Among the Darkness Stirs

boldly met her eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? Isn’t it perfectly clear?”

She could hear the music beginning again as the lights dimmed.

Audrey shook her head. “No. It isn’t.”

“Then let me make it perfectly clear,” he said lowly.

Without another word, he dipped his head to hers, and his mouth touched hers briefly. He pulled back to look into her eyes and then pulled her tightly into his arms and kissed her once more.

He kissed her as he had before, but this time, it was filled with heat and longing that made her feel weak in the knees. She pressed her hands on his chest, not to push him away, but he did.

“Audrey.”

“We should go back,” she said, trying to evade his hand on her waist and his mouth so near hers.

“No. Not yet.”

His mouth dipped down to touch hers. He tasted the brandy she had sipped earlier, and he felt himself drowning in her sweet mouth. How many times had he dreamed of exactly this? Audrey in his arms, warm and alive. A vibrant, intelligent woman who caused him to smile at himself and rethink what he knew about women. She was something so special to behold, like a rare diamond only a few could possess.

When he pulled away this time, his eyes met hers. “Audrey.”

“Henry.”

Her eyes seemed dazed, and he knew she had no experience with kissing. Of course, she wouldn’t have. She was a vicar’s daughter raised in Kent. Books and a simple country life had been all Audrey had encountered, except her time spent in London at college. But she was anything but simple. He found himself fascinated by her all the more.

“Do you know what I want to do more than anything at this moment?” he asked her huskily. She shook her head. “I want to take you back to the Broads and lie upon the grass with you. Just you, me, and the moon. Will you come with me now?”

She was caught in his gaze. “No.”

Even though he had suspected as much, disappointment still slumped his shoulders. “No, of course not. We must finish the concert. Already we’re late getting back.”

“You’re a bad influence,” she told him.

“I’m not. I have the most honorable intentions where you are concerned. Believe that.”

“Do you?”

“Absolutely.”

“We should get back.” She looked up at him.

Just then they heard a noise along the corridor. Her mother and Theodocia emerged from the box.

“I tell you I saw him,” Augusta was saying loudly as Frances stood behind her mother, eyes large and frightened.

“Mother,” Audrey stepped towards the two women, “what is it?”

“I’m afraid there’s been a bit of a mix-up,” Theodocia tried to explain, but Augusta waved her away.

“There’s no mix-up. I’m not simple. I saw him. As plain as I see you.”

“What is this about? Who did you see, Mother?” Audrey asked, frowning.

“The shadow man. He’s here.”

Chapter Nineteen

Her heart thudded inside her chest as Audrey glanced at her mother and then Theodocia. Theodocia glanced quickly at her son, and Henry stepped in.