A dangerous thrill bursting inside her chest, Ester lowered her finger but held his eyes with hers. “Yes.”
* * *
Yes.
That softly whispered word shot through his body like an arrow traveling down and settling against his cock. Edmond wanted her too much. “I want you,” he said bluntly.
Edmond watched as the little hellion’s eyes widened and a becoming flush pinkened her cheeks.
“I know,” she whispered.
She very well knew what he implied but could not imagine the full of it when he was uncertain of exactly what he wanted. They stood staring at each other, and he silently cursed himself. A widow with years of sexual experience awaited him upstairs, ready to be his lover. Such an attachment would be uncomplicated as they would fully understand the terms of their brief affair. Yet he could not move from this woman who fearlessly stared up at him, the desire in her eyes evident. Ester Fairbanks was not shy or coquettish. She was a very decided young lady, and Edmond was not certain how he should feel about her.
As if she could read his thoughts, her incredibly long lashes lowered, and a mysterious smile touched her mouth. Damn it to hell. His heart stirred, and an unknown place within himself reached for her.
What would it be like to have her in his arms for more than a fleeting moment?
“I believe it is time I return home,” she said and turned away. “Perhaps I might visit another evening.”
“Ester…”
She paused but kept her back to him. “Yes, Edmond?”
“I would not have taken…taken the widow’s invitation to join her in bed.”Hell. He did not understand why he offered the explanation, only sensing it was important.
“I would not have kissed another. Good evening, Edmond.”
She walked away, gently swaying her hips.
“Ester?”
This time she laughed, the sound airy and alluring. “Yes, Edmond?”
“Would you like to take a stroll with me…”
This prompted her to face him. “A stroll?”
“Yes.” He cleared his throat. “The moon is out.”
Her eyes widened, and suddenly he felt like a damn fool. She tilted her face to the sky. “So it is. It is rather lovely.”
“I’ve heard walking under the moonlight to be a pleasant experience.”
The startled look she gave him made him silently vow to wring Ollie’s neck. Then she smiled, and the tension eased from Edmond’s gut. His instinct for self-preservation warned him to retract the nonsensical invitation and step back from the edge of madness he was allowing them to walk.
A sparkle lit the depths of her eyes. “I would like to stroll with you, Edmond. Thank you.”
He had expected a boldness from her with her acceptance; however, she seemed…shy, her fingers working at the edges of her gown as if she were nervous. He smiled at her. Just who are you, Ester Fairbanks?
Edmond went over to her, intimately took her hands within his and guided her to the private entrance to the gardens that led out to the streets. They spilled onto St. James Street, and she touched her mask once as if to ensure it was still firmly affixed.
“Your identity is safe,” he assured her.
“I know it.” She cast him a sideways glance, that secret smile shaping her mouth. “I cannot help but feel this is a first for you.”
“Walking down St. James Street?”
“With a lady,” she whispered a bit dramatically.