“Thank you, Sir, for rescuing me,” she said softly.
“Not at all, Madam,” he replied. “I am only glad that I was here at the right moment to save you from what could have been a nasty fall.”
“Indeed, I am most grateful, too,” she replied, staring at his handsome face again. His brown hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his smart evening dress did not conceal his broad shoulders and muscular chest. She felt her face reddening even further as she forced herself to look away. But really, she did not think that in all her life, she had ever seen a man so handsome as the one who now stood before her.
***
Sebastian had not been able to settle in his chamber. He had found himself pacing up and down, impatiently waiting for his valet to appear to help him unpack. After what was probably only a few minutes but felt to him like hours, he had decided to go off exploring. Perhaps while so much of the household was distracted in preparations for the ball, he might discover something useful somewhere in the house.
His quest for answers drew him to the library. He had expected it to be grand and impressive, but what he saw when he crept through the door, which was already ajar, still surprised him. The room was large, and every wall was lined with shelves reaching right up to the ceiling.
In some of the corners were further piles of books, and by the window was a large mahogany desk, also festooned with books and papers, seemingly arranged in a completely haphazard manner.
Almost as soon as he entered the room, though, he felt a surge of alarm as he saw a young lady teetering dangerously at the top of a ladder. He rushed forward in her direction, just in time to catch her as she fell from the ladder and into his waiting arms.
The moment of her fall was rapid and sudden, but those that followed, when their eyes locked together in an electrifying gaze, seemed to last an eternity. Sebastian felt his heart beginning to race as he looked at the pale face before him, lips slightly parted in surprise. Her blue eyes were wide with the shock of the fall, but as their gaze met and they stared into one another’s eyes, something on her face changed.
The look of shock and surprise faded and was replaced with something else, something softer. As he held her in his arms, he felt a surge of pleasure to be so close to such a beautiful woman and to feel her slim waist in his hands and the soft fabric of her dress between his fingers. He briefly wondered what it would be like to touch her bear skin before forcing such thoughts out of his mind.
He saw her cheeks pinken before she looked away then murmured her thanks.
Her words brought him back to reality. He set her on the ground and took a step back. Even though he had saved her from a fall, it would be quite improper for him to keep his hands on her body for a moment longer than was necessary, even though he was sorely tempted to allow his fingers to linger on her slim waist.
He looked at the book she was holding in her hands, the book that had nearly caused her to fall from a great height and potentially cause herself a grievous injury.
“Ah, I see you have one of the best books I have ever read on the mythology of the Roman gods in your hand,” he said, his interest piqued.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Indeed. I am pleased to have finally found it.”
“And was it worth you almost tumbling to your death for it?” Sebastian grinned.
She flushed and looked alarmed. “You don’t really think I would have died?”
He laughed. “No, indeed. Forgive me, Madam. I was only teasing you. Perhaps you would have twisted your ankle at the very worst, but I am glad I was there to catch you all the same.”
She glanced at the book, then turned back to him. “Have you read this, then?”
He nodded. “I read it before I went travelling on the continent. I wanted to make sure that I knew as much as possible about the myths of the gods and goddesses before I visited their temples and shrines.”
The young lady in front of him let out an audible sigh, and he felt something stirring within him. She really was incredibly pretty, and her face seemed to light up at the mention of his travels and quest for knowledge.
“I do so wish I could see all those things,” she said softly.
“Well, perhaps one day you will,” he replied. “Now, do tell me, what specifically was it that you were hoping to find in this book that nearly caused you to plummet to the ground?”
She blushed again and looked at the floor, then reached up, almost subconsciously, to touch a broach pinned to her shawl.
“Ah, your broach shows a depiction of Venus, so you were trying to find out about her?” he asked. He could now see why she might have been reluctant to say it out loud; young ladies in polite society were probably not supposed to mention the goddess of love to gentlemen they had just met when they were alone together.
He realized, then, that they probably should not be here. With no one else present, it was rather improper. But somehow, he could not tear himself away, as she told him about her sister’s travels, the generous gift she had brought back for her, and how she wanted to learn more about Venus and her Greek counterpart, Aphrodite.
The time flew by as they chatted, and Sebastian would not have known how long they had stood together in the library, swapping facts and opinions. But after a while, the sound of the door creaking open disturbed them, and they both turned to see a young maid entering the room.
“Forgive me, My Lady, but your mother is keen for you to return to your chamber.”
The young lady nodded. “Of course, Clara, I quite understand.” She turned to Sebastian and smiled. “Well, I enjoyed speaking with you, Sir.”
Sebastian bowed. “And I.” He watched her leave the room, feeling a strange urge to chase after her, ask her name, and ask when he might see her again. But he held back; the moment was lost now that the maid was present. But he knew that he would struggle to forget her face and how he had felt when she tumbled into his arms.
