“I disagree,” she said a little breathlessly, and stepped toward him. “Kiss me again.”
Ezra shook his head, and moved back. “I want to, but I can’t. We can’t.”
Teddy growled. An actual growl born of frustration. “Now is not the time to remember you’re supposed to be a gentleman.”
“I am a gentleman,” he said, a little affronted, “And I will not ruin you in Graystone’s lovers’ maze.” His hair was disheveled from her. Teddy had run her fingers over those silken locks with an abandon she didn’t know she possessed. She wanted to do it all over again.
She narrowed her gaze. “Then why did you bring me here?” Teddy felt like a small child denied their favorite sweet. She was on the verge of stomping her foot and throwing a tantrum, demanding he give her what she desired. She tilted her head and considered it as she stared at him.
“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” he ordered. “We don’t have time for it. We’ll both be missed soon. This might be our only opportunity tonight to talk. I cannot wait until tomorrow for you tell me about Lord Eaton.”
Teddy lifted her lips into a slow, wanton smile. She had power over him. It was a heady feeling, and she reveled in it. This man desired her, and if she pushed, he’d give in. She felt it deep in her soul. “I’m sure we can make time for both.”
He groaned and pulled her into his arms again. “You’ll be the death of me yet.” Ezra nuzzled her neck and trailed kisses along her chin. “I want this. I want you.”
“I know.” She nearly moaned from the pleasure. She should feel bad for distracting him, but she couldn’t talk about that evil man. It would ruin the magic of this moment. Ezra made her insides quiver, and that in itself was so darned amazing. “Don’t stop again.”
“I have to,” he said, but it was mournful. “I should never have started.”
He shook a little as he stepped back again. Ezra ran his hand over his hair and took several breaths. “Please don’t stall. I’m weak where you’re concerned, but I cannot let what he did go. Tell me everything.”
Teddy shook her head and hugged herself. It was what she reverted to when she had to recall that night three years ago. Ezra wanted her to open up an old wound and allow it to bleed her dry. “You’re asking too much of me.”
Ezra closed the distance between them. He cupped her face in his hand. “I’m here for you no matter what. I’ll never leave you alone without protection. I need to know. I’m begging you.”
She closed her eyes and took a fortifying breath. Earlier, she had wondered if she could trust him. In this moment, she knew she could. He’d saved her, would continue to if needed. Perhaps if she explained it all to him, it would free her from that painful past. “Three years ago, I woke up during a thunderstorm. I don’t like storms.”
“I didn’t know that,” he said softly. “What happened?”
“I decided if I had a book, it would help distract me…help me pretend there was no storm.” This was the easy part and still she struggled to form the words. “My father often stayed up late drinking. He was always looking for the next big scheme to make money. It never came. We were already poor gentry, and not long after that he drove us to be destitute, but I digress. That night, our future wasn’t quite as bleak.”
“What did he do?” There was a harshness in his tone as he spoke.
She shook her head. “To this day, I don’t know. I never asked, but…”
“Was Lord Eaton there?” Ezra’s lips formed a thin line, and he didn’t appear pleased by anything she was saying. Teddy didn’t blame him. She wasn’t particularly happy herself.
“Yes,” she affirmed. “But I didn’t know his name until that night at the ball…when we danced.”
He was quiet for several moments as if weighing her words and deciding how to proceed. “Why does he scare you, and why did he attack you in the park?” Would he believe her? What would she do if he didn’t?
She turned away from him. Teddy couldn’t look at him as she explained the rest. It hurt to think about, and it devastated her to speak of that night. “When I went to the library, he crossed my path….he was mean, and rough. I think my father made promises he couldn’t keep. Lord Eaton…” Her lips trembled, and she had to stop and gather courage. “He wanted to use me to pay that debt.” She swallowed hard. “He would have forced himself on me, had left bruises all over me as it was, but my father interrupted him.”
Ezra closed what distance remained between them and pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, love. I’m so, so sorry.”
She laid her head on his chest as a tear fell down her cheek. “It’s not your fault.”
“It doesn’t negate anything,” he told her. “I’d take away all that pain if I could. He was going to abduct you that day, wasn’t he? To take what he thought belonged to him?”
“Yes.” Teddy was barely holding back the next tear that threatened to fall. It was bad enough she let a few escape. She would not give in and cry fully.
Ezra kissed the top of her head. “He won’t harm you again. You have my promise of that.” He stepped back and held out his arm to her. “I think it’s time I escorted you back to your ball.”
“Will you dance with me?”
“Of course,” he agreed. “Do you have a waltz left?”
Teddy glanced at her card. “If we hurry back it should be the next dance. At least, if I understand this card right. I didn’t pay much attention to it earlier.”
He
