“Romantic endeavors.” He shook his head, and her gaze fell to the careless knot of his cravat. “It has no bearing on the plot, but how can I remain true to the piece if I don’t at least hear what they want to say?” Such passion infused his voice that she gawked at him.
“Every good story, no matter the type, should have some element of romance. At the heart of every person, they want love and acceptance.” She delighted at hearing him speak of things that had nothing to do with the war or his injury or outlook. “May I read it?”
“No!” Then he cleared his throat. “That is to say, not at the moment. I’d like to finish it first before I ask for impressions.”
“Very well.” She glanced at him, but his attention was on the street. “Will you tell me what it’s about?”
“I will not.” But when he turned his head and met her gaze, he grinned. Butterflies erupted in her belly, for it was quite potent. “I want you to remain surprised.” Why did a slight flush cover his neck above his cravat?
Jane smiled. She adored this side of him. Deciding to change the subject, she said, “I’m impressed you drove yourself today. Your horses and carriage are quite smashing.”
A frown once more chased away his grin. “I’m not an invalid, Jane. It’s a matter of me trusting the horses and my ability.” Censure rang in his voice.
Oh, Finn.“I didn’t mean offense.” Daring much, she briefly touched his arm. The muscles beneath her fingertips flexed. “I simply meant that it’s good to see you out—”
“Of my chair and looking normal?” Annoyance growled through his tone.
“No.” With a sigh of frustration, she turned toward him again. This time her knee brushed his. Sensation zipped up her limb from the point of contact. “Why does your mind instantly go to the negative?”
“Habit.”
“Well, stop. I don’t appreciate it.” Her words were sharper than she’d intended. “Honestly, you and I should be beyond that by now.”
Several moments of tension-charged silence brewed between them as he drove toward Hyde Park. Finally, he blew out a breath.
“I apologize. Most times I assume people only have an interest in me due to pity or gathering fuel for gossip.”
She glanced at him, caught the resignation in his expression, and softened. “There are more good people in the world than bad.”
“Like you?”
“And my brothers.” Jane laid her hand on his arm and this time left it there. He didn’t dissuade her, and she smiled. “They’re quite the pair and do great work at the clinic. I admire them for that.”
“What of you? Have you inherited the same nature?”
“You know I have. The days I help at the clinic are quite fulfilling, and I like to hope that I do some good.” She shrugged. “I’ve felt… compelled, I suppose, to lend a hand ever since the carriage accident that took my first fiancé.”
“Were you with him when it happened?”
“Yes.” It seemed such a long time ago. “I was quite young. Barely turned twenty. He was reckless, wanting to impress me you could say. Had a phaeton like this, but one of those higher versions. And he liked to drive fast, taking turns like a madman.” Jane looked away and bit her bottom lip. “Hyde Park was a crush of people that afternoon, but Richard was overly confident. He raced through Rotten Row, but when he was obliged to swerve to avoid pedestrians, he careened into the path of an oncoming carriage.”
“Oh, no.”
She nodded. “His vehicle flipped. We were thrown. He broke his neck. I was stuck in the wreckage. One of the horses yanked the equipage over me, resulting in an eight-inch scar on my left side.” A sigh escaped her. “It required a mass of stitches and weeks of bedrest to heal.” Quick tears sprang to her eyes at the remembrance of that tragic day. “I wasn’t able to tell Richard goodbye or even have a last word before his funeral.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Finn put the reins in his right hand and squeezed her fingers with his left. “I’m glad you weren’t taken in the same accident, for the world would have grieved the loss of your sunshine.”
“Thank you.” She wiped at the tears on her cheeks. “I’m quite unlucky at romance. Every time I find myself in love with a man, something occurs to take him from me.”
“There is always a risk in anything… even giving our heart to someone.” He released her hand in order to concentrate on the street. “Only you can decide if that risk is worth the price.”
“Love is always worth it,” she whispered.
He snorted. “I wouldn’t know.”
“You’ve never had a lady in your life you’ve felt that way for?” She stared at him in mild shock.
“I have not. For more than ten years, the military has occupied my full attention.”
“I’m surprised. You’re quite handsome, and when you’re charming, it’s devastating to a woman’s peace of mind.” Drat, she hadn’t meant to say that. “Not even a mistress?”
“Jane!” A strangled sort of sound escaped him. Mottled red color rose into his cheeks. “This is hardly proper conversation.”
Merciful heavens, he’s adorable.She leaned into him. There was something lovely in seeing him discomfited. “In the event you haven’t noticed, Major Storme, I am not a proper lady.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. Make no mistake.” He turned his head and met her gaze. Amusement and something darker lurked in his sapphire eyes, but she couldn’t quite read it. “In my younger days while in Town, I had a mistress here and there, but once I entered the military, I didn’t.” He shrugged. “I won’t say I was celibate during those years, because that’s not reasonable, but I never treated a woman badly. At times on the march, the only comfort a soldier could find was taking refuge in perfumed arms and honeyed heat.”
Heat blazed in her cheeks while hot jealousy lanced through her chest. How she envied those women who’d known him in such a way. “I like a man who has had life experiences and doesn’t apologize for them.”
Would he be shocked to know she’d done the same?