Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
‘I’m glad.’ I want to see whatever it is I have inspired her to draw.
‘Would you like to see it?’
‘Yes,’ I breathe out the word, and she eagerly pulls out a piece of paper, handing it to me. I smile down at the picture of an oversized horse and a small man with hearts in his eyes staring at it. I chuckle. ‘It actually looks very much like Mr Casper. Though, I must say, your depiction rather implies he is enthralled by the horse.’
‘Should it imply otherwise?’
‘Well, yes.’ I frown at myself. ‘He’s obviously enthralled by the rider.’
Her face falls. ‘Oh.’ She takes back the paper and stares down at it for a time. ‘And what about you?’ she asks. ‘Are you enthralled by the rider?’
Oh hell. ‘No,’ I laugh, awkward, and step back, not at all liking her wide, hopeful, doe eyes. ‘I’m merely fascinated.’ I motion for us to keep walking before we find ourselves alone and attract attention. ‘Why would you ask such a thing?’ You’re on dangerous ground, Frank.
‘Curiosity, I suppose. You write about her with such passion.’
‘Are you jealous?’ Shut up, Frank!
Taya’s chin lifts high in a move to demonstrate sureness, but her teeth sinking down onto her bottom lip and her eyes dropping betray her. She is. She’s jealous. Oh dear. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ She peeks up at me, her lips almost blue from the force of them pressing together, but not in impatience, no. It is undoubtedly to stop her from confessing that she really is jealous. Very dangerous ground, Frank. Her lips twitch, and the memory of me tasting them comes flooding back, and when she peeks up at me and her green eyes fall down to my mouth, I know, I just know, she is recalling that moment of exquisite pleasure too.
I find my pace slowing until I come to a gradual stop, my eyes unable to move from her face, taking in every perfect inch of it. The distant sound of the orchestra seems to fade in this moment as we regard each other, until all that remains are the thuds of our heartbeats and our heavy breathing. That kiss. The forbidden, beautiful kiss. Oh, to have that again. I ache for it. Positively ache for it.
I blink and jerk, and the noise and bustle of chatter and laughter pours back into the room with us, and when my tunnel vision clears, I find Taya is gazing at me, looking as concerned as I am feeling, for it was all too easy to forget myself when placed under her spell. ‘I should like to proposition you,’ she says, and I give her a stunned look.
‘Pardon me?’ I say, getting us moving again, circling the room behind our mothers, now a little further away than is probably acceptable, so I increase my pace and rely on Taya to follow my lead.
‘You really are full of yourself, Frank Melrose. I speak of business.’
‘What of it?’
‘I should like the opportunity to work with The London Times.’
No way. ‘I must respectfully decline.’
‘Respectfully?’
‘Indeed.’
‘You would not hire me?’
It would be hell. I cannot promise I would be able to keep my hands to myself. I would be utterly stupid to invite temptation, but, naturally, I cannot divulge that. ‘We are not hiring.’
‘Well, that is fine, because I am not asking for a job.’
‘Then what in God’s name are you asking for?’ I am not sure I should have asked that question.’
‘I should like to work on a freelance basis.’
‘Pardon me?’
‘Drawing for your best stories.’
‘What?’
‘Imagine,’ she whispers. ‘If your readers also had drawings to build the picture along with your words.’
I stare at her, my mouth agape. My God, that is a genius idea. Genius! I hardly want to admit it, for I fear to accept her offer may be my downfall.
‘Well?’ she asks, excited.
I nod, mute, my eyes once again being drawn to those lovely plump rosy lips.
‘I must say, I am parched,’ she says quietly.
Me too.
‘Frank?’
‘I will fetch you a drink!’ I blurt urgently, jerking out of my trance.
‘Very kind of you, Mr Melrose. I would avoid the far corner as there are a few flies buzzing around over there, and I suspect they’ll be in your ear should you get too close.’
I frown and look to the far corner, seeing Scarlett Dare and, not too far away, Lizzy Fallow. ‘Have you been eavesdropping again?’ I ask.
‘Not at all.’
I highly doubt that. ‘It is your bro––’ I stop abruptly before I drop Sampson in it and reveal to Taya that she is worrying about the wrong man. ‘I’ll get that drink.’ I hurry off and get my mouth under control, as well as my thoughts, seeing the Prince lording it up by the champagne table, laughing like he has not a care in the world. I don’t suppose he has when all his guests are funding his lifestyle. And to think they’re all here thanking him for his hospitality, being grateful for the invite? I snort and take two glasses of champagne, looking around for Clara, who I find within safe proximity to Mama, although looking pretty deadly.