Page 51 of A Portrait of Love

Honey gave him a frosty scowl and then began to stand.

His hand—the one without the bandage, landed on her forearm. “Stay a moment.”

She hesitated, half-standing, half-sitting.

“Please.”

She heaved an exaggerated sigh to hide the leaping sensation taking place in her chest. “Fine. But only a moment.” She pulled her arm out from under his hand and sat, scooting as unobtrusively as possible in the opposite direction.

“You are leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“So soon?”

She couldn’t help it, she snorted. “Soon? I’ve been here for weeks—almost a month.”

“It doesn’t seem that long.”

Anger flared in her chest. “How would you know? You haven’t been here.”

That made him smile. “Oh, did you notice my absence? Did you miss me?”

“No,” she snapped.

He laughed softly, the sound dangerous. “Don’t lie to me, Honey.”

She shot to her feet. “Good night, my lord.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, instantly contrite. “Please, don’t leave angry. I won’t misbehave. I promise, Miss Keyes.” He put his hands behind his back, as if to demonstrate his harmlessness.

She stared down into eyes that brought back memories that had been cherished and wrapped in gold tissue for fourteen years. This was the Simon she knew: gentle and sweet and honest. He was still in there, somewhere. Perhaps if she stayed with him, she might—

Leave. Leave now.

The voice was so sharp and loud she would have sworn it came from somewhere inside the library.

But apparently not, because Simon did not seem to hear it.

Instead, he waited—his stunning blue eyes curious as he stared at her.

Now, Honey! Leave now—

She sat down again.

His lips curved. “Thank you.”

Honey studied her clenched hands and unclenched them, forcing them to lie flat and supine in her lap.

“I’ve been thinking about when I sat for my portrait.”

Her head jerked up. “I thought you didn’t remember me.”

“I didn’t, at first.”

She flushed, the shame of being forgotten fresh all over again.

Simon shook his head. “I can see you don’t understand. I have … problems remembering things.”