Forever My Love (Berkeley-Faulkner #2)(3)

After seeing him to the room, Sackville left to welcome his other guests. Alec wandered about aimlessly, reacquainting himself with the manor. The interior of Sackville Manor was as comfortable as the exterior was captivating. There was a fire in every room, a bounty of artwork and books to peruse, plenty of deep, well-upholstered chairs and plush, richly draped beds. At Sackville’s annual hunting parties some of these luxurious beds were used far more than others, for this was an occasion of great indulgence in many areas.

The outside of the manor was sturdy and fortresslike, yet so picturesque that the eye jumped from place to place in agreeable fascination. The walls and rooftops were edged with crenellation and the gables were stepped, giving it the appearance of a castle. Of particular note were the tall, square turrets that bordered the corners of the building, for they appeared to be the kind in which fairy-tale princesses were destined to be locked up and held captive.

Alec’s room was located at the end of the hallways, near the entrance to one of the square towers. He paused at the small stairway, leaning against the wall and contemplating what might be stored in the turret. Perhaps it was used as an attic or a garret for some of

the servants. Suddenly his musings were interrupted by the sound of small feet on the stairs.

Mira came down from her bedroom to go to the kitchen. The cook and the housekeeper were busy preparing for the guests and Mira knew that her help would be appreciated. Lord Sackville was incensed whenever he heard that she lifted a finger to help, but Mira was no stranger to work. She liked to feel useful, and in her present capacity she felt as if there was no opportunity for her to be useful to anyone. She stopped short on the second-to-last step as she realized that there was a man standing in front of her, a very tall man. She recognized his coal-black hair at once and stared at him with unabashed curiosity.

His eyes were the light gray of rainwater, crystalline and framed with spiky black eyelashes. His brows, strongly drawn and faintly slanted, were velvet black. It was an unnerving effect… those shrewd and brilliant silver eyes sef in that dark face, narrowed slightly as if he could see every secret written in her heart. His mouth was wide and expressive, one corner lifted just enough to reveal that a sardonic wit lay behind those wantonly handsome features. Immediately she wanted to take a few steps backward. That aura of physical strength that she had sensed from far away was overpowering up close. Every line of his body was perfect, from the taut thighs encased in buff pantaloons to the wide shoulders and lean torso covered in blue coat and conservatively striped waistcoat.

“Hello,” Alec said, his face wiped clean of all expression as he stared at her. Then his eyes darkened intently, seeming to drink in every detail of her appearance. He noticed the agitated movement of her fingers as she curled them into the folds of her dress. “I hope I haven’t startled you,” he said, his voice low and oddly hushed.

“Oh, you haven’t,” Mira replied, her long lashes sweeping down to her cheeks. Then she dared to smile

at him, and Alec was enchanted by the dance of laughter in her eyes. “You’re Lord Falkner, aren’t you?” He nodded, looking up and down the hallway before replying. It was time for a watchful chaperon to come in search of her charge, for a girl with her looks would not be left alone and unguarded for long. As she correctly interpreted his glance, Mira’s smile faded. “I was just on my way to—” she began, and took a step forward without remembering that she was still on the steps. Pitching forward, she stretched out her arms instinctively to brace herself, anticipating the shock of her body hitting the floor. In a quick reflex Alec reached out and caught her, absorbing the momentum of her fall as she stumbled fully against him. His arms closed around her, strong and steady, protective.

Momentarily stunned, Mira looked up at him, her heart hammering and seeming to rise up high in her chest. An indescribably pleasant fragrance clung to him, a subtle mixture of male skin, clean linen, and the faintest touch of bay rum. His gray eyes were very close as they met hers, and she couldn’t help noticing how beautiful they were.

“Oh, how clumsy I am,” she said breathlessly, her voice muffled by his coat.

“No, not at all. Anyone could have—”

“I’m glad you were so quick, or I might have been—”

“—yes, the floor is very—”

“—I don’t know how to thank you for…”As she looked up at him, they both became still. He was still holding her close, much too close against his body, and Mira knew somehow that he was as acutely aware of her as she was of him… but a man like him was forbidden to her, would always be forbidden. “You… you may let me go now,” she said reluctantly.

His arms did not loosen. “Are you steady on your feet yet?” he asked gently.

“Yes, I think so.”

“You should be more careful,” he murmured, still

holding her. “I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.” Her body was so soft and yielding against his that Alec found himself unwilling to release her. Dozens of questions ran through his mind. He wondered who in the hell she was, why he hadn’t seen her before… he wondered why she stared up at him so uneasily and what she would do if he kissed her. What a temptation she presented! Her velvety brown eyes were dark and filled with secrets, and she seemed so eager to fly away that his hold tightened on her. “What is your name?” he asked, his dark head lowering slightly.