Moss Forest Orchid (Silver and Orchids Book 1)

by Shari L. Tapscott

  She continues to back him into a corner, and he’s too much of a gentleman to be forceful enough to tell her bluntly he’s not interested. After several moments, it becomes too much.

  “Sebastian,” I call across the room, sounding cross.

  I pull the foolish apron over my head and set my hands on my hips, trying but failing not to look irritated.

  The girl’s eyes go wide with disappointment, and she looks from me, to him, and then back again. Apologetic, she mouths, “Sorry.”

  Sebastian looks relieved when he spots me, but he matches my irritation with his own. He strides my way, looking as if he’s about to lecture me. Oddly, halfway here, his expression changes.

  Now, instead of wearing his usual look of disdain, he’s looking at me in a way that makes my insides go soft and warm. Once he reaches me, he sets his hands on my shoulders, leaving less than a hands-width of room between us.

  I gasp softly, startled by the contact.

  “I’ve been looking for you all evening. Do you have any idea how many taverns are in Mesilca?”

  “I’ve been here,” I answer lightly.

  “You do realize it’s almost morning?” Sebastian cups the back of my neck in a tender way, the way a man would if he were about to kiss someone he’s kissed a thousand times, and he steps forward, closing the distance between us.

  My stomach clenches, and I begin imagining things I told myself I wasn’t going to imagine.

  “I know you don’t want that barmaid coming back, but I think you’re overselling this a bit,” I whisper. Though I attempt to keep things light, my words come out breathy.

  Sebastian’s eyes search mine, and then he gives me a lopsided grin. “What if I’m here because I can’t stay away from you any longer?”

  His tone is light, teasing—completely unSebastianlike. Try as I might, I can’t hold back a small sigh when his other hand drifts to the small of my back. He leans closer and rests his hand on my shoulder.

  “You smell amazing,” he murmurs.

  “Have you been drinking?” I manage to ask.

  What is he doing?

  “No,” he answers, practically ignoring me.

  As lightly as butterfly wings against my skin, he brushes his lips over the crook of my neck. Touching, but not. My knees go weak with shock, and I’m forced to steady myself with a hand on his shoulder.

  I’m not a fool; it’s obvious something is wrong with him…but I’m not sure I care. The only thing keeping me sane is that we are far from alone.

  As if to remind me of that point, a giggle sounds behind me, and I jerk my chin over my shoulder. Madella laughs with the cook, and then she grins and twirls a coin in her fingers for me to see. I sag in Sebastian’s arms. Curse it all. She charmed that stupid coin she gave me.

  “You’re welcome,” she calls quietly and then disappears into the back.

  I grab Sebastian’s hair and tug his head back a little too roughly. “Stop.”

  His lips sadly leave my skin, and he looks at me in surprise. Then he glances around the room. As if returning to his senses, he steps back. “I’m sorry, Lucia. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  That was a little too easy, I think, offended it wasn’t harder for him to resist. Apparently, it wasn’t a very potent charm.

  “It’s fine,” I say, shaken. “Let’s just go.”

  Sebastian motions me forward, letting me lead. The night air is cool and tinged with the salty smell of the sea. The streets are quiet, and the moon shines overhead, its light partially obscured by clouds.

  “I’m truly sorry,” I begin as I coax Flink along. “I had no idea she slipped that charm—”

  Before I can finish my thought, Sebastian tugs me around the building, into a dark and deserted corner. My shoulder blades press against the wooden wall. Sebastian’s hands are at my waist, and his lips already travel my hairline.

  “Sebastian!” I hiss, startled.

  “Lucia,” he murmurs over and over, making me dizzy and disoriented. “You have no idea what seeing you with Avery did to me. You asked if I’m jealous—” he pauses to pull the pins from my hair, winds his hand through it, and then continues his trail of kisses. “I’m so far past that.”

  “Please, stop,” I beg but only halfheartedly.

  Fortunately, he doesn’t listen. Unable to help myself, I let my hands drift to his chest. He’s strong and warm, and even at this hour, he still carries the faintest fragrance from the bathhouse.

  For the life of me, I can’t figure out what I think I’m doing. I’m flirting with disaster, and I know it. Part of me screams that this is a mistake—that Sebastian isn’t himself, and I must stop. The other part purrs for more. The second part is winning.

  “Stop, Sebastian,” I murmur, wanting him to listen even less this time.

  “You say the words, but you don’t mean them.” He pulls back just enough our eyes meet in the dim light, and he moves his hand from my waist to the nape of my neck. Then, so slowly I fear I’ll go mad, he trails his fingers over my throat. “I feel your heart race, hear your breath hitch when I draw near.”

  He leans forward, and his lips hover near my ear. “You want this as badly as I’ve always wanted it.”

  Always. I clench my eyes shut. I must end this, can’t let Sebastian go on when he doesn’t mean a word of it. Unless he does. Maybe he does.

  And…maybe he’s right. Maybe part of me has wanted this for years. But our business relationship is already on precarious ground, and Sebastian’s going to be livid later if I let this play out.

  He lowers his lips again, hovering over my ear. From there he travels my jaw, growing closer and closer to my lips. His caresses are exactly as I expected—slow and controlled and perfect.

  In the dark, quiet night, I make a hasty decision I know I’ll regret.

  Just as Sebastian strays to the corner of my mouth—just as I press into him for more, I toss my entire satchel, including Madella’s enchanted coin, down the alley, far away.

  Then I hold my breath and wait.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Now We Know

  (Do We Ever)

  Sebastian freezes just before his lips meet mine. My heart continues to beat at a maddening pace.

  Neither of us moves. Seconds go by, each longer than the last.

  Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I clear my throat. “As I was saying…one of the barmaids slipped me an enchanted coin…”

  Sebastian shifts away. He rubs a hand over his neck, looking more uncomfortable than I’ve ever seen him. Like me, his breathing is still shallow, his body still affected though his mind is clear. He looks horrified, though I don’t know if it’s because of his behavior…or if it was because it was directed at me. He doesn’t say a word.

  “Right,” I say in an overly bright voice, needing to fill the silence. “Shall we go back to the inn?”

  It’s as if he’s forgotten how to speak.

  “Sebastian.”

  He jerks his head up to meet my eyes. “Lucia…I…”

  “Yes, I know.” I can’t look at him anymore, and I shrug like the whole thing is mildly humorous. “I haven’t fallen prey to a seduction charm since I was seventeen.”

  I force out a weak laugh and focus on Flink. The dragon hunts crickets in a nearby bush, and he’s paying us no attention.

  “You were affected as well?” Sebastian asks slowly, sounding a bit incredulous.

  Why is he so doubtful?

  Nodding, I give my partner a look that says the answer is so obvious he shouldn’t have to ask. “But I apparently was strong enough to resist it in the end. Don’t feel too badly about that.”

  Sebastian narrows his eyes. He doesn’t believe me. “Aren’t seduction spells usually one-way charms?”

  I snort out a nervous laugh. I’d forgotten about that.

  “One way? Maybe back home. This was obviously a…” I stare at the nearby trees, grasping for inspiration. “Grenaldish…variation. Of some sort.
”

  I clear my throat again.

  “Or perhaps you’re so attracted to me…” A smile tugs at his lips, and he purposely trails the thought off.

  This is not going well.

  Rolling my eyes, I smack his arm and start toward the pier. “Yes, let’s go with that. You are so handsome, I couldn’t help myself.” I hold my hands over my heart. “How will I ever recover from Lord Sebastian Thane’s kiss? I’ll have to write a sonnet of unrequited love just so I’ll have an outlet for my grief.”

  Before I can go any farther, Sebastian grasps me by the arm and pulls me back, yanking me against his chest. My hands fly to the fabric of his doublet, and my mouth goes dry.

  “But we never kissed.” His voice is low, and his eyes are clear.

  I swallow. “Well, then I suppose I’ll be fine, won’t I?”

  He nods slowly, wearing an enigmatic expression.

  “Let me go,” I say, suddenly nervous.

  “What’s wrong, Lucia?” he asks, knowing very well what’s wrong. “We were closer than this a moment ago.”

  Obstinate, I refuse to look at him.

  “Admit it,” he presses. “You’re wondering what it would have been like.”

  “Why would I lie to you just because your ego needs stroking?”

  Why would I tell you the truth when it will ruin me?

  Sebastian studies me for another agonizing moment. Then, to my surprise, he releases me. Yet there’s something in his expression that makes me want to punch him. I whirl around, glad to leave him behind, but he calls me back.

  “What now?” I demand.

  He nods down the alley. “You forgot your satchel.”

  It takes me several moments to realize it’s halfway down the alley where I tossed it. Crossing my arms, I stare at the bag. “What about the charm?”

  Sebastian walks toward it but holds his hand out, reminding me to stay put. Without so much as asking, he turns the pouch upside down and dumps the coins on the ground.

  “What are you doing?” I demand.

  He rises, bringing the empty bag with him. “You’ll make some beggar very happy.”

  “I worked for that,” I say, dejected.

  “We can earn more.” Sebastian takes me by the arm and leads me toward the sea, in the opposite direction of the inn.

  “Where are we going?” I ask, still perturbed over my chaotic emotions and the loss of all my tips.

  Sebastian settles into an easy pace, heading toward the shore. “Captain Greybrow was right about one thing; the sea is beautiful under tonight’s moon.”

  I yank him to a stop. “Sebastian, what’s wrong with you? It’s almost five in the morning. You don’t stroll on the beach an hour from dawn.”

  He sets his hands on my shoulders and leans down to get a good look at me. His deep green eyes are dark in the moonlight. “Why don’t I? True, it’s five in the morning. But you don’t have chickens to tend at dawn, and my grandfather’s not here to kick my sorry self out of bed. So, Lucia...what’s stopping us?”

  He’s scaring me, and I set a tentative hand on his forehead. “Are you all right? Is this some kind of residual effect from the—”

  Thousands of stars dance in front of my eyes because Sebastian, my Sebastian—my friend and partner and the man who often makes me so angry I can’t even see straight—cuts me off by pressing his lips against mine. I go still, so completely dumbfounded that my brain scrambles, trying to make sense of it. Perhaps I slipped and fell and was knocked unconscious? Or maybe Madella slipped me something after all.

  “Breathe, Lucia,” Sebastian says, smiling against my lips.

  Slower this time, giving me time to object, he kisses me again. Tentative, my lips move with his. He’s warm, and the short stubble along his jaw tickles my skin. I lock it all away—the sounds of the waves lapping against the shore, the smell of salt and sand, the feel of Sebastian’s hand on my waist, nudging me closer.

  I drown in the sensations, revel in them. But then a pesky part of my brain reminds me of the epiphany I came to just yesterday afternoon—the one where there’s no future for us, none at all.

  As if sensing the change in my mood, Sebastian draws back and looks me in the eyes. He studies me for several moments, and then he lets out a long exhale. Feigning a light mood, he gives me an ornery smile. “Now we know.”

  I nod, breathless.

  He steps away and crosses his arms. “We should head back. It’s late.”

  My hands itch to yank him back, but I control myself. “It’s early, actually.”

  “Right.” He clears his throat.

  The eastern sky is already periwinkle and growing lighter every minute.

  “It’s a shame to come all the way out here and not watch the sunrise,” I murmur.

  Sebastian purses his lips, thinking, and finally nods. Together, we sit on a ledge by the shore, shoulder to shoulder, and watch the sun come up. Tiny black swallows already skim over the water, diving like acrobats.

  There’s a tension between us now; it’s not as easy as it usually is. I knew this would happen, and now that it has, I’m not sure what to do about it.

  When the sky is light, Sebastian pulls me to my feet. “We should go back to our rooms and get some rest before this evening.”

  Flink snores next to us, oblivious to the fact that the sun is up. I fasten the lead to his collar and give him a scratch on his belly to wake him. He yawns, and tiny purple flames wisp from his mouth.

  “So…what do you think the chances are Flink will inadvertently cause a scene tonight?” I say it like it’s a joke, but I’m secretly worried.

  Sebastian gives me a hard look. “Keep an eye on him.”

  “You mean when I’m not watching you dance with Olivia?” I say, unable to help myself.

  A smile plays at the corner of his mouth. “Or when you’re not dancing with Captain Greybrow.”

  “Don’t forget—I am not the one who got us invited to this ball. If it ends badly, you’ll only have yourself to blame for it.”

  “If it ends badly, there’s an eighty percent chance it’s because I’ve finally punched the captain.”

  I poke him in the ribs. “You’ll have to behave yourself.”

  Taking me by surprise, he wraps his arms around me and grunts an acknowledgment. I melt against him, basking in his warmth. It’s such a sharp contrast to the cool morning.

  “We’re fine.” As he says the words, his lips brush against my temple. “I know what you’re doing, overthinking what happened. But stop. It was only a kiss. I swear I won’t do it again.”

  Don’t say that.

  “Can I ask you one question, though?” he murmurs.

  I nod, wondering if it would be a bad idea to brush my lips against his jaw, just to see what he’d do.

  He meets my eyes and bites back a grin, looking like he wants to ask something.

  Leery because I have a feeling I’m not going to like what he’s about to say, I ask, “What?”

  “Was I better than Avery?”

  Letting out a surprised squeak, I shove him away. “I didn’t kiss Avery!”

  He laughs and straightens his jacket. “Is that a yes?”

  I growl, ready to elbow him in the stomach. He grins and steps a safe distance away. “So, that’s a no? Maybe we should try again. I could probably do better.”

  Flutters erupt in my stomach, and I walk toward the streets, pulling Flink with me. Charming Sebastian is much more dangerous to my heart than surly Sebastian.

  But a thought nags at me, makes my chest ache: What if this is truly just a competition with Avery? Is that why Sebastian kissed me? To see if his skill could best the captain’s?

  Or is he teasing me because he knows it’s the quickest way to return things to the way they were before. Perhaps…just maybe…he’s as confused as I am.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Games of Love

  I burst into Adeline’s shoppe, carrying a midnight blue gown and a copper
baby dragon. The door swings back, hitting the wall, and I cringe at the noise.

  Adeline gapes at me from the middle of the room. Her hand hovers inches from a gown on a dress form, a pin between her fingers. “Lucia, what are you doing?”

  My hair’s in my eyes, and a bead of sweat runs down my shoulder blades. I ran the whole way here.

  “I’ve tried and tried, but I can’t get the basquine tied. Sebastian’s going to be here with a carriage to pick me up any minute now.”

  He called through the door of my room in the inn, said he was off to secure a driver. Panicking, I told him I was coming here to ask Adeline if she’d watch Flink for the evening. He didn’t even question me.

  “Any minute?” The seamstress narrows her eyes. “And how many sets of those hideous clothes do you own?”

  “Help me,” I beg, ignoring her.

  Shaking her head, she shoves the pin in the fabric of the gown in front of her and hurries to my side. I toss Flink on a chair next to me and pull off my ratty bodice, barely remembering to run behind the curtain of the changing room should Sebastian, or anyone else, walk through the doors.

  “How have you managed all these years?” Adeline asks as she cinches me up.

  “I have no idea.”

  She laughs under her breath, but it sounds a bit hysterical…because the front door just opened and familiar footfalls fill the shoppe.

  “Just a moment,” Adeline calls, her voice falsely bright.

  “Adeline, is Lucia here?” Sebastian asks.

  My heart flutters, and my knees go weak. I practically swoon at the deep timber of his voice—which is pathetic. How am I going to get through the evening?

  “She’s here.” Adeline tugs the gown over my head, yanking it when it gets stuck. “We’re almost done.”

  “And we’re almost late.” His tone is light, but I can tell he’s growing impatient.

  Adeline bites her bottom lip, trying not to laugh. None too gently, she brushes my hair, hitting dozens of snags and knots. “There. It’s lovely down; let’s keep it that way.”

  I nod, relieved. “Thank you.”

  She smiles, looking slightly frazzled, and then we step out of the changing room. Sebastian’s eyes instantly fall on me, and he frowns. Uncomfortable, I fidget with the skirt. “Is it all right?”