Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

“Well, he didn’t eat dinner with us last night, and you didn’t talk to each other at breakfast. You always talk at breakfast.”

She thought back over their morning. Ellis had seemed unusually subdued, and she had been avoiding conversation, but only to stop herself from giving away some hint of what she was up to. Her experience with Henri still rankled, making her long to tell Ellis about it. “Maybe he’s tired. He was up last night working late again … probably on your present.” She gave Theo an exaggerated wink.

The boy’s eyes widened, and a grin flitted across his face. “Do you know what it is?”

“No idea. Ellis is making it, though, so you know it is going to be amazing.”

“Golly … I haven’t made him anything yet.” Theo rubbed his hands together. “I got to go.” He snatched his toolbox from behind the counter and scampered up the stairs.

Nyssa laughed then returned to staring at the chair’s schematics.

“It can already hoist him upright … would it be possible for it to move his legs independently of each other?” She tapped the tip of her pencil against her lips. “Probably too ambitious.”

What really was required to dance anyway? If Henri weren’t such a jerk, I’d know by now. She bristled at the memory. Still, he had a point about leading. Maybe if the person leading were Ellis … She closed her eyes and imagined her head against Ellis’s shoulder, gently swaying back and forth.

The shop bell rang. Nyssa’s eyes flew open, blushing over the idiotic expression she was certain had been on her face.

Henri grinned at her from across the shop.

She started then scowled. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

“Amara gave me your address. She was sad to hear our lesson ended so abruptly.” He crossed the room and leaned against the counter. “No woman has walked out on me before. You have fire. I like it.” He winked.

“Well, you can like it all the way home.” She stepped back from him, glad for the counter’s protection. “What part of ‘I’ll find another instructor’ didn’t you understand?”

“Where you think you will find another, for one.” He shrugged. Glancing down, he twirled the diagram of Ellis’s chair around and examined it. “This is your boyfriend’s?”

“That’s private.” She snatched at it, but he stood and held it out of reach.

“Clever design … an upright setting? Can the legs move independently?”

“No.” His cologne tickled her nose, making it twitch.

“A shame. If that were possible, this would be easier.” He eyed her. “When I said I could overcome any difficulty in dance, I meant it. My spirit does not allow me to retreat in the face of challenge, Miss Glass. If you wish to dance with your crippled boyfriend, then I shall make it happen.”

“I’m not particularly fond of that word.” She crossed her arms.

“What? Crippled? You must forgive my … bluntness? Offensiveness? I speak fluent Continental Standard, but it is not my first language, and tact …” He raised his hands, palms up. “I fear I can only be tactful in Parrisan. Sometimes the—how do you say—nuance? The nuance is lost in my communication.”

Nyssa let out a breath. Maybe I was too hard on him. I could use the help. “My plan is to somehow adjust the chair. I thought maybe I could make it so that it could follow my movements …”

“You’re just looking for an excuse to lead.” He chuckled. “I hate to see you give up on your dream to dance. It is an experience every woman should have, being whisked across the ballroom by a confident, competent man who makes her feel like she is flying.”

“Well, this is more for Ellis than for me. I mean, I want to dance with him, but he spoke so fondly of seeing his parents dance at Christmas that …” Her throat tightened. “He’s given me so much. I want to give him back something wonderful.”

“So romantic.” Henri tilted his head. “Does a tender heart lurk behind that icy stare after all?”

“First I’m ‘fire’ now I’m ‘ice’?” She raised an eyebrow.

“A woman is always both and needs a man to melt and inflame her.” He handed her the schematic. “Give me one more chance. Come to my studio, tomorrow at two? I shall show you my best behavior.”

She shook her head. “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Even you can’t work that miracle. It was hard enough when we had three days to work with, but just one?”

“You only want to learn one simple dance, correct? I can give you the basic steps. You won’t be the belle of the ball, but at least you won’t trip over your own feet.” He clasped his hands together. “Please?”

She chewed her bottom lip. “One more chance. For Ellis.”

“Of course, for dear Ellis.” His tone grew patronizing, and she recoiled.

He’s still a jerk, but he can dance. I can put up with him if it means figuring this out.

The shop bell rang again. Nyssa gazed past Henri, and her face went cold. Henri turned. Ellis’s fingers tightened on the arms of his chair.

Does he suspect something? How could he? He’s never seen Henri before. Nyssa cleared her throat. “This customer was just asking about a new Victrola. I told him we don’t have any in stock at this time.”

Ellis cleared his throat. “A Victrola, huh?” He steered his chair around Henri. The dancer pivoted, following Ellis’s path with his eyes.

Nyssa drilled her gaze into Henri’s forehead, wishing she could telepathically shout at him to leave. “I’m sure they have one at the music shop downtown. I can give you the address, if you want.”

“No, I know the place.” Henri kept staring at Ellis. “A remarkable device, that chair of yours. It’s marvelous how technology can make up for deficiencies.”

Nyssa jaw slackened. How dare he say that to Ellis? Lost nuance or not.

“Well, it can make up for some deficiencies.” Ellis gave a wry smile. “I’ve never come across an