Susan Mallery: Wild Hearts

She finished the scene and closed the book.

“The library has two copies of this play to lend,” she said with a smile. “Perhaps some of you would like to find out what happens for yourself?”

There was a round of applause, then those attending rose. The librarian mentioned something about ice cream available next door in the mercantile.

Zeke lingered until nearly everyone had left, then joined Alethea. She saw him approach and smiled-a warm, welcoming smile he felt in his gut. It made him want to pull her close and kiss her. Even more, it made him want to continue the conversation she’d provoked with her reading.

He shook off the latter idea and moved next to her.

“I’m surprised at your selection,” he said by way of greeting. “No King Lear? ”

“I seek to entertain and inspire,” she told him. “Better done with a comedy. People are intrigued by the possibilities books offer. They try one, then another.”

“Your goal to trap them into a life of reading?”

“I don’t see it as anything but a great pleasure.” She looked up at him, her green eyes bright with amusement. “And how do you know about Shakespeare, or reading in Greek? Was the curriculum of this school more adventurous when you were young? Am I failing my students by teaching in English?”

“I have always enjoyed books,” he admitted. “All books. When I was younger, I had plenty of time to read.” He motioned to the books on the shelves. “These are old friends.”

“You’ve read them all?”

“More than once. Some of the historical volumes were long and boring, but I persevered.”

“Impressive.”

He offered his arm. “I know.”

She laughed and allowed him to lead her out of the library, her small hand tucked in the crook of his elbow. They paused on the sidewalk and glanced toward the crowd waiting for ice cream.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “Or would you prefer to take a walk?”

“A walk would be nice.”

They turned away from the mercantile and moved toward the edge of town. The night was clear and calm, the air cool, but without a chill.

“What will your next play be?” he asked.

“Romeoand Juliet.”

“A favorite of yours?”

“It is very popular with the young ladies,” she said, humor brightening her voice. “There is nothing young women enjoy so much as a tragic love story.”

“You have outgrown such things?”

“I have lived my own personal loss. I don’t need to read about it.”

Right. The dead husband. He’d forgotten.

“You still miss him?”

“Sometimes,” she admitted. “When I read a new book, I long to discuss it with him. Or when it’s cold and I can’t get warm.” She glanced at him from under her lashes. “There are some practical benefits to the marriage bed.”

Zeke had never been in love. He’d loved his mother dearly, but that was different. To lose a spouse was something he couldn’t comprehend. Did Alethea’s missing her late husband mean she still loved him?

“My mother wants me to marry again,” she continued. “Her anxiety to see me with another husband is one of the reasons I wanted to leave Baltimore.”

“You don’t wish to remarry?”

“I do. I had always thought I would. I long for children, and a husband is required.”

He smiled at her. “If you could achieve one without the other, would that be better?”

“No. I think a husband is a good thing. Provided he’s the right type of man.”

“What do women want in a man?” he asked.

“Different things, I suppose. For myself, I would wish for a man of good character. Someone strong enough to admit his mistakes. A excellent mind, with enough humor so that I would never know what to expect. Someone who loved me and our children. And that unexplained attraction.”

Zeke stopped and faced her. “Passion.”

The moon was nearly full. The soft light spilled onto her face, making her blush visible.

She cleared her throat. “Yes. Passion.”

“Another practical benefit of the marriage bed?”

She turned away. “Mr. Titan, this is not an appropriate subject for conversation.”

He grinned. “Perhaps not appropriate, but interesting. I have heard that some married women don’t enjoy their husband’s attentions.”

“I have heard that, as well. But we aren’t talking about some women, are we? You’re trying to find out if I enjoyed that part of my marriage.” She raised her chin slightly. “I did, sir.”

She stepped around him and headed for the hotel. Zeke fell into step beside her, aware that he’d pushed her too far.

“I’m sorry,” he said, almost meaning it. “You were right. That is not a subject for polite society.”

“Which is probably the reason you want to talk about it.”

He laughed. “True enough. I play at being a gentleman. I can say the words, use the correct fork at a fancy dinner. I’m well read and successful, but in my heart, I’m a Texan. I’d rather ride a horse than a carriage, shoot my supper than buy it, and play cards than go to ballet.”

“Have you been to the ballet?”

“No.”

“Beautiful women dancing, Mr. Titan. They’re elegant and sometimes show their legs. You’d like it.”

“You think you know me.”

“I do know you.”

“And?”

They were close to the hotel. She stopped.

“And it is time for us to say good-night,” she said.

Even though he knew he shouldn’t rush things, he wasn’t ready to let her go. Alethea surprised him, and it had been a long time since he could say that about any part of his life. There was a strength in her, a determination. Too bad she wouldn’t let him kiss her.

He stared into her big, green eyes and searched for a hint of what she was feeling. Either there wasn’t enough light or she was doing a fine job of keeping her thoughts to herself.

He touched her cheek. “Say my name.”

“What?”

“You’ve been calling me Mr. Titan all evening. Say my name. My first name. Just once.”

He dropped his gaze to her mouth and imagined what it would be like to press his lips to hers. To taste her sweetness. Would she kiss tentatively, waiting to be convinced? Or would she give boldly, passionately?

“Mr. Titan, I-”

He pressed his index finger against her bottom lip, then ran it down to her chin. Her eyes widened.

“I’ll go first, if that makes it easier,” he murmured. “Alethea.”

“Good night,” she said firmly, stepping back and turning toward the hotel.

He stayed where he was, watching her leave. The game wasn’t over. He knew it in his gut. Sure enough, when she reached the door to the side stairs, she turned back. Her gaze met his before dropping to his mouth.

“Zeke,” she whispered, and then was gone.

Alethea awoke refreshed and ready to start a new day. She was pleased with her performance the previous night. Not so much the reading, but afterward, with Zeke.

Except for an unexplained sense of longing at the end of their time together, she’d stayed in complete control of her faculties. She’d done her best to convince him he was well on his way to seducing her. In truth, were he truly courting her, she would be hard-pressed to deny him.

He was nothing like Wesley, yet so appealing, she thought sadly. But she couldn’t know the true man-not when his goal was to force her into leaving town. However much she might enjoy his company, she had to keep reminding herself that Zeke Titan was out to defeat her, not win her.

She made her way to school, determined to keep her attention on her students. Matthew came running up to her, then spun in a slow circle. She took in the new shirt and overalls, the self-conscious but proud smile.