But neither had forgotten where they were. Neither was the sort likely to forget, no matter the distraction.
No matter the temptation.
Yet it required effort to break the kiss—for him to raise his head, for her to ease back.
For a moment, they stood close, their lids low, breathing each other’s breath, then she took another step back, and his arms, which she only then realized had closed gently about her, fell away.
With her heart beating so much faster, she stared at him through the shadows.
As he looked steadily back, his eyes dark in the night, she realized there was nothing she needed to say beyond a breathless “Goodnight.”
She dipped her head, then turned away and, from behind her, heard him softly echo, “Goodnight.”
Toby had seen the small, witchy smile that had curved her lips in the instant before she’d turned away, had noted the sensual warmth that had kindled in her eyes.
With no hint of regret or concern, she walked to the compartment door, opened it, and went inside.
He heard the latch click and finally allowed himself to think.
To wonder.
And imagine.
Minutes passed, then he looked out of the window, only then realizing that he was still smiling in a manner that, were he anyone else, he would have described as besotted.
CHAPTER8
The children were proving to be early risers, inevitably waking bright-eyed and ready to see what the day would bring.
Courtesy of the overnight halt, the train was still stationary. Despite his own lack of sleep, Toby decided to take advantage of the children’s eagerness; after consulting with Diana, during which exchange they both did their best to ignore any lingering effects from their late-night kiss, he and she herded the trio to the dining car for the earliest of the breakfast sittings.
“With any luck,” Toby murmured, “we’ll avoid Heinrik and Eva.”
That, however, was not to be. When the slightly harassed waiter showed them to their table—one of the few able to accommodate five—they discovered Heinrik and Eva already seated at the small table for two on the other side of the narrow aisle.
Toby inwardly sighed. Evidently, Heinrik had guessed what they would do.
After a quick glance at Toby, Diana urged Roland and Bryce to sit closer to the window on the bench seat, leaving her to claim the spot by the aisle, blocking Heinrik from ready access to the boys.
Toby likewise ushered Evelyn and Rupert the Bear to the window side of the opposite seat and took the place on the aisle himself, denying Eva the chance to engage with Evelyn.
The waiter promptly took their orders. As he left for the kitchen, the train’s whistle blew, then the carriage lurched and slowly started to roll forward.
“We’re off!” Bryce turned curious eyes on Toby. “What’s the next station?”
“Verona,” Toby supplied. He was going to have to decide how to deal with Heinrik and Eva—how to lose them.
Heinrik’s and Eva’s breakfasts arrived, momentarily distracting them.
Soon after, the children’s meals appeared, shortly followed by Diana’s and Toby’s.
Once they were all eating and the waiters were elsewhere, Heinrik caught Toby’s eyes. “So, old friend, where are you headed? Or should I guess?”
Toby swallowed a mouthful of sausage and eggs. “As I don’t know myself, guessing would seem singularly pointless.” He paused, then added, “Then again, perhaps your guesses might give me some ideas.” He waved with his fork. “So please, do enlighten me.”
Heinrik looked disappointed, much as if Toby were being a difficult child.
“Well,” Diana said, “we’re sightseeing, and the children and I are determined to see as many of the country’s sights as we can.”
