter. Not once did he squish her toes with his elegant, masterful feet.
Her heart pounded within her as she leaned closer to him until their bodies were pressed together. Her head rested on his shoulder. His fingers tightened around her waist.
“What color are your eyes?” she asked as their steps slowed, and their bodies swayed to the music. “I cannot tell in this lighting.”
“Dark blue,” he murmured against her hair.
How silly it seemed that she felt immensely comfortable in his presence already, as if she had known him for much longer than she had. Like coming home to a dear friend. Surely, he was someone she already knew.
“Are we already acquainted?”
A smile lifted on his lips as he shook his head. “I would have remembered you.”
And then the song ended all too quickly, and the musicians started the next set. She couldn’t bring herself to release him, and he made no move to do so either. Rather, he silently led her in another dance and another until her feet ached and her face hurt from smiling so much.
“Tonight is certainly a night for scandal, mysterious stranger.” She laughed as she stepped closer and placed a handon his chest. “You’ve danced far more dances with me than is appropriate.”
“I don’t want to let you go.”
She lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “Then don’t.”
His dark blue gaze passed between her eyes for several long moments before he tightened his grip on her hand. He pulled her off the dance floor and up two flights of stairs while the music slowly faded behind them and people became scarcer. They entered a small room with a single ladder leading to a trapdoor overhead.
He climbed up first and opened the trapdoor, the hinges groaning in protest, before glancing down with an issued challenge in his eyes. A sense of thrill alighted in her heart as she gathered her masses of skirts in her arms and climbed after him.
Although she wrestled with her skirts the entire way, when she reached for the top, he gripped her hand and heaved her out the rest of the way until they stood on a small, fenced platform high above the rest of the world.
The breath faltered in her lungs at the magnificent view of the forests, the mountains, and even the Edilann palace—her home—in the distance. Lazy white clouds streaked across the dark canvas of the sky, the edges glowing silver when passing over the moon.
She spotted rows of carriages far down below while guests ambled about the garden. A light breeze scattered fallen leaves across the brick path weaving around bare trees and dormant bushes. Lanterns lit up the property like small specks of starlight, creating a mysterious yet intriguing atmosphere.
Mysterious and intriguing…just like the man beside her.
“Who owns this place?” she breathed out a frosty breath, but then she inhaled sharply as he placed his hand on top of hers where it rested on the black bars of the balcony.
“No one knows,” he replied, following her gaze toward the torch-lined drive. “Some say it belongs to a reclusive man who only comes out during the autumn months.” His mouth twitched at his own jest. “Others say it’s haunted by a ghost, so no one dares to set foot inside.”
“I sure hope it’s haunted. That’s rather exciting.”
He laughed and turned toward her, leaning against the balcony with his elbows resting behind him. His lack of fear was admirable, and she dared to admit to herself that she enjoyed his carefree, ready-to-take-on-the-world attitude. It was…refreshing. Her home life didn’t allow for such freedom and happiness.
His eyes sparkled with humor. “I also heard a ghost lives on the third floor. What do you say? Should we find out if it’s friendly or malevolent?”
“You seem like you know your way around,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes at him. “You lead.”
Rather than returning through the trapdoor, the man’s intense gaze held hers as he stepped closer and trapped her chin with gentle fingers.
Her entire body stilled with eager anticipation, a thrill shooting through her from her head to her toes. Already, this forbidden adventure was more than she ever dared to hope for. She hadn’t known what to expect after stepping foot inside the estate. But it wasn’t this.
And she loved every second of it.
She stood on her toes to meet him halfway until their lips met in the faintest brush like a whispered word of affection. Her stomach flipped and fluttered, her heart squeezing with joy and excitement.
More daringly, she smoothed her hands over his chest, his shoulders, and her fingers brushed playfully against the ties keeping his mask on his face. So desperately, she wantedto slip his mask off to reveal his identity. But she feared such knowledge might shatter the mysterious illusion the night offered.
The man groaned against her lips and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, which she all too eagerly accepted. It was as if he felt the same spark. The same connection. The same happiness rising in her own chest.
