Chapter 6

Six

C ora rarely considered a ball something to anticipate. As a long-standing wallflower, the very idea of a ball usually caused more anxiety than exhilaration. The upcoming ball should not fill her with excitement. There was no real reason for her to expect it to be any different from the balls of the past, and yet, that was exactly what she believed. This ball had the potential of being special. She could not say why she believed that. She just did.

So, she dressed with care and styled her dark hair into an elegant chignon. A few well-situated strands fell loose around her shoulders and framed her face. The coral-colored silk of her gown brought out the gold specks in her brown eyes, or at least she thought they did. Her simple amber pendant was her only adornment. Cora couldn’t ever recall feeling this pretty. The giddiness that threatened to bubble from within surfaced, but she suppressed it. Barely. Those tiny sensations were making her act differently than she usually did.

It was time. She had to go downstairs. The music had started and echoed throughout Ardmore Abbey. The wedding was in two days, and this was the large celebration of the upcoming nuptials. Victoria would marry her earl. Cora was happy for her, but she wanted her own happiness. Something she hadn’t thought she’d ever have. But now…the possibility of it—she could feel it deep in her soul. There was no guarantee; however, if she handled everything with care, she could have it.

She went down the stairs and entered the ballroom. It wasn’t like a London ball. There was no one announcing the guests as they arrived. Most of the guests were already at the house for the wedding, but some resided close enough to travel to Ardmore for the festivities. While it wasn’t the crush of a normal ton affair, there were still many people in attendance. She could easily get lost in the crowd if she wished it. Cora had never tried to purposely hide at a ball before. There was only one gentleman she wished to spend any time with, and she had yet to locate him.

A tap on her shoulder had her spinning around. Her lips tilted upward when she met Lord Thornton’s gaze. “I thought perhaps you had decided not to attend the ball,” he said. “I’m glad you’re here.”

She tilted her head to the side. “As I’ve never seen you at a ball,” she began. “I don’t think I’m the one with a penchant for snubbing social occasions.”

There was a light in his gaze that she had never seen before. He smiled at her. That was becoming more frequent as well. She almost sighed at the sight. It was so nice to see him not all broody and morose. “You’re correct,” he said. “But you usually are.”

“I am glad you are giving this ball your attention,” she told him. “I don’t think you will be disappointed.”

Lord Thornton lifted a brow. “It’s still early yet,” he said in a casual tone. “I don’t think we should make any assumptions.”

“One should never make assumptions,” she replied. “But I have a good feeling, and I never ignore something when I do.”

He gestured toward the dance floor. “They’re about to start a new set.” The quadrille had ended and the musicians were about to play a different set. “Will you dance with me?”

Cora nibbled on her bottom lip. She wanted to. No one ever asked her to dance. She never would have dreamt the man she’d considered to be her enemy would be the one to ask. “I will,” she told him. There was nothing she wanted more. She held out her hand to him and he led her to the floor.

The strands of a waltz began to echo around the ballroom. The earl twirled her around the floor with an expertise she hadn’t expected. He never attended balls, and yet, he danced as if he’d been born to it. Cora felt as if she were floating and at any moment, she’d awaken and find herself alone. That this dream would, and could, end at any time. She prayed it didn’t. “You’re beautiful,” he said in a husky tone.

She met his gaze and saw something there she had not seen before. Cora couldn’t identify it, but it made her heart skip a beat. As if it recognized something she couldn’t yet identify. She licked her lips and drew in a breath. “Thank you, my lord.”

He led her around the floor and she became lost in the dance, the feel of his arms around her, and the heat that spread through her. She wanted something from him. A kiss, a touch, a look… She wanted so much, but she wanted one thing above all. Cora wanted him. Just him. When had that changed? He ceased being her enemy days ago, but to have altered so dramatically in a short time. Perhaps this desire between them had always been there, but her inability to see it had prevented her from accepting it.

The music died and they stopped dancing. Her breathing had become ragged, and he still gazed at her as if she were everything to him. Cora swallowed hard and couldn’t speak for anything. No words came to her mind. All she could see was him, and all the possibilities.

“We should…” He glanced around them.

“Yes,” she said. She did not know what he had been about to say. But she was in complete agreement. Whatever he wanted, she did as well.

He nodded and led her to the balcony doors. They walked out onto the balcony in silence. The brisk air cooled her overheated skin and helped clear the haziness from her overstimulated mind. They stopped at the railing and stared down at the garden. There was a maze in the distance that she had not explored the last time that she’d been at Ardmore. She gestured toward it. “Should we?”

Hayes stared at the maze and considered her suggestions. It would be a great way for them to be alone together. He wanted that. Desperately. There were too many gazes upon them here, and he wouldn’t be able to do as he wanted with all those prying eyes watching his every move.

“If you wish,” he said. Honestly, he would have agreed to anything she suggested. Hayes was just grateful to have her by his side.

He looped his arm with hers and escorted her down the stairs leading to the garden. They strolled in silence on the path that led to the maze. He had never felt this content with anyone before. The silence soothed him. It was enough to just be with her. They didn’t need to speak and finally; they were in accord.

“Have you ever been in the maze?” she asked.

“I have,” he admitted. “I spent a lot of time here before we went on our sojourn.”

“The one to Italy, was it?” Curiosity filled her voice as she spoke.

He nodded. “And a few other places.” It had been his first taste of freedom. If Cora’s father hadn’t insisted that he be allowed to go, his father never would have given his permission. The Earl of Farrington had been more of a father to him than his own had ever been. He knew Cora had resented him for that. Farrington should have been better with her and her sister. Hayes could not change that, though he wished he could.

“What was it like?” She leaned against him as they walked. Her head rested against him. “I’ve always wanted to travel.”

He’d take her anywhere she wanted to go. Hayes would do anything for her. Only for her. “It was enlightening.” He grinned. “I had a very structured life.” That was putting things mildly. “Away from home I was able to do many things previously denied me. I might have gone a little wild at first.”

“Isn’t that the whole reason young men do that sort of traveling?” She glanced up at him. The moonlight framed her face, giving her an ethereal glow. “So, they can sow their wild oats and all that nonsense.”

“I suppose,” he said. “But I know many gentlemen that continue to do that and more while at home in England.” Hayes shrugged. “I didn’t have that luxury. I had to do all my carousing while on the continent.”

What he didn’t say was that his father had ensured he couldn’t do squat. It wasn’t until the old man died that he knew true freedom. Usually, one grieved the loss of a parent. Hayes had celebrated. No greater day existed for him. At least not until now. Having Cora by his side made him happy. Hayes had never known true happiness.

She nodded. “I understand,” Cora said in a soft tone. “Maybe not in the same fashion as you. I do not have any freedom. Most women do not.”

“If you could go anywhere, or do anything,” he began. “What would it be?”

“I’m not certain.” They reached the middle of the maze, and the fountain there. She let go of his arm and wandered over to it. “I have not allowed myself to dream. It hurts too much to hope for something when you know you cannot have it.”

His heart hurt at those words. He would give her anything. All she had to do was ask. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“What for?” She turned around and met his gaze. “You’re not the one holding me back.” There was a sad smile on her beautiful face and he wanted to erase it. Hayes never wanted her to be sad.

He strolled over to her and lifted his hand to cup her cheek. The feel of her soft skin beneath his palm almost undid him. “I’m sorry that you feel you cannot dream.” He rubbed his thumb along her lips. “I’d make every single one come true if you only gave voice to them.”

Her lips wobbled a little. “You’re a dear sweet man.” She smiled. “How could I have ever hated you?”

“I gave you plenty of reason to,” he said softly. “It’s probably best we do not relive our pasts. I like it here in the present much better.”

“As do I,” she said. Then she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. Hayes lost all ability to think. He pulled her closer and kissed her back.

The kiss was sweet and tentative at first as they learned each other. But it quickly turned to something more profound and desperate. Hayes trailed his tongue over the seam of her mouth and she opened to him. He licked his tongue over hers and deepened the kiss. Passion ignited as if a flame had been lit between them. His skin heated and his ardor drove him.

The kiss seemed to go on forever and end all too soon. Hayes lifted his head and met her gaze. Her eyes were alight with the same passion that heated his own blood. He shouldn’t kiss her again. If he continued to kiss her, it might lead to other things. He didn’t want to take her like a brute in the garden, beneath a moonlit sky. She deserved a slow seduction and a soft bed. But Hayes wanted her desperately. So desperately that he lost all ability to reason.

“We should go back,” he attempted to be a gentleman.

“We could,” she said in a husky tone. “Or you can kiss me again.”

Hayes gave in. He could not fight them both. Especially when they both were of a like mind. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. There was no softness this time. It was all heat and need. So much passion it erupted between them and consumed every bit of sense from them both.

Neither of them cared, because that kiss was everything.