Heart pounding, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.This time, he was not thinking with his shaft or even his brain, but something deeper.More powerful.Every time his tongue touched hers, an answering flicker of something stronger, something sharper, something infinitely more terrifying, unfurled in his chest.
He wanted more than kisses.More, even, than a night of torrid passion.He wanted to know that every time he reached for her, she would be there.If the disappearance of a pudding made him dread the loss of a single shared moment with her, what the devil was he going to do without her on a six-month trip to India?
It was the opportunity he’d dreamed of.He would never turn it down.But it would no longer be a dream come true if he couldn’t bring her with him.She was beginning to feel as much a part of him as his own soul.The question was whether she felt the same.
He lifted his mouth from hers.His pulse galloped out of control.
“I would love to show you the world.”He hesitated, unsure how to put his thoughts into words, or what exactly he intended to propose.Perhaps they could figure it out together.“How would you feel about joining me on an adventure?
Her gaze did not rise to meet his.“Maybe someday.”
Not the enthusiastic response he’d been hoping for.He tried to take heart.Somedaywas not the same asNo.There was still time to change her mind.
“You should see her trunk,” came a dry voice.
He leapt away from Gloria.“Madge!I didn’t see you.”
“I hide even better than pudding.”She pointed down the hall as she walked away.“Bedchamber is that way.”
“What the devil is she talking about?”Christopher swung his startled gaze toward Gloria.
Her cheeks were bright red.“I’ll show you.”
He followed her to an open door at the end of the corridor.Inside the airy chamber was a tall wardrobe, a demure bed, and a large wooden trunk.
Gloria retrieved a key from the wardrobe.It quickly unlocked the trunk.She gave him a long, searching look and then flipped open the lid.He braced himself.
The trunk appeared to contain a variety of gowns, an array of shoes, a selection of bonnets, and at least two lacy parasols.
“What am I looking at?”he asked.
She let out a long sigh.“Venice.Madge and I packed for Venice.Our itinerary changes every few weeks and we repack.We’re thinking of going to Sicily next.”
The trunk took on new meaning.
“You pick a place,” he said slowly.“You read everything you can about it, gather the ideal supplies in order to have the perfect trip, carefully pack each item in your trunk… and then you don’t go.”
She blinked a glassy sheen from her eyes and nodded.“It’s our ritual.”
It wasn’t a ritual.It was a cage.
His chest tightened.
This was the true Gloria.Ice-skating and phaeton rides were as far outside her comfort area as she would ever go.He liked her more with every passing hour and it didn’t matter.This was as close as she would let herself come to adventure.
“Here,” he said.“I’ll help you pack for Sicily.”
She began pulling items from the trunk and placing them in careful piles atop her bed.
Day dress, evening dress, cape, spencer.Hair brush, tooth powder, tiny soaps.
“Where in Sicily will you and Madge be traveling?”he asked.
Her eyes went wide.“Everywhere?”
“Then you’re missing a few items.”He opened both doors to her wardrobe and peered inside.“You need a bathing outfit for the beaches.And the warmest fur you own if you plan to scale Etna.”
“Does it snow there like here?”she asked as she added a thick scarf to the trunk.
