Always the Rival (Never the Bride Book 7), стр. 36
Her heart was singing now. There he was, her betrothed, the gentleman with whom she would be spending the rest of her life – even if no one else knew it.
Charles was all hers, and she wanted to keep him that way.
He had not spotted her. Looking around, his hair ruffled from the wind, his shoulders seemed to slump with disappointment.
Priscilla’s heart sank. Did he think she had not kept to her word?
Thankfully, he had the presence of mind to push his way past people toward the counter, and a short conversation with the owner, a plump man with the most incredible moustache, pointed Charles in the right direction.
He turned, and as their eyes met, Priscilla almost melted. There was no one like him, and he was all hers.
It took almost a full minute for Charles to push his way through the patrons of Morgan and Fenning’s, and by the time he arrived, he was a little out of breath.
“Priscilla,” he managed, almost knocking over a chair.
She fought down the instinct to throw herself into his arms as she stood. That would not do. Creating a scandal right here, in the center of town, was not a wise decision.
Dropping instead into a low curtsey, Priscilla knew it would not be long before she could become totally lost in his embrace, his lips on –
No, she must be restrained.
“I almost thought you were not coming,” she said as they took their seats at the table. “I am sorry, I ordered the coffee when I arrived, but it may be cool enough for you to enjoy now.”
She had expected him to laugh, to agree that coffee drunk scalding hot was no different from pouring boiling water down one’s throat.
Instead, he smiled wryly. “My horse threw a shoe as I was leaving Orrinspire Park. I was only half a mile down the drive and had to gently lead him back to the stables and saddle up another horse.”
Priscilla nodded and murmured, “Of course, I completely understand.”
And she did – it was something of a relief, in truth, to hear such a believable excuse. A part of her she had attempted to ignore for the last twenty minutes had whispered that he had changed his mind. Not just that he was not coming, but that he had decided to keep his engagement with Miss Lloyd.
Foolish, she thought to herself. Do you really think Charles – Charles! – would break his promise to you? He is not so dishonorable that he would ravish you, take your innocence, and then simply leave you by the wayside as he trotted up the aisle with Miss Lloyd!
“I ordered a few cakes, also,” she said aloud, desperate to fill the strange silence between them. “I hope you do not mind.”
Why was there such an air of discomfort between them? Is it because the last time they had seen each other, neither of them had been wearing any clothes?
“Touch me, Priscilla. Do what you want with me.”
To cover the heat in her cheeks, Priscilla lifted up her cup and took another scalding sip. It still tasted bitter, burning the tip of her tongue again.
Charles did not seem to notice the heat of the beverage, throwing half of his cup down his throat and picking up a slice of fruit cake.
“And how are you, Miss Seton?” he asked stiffly.
Priscilla almost laughed, almost leaned over and tapped him on the hand for being so overly polite. Miss Seton? She could not recall the last time he had called her Miss Seton!
The giggle of the girls in the corner floated across the room, and Priscilla remembered herself. They were in public, and on the off chance someone did overhear them, it was best to keep to formal greetings, at the very least. Some elements of decorum must be retained.
“Very well, thank you, Your Grace,” she returned, a smile dancing on her cheeks. “And yourself?”
“I am well, thank you.”
And that was his entire response. Charles did not even meet her gaze, staring instead into the depths of his cup. He took another gulp of coffee, almost draining it.
A thousand and one questions rose in Priscilla’s heart. How did he feel after they had made love? Did he forgive her for leaving him to sleep? Had he spoken to his mother? Did any servant suspect? What had Miss Lloyd said when he had broken off the engagement?
Each and every question she forced down. They would have the rest of their lives to talk, every day of their future to ask questions and discover exactly how it was that these days unfurled. She did not have to barrage him with questions now.
Now it was just important to be together.
Leaning across the table, she took his hand in hers, feeling the strength in his fingers.
“And when do you want to announce it?”
Instead of answering immediately, Charles pulled his hand away, placing both of them in his lap. “Announce what?”
Priscilla hardly knew what to say. She pulled her hands quickly back into her own lap, ashamed of her forthrightness.
“You…you do not wish to hold my hand?” Her question was whispered, and at first, she was not sure whether Charles had heard it over the noise of the coffee house.
His gaze was still focused on his nearly empty cup. “It is…it is not as simple as that.”
Not as simple as – Priscilla opened her mouth to retort, but Charles cut across her.
“Anyone could be here, anyone could see,” he breathed. “Anyone could whisper about what they have seen, and before you know it, the gossip is all over town. Is that what you want?”
His words rang true, but his tone was cold, distant.
Priscilla twisted her fingers in her lap. “No,” she said, feeling admonished.
Looking around the coffee