It was the most wonderful thing she’d ever experienced. Eugenia spun in a tight circle, her arms outstretched. Now that she was in the privacy of her room, she could savor the memories she’d made this evening when she’d been in Mason’s arms. His lips had been soft and firm, sweet and spicy all at the same time.
She smiled as she lowered her arms and walked slowly around the room, trying to regain her bearings. Though she’d dreamt about kisses, she had never realized one would be like that. The pressure of Mason’s lips on hers had sent waves of delight through her body, and when he’d wrapped his arms around her, she had wished the moment would never end. But it had.
When they were both breathless, Mason had released her and pointed toward the stove. Somehow Eugenia had warmed the milk. Somehow she had carried on a conversation with Papa and Aunt Louisa. Somehow she had managed to control the silly grin that threatened to pop out every time she thought of Mason and that kiss. But now that she was alone, she no longer had to pretend. Mason’s kiss had been the most wonderful moment of her life.
It was the stupidest thing he’d ever done. Mason paced the floor of the spacious bedchamber Erastus Bell had given him. It was dumb, dumb, dumb, and yet he couldn’t regret it. The moments he’d held Eugenia in his arms had been more wonderful than he’d dreamt possible. When she was close to him, he’d felt as if they were two parts of a whole, that she was the half of him that had been missing. And her kiss… Was there anything on earth so sweet?
Mason frowned as he continued to pace, striding from the window to the door and back again. Though he was a man who made his living with words, he could not find any that did justice to the way he’d felt when he’d kissed Eugenia. That kiss had been indelibly etched on his memory. It had been incredible, unforgettable, and oh so wrong.
Eugenia’s father trusted him. He’d hired Mason to do a job, not fall in love with his daughter. Erastus had made no secret of the fact that he wanted Eugenia to marry Chauncey Keaton, and while Chauncey would not have been Mason’s choice for her, he must respect his employer’s wishes.
He couldn’t undo what he’d already done, but he could—and he would—ensure it wasn’t repeated. The Bible warned about avoiding temptation, and Mason would. He’d continue to work with Eugenia, because that was part of the agreement he’d made with Erastus, but he could not continue to live here where he’d be tempted to take her into his arms again. And again. And again.
Mason paused and stared out the window, racking his brain for an elusive memory. What was the name of that boardinghouse Jeremy had mentioned?
Eugenia hummed as she descended the stairs, a smile wreathing her face at the memory of where last night’s humming had led. That had been wonderful, so very wonderful, but… The smile faded slightly at the prospect of the next half hour. Though she was eager to see Mason again, it might be awkward, especially with Papa and Aunt Louisa watching them. They’d have to be careful not to catch each other’s eye, just the way they had last night when everyone drank cups of hot milk. But once they left for the depot, she and Mason could talk about those unforgettable moments.
As she entered the breakfast room, Eugenia’s eyes widened at the sight of only three place settings.
“Has Papa already left?” she asked Norton. The butler was arranging chafing dishes and platters on the buffet.
He shook his head. “No, Miss Eugenia. Mr. Farling said he wouldn’t be here for breakfast.”
“Oh, I see.” But she did not. Though Mason had missed several breakfasts, this was the first time he’d done so without her.
Neither Papa nor Aunt Louisa seemed concerned by Mason’s absence. Aunt Louisa chattered about how well the party went, while Papa beamed with pride. It was only Eugenia who had difficulty forcing herself to eat, when all the while she wondered where Mason had gone.
At last the meal ended. As the three of them left the breakfast room, the front door opened, and Mason entered the house.
“Could I have a few minutes of your time, Erastus?” he asked. There were circles under his eyes, as if he’d slept little, and his face was paler than normal. Either of those would have been cause for concern, but what worried Eugenia the most was the studious way Mason refused to look at her.
Papa nodded. “Of course.”
As he followed her father to his office, Mason’s glance landed on Eugenia then skittered away, as if he’d touched a hot stove. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. But what?
Feigning interest in a book, Eugenia stationed herself in the library where she could watch the entrance to Papa’s office. Sooner or later, Mason would leave, and when he did, she would be waiting.
The door opened, and Eugenia rose, meeting Mason in the middle of the hallway. “Is something wrong?” she asked. It wasn’t the most graceful of introductions, but she was too worried to couch her words carefully.
He shook his head. “Not anymore.” Once again, Mason failed to meet her gaze. He studied the toes of his shoes as if they contained the answers to the mysteries of the universe. “I explained to your father that I’m moving to Mrs. Tyson’s boardinghouse.”
Eugenia felt the blood drain from her face, and she reached out, placing her hand against the wall to steady her suddenly wobbly legs. “You’re leaving?” The words came out as little more than a croak.
“Not Cheyenne,” he said, his voice as cool as if they were casual acquaintances, not partners, not a man and a woman who’d shared the most wonderful kiss in the history of the world. “I’m certainly not abandoning the project,” he added. “As I told your father, living at the boardinghouse will give me the opportunity to spend more time with the men who are actually building the depot. You know I think their perspective will be an important part of the book.”
“But why?” It made no sense. Mason already spent a fair amount of time talking to the men as they worked. Surely that was enough.
He shrugged his shoulders as if his coat had suddenly become uncomfortable. For a second, Eugenia thought he might refuse to answer, but then Mason raised his head and met her gaze, his eyes so filled with pain that she wanted to cry.
“You know why,” he said.
There was only one reason she could imagine, and that wrenched her heart more than she’d thought possible. Despite everything that had happened, Mason did not love her.