Page 53 of It's a British Christmas

She tightened her lips and closed her eyes. Despite her vigilance, she was very close to falling in love with a totally inappropriate man who would take what he wanted from her, and then leave. While her intellect told her so, her heart refused to believe it. She hoped the tears that welled up so unexpectedly in her eyes would not fall, ruining the moment.

Adam pulled away and took in gulps of air, the same issue she was having. He gripped her head, and rested it against his chest. His pounding heart was in rhythm with her own. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his arms wrapped around her, of the safety and security of being in his arms. The scent of his soap, the strength of his muscles.

“Eve, we must do something about this. Things cannot continue this way.”

She leaned back to look at him. “What do you mean?” The words barely made it past her stiff lips.

He released her and ran his fingers through his hair, pacing in a small circle. “I mean I never should have started something with you that I can’t finish.”

What did he mean by that? She was fully aware there was no future for them. The fact that he never spoke of his life before told her much. He didn’t want to share it with her because she could never be a part of it.

She hugged her body, trying to keep herself together. “I understand.” She stepped back. “I think we should return to the assembly before we are missed.”

Tugging her back again, he said, “No, you do not understand. I can’t finish it here and now, but believe me, Eve, we are not finished.”

Now she was more confused than before. “Adam, you are a lord, I am a rector’s daughter. I would never allow myself to be anything inappropriate to you. What else is there?”

“Marriage.”

She reared back, all her breath leaving her. “No.” She shook her head furiously, trying desperately to get that word out of her mind. “You cannot possibly mean that. You are not thinking clearly. And now I’m going back to the assembly.” She turned, and despite Adam calling her back, sped up the steps and yanked open the door.

Once inside, she leaned against the wall attempting to catch her breath.

A pox on these stays, I cannot get enough air!

If she could just take a deep breath, she would be fine, but black dots danced in front of her eyes, threatening to bring her to the floor. The voices around her seemed to recede as Adam pulled open the door and walked toward her. She would not swoon, else a major scandal would follow. After one look at her, he took her arm and led her back through the door. “You are pale as snow, Eve. I think you’re about to swoon.”

“I don’t swoon.” Was that her voice? It seemed to come from a great distance, dimmed by a loud hissing in her ears. Unable to fight any longer, her knees buckled, and Adam swept her into his arms as she succumbed to the darkness.

Adam hurried back down the steps, Eve nestled in his arms. Her blasted stays were keeping her from taking a deep breath after hurrying back to the assembly. The only place that was remotely private was her papa’s wagon in which they’d arrived.

He climbed into the vehicle, and placed her on his lap. Her breathing seemed to have improved, so he dismissed his earlier thought of loosening the strings on her stays. That would surely have mortified her. He gently tapped her cheek. “Eve.”

She took a semi-deep breath and opened her eyes. The smile on her face nearly did him in. What he saw there both thrilled and frightened him. Then she seemed to remember where she was, who he was, and how he held her. “Let me up.”

Reluctantly, he let her go. She smoothed out her gown, and raised her chin. “What happened?”

“My dear, I know you said you never swoon, but you just did.”

“I see.” She looked at her lap and seemed to find an invisible piece of lint on her gown mesmerizing.

“Eve.”

She didn’t look up. “What is it?”

“Look at me.”

Her pain-filled eyes twisted his heart. He decided right then and there that no matter how he managed it, he would make Eve his. There were difficulties to overcome, the biggest, of course, being Lady Ann. Following close behind was his mother, and her obsession with proper ton debutantes, who had been raised to be a nobleman’s wife. But he was a duke, and he would have the woman he wanted. Of course, with the pending betrothal hanging over his head, it would have been so much easier had he met Eve several weeks ago, but nevertheless he would make it work.

“I think I would like to return home.” Her whispered words brought him from his ruminating.

“Considering how we both just left the assembly, I suggest we make an appearance as quickly as possible to show all is well. After another dance, we should be able to leave without undue speculation that could damage your reputation.”

He had no idea how many in the assembly had witnessed Eve almost passing out, and him hurrying her out the door. Her reputation would probably suffer a bit from that, but they could control the damage somewhat by returning to the assembly, looking respectable.

“I agree.”

Adam left the wagon and reached out his hand to assist Eve. His shoulder ached from when he carried her down the steps, and he hated being unable to lift her now.