Ruby put the tray back down on the table. ‘I made sure no one could get to this part of the castle. I locked all the doors on my way up. Besides, I thought you might be hungry by now.’
‘I am,’ he said, taking her by the upper arms and drawing her closer. ‘I shouldn’t have kept you awake so long last night. You must be tired.’
She wound her arms around his neck. ‘I can handle it.’
Lucas pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth, feeling his pulse racing at the softness of her lips, the silken touch of her tongue against his. The alluring curves of her body pressed closer and closer until he was fit to burst. He finally dragged his mouth away and placed his hands on her hips. ‘So, what have you brought me to eat? It smells delicious.’
‘Lots of things.’ She slipped out of his hold and began serving the food onto two plates. ‘I thought we could have a champagne supper up here.’
He heard the sound of bubbles being poured into glasses, and then Ruby pressed a champagne flute into his hand. The glass was cold against his fingers, and the soft hiss of rising bubbles was loud in the silence.
‘What are we celebrating?’ He tried but failed to keep the cynicism out of his tone. ‘Another wedding at Rothwell Park that has a higher than average chance of failing?’
Ruby let out a weary-sounding sigh. ‘Look, I know this wedding is triggering for you. But if you could see how much Delphine and Miguel love each other you’d know how well-suited they are.’
Lucas took a long draught of champagne before putting the glass down on the desk. ‘Yes, well, that’s the point, isn’t it? Ican’tfreaking see.’ He raked a hand through his hair. ‘I can’t see a damn thing—and I want to so badly.’
The fear that he might never see again gripped him by the guts with a cruel hand. He knew plenty of people lived with blindness—lived good and productive lives—but he needed his sight to work at the job he loved. He could not do it without his sight.
‘Oh, Lucas...’ Ruby put her own glass down and wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressed to his chest. ‘I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everything right for you.’
Lucas absently stroked the back of her head, his emotions sawing at his insides like savage teeth. ‘I don’t believe in magic. I don’t believe in miracles.’ His voice came out through gritted teeth.
I don’t believe in love.
And yet...and yet...something was picking at the lock on his heart, trying to prise it open when all he wanted was to keep it shut.
He had been honest with Ruby over his struggle to accept permanent disability. Even more honest than he had been with his specialist. The solid, impenetrable armour he hid behind was falling off, shield by shield, plate by plate, bolt by bolt, and if he didn’t do something, and do it quickly, he would be completely exposed and vulnerable.
‘But Idobelieve in magic and miracles, and maybe that’s enough,’ Ruby said.
‘It’s not enough,’ Lucas said, and put her from him.
He needed distance. He needed to control this relentless drive to bring her closer and let her in.
Hehadto control it.
He picked up his champagne glass and drained it, putting it down again with a thud. ‘You should go back downstairs, Ruby. I’m not in the partying mood.’
The sound of music and high-spirited revelry downstairs wasn’t helping his state of mind. Three times he had heard such sounds at a wedding in his home and what had come of it? Nothing but bitterness and smashed hopes, leaving echoes of sadness in every nook and cranny of the castle.
Ruby came up behind him and placed her hand on the small of his back. A bolt of electricity shot through him. ‘Can we just have our supper? The wedding will be over soon.’
Lucas turned and stared down at the pale oval of her face. She was no doubt tired and hungry, and yet she had taken the time to bring him a sample of the wedding feast. Surely the least he could do was enjoy it with her.
He brushed his bent knuckles down her left cheek, his expression rueful. ‘I seem to have trouble saying no to you.’
Ruby placed her hands on his chest. ‘I seem to have the same problem.’ Her voice was whisper-soft, her face uptilted to his. ‘What are we going to do about it?’
He could feel the soft waft of her breath on his lips and desire hit him like a punch. ‘This might be a good place to start,’ he said, and pressed his mouth to hers.
CHAPTER TEN
SOMETIMELATER, RUBYpoured the last of the champagne into their glasses and handed Lucas his. They had finally got around to having the supper she’d brought up—but not before making exquisite love on the floor of his office. And even though they were both back in their clothes her body was still humming with aftershocks, and any tiredness she’d felt before was completely gone.
Lucas took a sip from his glass and then put it to one side. ‘Would you like to dance?’
Ruby looked at him in surprise. ‘What? Now?’