A Study In Seduction(64)

The sound of a Beethoven sonata drifted from the piano, mingling with the chirps of insects and night-bird calls.

“My father has not engaged in company for a very long time,” Alexander finally said. “He only agreed to come this weekend because of Talia.”

“She’s a lovely young woman.”

“Yes, she is. She could marry astonishingly well if she’d—” He broke off with a shake of his head.

Tension infused his shoulders, the line of his body. Lydia swallowed, a surge of anticipation and apprehension mingling in her chest.

“Alexander?”

His forehead creased, and his jaw appeared to tighten. Lydia’s apprehension intensified. “What is it?” she asked.

“We’ve not known each other long,” he said.

“No.”

“And forgive me, but neither of us is in the bloom of youth.”

“True.”

He looked at her, his dark eyes direct as always, but with a trace of uncertainty that troubled her. In the short time she’d known him, she’d come to think he would never be uncertain about anything.

“For several years, my father has expressed his wish that I marry and produce an heir,” he said. “I haven’t done so in part because I’ve been occupied with my business and family matters, but also because I haven’t found a woman I could imagine marrying.” He paused. “Until now.”

Lydia pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart thumped wildly against her palm like a leaf whipped by a strong wind. She tried to speak, but her voice tangled around the words and stifled them.

“I believe we are well suited for each other,” Alexander said. “I find you interesting, if somewhat baffling, and your family maintains a respectable status. We are… ah, physically matched, if recent events are any indication.”

He cleared his throat and tightened his hands on the railing. Lydia realized with a start that he was more than uncertain. Alexander Hall, Viscount Northwood, was actually nervous.

“My—,” she began.

“There is, of course, the issue that your consent might give rise to renewed gossip surrounding your mother,” Alexander continued. “Though it is of little consequence to me, I do not wish for possible rumors to cause you or your family further distress.”

A sheen of unexpected tears stung Lydia’s eyes.

“However, I can promise you that marriage to me would not be disagreeable,” Alexander said. He paced away from her a few steps, heading toward the door, then circled around back to her. “You will be free to pursue your interests, to continue your work in mathematics.”

“I’m sorry, I—”

“You may run the household as you like,” he continued. “I pledge my fidelity. I do wish to travel again, though I would welcome your company should you—”

“Stop.” Lydia held up her hand, the tears spilling over. Her breath hitched, her chest tightening to the point of pain. “Please, please, stop.”

He looked at her, the uncertainty in his expression evaporating into concern. “Surely it’s not that horrid a thought.”

“No. It’s not that…. I’m sorry.” Lydia pressed her hands against her eyes. Her heart swam beneath a surfeit of emotions that she couldn’t even begin to comprehend. “I’m so terribly sorry.”

His warm fingers curled around her wrists, pulling her hands away from her face. “Sorry about what?”

“I can’t marry you.” Lydia swiped at her eyes, regret and outright fear slicing through her. A sob rose to flood her throat, and her knees began to buckle.

Alexander caught her before she could fall. His breath heated the side of her neck. The warmth of his body spread through her. His heart beat heavy and strong against her. His arms were like taut, secure ropes preventing her from sinking beneath a wave-lashed surface of darkness.

Lydia pulled in a breath, her emotions twisting, her mind wrestling for an equation, a theorem, a proof—but she could seize nothing, not even a simple sum. The sheer and complete feeling of Alexander overpowered coherent thought, and she lost all ability to anchor herself with numbers.

She took another breath and placed her hands on Alexander’s arms, urging him to release her. He did, though not without reluctance, his palms sliding flat against her midriff.

Lydia stepped from the circle of his arms.


He was cold suddenly without the warmth of her body against his. Alexander fisted his hands as he watched Lydia pace away from him.