The Girl is Not For Christmas - Emma V Leech Page 0,63

would not. She liked him, she… they… there was something between them, though he hadn’t the faintest idea what.

Liar.

“Oh, King,” she murmured, her voice so soft and sweet and loving, her hands in his hair as he kissed a path down her neck.

He pulled back, staring at her in alarm. Her blue eyes were hazy, gazing up at him like… like…. His heart crashed against his ribs like a trapped bird colliding against a closed window over and over, desperate for escape.

“Don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “Don’t look at me like that.” Because he wasn’t what she needed, not even close. He’d ruined his own life, he’d not do it to Livvy too. He could never deserve the look he’d seen in her eyes.

“L-Like what?” she said, and yet he saw her face shutter up and become guarded at once, and something inside of him howled with misery. Her chin went up. “I’m merely following your lead. You’re supposed to be teaching me how to seduce myself a husband, aren’t you? I’ve had very little in the way of help and advice so far.”

“You seem to be doing well enough,” he said darkly, avoiding her gaze, knowing she was lying the same as he was. “And stop painting me in the colours of a good man. Just because I can play the blasted piano does not mean I have hidden depths. It is merely another means to get me what I want, another means of baiting the hook. The ladies love it, you see, as you have so clearly demonstrated.”

He gave a bitter laugh at the outrage in her eyes.

“I see,” she said, colouring a little.

“Yes, Livvy, now you see. My reputation sums me up to a nicety, I assure you, and you put yourself in harm’s way every time you are alone with me. What little shred of honour I possess is the only thing keeping me from taking what you are apparently all too willing to give. If this were not my friend’s home, to whom I owe a great debt, I would take it without a second thought.”

There was a taut silence during which King prayed for her to slap him or curse him, or run away and slam the door, anything but sit there in silence. Every second that ticked by was a second closer to him breaking, begging her forgiveness, and kissing her again, and then… and then where would they be?

“Nonetheless, you promised to help me,” she said, stubborn to the last. “So, playing the piano acts like catnip upon the ladies, does it? I wonder, does it work for gentlemen too? For I confess I have no great skill.”

Thank God, King thought wildly, for he needed a reason not to want her, a reason to force himself to move away and put space between them. Perhaps if she murdered a piece of music, something delicate and beautiful, he’d be so offended by the assault he’d be able to think straight again, for it hadn’t escaped his notice that she had not contradicted his statement. She was willing, and he could take her innocence if he chose to. A prickle of sweat broke out over his flesh.

“Show me,” he said gruffly, gesturing to the keys.

He watched, intrigued, as she gathered herself and settled her fingers on the keys, and then broke into a stirring rendition of No One Shall Govern Me.

King’s mouth fell open in surprise as Livvy’s voice—by no means refined—but clear and strong, rang out through the room.

When young and thoughtless, Laura said

No one shall win my heart;

But little dreamt the simple maid,

Of love’s delusive art.

At ball or play she’d flirt away and ever giddy be,

But always said, I ne’er shall wed, no one shall govern me. No, no, no. No, no, no. No one shall govern me.

But time on airy pinions flew

And Laura’s charms decay’d;

Too soon, alas! The damsel grew.

A pettish, pert old maid.

At ball or play no longer gay, Poor Laura, now you’ll see;

Nor does she cry, for reasons why, No one shall govern me.

No, no, no. No, no, no. No one shall govern me.

A lesson learn, ye ladies fair,

From Laura’s wretched fate;

Lest you, like her, should in despair

Repent, Alas! Too late.

She finished with a flourish and a crash of keys that made King’s ears ring and he sat staring at her, stunned into silence. There was a twinkle in her eyes and a slight twitch to her lips that told him she knew exactly what she’d been about.