at last. She nodded. “I’m sure you must have many doubts about me, so your acceptance and help is even more appreciated.”
“Not doubts,” Katherine said. “Questions, perhaps, but never doubts.” She sighed, and for a moment her gaze went faraway. “Life is complicated, my dear. Love is more so. And I watch you two at our little party, I see you navigating those complexities.”
Aurora bent her head. Sometimes it felt like all she was doing was treading water when it came to Nicholas. “Those waters are…they’re very deep, you know.”
“But they’re manageable, I think. If you work hard enough at it.”
Aurora drew back. Was this woman encouraging her when it came to Nicholas? Even when he made it so clear he had mixed emotions about her at best? When their past was so muddy she could scarcely see a foot in front of her?
“I hope you’ll find a way,” Katherine finished.
“Wh-why?” Aurora whispered.
“Because when he looks at you, it’s clear this is not finished,” Katherine said. “I know a little about that. You both deserve a period at the end of the sentence of your past. And a new sentence going forward if you’d like it.”
The very idea of such a thing was very bewitching, of course. That she and Nicholas could face the past, address whatever had happened between them and even find a way forward. But when she thought of his angry reaction when he first saw her, the way he pulled away if they got too close…she wondered if that was possible. If they had a next sentence, would it only be another goodbye?
“Aurora?” Katherine said.
She jerked as she realized her mind had wandered and she’d been staring off at nothing. “I appreciate your support,” she said. “I don’t know what will happen in the future, but if there is any hope for me, any hope for Imogen, it will all be because of your kindness.”
Katherine blushed and shifted as if the comment made her uncomfortable. Then she laughed. “Enough of that. Let’s join the others, shall we? And leave the future to the future and the past to the past.”
Aurora nodded and followed her friend into the parlor, where they were greeted by the rest of the party. But she had a great deal to think about. And a great deal to hope for, even if she knew that hope could be a dangerous thing.
Nicholas stood in the parlor, a drink in his hand as he looked out over the drive below. It was a busy scene, with carriages arriving and guests of the ball pouring from them. His stomach fluttered a bit with nervousness he didn’t often allow himself to feel.
This ball was for him. Robert and Katherine never said it out loud, but it was true. This was a way for him to connect with more of their powerful friends, to make an impression in his bid to be gifted the title. It was a kindness he appreciated more than he could have expressed to his brother, and he needed to hone his focus on taking full advantage of that opportunity.
“Oh, Nicholas!”
He jolted at the voice behind him and turned to find Aurora had just entered the room. His breath caught. She was wearing a green gown that clung to every voluptuous curve he’d ever worshipped from afar. Her breasts made his mouth water, he wanted to grip those hips and tug her against him. Her golden hair was pulled up in a high Greek-style bun with tendrils of curls teasing the line of her jaw. Her pink lips trembled as she took a step closer and her dark eyes swept over him in his formalwear.
“I-I didn’t realize you were the only one in the parlor,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
He cleared his throat. “I—er…you know me. If I’m on time, I’m late.”
She tilted her head back and laughed, and for a moment the world stopped spinning and everything in his being swirled in to only see her. “That was always true,” she said. “It must have served you well in the army.”
He nodded. “If they’d given medals for it, I would have a chest full.”
She smiled, mesmerizing him all over again. Making him think about only her and not the plans he’d been making for his night when she’d walked into the room. And making him think about what he’d talked to Derrick about a few days before.
Resolve the past. Or give in to the desire. He still didn’t know the right answer,