Page 51 of What A Rogue Wants
She frowned. “What else could there be?”
Grey shrugged, not meeting her gaze. “Nothing.” His tone was harsh. “There’s nothing.” He looked up and smiled. “Together we’ll change his mind.”
She nodded. They had to change his mind. She didn’t think she could defy her father. His disappointment would be so great, and there was part of her that wondered whether it was her mother’s disappointment with her that had led to her parents’ last argument that had sent her mother tearing off on her stallion into a snowstorm and her death. “So you don’t mind waiting to court me?”
“I’m courting you now.” He grinned. “And I mind very much waiting for you, but I suspect you’re worth the wait. Will you consider something for me?”
“What?”
“Will you see me if someone is always present, and I vow not to touch you again until we have your Father’s agreement that I may court you?”
“Yes.” Her husky tone made her wince. She had to get a little control. It was hard. She wanted more than anything to spend more time with him. “I’ll see you as long as someone is always present.” After all no harm could come if he kept his vow.
Sixteen
Madelaine crumpled the paper in her hand, plopped onto her bed, and stared into the crackling fire. She was utterly disgruntled. Why hadn’t Grey kissed her when they’d strolled in the garden tonight? It wasn’t as if there hadn’t been ample opportunity. His aunt had left them for a moment to speak with an old acquaintance. Madelaine had been so sure she’d get a kiss or at the very least he’d try to hold her hand. He’d pointed out stars. She kicked her slippers onto the floor. Stars were perfectly lovely, but she’d wanted his lips on hers not his knowledge.
She was being unreasonable, but she didn’t care. This week had been horrid. Grey had kept to his vow not to touch her like a saint. She wanted to kick herself for agreeing to his suggestion. The letter she’d just received from her father didn’t improve her mood.
She’d not been prepared for him to refuse to come back to the castle. Let alone underany circumstances,barring imminent danger to herself or the return of the Prince of Wales from his trip abroad.His words made it next to impossible to obey his wishes. If Grey didn’t touch her soon she’d go insane.
She closed her eyes and listened to the wood pop in the fire grate. There were two choices. She and Grey could keep on as they had been or they could allow small harmless touches, such as a brush of the hand or even a chaste kiss. Butterflies danced in her stomach.
She felt trapped between desire and duty. What to do? She plucked at her coverlet. Her heart told her Grey was honorable. Fatherwouldsee reason. Eventually. Setting her worries aside long enough to dress for bed, she donned her night rail and looked out at the moon. Was Grey somewhere gazing at the same sky? Would she see him tomorrow and have to endure more sweet torture?
She closed the shutters of the small window. She longed to be alone with Grey and feel his hand cup her face and his lips crush against hers as they had before. She yanked back her covers and settled into her cool sheets.
She was sick of the yearning gnawing at her every waking moment. If she was sure she could convince her father to agree to Grey’s suit, there was nothing really forcing her to endure this torture one more moment. She smiled. That was an easy decision. Why on earth had it taken her so long to make it? Tomorrow, she’d somehow show Grey that he needed to break his vow. She wrinkled her nose. However could she do that without embarrassing herself? She could brush his hand when no one was looking, or maybe they’d even find themselves alone again for a moment andshe’dkisshim. The scandalizing thought made her grin. She was looking forward to getting him to break his vow.
When she woke the next morning and learned the queen had unexpectedly departed for Kew with a small, select entourage of the king’s men, two of the king’s physicians and all the ladies-in-waiting except for her and Elizabeth, Madelaine was thrilled. This was perfect. Now, all she needed to do was find Grey.
Perhaps Elizabeth could somehow help her come up with a plan to be alone with him for a few minutes. Madelaine raced through the halls as quickly as she could and arrived breathless at Elizabeth’s room. She burst through the door and stopped at the sight. Grey kneeled by his sister’s bed, a crumpled letter in his hand and an amused smile on his face. Elizabeth’s face held deep lines of worry. The only noise in the room was the loud snoring of Louisa, who sat slumped on the settee.
Madelaine inched open the door and winced at the loud creak of the hinges. Grey rose and motioned her over. When she was close to the bed, he drew her near his side. His unexpected touch sent her pulse soaring. His hand lingered on hers for the briefest second but even after he released her, her skin tingled with awareness. “Lady Madelaine, I’m glad you’re here. Maybe you can convince my sister there’s nothing to worry about. Nothing I’ve said seems to be doing the trick.”
Madelaine sat and took Elizabeth’s hand. “Worrying is bad for your recovery. Stop immediately.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Grey said almost the exact same thing, but I can’t help but worry when he’s been called home so cryptically.”
Madelaine’s heart lurched. “Home?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Foxhaven, my oldest brother, has summoned Grey home immediately with no explanation. It’s unlike him to be enigmatic.”
Grey laughed, but it sounded forced. “Edward is highhanded, Liz. Surely you’ve not forgotten that. He’s probably taken it in his head that I’ve done something unpardonable and doesn’t want to write it in the letter because he fears I’ll avoid him. I’ll go home, soothe his worries, and then I’ll return.”
Grey’s gaze had locked on Madelaine. His promise to return made her stomach somersault. “When will you be departing?”
“Now.”
“Now?” She cursed the bad timing. “How long will you be gone?”
He gazed down. “Possibly a sennight or two.”
Two weeks? Why didn’t he appear as upset as she felt? As he leaned down, hugged his sister and said his goodbye, Madelaine tried desperately to breathe normally, but catching a proper breath was difficult. Her chest felt compressed, her throat tight. When he stood and faced her, so near she could smell the scent of pine lingering on his skin and see the flecks of grey in his blue eyes, she willed him to touch her.
He reached for her hand, and her pulse leapt. But then he withdrew, his hands clenching at his sides. He wanted to touch her! She would have thrown herself into his arms and lavished him with kisses if not for his sister. “Goodbye, Lady Madelaine.” His voice sounded strained. “I hope to see you very soon.”
She swallowed against her dry throat. “Sooner I hope rather than later, Lord Grey. Safe travels.”
