Chapter Seventeen
Storm had spent the whole night tending to his brother. Chance was ill, but the physician assured him that it was nothing serious. In a few days it should pass, but until then, Storm was given a stern warning that his brother needed to remain resting. For a young mischievous boy, that was no easy task. But as long as Storm was there to keep him company, Chance seemed to be handling the resting orders far better. It had been a long night of helping his brother to the withdrawing room, pressing cool water to his brow and comforting him and Storm felt completely drained. He had not managed to sleep at all and it was not until the sunlight started to peak through the window that his youngest brother was finally able to close his eyes and rest. And the it when Storm remembered Eleanor.
He remembered how stunningly beautiful she was the evening before. How perfectly she seemed to fit in his arms. And mostly, he thought about her kiss. The kiss that had turned his world upside down and when he thought about it he came to realize that the world had not yet righted itself again. Storm could not help but remember her lips and the way they seemed meant to be kissed by him. So really, he thought, there was only one logical thing to do. He needed to kiss her again. Yesterday had been emotional, for them both, so it could have been the kiss was only so lovely because of the new bond they had formed.
He wanted to experience kissing Eleanor again. Truly kissing her. Last night the emotion that had passed between them made the kiss more of a need. It seemed impossible to deny that moment of intimacy they both needed. Today, however, today he wanted to kiss her, because there was the slightest chance that it would still feel perfect. And if it was… well if it was he supposed he would have to adjust to this world he was now in. A world in wish he wanted, of all people, Miss Eleanor Pinecrest.
So, although Storm had sorted out the logic of it all in his head, opportunity was not nearly as kind to him. He could not leave his brother’s side, nor would he be able to attend the ball this evening. The only hope he had was to pray she come to his home at some point in the day and he could steal her away for a few moments. Even if he could not secure another kiss, at least he could make sure that she had been affected by him just as much.
“How is he feeling?”
Bonnet poked her head into the room and pulled him from his thoughts.
“It was a rough night, but he is tough.”
His sister smiled.
“He gets that from you.”
Storm shook his head.
“He gets that from you.”
Bonnet smiled.
“From us both then.”
Storm looked to his sister and was once again overcome with gratefulness. Seeing his sister through Eleanor’s eyes had been so enlightening. He hoped he would never take her for granted again.
“You should get some rest. I can stay with Chance for a while.”
Storm shook his head.
“No sense in us both being worn out. I suspect that you will have a few callers today and you should enjoy yourself.”
His sister sighed.
“You should be calling on women yourself.”
Storm knew that he had a promise to keep, but right now, he was focused on saving Eleanor, tending to his brother and trying to stay awake. It was all he could handle.
“There is still plenty of time left this season.”
Bonnet frowned.
“Well, in case you are wondering, Eleanor will be here this afternoon. I would change before you come to say hello though. She is bound to have some callers herself. After you left last night I do not think she stopped dancing for more than ten minutes.”
Storm felt his stomach wretch but tried to keep a stoic face.
“That is good, is it not? It was one of the reasons you gave her your dress.”
“Do not try to be calm about this in front of me. I know you like her Storm. The sooner you admit it, the better.”
For a moment they just stared at each other, until suddenly Chance stirred and Storm found himself soothing the boy. Bonnet came over and pressed a kiss to the child’s brow and whispered.
“I will go have a maid bring fresh water.”
And with that, she was gone and Storm had managed to escape an inevitable confession to his sister, that yes, in fact, he did like Eleanor Pinecrest, and yes… it now bothered him to think about all the other gentleman who got to spend the evening with her in their arms while he was tending to his brother.
Eleanor was more exhausted than ever. She thought that spending her night worrying over her family’s finances was tiring, but nothing compared to the weariness of dancing nearly every dance at a ball. Her feet were killing her, even in her new spectacular boots, and Eleanor could swear she danced with every eligible bachelor there. But none of them compared to Storm. He was all she could think about. She had not expected him to kiss her, although she would be lying if she said she had not dreamed of him doing so since the moment they had met. It was the most amazing moment of her life. A moment that would last her forever. But, she thought with a bit of sadness, it seemed that would be all it was.
When they had returned to the ballroom, he had promised her another dance, but within five minutes, Storm had left the ballroom. She could only imagine that he regretted the kiss they shared and she could not bear it. But, after everything they had been through, she at least needed to speak to him about it. Storm had been so dear to her the last few days, she was not going to let such a sweet moment ruin everything. She was sure if she could assure him that she would not expect more from him, perhaps they could get back to where they were.
So, although she was aching in body and heart, Eleanor found herself settled into a cushion of pink pillows at the Pinecrest residence wondering if Storm would seek her out. She had every intention of tracking him down, if he did not appear, but that plan was instantly ruined when the drawing room was filled with nearly a half dozen men seeking out her attention. Never in her life, would she have imagined she would be in this position. Clearly, wanting to see Storm, and having the opportunity to was two completely different things.
Storm left his brother, collected himself as much as he could, and found himself heading for the drawing room. His heart raced a bit with the thought of seeing her again. Would she look different to him now? Now that he knew the pleasure of her lips, would he be able to ever remember what it was like just to listen to her speak. He was desperate to learn the answer to the questions, but as he entered the room, any thought Storm had of Eleanor was overwhelmed with the overpowering scent of flowers. And the eight callers that seemed to be focused on her. He managed to meet Eleanor’s gaze and see a soft blush come to her cheeks before he realized that he could not stay. Storm could not sit amongst such foolish gentlemen and have a serious discussion with Eleanor about the events of the previous evening. It would not be natural and he would only be bitter about it. So, putting on a nonchalant face, Storm just asked Bonnet for a moment of her time before leaving the room.
Chance was feeling slightly better the next morning, but Storm had only grown more weary and frustrated. He was glad to see his brother had more color in his cheeks and his appetite was returning, but he still had not managed to speak with Eleanor. He had attempted to see her again before she left for the day, but he was informed, quite pointedly by his sister, that she had already left.
His brother fell asleep shortly after breakfast and Storm headed toward his room for a fresh change of clothes. Throwing some water on his face, he hurried into a shirt, rolling up the sleeves, and discarded his jacket and headed back to his brother. As he turned the corner, Storm found himself, once again, colliding with Eleanor. With a smile, he caught her in his arms and waited for her to regain her balance before he released her.
He had been waiting to see her but now that she was in front of him, he could not find the right words to say. Luckily, she spoke first.
“You look terrible.”
Raising a brow, he laughed.
“Thank you.”
Blushing, embarrassed, she looked toward the ground.
“I mean, you still look handsome, just exhausted.”
Leaning in he whispered.
“Well, as long as I am an exhausted handsome…”
Eleanor sighed and met his gaze.
“Are you feeling well?”
Before he could continue she started to pace in front of him and continued to speak.
“I mean, you are not obligated to tell me such a thing. If you are trying to avoid me, I assure you that it is not necessary.”
“Why ever would you think that?”
She stopped then and met his gaze.
“Well… you left the ball right after we… well right after our dance. And then you left the drawing room as soon as you saw me in it yesterday. And you were not at last night’s ball. I thought maybe… well…”
Her sentence trailed away as her eyes drifted to his lips. Shyly she whispered.
“Do you regret it?”
Storm realized that Eleanor had not been told about Chance and she truly believed he was trying to avoid her. Stepping closer to her, Storm cupped her chin and forced her eyes to his.
“Eleanor, I have regretted a great many of my actions toward you, but kissing you is something I will never regret.”
Her eyes widened in surprise and he trailed his hand to cup her cheek and moved another step closer to her. It was impossible not to touch her right now. Even though he was exhausted, he still wanted her.
“Right after we returned to the ballroom I received a note from Willow that Chance was very ill and needed a doctor. I left immediately. I… am so sorry. I thought the others would have told you.”
Eleanor shook her head.
“I… I have not had much time alone with anyone of your family. I suppose they did not think to tell me. Is Chance still ill?”
The concern in her eyes for his brother was so endearing. She truly cared about his family.
“He is mending. It has been a hard two days. The doctor ordered rest, but you know my brother…”
Eleanor laughed.
“No wonder your exhausted.”
He smiled.
“And… I came to the drawing room yesterday to speak with you, but you had so many foolish young fops at your skirts I did not think we would be able to have a meaningful conversation. As lovely as time with you is, you and I are beyond being trivial with each other.”
She blushed again and Storm reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her brow. Eleanor sighed at the caress and he knew that the kiss must have affected her as well.
“So, you really were not avoiding me?”
“Eleanor, I would never avoid you. Outside my family, yours is the company I most enjoy.”
She blushed again.
“Thank you.”
They stood there silently for a moment and all he could do was gaze at her. After days of thinking about her, it was so lovely to see her face. To feel the comfort of her voice. It bothered him that no one had explained his absence. The last thing he wanted was to have caused her any pain. Feeling he needed to continue he whispered.
“You took my breath away at the last ball, Eleanor.”
Eleanor searched for the truth in his eyes, and as always, it shone through. He could never hide the truth from her. Would never.
“If it were not for my brother, I would have never left your side.”
Eleanor stared at Storm and a sense of relief ran through her. These last few days without him had been miserable. She could tolerate him telling her that the kiss was a mistake, but she could not imagine losing his friendship. And now… now he was being so… so… charming.
Unable to stop herself, Eleanor reached out and touched his cheek.
“Well, you were missed.”
A huge grin came to his face and he raised a brow. Eleanor was aware that he moved closer to her again. Her body was so aware of his now. Every movement. Every heartbeat. She knew it all.
“Are you sure? I heard you never left the dance floor.”
With a sly smile, she leaned in.
“I even danced with the handsome Devon Remington.”
“Ah, so you found out his name, even after my warning.”
“Well, he asked for a dance. It would have been impolite not to find out his name.”
Storm nodded.
“I see. And, did you enjoy Mr. Remington’s company.”
Eleanor tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear and shrugged.
“He was very nice, but… “
“But…?”
“You were right.”
“Oh?”
Stepping closer, she leaned in.
“He was not you.”
Storm’s smile grew instantly and for one blissful moment Eleanor thought he would kiss her again. But just as he reached out for her, the housekeeper entered the hallway and they both instantly drew apart. Not knowing what she had interrupted, the woman addressed Storm.
“Your grace, I was about to take a food try to your brother, shall I bring something for you as well.”
Eleanor could that he was annoyed by the interruption, but he kept his voice kind.
“That would be very kind. Thank-you.”
As the housekeeper ran off, Eleanor knew her chance to be kissed had passed. Turning toward more serious issues, she sighed.
“You know, you really should get some rest. It will do Chance little good if you fell ill as well. I am sure Bonnet or Hunter would stay with him.”
Storm nodded.
“I know, I just feel it is my responsibility. After our parents were lost to us, anyone getting sick stirs up old memories. We always worry about losing each other. I do not think my family could manage another loss.”
She reached out to him again, this time with compassion instead of desire.
“You said he was doing better. Truly Storm. You need rest.”
He smiled at her concern and nodded.
“I promise I will rest tonight. Hunter will be glad to have an excuse to miss a ball and I cannot miss Oakshire’s engagement ball tomorrow now that I know Chance will get better. Jacob has been a good friend to me and I find his bride to be refreshingly charming.”
Eleanor smiled. Storm took her hand to his lips.
“You will save a waltz for me?”
Blushing she nodded.
“Of course.”
Then, reluctantly releasing her, he motioned to the hallway.
“I really should get back to him, but I promise I will get rest and that I will be there tomorrow to dance with you.”
Nodding, she watched him walk off, but right as he reached the staircase, he turned back to her.
“What color dress will you be wearing?”
Eleanor looked to him curiously, but saw no reason to refrain from answering.
“Lavendar.”
He nodded and Eleanor felt his eyes scan her whole body before returning to meet hers.
“I will see you tomorrow Eleanor.”
And then he was gone.