Page 191 of Eternal Craving

Jacob stood looking up at me from the first step. “Your business…perhaps you can introduce me to some of the finer points. I’m interested in what you do.”

“I don’t want to push it on you.” Ascending the stairs backward, I tried to look natural, hating the sun for its relentlessly selfish act of rising.

“I know it’s early,” he said. “I thought you might like to stroll with me. We can catch the sunrise in the park. I thought you might like that.” He climbed another step and watched me retreat. “Have I disappointed you?”

“Of course not. I’ll see you tonight.”

A shimmer of daylight leaked beneath the front door and threatened its approach.

“First in the tavern you couldn’t wait to get out of there, and now here, I feel like I’m being avoided.”

The shimmer of light crept closer.

The doorbell rang.

Jacob turned at the sound, and I made my escape.

The day stripped away any reasonable excuse for my sudden disappearance. I hated knowing the closer we became, the more my secret stood exposed – raw and unavoidable.

I left my resting place feeling disheartened, having slept little.

A fire roared in the fireplace, warming the study.

I watched Jacob’s expression as he took in the central table and the dark leather and oak furnishings.

“This room has the best view of any in the house.” I studied his reaction.

Jacob seemed nervous. “You move…fast.”

I feigned pleasure from the fire’s warmth. “Sorry about that. Sunaria tells me I need to slow down.”

“Where did you go?”

Behind the bookcase lay a clandestine doorway – one of several in this house that led to a chamber that guaranteed a good day’s sleep.

“Had an urgent appointment and couldn’t miss it.”

“I see.”

“What do you think?” I gestured at our surroundings.

“You designed this room for me?” He reached up and eased a book off the shelf nearby. He opened it and leafed through it. “You chose these for me?”

“I did.”

“I’m speechless.”

“Look here.” I pointed to the fireplace mantle.

Jacob approached the mahogany fireplace and ran his fingers over the engraved fleur-de-lis. “It’s beautiful.”

As his fingers traced the design, I sensed his anxiety.

“You approve?” I tried to read his expression and stay out of his thoughts.

Jacob reached into his inner coat pocket and removed a dispatch. I couldn’t tell if he’d opened it. “This came for you.” He rubbed his fingers over the red seal. “Just after you…disappeared.”

Studying the envelope, I tried to make out the handwriting.