Her sister, Claudia, was the one he had almost made an offer of marriage to before he met Lavinia Templeton. Very shortly before he went to war, he became betrothed to Lavinia. Few people had known of the agreement between the two.
Thank goodness Lavinia had not wanted to continue their betrothal once she heard he had lost his sight. He had no desire to burden a wife with his disability.
Ellie surprised him. He never expected the rush of desire that shot through him when they embraced. His body still ached for her. He’d almost kissed her.
They’d kissed once, a light good-bye kiss. She’d been so young—seventeen? He’d had no business touching her, but she had smelled so sweet and fresh that morning, and her skin had been like satin to the touch. Another lifetime ago. His bitter laugh echoed around the quiet room. Nothing was sweet and fresh in his life anymore.
He needed a woman, at least she’d shown him that, but ravishing Ellie was not the answer. As a proper young lady, she did not deserve the behavior he’d displayed today. He had to stay away from her. She was too tempting, and he was too hungry. Not to worry. After his boorishness she wouldn’t return.
Chapter Two
Ellie waited several days before she built up enough courage for another visit. On the way to the barn, she slipped into her father’s study and found one of his newspapers,
The Times
. Then she hurried out to the stables before anyone could ask where she was headed. She’d never been good at telling lies. Consequently, she often got into trouble when she was younger.
Raindrops fell off wet leaves. Thankfully the rain had stopped. Cool, wet air chilled her in spite of her wool gown and cape. Her heart beat fast, and a shiver ran down her back. Rafe might refuse her entrance again, especially after what she said to him the other day.
She stopped across from the front of his hunting lodge and dismounted. She tied the mare to a nearby tree and then hurried to the door. She hesitated, straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and knocked.
“Good morning, Booth.” Ellie smiled when Rafe’s butler answered the door. “I’m here to see Rafe.”
“He won’t see you, Miss Upton.”
“Yes, he will. Where is he?” Ellie glanced around Booth.
Booth shook his head, but pointed to the study door.
“Thank you.” Ellie strode toward the study and knocked briefly before entering.
“Booth? What is it?”
“It’s me, Ellie.”
Rafe sat by the window staring toward the outside again. Most of the room was shrouded in shadows. A fire crackled in the fireplace but had not yet taken the chill away. She shivered both from the cold and the air of despondency.
“What are you doing here? I told you I don’t want or need anyone to visit.”
His sharp tone sliced through her. She stiffened her spine. He wouldn’t get rid of her this easily.
“You need company whether you admit it or not. I’ve brought one of my father’s more recent newspapers with me.” She forced herself to move away from the door and closer to him. “I’ll join you by the window, where I can see to read.”
“You will not read to me like some child that needs soothing. I’m a grown man.”
“Well, you’re acting like a disgruntled child. We often have evenings when one of us reads to the rest of the family. Besides, I won’t take no for an answer.”
* * * *
Rafe sat back in astonishment. What could he do with her, short of picking her up and carting her outside? He’d never known such a forward female. Yet, there was something about her earnest determination that almost brought a smile to his face.
He took a deep breath and caught her lemony scent. Ellie’s voice trembled slightly as she started to read but quickly gained confidence. As she continued, she interjected expressions, bringing the articles to life. He listened to her words, enjoying the sound of her soft, melodious tone.
In his mind’s eye, he pictured her as she was that long ago day. Her golden-brown hair blowing in the breeze around a heart-shaped face with eyes the color of emeralds. Even though their kiss had been brief, he remembered a sweet mouth, tender lips, and when he held her close, soft curves in all the right places.
He ached with the desire to wrap her in his arms and capture those lips again. Heat rushed through his veins. He no longer heard the words. Her enticing voice curled around his body, a seductive cloak wrapping him in its warmth. Unable to restrain himself, he leaned forward to touch her face. She stopped reading.
He imagined her expression. Those green eyes wide and questioning, her lips parted slightly. His finger slid across her mouth. He heard her gasp. His hand moved down to her jawline and along the tender skin of her neck. He touched briefly over her fluttering pulse point. His cock went hard with need. He groaned and reluctantly pulled back.
“Go.” The word came out soft. He struggled to bring more harshness into his tone. “Go now. Don’t come back. You’re playing with fire.”
“But—”
“Booth!”
His butler instantly opened the door. “Yes, my lord?”
“See her out, and don’t let her in again.” He held up his hand when he heard her start to say something. “Go with him or I’ll carry you out and dump you at my door.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Don’t test me.”
He listened to her movements, waited, expecting another protest, but she left without another word.
Good
. She finally got the message. The front door shut with a slam. He smiled.
Feisty and sweet, what a rare combination
. Some lucky man was going to have her for his bride. But not him, a blind man who needed help to do the most menial task. He’d never be a burden on anyone, especially a wife. Still, she’d aroused his need for a woman. If Ellie kept coming around he feared his desire for her might override his good sense.
* * * *
Ellie rode home. The heated flush brought on by his touch still warmed her body. She’d wanted to reciprocate and run her fingers through his long, shiny hair where it brushed over his collar. His sharp cheekbones and strong chin gave him a stern look. However, his eyes showed brief instances of gentleness. Not all of the young man she’d known was gone. She believed she’d find the real Rafe inside this angry, lost man. She intended to free that part of him. Still, for now, he’d thrown her out or threatened to. She’d wait a few days and try again. Next time she’d get him outside the house.
Happy with her idea, she urged her mare to move faster. Mama mustn’t get suspicious of her outings. She left her horse at the stable then slipped into the house by the back door. She waved to cook as she went through the kitchen. Hopefully, she’d avoid her mother’s attention coming this way and any servants milling around.
“Where have you been?” Lady Upton asked, just as Ellie put one foot on the stairs.
“I went for a ride.”
“You left early. Did you visit one of our neighbors?”
“No, Mama. I took a long ride which gave me time to think. Why don’t we have a party? With all the rainy, cloudy days, our neighbors must be feeling restless. Please. I think everyone must be bored with this dismal weather. We’ll brighten their spirits.”
Her mother eyed her speculatively. “I suppose you’re right, and it’d be a good excuse to have your sisters and their husbands come for a visit. Come into the drawing room and sit with me.” She smiled at Ellie. “I’m glad you thought of this idea. I’ll talk with cook and the housekeeper today.”
“Wonderful.” Ellie sat back with a sense of satisfaction.
“Your cheeks are quite rosy, Eleanor. Your ride must have done you good. These past few days you’ve been drooping around the house.”
Ellie’s heart skipped a beat. Her mother was much too observant. “I love to ride. I’m going to try and get out more often, weather permitting.”
No one needed to know where she went.
* * * *
Two days later, the atrocious weather continued to keep Ellie inside. She prowled the house as rain cascaded down the windowpanes. Would it never stop? No amount of heat seemed to dissipate the dampness or the hollow place inside her. What was Rafe doing? She worried about him alone in that cold house with only his butler for company.
“Really, Eleanor, your pacing is beginning to make me restless. Sit,” her mother said. “Here.” She pointed to the chair across from her by the fire. “Pick some yarn and start knitting. You’ll find it very calming.”
“I hate knitting, Mama.”
“All the more reason for you to do it. Soon, you’ll have a husband, and he’ll expect you to be talented in all the homey arts. Certainly you’ll want to knit your own babies’ clothes.”
Babies? She’d never thought of having Rafe’s children. “I believe you are right, Mama. I’ll start on a sweater.” She walked across the room to her mother’s collection of yarn and chose a light blue skein, just the right choice for making a sweater for Rafe.
Finally, after the third long day of rain and hours spent struggling to knit, Ellie woke to clearing skies. The sun peeked out from behind a cloud. Her maid, Trudy, helped her dress. She hurried to the dining room for a quick meal and left a message for her mother that she’d gone riding. One of the stable boys saddled her horse. Ellie urged the mare into a gallop and headed for Rafe’s hunting lodge. Now, she’d be able to continue with her plan.
“No, Miss Upton, you cannot come in or Lord Leyland will turn me out.”
“Then, I will just stand here until Rafe comes to the door.”
“What is going on?” Rafe strode out of his study, his face drawn. “Is it you again, Ellie? Did I not make myself clear the other day?”
“You need help. I’m here to see you get it.”
“What help? I’m comfortably sitting in my own house enjoying the peace and quiet, yet you insist on continually disrupting my days.”
“We’re going for a walk,” Ellie said.
“We, as in you and Booth?”
Ellie chuckled. “Silly man. I mean you, of course.” She couldn’t help but admire his masculine appearance. Today, he’d dressed in doeskin pants, and his white shirt was open at the neck, showing black hairs and emphasizing his broad shoulders. His mouth held taut, still tempted her to go up on her tiptoes and kiss him. The only reason she didn’t was that Booth would never recover his sensibilities. Both men stood and eyed her with confusion and annoyance on their faces. She smiled at their expressions.
“The sooner you walk with me, the shorter time I’ll be here,” Ellie said.
“Is that a promise?” Rafe frowned.
“Yes. Just a short walk around the grounds, and I’ll be satisfied. After all, I can’t have anyone notice I’m visiting without a chaperon.”
“
Humph
, I doubt I can trust you, but all right. I’ll get my jacket.”
Ellie stood in the doorway and waited as Booth showed no tendency to let her inside. “It’s a lovely day, Booth. He will feel better after getting some fresh air.”
Booth studied her. “You’re right. You know he’s refused all suggestions that he get on with his life.”
“I’ll be good for him.”
“Perhaps, Miss Upton, but is he good for you?”
Puzzled, Ellie started to respond. Before she had a chance, Rafe came striding down the corridor.
“Let’s go. If I’m lucky it will start raining again as soon as we get outside.” His scowl had returned.
Ellie wrapped her arm around his, and they stepped out into the windy, watery sunshine. “Now isn’t this better than sitting inside all day moping?”
“Moping?”
“What else would you call it? Really, Rafe, I expected better of you. You’ve had plenty of time to feel angry and bad about what happened. You can’t continue to let it color your life with gray.”
“My life is gray.”
“Then change it. Picture this scene. The sky is celestial blue and a few wisps of white clouds are flying by on a steady breeze.” Well, maybe she stretched the truth a bit. “Several birds are flying around each other above our heads. Smell the musty ground mixed with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers in your overrun garden. Breathe it all in.”
She let go of his arm and did a whirl around in front of him. Ellie stopped. She kept forgetting he couldn’t see her. Yet his clear eyes stared at her with such intensity that she thought surely he saw something.
As she watched, he turned in a slow circle. His chest rose as he breathed in, and he lifted his face toward the sky. A combination of pain and pleasure hit her in the center of her chest. She knew without a doubt her love for this man would last the rest of her life. No matter what happened.
* * * *
Ellie’s hand had rested on his arm, and her skirts had brushed against his legs. His body came fully awake and aware of all her movements. Her sweet voice caught his attention. He had focused as she suggested, noticing small things he’d always taken for granted. She talked briefly about the weather and then some silly party. She’d asked him to attend. He ignored the question. His senses were too full of her, the fresh air, and his surroundings. Even though the sunlight was not that warm, Ellie and all the rest helped push away the cold emptiness inside of him that he’d embraced since he’d awoken
blind
.