“Leo, go. Slip out the back and go to the village. It’s not far. You remember the path, don’t you, love? Please, you must get help.” She took his hand and pressed something round and cold into his palm. “Show them this. Tell them who your father is, and they will help. Promise them anything, Leo. Anything.”
Leo swallowed hard and nodded. When he opened his fist, he saw his father’s silver ring with open-mouthed lions on the sides and on top, a flower-shaped emerald. An emerald that seemed to pulse, that pulled him in until he felt as if he were falling…falling…falling.
“How could you, Will?” his father asked in a hushed tone.
Leo jerked his gaze from the ring to the shadowed forms outside.
“The map belongs to the tribe. Do you have any idea what that power could do in the wrong hands? Will, you don’t have to do this. I will give you the money,” Father insisted.
“Mum, who is—”
“You don’t deserve to be the keeper of the map,” an unfamiliar voice hissed. “I should say I’m sorry, but the truth is, I’m not.” The man swung his shadowed arm forward, and Leo stifled a cry.
“Archie,” his father yelled to his friend for help and the three men came together in a blob. Their shouts rang through the forest, mixing with the high-pitched screams of monkeys.
His mum pushed him toward the back of the tent. “Go, Leo, now, hurry.”
“Leo, wake up. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I overheard a beautiful woman downstairs asking after you.”
The deep familiar voice jerked him from the dredges of slumber. Leo bolted upright from his makeshift bed on the floor, his breath coming out in harsh pants. Go, Leo, now, hurry. His mother’s words still echoed through his mind. The same dream he dreamt every night since he was a child. He raked his hair from his face, ignoring the tremble of his hands. Would he never be left in peace?
Curtains were thrown wide, and sunlight burst into the room like an unwelcome visitor.
“You’re back,” he finally managed.
“Of course. And you sound thrilled to see me. Still forgoing the bed?”
“Too bloody soft,” Leo muttered. Realizing he’d never return to slumber with memories of death pulsing through his veins, Leo stood and rubbed the sleep from his face. “I take it since you never sent word, you failed to find anything of substance?”
Akshay paused near the windows, tall and slim, his hands on his hips and a brilliant smile lighting his tanned face. “Actually, I did. When your uncle went to the Continent, he took along his son.”
Leo stiffened, instantly awake. “Henry was there?”
Akshay nodded.
A shiver of unease raised the hairs on Leo’s skin. Cazzarola. Had Henry been an accomplice? At six years Leo’s senior, he would have been old enough. Blast, why couldn’t he remember more? Why hadn’t he stood his ground instead of running?
Akshay’s merry features caught his attention, and his ire grew. “And that fact makes you smile?”
Akshay spread his arms wide and breathed deeply. “Why not? The sun is shining, the birds are chirping—”
“I heard you the first time.” Leo stomped toward a pitcher and splashed water on his face, but the tepid liquid did little to ease his troubled mind.
“Are you going to tell me who the woman is downstairs? She looked so forlorn when she heard you were still abed.”
Leo patted his face dry with a towel. “Are you going to tell me what happened in London?”
“So surly this morn, what has you in such a temper?” Akshay collapsed his gangly body into a chair by the fireplace.
Leo tossed the towel onto a table. “Nothing. Everything. Not knowing. Being in England.” How off balance he’d felt since he arrived here, especially in the last few days.
“The girl?”
Leo stiffened, annoyed Akshay could so easily read him. “Do not be ridiculous. Another attempt on my grandfather’s part to tame the beast that is me.”
Akshay laughed. “Surely not a governess? She’s younger than you!”
Leo sent his friend a warning glare.
Akshay pressed his lips together, an obvious attempt to fight his mirth. “I see.”
How could he see? Leo barely saw. He was here to find his parents’ murderers, not dally with a woman…an Englishwoman…who made his body heat with a mere glance. He closed his eyes and swallowed. The image of her wet and glistening flashed to mind—it had taunted his dreams. At least for most of the night he hadn’t dreamt of the India, but he wasn’t sure which torment was worse.
He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone…anything. Perhaps he admired her courage, or her innocence. Or perhaps he merely admired her soft curves. Gritting his teeth, he sucked in a slow, deep breath and pushed her from his mind. He must remain focused on his goal. Until he understood why his parents had been murdered, he’d never be free of their ghosts.
“So, will you go to this dance lesson I heard the girl speak of?”
Leo crossed his arms over his bare chest. “How much, exactly, did you overhear?”
Akshay’s grin deepened. “I’ve never seen you this upset over a woman.”
“I did not say it was because of…” He took in yet another deep breath and forced himself to uncurl his fisted hands. “Tell me about London.”
He would find his parent’s murderers. He would stay focused on his goal.
But even as Akshay started speaking about London, Leo’s mind slipped back to Ella and the confusing emotions she stirred within.
He wasn’t coming. She didn’t know why that realization depressed her so. Perhaps because she thought…well, that after yesterday they’d formed a bond of sorts. She sighed and looked longingly out the tall windows onto the gardens. It wasn’t as if she wanted to be here and inside all day. But here she was…waiting for him.
Always waiting.
Waiting for Grandfather to get well…waiting for her uncle to return home and whisk her away from the orphanage…and now waiting for Leo. It seemed her entire twenty years had revolved around others.
“Mademoiselle Finch,” Jean-Pierre’s deeply accented voice broke into her thoughts.
She turned to see the man standing there with his hands on his slim hips and his narrow face pinched into a tight frown.
“I can wait no longer.”
Her shoulders drooped. “I understand.”
She’d have to explain Leo’s absence to Lord Roberts, and she didn’t know if she could face the hurt in the old man’s eyes. How badly she wanted to walk out of the room, out of the castle. If she left, she and Fran would be without a home or a coin. With a sigh, she started toward the dance instructor. “I’m sorry. There must have been a misunderstanding. Perhaps he thought the lesson was at another time.”
Her necklace hummed under her bodice, growing warm, and she faltered. Automatically, her gaze jumped to the open doors. Leo stood there looking relaxed and unconcerned.
She pressed her hand to the pendant.
Leo.
Blimey, did the necklace react to him? But no, it hadn’t yesterday at the pond. Why else would the pendant grow warm?
His broad shoulders filled out a shirt that hugged his chest, the white linen contrasting against his tanned skin.
“Monsieur,” Jean-Pierre trilled, floating forward with hand extended. “So good to make your acquaintance.”
Leo glanced at the man but didn’t bother to take his hand. After a few moments of awkward silence, Jean-Pierre dropped his arm to his side. “Ah, yes. Shall we begin?”
Ella could scarcely believe he stood there, ready to learn. He’d been late, of course, but he actually came. She gave Leo a hesitant smile. He didn’t respond. She narrowed her eyes and tried to read the man.
Nothing.
His mind was blocked as if he’d built a stone wall around it, enclosing any thoughts.
“Well then.” Jean-Pierre swept away to speak with the woman seated at the pianoforte.
“I
didn’t think you would come,” Ella said.
“I wasn’t going to.”
She felt a twinge of annoyance even as curiosity got the better of her. “So why did you?”
He was silent for a moment. Across the room resounded the soft trill of the pianoforte warming.
“Because I made a promise. I am honorable, Ella, no matter what others believe.”
“I never said you—”
Jean-Pierre clapped his hands, the sound echoing across the room. “Come, come, time to practice.”
Leo’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, Ella feared he’d throw the dance instructor out the window as he had his paintings that first night. Fortunately, he merely followed Ella to the center of the room.
“Now, shall we start with the waltz?”
Ella turned and faced Leo, so close she could feel his body’s heat, and she wondered for one mad moment what it’d be like to run her hands down his chest. She couldn’t meet his intense gaze for fear he’d read her sinful thoughts, so instead she stared at his neck. But then she saw his pulse beating on the side of his throat and she had the ridiculous desire to lean forward and kiss the spot.
“Eye contact,” Jean-Pierre demanded. Ella’s gaze jumped to their instructor. “Not me, your partner.”
Her attention locked on Leo. In those amber and gold eyes she saw laughter. Her jaw clenched, and her ire grew. Well, let him deal with Jean-Pierre and see how amused he was.
“Arms up,” Jean-Pierre said. “Chins up, no meek misses here.”
Ella lifted her arms, feeling ridiculously like a bird about to take flight.
“Excellent, wonderful. Now, my lord, place your hand on her waist, just like so.”
Leo’s muscled arm pulled her close, and Ella’s necklace grew warmer.
She sucked in a breath, her mind spinning. It had to be him! The necklace must react to Leo’s presence. But why? And why only at certain times?
Leo’s hand rested at the small of her back, right where her vertebrae dipped. She felt every strong curve of his body, and her pulse raced at the contact. Closing her eyes, she breathed deep his scent…a male muskiness combined with the freshness of outdoors…soothing and exciting at the same time.
“Yes, well, not so close.” Jean-Pierre grasped her upper arms and yanked her back. “Now, hand upon his shoulder.”
Ella swallowed hard and rested the tips of her fingers on his broad shoulder.
“Hold hands,” Jean-Pierre declared.
Leo’s long fingers wrapped around her own, sending a shiver over her skin. How she wished she could read the man. And then he looked into her eyes and she wished for nothing, wanted for nothing.
In his arms, she felt small, delicate…nauseous.
“Now, your leg will come forward, like so.” Suddenly, Leo’s muscled thigh, hard and hot, pressed against her hip. Heat rushed through her body and she glanced longingly at the open windows, wishing for a cool breeze.
“Remember, darlings, this is a romantic dance, a sweeping dance,” Jean-Pierre called out. “Step back, Miss Finch.”
Ella stumbled back.
“No! No! Wrong foot!”
Ella stepped forward, and her foot landed directly on Leo’s boot. He quirked a brow, and his eyes sparkled with obvious amusement.
“No, no. Merde!” Jean-Pierre shook his head. “This is what happens when you allow riffraff into cultured society.” His voice was a low mumble, but she heard him all the same. She’d heard worse in Lady Buckley’s home. Apparently, Leo had heard the man too, for his gaze jumped to Jean-Pierre and his hold tightened.
He was angry? For her? She felt ridiculously pleased with that realization. But before Leo did something they’d all regret, Ella stepped back with the correct foot.
“Finally,” Jean-Pierre cried. “Dancing is an art; treat it as such.”
Ella sighed, relieved to have done something right.
“Now, one, two, three…create a box…two, three…turn…two, three.”
Leo swept Ella around in dizzying circles.
“You…you already know how to dance!” she got out in a breathless gasp as he moved her around the room.
“Of course not. I am merely a brilliant pupil.”
The pianoforte struck up a tune. Ella wasn’t sure if she danced correctly or not. Leo was in complete control, and she merely followed his lead.
“Marvelous! Brilliant.” Jean-Pierre cried from across the room. “Just ease up, my lord. You don’t want to eat her. Romantic, soft, not so demanding.”
Leo ignored the man, his gaze continuing to pierce her very soul as he twirled her from corner to corner. With his attention on her, she couldn’t seem to focus on dancing, or much of anything…but him.
“Yes, well, demanding works too, I suppose,” Jean-Pierre muttered.
Ella couldn’t help but laugh. It was ridiculous. She danced in a beautiful ballroom with a handsome man, while a strange Frenchman yelled directions from across the room. Ridiculous, yet lovely.
Her body floated as if she danced on clouds and only Leo’s solid presence anchored her to earth. She closed her eyes and allowed him to sweep her across the floor. He pulled her closer, yet she didn’t protest, didn’t even bother to open her eyes, but merely took in the feel of his form.
“No, no!” Jean-Pierre’s voice broke into her muddled mind. Ella faltered, her lashes lifting. With a sigh, Leo stopped.
Jean-Pierre made his way toward them, his shoes tapping against the floor. Reaching out, he dug his fingers into Ella’s shoulders. She couldn’t prevent the yelp that escaped her lips at his painful grip.
Leo’s arm shot over her shoulder and grabbed Jean-Pierre by the collar. Suddenly, Ella was squeezed between the two men.
“Unhand her,” Leo growled. The vibration in his voice sent a cold chill over her skin.
Jean-Pierre immediately released his grip, and Ella fell into Leo’s tense body.
“Touch her again, and you’ll find your fingers broken,” Leo said softly.
Too softly.
Ella gently touched his arm. “Leo.”
Without looking at her, Leo released his hold on Jean-Pierre. The dance instructor stumbled back, gasping for air.
“How…dare…you,” Jean-Pierre got out, straightening his waistcoat. “How dare you touch me? I teach the royal family!”
With a rustle of paper, the woman behind the pianoforte gathered her sheet music and raced toward the door.
Jean-Pierre tilted his chin. “I’d heard the rumors and should have known teaching a savage like you would prove to be impossible.”
Before Ella could come to Leo’s defense, the dance instructor swept from the room.
Doors slammed in the distance, and then there was silence.
Truly, she should reprimand Leo. So why did gratitude sweep through her body, bringing on the sudden sting of tears? He’d come to her defense and been called a savage for the effort. “Thank you.”
He didn’t respond and she had the feeling he hadn’t often been thanked.
“Well,” she said, averting her gaze and stepping back from him. “No reason why we can’t practice on our own. Although, I fear you will teach me more than I will teach you. Still, your grandfather will be pleased to know how well you dance.”
“You won’t tell him.” Leo pulled her close and swirled her around the room.
Ella clung to the man. “Why not?”
“Let him think he is helping me,” Leo replied, spinning her in a particularly dizzying twirl. There was something he wasn’t telling her…something more to his reasoning.
“But, Leo—”
“Shh,” he said, pulling her closer and whispering against her ear. “Just listen to the music.”
“There is no mus—”
“Shh,” he said again.
With a sigh, Ella fell silent and closed her eyes, letting the man do as he wished. But as she began to relax, he slowed his steps and her lashes fluttered up.
He brushed his t
humb across her jaw and cradled the nap of her neck. “Why do you close your eyes?”
Her face heated, and she dropped her gaze to the opening of his collar where a peek of tanned skin shone through. “It makes me feel free.”
They stopped in the middle of the room. Ella clung to the man, feeling as if she still spun. Slowly, her gaze traveled up his chest and clashed with those eerie amber eyes. What was he thinking?
“You are very different from what I expected,” he said.
She wasn’t sure if that was a good or not. “Yes, well, I suppose most people are.”
His gaze grew hard, serious. “No, sadly, most people are exactly as they portray themselves. Remember that, Ella: If you have a bad feeling about someone, it’s generally true.”
“What about you? I feared you at first, but you proved me wrong. I do not fear you now,” she said.
His eyes seemed to darken, and she could feel every muscle in his body tighten. “You should.”
Before she could respond, his lips captured hers. She wanted to pull back, truly she did. Yet, she couldn’t seem to push him away. Instead, Ella sank into Leo, and his lips softened. Heat raced through her body, pooling in the pit of her stomach. She had the sudden urge to groan, to cuddle up closer to him and had no idea why. He tasted of tea…of mint…and something unidentifiable that could only be him. Without thought, without any regard to her reputation, she moaned.
As if understanding her need, Leo tightened his hold and slipped his tongue across her lips. Shock made her gasp. The deep ache that flooded her body made her part her lips for more. Accepting her unspoken invitation, his tongue swept into her mouth, rubbing against her own.
Pleasurable need settled deep in the pit of her belly. She knew men and women kissed this way—she’d heard the stories—but she had no idea she would actually like the act. He seemed to fill her—his scent, his heat—and there was nothing she could do to prevent him from branding her with his mouth.
“Ahem.”
Someone cleared his throat. The sound raked across Ella’s consciousness, scattering her heated desire. She tore her mouth from Leo’s, her breath coming out in harsh gasps. A tall, thin man stood in the doorway with a grin on his dark face. She didn’t know who he was, but it didn’t matter.