If the Slipper Fits (33 page)

Glancing away from the temptation he posed, she looked at the servants dancing around the bonfire and sternly reminded herself that she was one of them. “Perhaps, my lord, you
should
ask Lady Louisa. She’s a dainty, blond blue-blood just like Nicholas’s mother. I should think you’d be drawn to her.”

“Good God, no! She’s a mere child who’s easily cowed by her dragon of a mother.” With a gentle hand, Simon turned Annabelle’s face back toward him. “And I certainly
don’t
want someone who looks like Diana. In fact, if I were to describe my ideal woman, she would have chestnut brown hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and a most exasperating habit of rebuking me.”

She
was his ideal woman? Even as Annabelle reeled from his candor, he lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a warm kiss to the back. “Please, Annabelle. You have my word that I won’t press my attentions where they’re not wanted. Besides, it’s only a dance.”

Only a dance
. Nothing could be more tantalizing than to be held by him as they glided around the dance floor. How could she turn down this rare chance to be partnered by the man she loved? And she
did
love Simon with all her heart. Life without him was drab and colorless, devoid of warmth and excitement.

Desire warred with prudence. She shouldn’t encourage him. Nothing permanent could ever come of their association. She should escape to her chamber and put these fairy-tale dreams behind her.

But not even Cinderella had left the ball before midnight.

“I would be happy to accept, my lord.”

He released a long breath as if he’d been worried she might refuse. As they walked back into the courtyard, his hand at her back, he subjected her to another concentrated stare. “We’ve half an hour before the supper dance. I don’t suppose you’d be interested in viewing the artifacts I’ve uncovered over the past few days, would you?”

She stopped in surprise. “Oh, Simon! Do you mean to say there was a treasure trove there, after all?”

He nodded. “I’d been digging in the wrong place. As soon as I switched course, there it was, a small chamber filled with a cache of ancient relics. I’ve transported everything to my study for safekeeping.”

“I
do
want to see it—all of it. Right now.”

He gave her that crooked smile, the one that always melted her. Tonight, however, it held an intriguing hint of mystery. “Then do come with me.”

Chapter 24

Annabelle followed close behind Simon as he led her up a little-used staircase at the back of the castle. He held her hand and she relished the feel of his strong fingers laced with hers. The distant lilt of music lent a dreamlike quality to the gloomy passage. She felt the thrill of high spirits as if they had embarked upon a great adventure.

How shocked the noble guests would be if they were to learn that their host had gone off alone with the governess. She would face gossip and censure, the ruin of her good name. But the thought was only fleeting. Being with Simon meant far more to her than winning the approval of small-minded aristocrats.

Besides, this excursion would be their secret. No one need ever know.

They arrived at his closed study. Simon fished in an inner pocket of his coat for a key and unlocked the door. When he ushered her inside, there was a lamp already burning low on a nearby table.

“I was hoping you’d agree to come here,” he said. “You seem to be as interested in the Celtic site as I am.”

His gaze held a trace of uncertainty that she didn’t quite understand. Did he fear she didn’t share his zeal for antiquities? The thought touched her heart. “I’m not simply interested,” she said. “I’m
fascinated
to see things that were made thousands of years ago. So where are they?”

“Straight ahead. You’ll need some light.”

He nodded at his desk in front of the night-darkened window. Hurrying forward, Annabelle saw that the broad mahogany surface held an array of shadowy objects. Simon brought over a lamp and turned up the wick. As the flickering flame illuminated the scene, her eyes widened in amazement.

There were so many items she didn’t know where to look first: gold jewelry inlaid with precious stones, a pottery urn with faded images painted on it, a tiny stylized horse made of hammered silver, swords and small wooden statues and many other things whose purpose she couldn’t readily identify.

Simon pointed to a long narrow object inlaid with bits of red and blue gemstones. “I believe the piece that Nicholas picked up was once a part of that scabbard. You can see where it broke off the hilt.”

“Simon, this is astounding.” She walked around the desk to view more of the items. Most had a sheen of dirt and an overall air of neglect. Others, like the scabbard, were damaged in some way. “It will take you months to clean and catalogue everything. I don’t even know what some of these things are.”

“Here’s one that’s simple enough.” He handed her a shallow gold bowl that was beautifully engraved with horses and stags. “I believe it may be my favorite piece.”

“The workmanship is marvelous—oh, there’s a ring inside.” Annabelle plucked out a dainty gold circlet with an inset gemstone. Carrying it closer to the lamp, she turned it to and fro, and the polished stone winked a deep midnight blue in the light. “How lovely! It looks like a sapphire. What do you think?”

He stood watching her, his mouth curved slightly in an enigmatic smile. “I think you should try it on.”

His gaze held an intensity that bespoke his desire to kiss her. In her inmost depths, she felt a corresponding rise of passion for him. He must have brought her here in the hopes of charming her. And who was to stop them from indulging themselves? They were all alone. No one else need know …

But she had made up her mind. She must not encourage him. As tempting as he was, the life he had offered her held no honor.

Her heart sore, Annabelle lowered her gaze and slid the sapphire ring onto her finger. By its perfect fit, it had to have belonged to a woman. Unlike the other items, however, the ring had a timeless elegance that stirred a melancholy ache inside her. If only …

Needing to fill the silence, she murmured, “I wonder who owned this. Do you suppose it was a wedding ring?”

Simon stepped closer. He took her hand and examined it in the lamplight. “It was actually a betrothal ring.”

She glanced up at his enigmatic expression. “How can you be sure?”

He smiled faintly at her. “Because it belonged to my grandmother.”

Annabelle could only gape at him in uncomprehending shock. His words reverberated through her mind, but she couldn’t fathom his purpose.
His grandmother?

She shook her head. “I—I don’t understand.”

“It’s the only piece on the desk that didn’t come from the site. I placed it there for you to find.” His voice lowered to a husky murmur. “Because I want you to wear it, Annabelle.”

His thumb stroked lightly over the palm of her hand. He was gazing at her with a passionate intensity that thrilled her to the core. Yet an awful fear crept through her happiness. He had said nothing of love—or marriage. And that could mean only one thing.

Her eyes filling with tears, she tugged at the ring. But her hands were shaking too much to remove it. “If this is another bribe, Simon, I don’t want it.”

He took her fingers in his, stopping her frantic efforts. “Darling, it is
not
a bribe. Well, perhaps it is, but not in the way you’re thinking. Please, will you just hear me out?”

Annabelle went still, her heart beating swiftly. His manner held a desperation that was utterly unlike his usual charm and finesse. And yet she didn’t dare allow herself to hope. The pain would be too devastating if she was wrong. “Go on, then.”

His fingers remained tight around hers. “I’ve done a lot of thinking these past few days,” he said in a halting tone. “And I realize now why I made such a dishonorable offer to you. Even though you’d come to mean so much to me, I had to keep you at arm’s length, just as I’d done with Nicholas.” Grimacing, Simon glanced away for a moment, then looked squarely into her eyes. “You were right to call me a coward, Annabelle. I have been very much afraid to love again.”

He looked so tortured that she felt a softening in her breast even though she wasn’t yet ready to forgive him. “I’m not Diana,” she murmured. “I would never betray you as she did.”

“I know that, I think I’ve always known it. But because of her, I’d sworn never to open my heart again. Yet here I stand, madly, hopelessly in love with you.” On that breathtaking statement, he brought her hand to his lips. “I want you to be my wife, Annabelle. Will you do me the great honor of marrying me?”

A surfeit of emotions welled up into her throat. Never in her wildest dreams had she allowed herself to think that Simon harbored such deep feelings for her. She had feared that for him it was just a fleeting physical passion. Overcome by joy, she felt incapable of formulating words. So she slid her arms around his waist, pressed her face into the crook of his neck, and let her actions speak for her.

He held her tightly, brushing kisses over her hair. His hands moved over her back as if he never wanted to let her go. Then their lips met in a sweetly ardent kiss that was rife with mutual love.

Simon drew back slightly and touched his forehead to hers. “That does mean yes, doesn’t it?”

The trace of worry in his voice burrowed into her heart. “It means yes,
yes,
a thousand times yes. Oh, Simon, I love you so much. Why else do you suppose I allowed you such liberties that day in the bedroom?”

A twinkle entered his eyes. “I thought you’d merely succumbed to my superior lovemaking skills.”

“Well, I certainly can’t deny that you have a way with your mouth and hands.”

Smiling seductively, she traced her fingertip over his damp lips, and he smiled back as they gazed into each other’s eyes. The richness of desire spread through her body, and what a blessing that she no longer had to resist it. The slow caress of his hands over her breasts and waist honed her passion for him, and she murmured, “There’s no need to go back to the ball straightaway, is there?”

As she spoke, the clock on the fireplace mantel chimed the midnight hour. His hands stilled and he glanced sharply at the clock. “Yes, we
do
have to go, or we’ll be late for our dance.”

She moved her hips against him. “We could dance right here, just the two of us.”

His lashes lowered slightly and he gave her a look that told her exactly how much he craved her. Then he clenched his jaw and firmly set her back from him. “As tempting you are, my love, I am determined to partner you in front of society. The supper will be the perfect time for us to announce our engagement.”

He turned down the lamp, then caught her by the hand and led her out of the study, locking the door behind them.

As they started down the dim corridor, arm in arm, Annabelle tried to fathom why she disliked the notion of publicizing their betrothal. “Must we share the news tonight? Can we not keep it to ourselves for now?”

He cast a surprised look at her. “Why hide it? I want all the world to know that you’ll be my bride.”

“They’ll know soon enough.” To soothe him, she stroked her hand over his cheek. “Simon, you must remember I’m merely the governess. Even worse, I’ve no knowledge whatsoever of my family—I might be the baseborn daughter of a highwayman for all I know. And because the people in that ballroom judge everyone by their bloodline, there will be many who’ll brand me a fortune hunter.”

“Let them try,” he said, his voice radiating resolve. “I’ll set them straight.”

“I don’t doubt you’ll defend me. Yet I don’t wish to spoil this evening with gossip and ill feelings. It’s far too special to us.” Sensing that he was weakening, she added, “Besides, there’s one person who ought to be the first to know.”

A wry smile tilted his mouth. “Nicholas.”

She nodded. “He was so despondent at missing the ball that I promised him I would awaken him at midnight with a treat. He asked if you would come with me. Will you?”

Simon took her into his arms and kissed her brow. “It shall be as you wish, my love. But we
will
dance first. I insist upon that part.”

“Yes. Oh, yes.”

In short order, they reached the ballroom to find the dancers assembled and waiting. She had been anxious that they would miss the opening bars, but Simon assured her that the musicians would not begin the supper dance until he arrived. A sharp buzz of conversation ensued as they walked to the dance floor. Many of the guests turned to stare, the ladies whispering behind their fans.

The rumor mill was already operating in high gear.

Annabelle held her head high as they took up their position for the waltz. Simon gathered her close. As she placed her hand on his shoulder, the sapphire on her finger sparkled in the candlelight. Would any of the guests observe that she now wore the ring? Would they ask each other if she’d had it on earlier in the evening?

Let them wonder. She would not enlighten them. Tonight was for her and Simon alone.

As the musicians began to play, he smiled at her and the world faded away. No longer did she notice the throng of onlookers or the other couples on the dance floor. Only the two of them existed, whirling around in perfect time to the music. For the first time, she felt free to flirt with him in the manner of ladies and gentlemen.

“It is far more pleasant to dance with you, my lord, than with the girls at the academy where I grew up.”

“How comforting to know my skill compares favorably to that of adolescent girls.”

She laughed. “I’d tell you more about how accomplished you are, but it would go to your head and then living with you would become quite impossible.”

In the midst of their banter, his expression took on a potent quality. “I am most impatient to live with you, Annabelle. Do you know how much?”

The deeply passionate promise in his gray eyes stirred a flurry of anticipation in her. She felt it in every part of her body, a mad fervor to be his wife. Would he wait until their wedding night to seduce her? Oh, she hoped not. It was so unladylike, this hunger for him to whisk her away to his bedchamber and do all manner of wicked things to her.