Chapter 20

Levi would have preferred to be many places other than this dinner.

But at least Siena was here. Her presence made everything he typically avoided far more bearable. Anytime he wished to escape, or caught someone scrutinizing his scars, he would look at her and calm would return.

Fitz, at least, provided entertainment for the rest of them. He could spin a story like no one else, and he had the ladies hanging onto his every word. Levi couldn't help the jealousy that Siena was one such woman, but then, it was not as though he had any intention of regaling them into laughter, now was it?

Fortunately, dinner came to a close sooner rather than later, his staff overly eager to serve a house party, although Levi's hopes for a reprieve from the ladies and time alone with Fitz were dashed when Lady Willoughby suggested that they all retire to the drawing room together.

He was about to decline when Fitz stepped in and enthusiastically agreed, suggesting they play a few games of cards.

Before they had a chance to begin, however, Lady Eliza surprised Levi by appearing by his side and asking for a moment of his time. He paused, about to say no, but then he caught Siena's eye from across the room. Her pink lips curled up into a small smile, and he could feel the affection shining out of her eyes toward him.

It was at that moment, he realized, that he would do absolutely anything for her.

"Very well," he murmured, following Lady Eliza as she began a turn about the room. Levi recalled these courting rituals well, although he hadn't missed them when he had left London.

"I appreciate you rescuing Siena in her time of need," she said, and Levi had a sense that Lady Eliza was a woman who always came straight to her point, which he appreciated.

"There is nothing to thank me for."

"There is, as I was the one who sent her away alone. It was foolish of me, I will admit, but I was only thinking of helping her escape from Lord Mulberry. I should have planned to accompany her, at least, or arranged for a travelling companion. I just had no idea until the very last moment that she would actually leave."

"Lady Siena is a grown woman, Lady Eliza. She can make her own choices."

"That she can," Lady Eliza agreed. "Which brings me to my reason to speak to you. Siena has told me that the two of you share… feelings for one another, let's say. I need to know if they are as true for you as they are for her. I do not want to see her heartbroken and as much as it seems as though you are a good man at heart, I cannot help but worry that you might not be able to provide her what she needs."

Her words almost caused him to come to a stop, and he rubbed a hand over his brow, where his scar often itched him.

"If you are questioning my feelings for her, then you have nothing to worry about. They are as true as can be."

"I sense a ‘however.'"

He gave a humorless chuckle. "You would be right. However, feelings alone don't matter. I also have to think about what kind of life I can offer her, what it would be like for her to continue to live here, with me, shut away from the rest of the world."

"You do not have to be shut away."

"That is easy for you to say, Lady Eliza, when you are not seen as a murderous beast by the ton."

"Perhaps not, but it is not as though I am, exactly, a diamond of the first water. I am spoken about as well, although perhaps not for my appearance."

He shook his head, sighing out his frustration. "I would never break her heart. But I worry that one day she would wake up and wonder what she is doing with me."

"Were you not the one who just told me that she is a grown woman who can make her own decisions?"

He couldn't help his snort. "You are quick witted, Lady Eliza, I will give you that. I just do not understand how she can bear to look at me day in and day out and not be confronted with the monster that I am."

Eliza was silent for a moment, clearly considering her words, before she stopped and looked him straight in the eye, her voice hushed as they remained on the other side of the room, just out of hearing of the rest of their party.

"Siena has the purest heart out of anyone I have ever met, and I am not just saying that because she is my closest friend." She leaned forward, conviction in her every word. "If there is good within you, she will find it. Her love is not a gift to be taken advantage of, nor to be wasted. Do you understand me?"

Her nostrils flared slightly with her obvious protective spirit.

"I do," he said, understanding. "I can promise you one thing."

"Yes?"

"Anything I do for her will be done with her very best interests at heart."

She scrutinized him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I suppose I can accept that." She paused before looking up at him, her gaze softening somewhat, not with pity but rather with an understanding that he hadn't expected from so forward a woman.

"I am sorry for all that you have been through, Your Grace. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to lose your family and be injured yourself."

"Thank you, Lady Eliza," he said, appreciating her words more than he'd like to admit.

She turned around and returned to the women, leaving Levi to shake his head after her. Lady Eliza was clearly a good friend, that much was for certain.

Fitz sent him a look of question, but he just shrugged, for there was nothing to say.

Siena was too good for him, yes, but she was too good for any man.

Now he just had to decide what exactly he was going to do about it.

Siena couldn't sleepthat night.

She tossed and turned, too caught up in visions of what her future could or could not look like floating around in her mind.

She was becoming more aware that what she wanted was right in front of her, in the form of a man. One she had never seen coming, the type of man she had never considered.

Levi.

He had seemed uncomfortable tonight, yes, but he had been there. He had made conversation when required, had even quirked a smile now and then when Lord Fitzroy cracked one of his jokes. She had no hopes of him returning to polite society, but then, neither did she have much interest in society doing so.

The thought of a reappearance in London or even an event including more guests than those here with her actually caused her discomfort as well. If she was discovered, what would happen to her? She had escaped her wedding, but at what expense?

Finally, she decided that there was only one way she was going to find any sleep.

She pushed open her door before tiptoeing down the corridor and lightly knocking on Levi's door.

She left her room, wondering if she was, perhaps, being foolish. He could be asleep or wishing for time alone after the company that he'd had to keep that night, all because of her.

When the door creaked open, the sound echoing throughout the quiet house, all of her worries evaporated.

The light from the moon through the windows behind him cast a soft glow on Levi's silhouette. His hair was tousled, sticking out in all directions, his shirt and trousers were wrinkled and rumpled, likely having just been pulled on to open the door, his chest peeking out through the buttons of his shirt.

He looked her up and down with a slight smirk on his face as he adjusted his eyepatch.

"Well, if it isn't the little rebel," he growled out.

She laughed lightly. "I couldn't sleep, and I thought – well, I wanted to see you."

He held open the door. "Come in," he said. "At this point we are past inviting scandal."

"We are fortunate that everyone else is sleeping on the other side of the house."

Levi snorted. "I believe that has less to do with fortune and more to do with my staff, who are far more interfering than they should be."

"They are looking out for your best interests," she said.

"Which I appreciate now," he said, reaching an arm out toward her. "Come."

She went willingly, eagerly, sitting on his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. She leaned in, tilting her head up. He accepted her invitation, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. The world around Siena faded away as she lost herself in the sensation of Levi"s lips on hers, his touch stirring deep-rooted feelings.

Levi's hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. Siena's heart raced as she realized that this man had, so unexpectedly, captured her heart.

As their lips parted, they gazed into each other"s eyes, both breathing heavily. Raw emotion reflected in Levi"s gaze, a vulnerability that touched her soul and made her feel truly seen for the first time in her life.

"I never expected to find someone like you," Levi whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "Even before everything changed in my life, I didn't truly believe that a woman for me existed."

"Perhaps there wasn't at that time," she said. "Perhaps I am only right for the man you are now, and not the man you were then."

Levi"s hands traveled up her back, tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer, kissing her deeply once more.

His thumb brushed gently against her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know every inch of you, Siena," he said, his voice filled with raw emotion, his eye gazing into hers.

"You want to," she whispered, "but will you?"

He didn't answer her then, instead leading her over to the bed, where he provided her with no more words but instead worshipped her body, peppering kisses over her skin,discovering every curve and dip that made her body uniquely hers. Siena felt a sense of liberation, of being truly alive as Levi"s hands explored her with reverence and desire.

He didn't draw anything out this time, slowly notching himself inside of her and moving in and out, finding a rhythm that was as old as time, each touch igniting a fire — one that they both allowed to consume them. Siena released all of her inhibitions, giving herself completely to the man who had unexpectedly stolen her heart, and soon enough they were coming together, overwhelmed by both their pleasure as well as the emotion that this night had revealed.

As the night turned into dawn, they lay entwined in each other"s arms, the light of a new day peeking through the curtains. Siena traced lazy patterns on Levi"s chest, his heart beating steady beneath her touch.

"I could stay here forever," Levi murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Siena lifted her gaze to meet his. "As could I," she replied softly. "But reality will soon come knocking at our door – likely in the form of your valet."

Levi"s expression darkened slightly at the reminder of the world they would, at some point, have to face.

But not right now.

Right now, they would simply enjoy one another.