Page 37 of In Want of a Wife
“I’m not reliable. Even you should have guessed that by now. I’m sorry for how I behaved at dinner, by the way. I should be more gracious, more…”
They sat in silence for a moment.
“You are a horrible liar, Rafe.”
“Hmm?”
“You are heartbroken, too.”
He reached out and placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed. “I’m not convinced my brother deserves you, Lily.”
She gazed down at their hands entwined. His hand was rough compared to hers and scarred where hers were smooth. And yet it felt as if there was nothing else more perfect in the world than holding hands with this man.
Lily blinked hard, then slipped her hand away and stood. “It’s growing late. Let’s figure this out in the morning.”
“We will find your things. Don’t worry.” Rafe stood and shrugged off his borrowed jacket and top hat as Lily did the same.
She was about to return his jacket as well before he held out his hand. “You can keep it. In case you catch a chill.”
“Good night, Rafe.”
“Good night, Lily,” he said, slipping out of her room.
She stood there for a few moments after the door closed, waiting for what just transpired between them to make sense. But even after staying up until the early hours of the morning, working on writing her manuscript, it was still puzzling.
Because Lily was sorry for missing the chance of kissing Rafe.
CHAPTER 8
Three days had passed.Lily’s trunk was returned, and they were close to the family home in Wales. Three days still, and Rafe couldn’t keep his mind off Lily pressed against his chest or the tears she had cried. Or the feel of her hand beneath his. Or the warmth of her body as she rested her head upon his shoulder.
Or the sound of his name on her lips. So sweet, so forbidden.
He was sure she’d been about to kiss him. It was probably for the best she hadn’t, but damn it if he wasn’t curious what a kiss would be like with Lily Abrams.
They sat next to each other in the carriage. Lily was reading, sharing every now and then what she was learning. Rafe would pass tarts now and again before returning his attention to the passing countryside. He wished he could read, but the rocking carriage always made it difficult not to toss up his accounts.
Funny that he could sail without ever having an issue.
The sea was in his blood, so his father used to tell him. Some men aren’t meant to stay on land.
He wasn’t ready to return home. But if Lily was to marry Henry, the family ring needed to be fetched. She deserved a beautiful ring.
“I think I might write to the Royal Society as you suggested yesterday.”She reached for the tart he held in his hand, brushing her fingers against his for a moment. It was the quickest of touches, yet it burned him like a branding iron. “Thank you.” Lily’s eyes met his, and the most beautiful blush rose to her round, full cheeks. “If you don’t believe your brother would mind, that is. Father strictly forbade it. I can’t tell you how many times I was threatened over even possessing that telescope, never mind using it. Who knew a girl who studied stars was so dangerous to society.”
“Lily, your sex holds more power than men care to admit. Of course you are dangerous.”
She scrunched her nose, puzzling over his words. “Even so.” She bit another piece of her tart, licked her lips, then flipped to the next page in her book as if she hadn’t just done one of the most seductive things he had ever witnessed before.
He watched her mouth as she read. He would never admit it, but he loved the way she would worry her lip as she thought over a passage. Rafe wondered what it would be like to feel her teeth gently do the same to his mouth. What would she taste like?
The very thought made him hard. Christ. This was damned inconvenient. He shifted his weight on the bench and crossed his arm against his lap to hide his erection from her. Nothing could happen between them.
Nothing would. He wouldn’t allow it, even if his body craved it.
Which it did.
“Yes,” he said, clearing his throat and turning his attention toward the window to distract himself. “Your father might have objected, but the Royal Society has a far greater appreciation of the stars that he lacks. I think they will find your current undertaking valuable.”
