by Heather Boyd
Teddy cleared his throat to get his attention when there was a lull in his conversation. Sinclair moved on, only to pause where no one might hear him. “I had the most unfortunate realization when I was constructing that list. If a woman’s age is under twenty, it is an unpleasant possibility that I might have sampled their mother’s charms in one way or another during my younger years,” Sinclair admitted, and then suppressed a grimace.
Teddy laughed into his fist.
“Wretched creature,” Sinclair complained in a whisper. Sinclair had not lived a monk’s life and had enjoyed the attentions of the fair sex quite liberally. But that had been after Kitty had left him. After her, he’d been bitter and reckless with his affections. It had taken a good decade to purge the sting of her abandonment from his soul, to not think of all women as inconstant and replaceable embellishments. It amazed him now that he’d not fallen prey to the parson’s noose with some unsuitable woman long ago.
Perhaps he should have. At least then he’d have a willing heir.
He’d become more selective in his later years, generally avoiding tonnish ladies with questionable motivations for seeking his company. That he had no son was entirely his own fault.
He clapped as the dancing ended and saw a few ladies’ glances flicker toward him. The boldest creatures tried hard to catch his eye…but then he noticed one looking beyond him to where Teddy stood. “Do you even notice when women admire you? What about the woman in blue over there? She is staring at us, but I do not think it is me she studies so closely.”
Teddy looked at the lady then glanced away again. “Lady Cole.”
“Do I know her?”
He grunted. “Her husband will be in the other room playing cards, I should think.”
“Ah,” Sinclair said, feeling disappointed on Teddy’s behalf. Wives of other men were in abundance tonight. “She is pretty.”
“She is married,” Teddy countered.
“And yet you know a great deal about her, and know where to find her husband, too. Explain how you met?”
“Our paths have crossed a few times at this sort of thing. I helped her with a friend once and ever since she always speaks to me first.”
“And now I suspect she’s planning how best to lure you into her bed. You made an impression, even in your servant’s garb. How charming, though you are right that a married lady is unsuitable. Just imagine the attention you will receive when you start wearing the attire of a fashionable gentleman again.”
Teddy shushed him quickly. “Can we return to discussing your situation now?”
“I thought we were. My heart would be lighter to know you were settled.”
Teddy scowled. “So you want everyone married, except yourself.”
“I didn’t say that I do not want to marry, but at my age, the chances of love or fathering a son grow dim. You will inherit no matter how desperately you fight to win free of the obligation.”
Teddy shook his head, jaw tightening. “You are still young, and with the right wife…”
“What if I should choose someone closer to my own years instead of yours?”
“Is that likely? Is there someone?”
“No,” Sinclair hastened to say. “I have no one in mind to pursue, but the older I get, the less in common I have with ladies of the ton.”
Teddy smiled slowly. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I am sure.”
“What if I was to tell you the lady you met at the pleasure gardens, at Lady Wilmot’s party, too, has just arrived? And I must say, you were right to chase after her. She is stunning tonight.”
He already knew that, but to hear it from Teddy made him feel just a touch protective and worried. He turned his head slowly to see where Teddy’s attention still rested, and almost gaped.
Kitty and Lady Darrow stood side by side across the room. Lady Darrow in emerald green, Kitty in a shimmering red silk creation. Kitty took his breath away. She had done something different with her hair, coiling it up like a coronet studded with bejeweled silver pins. The effect of her smile under the chandelier was breathtaking. He let his gaze lower, taking in her creamy white shoulders and the upper swells of her breasts as they rose high above the tightly fitted bodice.
He wet his lips, suddenly aware than he was becoming aroused by her even from this distance. He coughed to break the spell she’d cast over him, noticing that other gentlemen had seen her, too. Their appreciative smiles made him want to wipe them from existence.
He turned to Teddy. “Why don’t you go scare up champagne for those two ladies, Teddy. They must be parched.”
“Happy to, but only if you ask Lady Forbes to dance tonight.”
“I probably should.” He noted another man talking to her, and his smile faded a little. It looked as though he would face some competition tonight for her favors, and he would win through in the end. But only if he hurried over there without seeming to be in any rush. A difficult thing to do. “Off you go and do what I ask.”
“At once, your grace.”
Sinclair felt unusually nervous as he approached Kitty when she was dressed like that. He was not quite sure he could trust his hands not to reach for her instinctively. He flexed his fingers at his side and kept his steps unhurried as he drew closer. The gentleman she’d been speaking with finally departed but glanced back at Kitty, clearly interested in her.
Lady Darrow beamed widely when he stopped before them. “My dear Exeter, what a pleasure to see you again.”
“Lady Darrow. Lady Forbes. How well you both look tonight.”
He let his attention rest on Kitty, only half hearing Lady Darrow’s thrilled response.
“You are too kind, your grace,” Kitty murmured when Lady Darrow paused in her speech, a stain of hot color filling her cheeks.
Lady Darrow backed slightly away and turned to speak to another, giving them privacy to talk. As alone as one could be with a lady in a crowded room, he smiled warmly. “I am so glad to see you at last.”
A sweet blush reddened her cheeks. “I am happy to see you, as well. I fear I did not thank you properly for the good you have done my brother. What you have done already to help him sell his latest project is extraordinary. You have my deepest thanks, too.”
He inclined his head. “It is not a done deal yet but I am relieved he let me do anything.”
“He is still as stubborn as ever.”
“It’s part of his charm,” Sinclair insisted. “I have asked my man to fetch you champagne.”
“That was very kind of you.”
“And for Lady Darrow, too.” Kitty fidgeted with her fan. The self-conscious gesture forced him to exhale, fighting his own excitement at seeing her. “He will be along at any moment, I am sure.”
She glanced about the room past his shoulders, a smile forming on her lips. “People are staring at you and whispering.”
“Are they? I hardly notice anymore. I would much rather give you all my attention.” He had an excuse to stay and talk with her, at least until Teddy arrived with drinks. “Tell me how your niece spoke of the party you both attended yesterday. I trust she enjoyed herself.”
“Oh, indeed yes,” Kitty promised, lifting her gaze to his. “I have wanted to thank you for that little performance you gave, but I could not find the words to explain the depths of my gratitude. Felicity felt ever so better after you spoke so warmly about her father, too.”
Kitty opened her fan, languidly beating the air about her face. There was a delicate flush of color to his cheeks still, but the fan distracted his attention. It was the same one she’d carried at the pleasure gardens, but he got a better look at it now—instantly recognizing the delicate carved ivory blades as the only Christmas gift he’d given her.
Surely if she kept it still, carried it tonight, it had special meaning to her?
“There was no insincerity in my ‘performance,’ as you call it. I do like her father, and her aunt, very much. That is a pretty fan.”
“This old t
hing?” she said, her eyes brimming with laughter. “It’s still lovely, isn’t it? Felicity is fond of him, but even she finds her father exasperating at times. Like I did last night, when he insisted I stay and dine with them.”
So it was a last-minute family engagement that had claimed her attention last night. He was relieved she had not genuinely tried to avoid him when he called. “I can easily imagine how difficult you find him. But—”
A footman interrupted them, offering champagne, and he lost his train of thought.
At Kitty’s nod, he handed her a glass. Their fingers touched as the glass changed hands, and his breath caught. God, he wanted to do more than brush innocently against her. He could not touch her here, of course. Every gossip in the place would notice, and Kitty might be embarrassed and flee. “Might you do me the great favor of saving me a dance this evening?”
“I would be honored, your grace.”
He nodded, and then lowered his voice, so only she would hear. “I miss hearing you call me by my given name already.”
“That would not be appropriate.”
“I would rather you be inappropriate with me than anyone else,” he shot back, deciding to hell with being patient. They had been good together once, and could be again if she was willing to give him a chance. “Did you think about me?”
Her look was one of amusement. “It is a little hard to ignore a persistent man. I must admit that I thought of you often, and not just because of the flowers that were delivered. Though you tried to hide that fact by failing to have a note attached to identify you, I knew the huge bunch were from you.”
“A little bit of the countryside to brighten your rooms.” Sinclair smiled slowly. “You claimed once to never have a favorite flower, so I simply decided to send everything.”
“A practical solution, even if costly. I feel quite spoiled.” She looked at her fan, and another smile tugged at her lips. “You always knew just the right gift to give.”
“I would do more if I could.” He cast a glance past Kitty’s shoulder. Teddy was keeping watch at a distance with a curious expression growing on his face.
She fluttered her fan before her. “Perhaps I have had flowers enough for this year.”
He nodded. “I am trying to make up for lost time.”
The look she sent him was so complex, he did not know how to interpret it. But then she produced her dance card, and he penciled in his name. Unfortunately, her card was quite full already, and the only set she had left for him was the very last of the evening.
Sinclair was disappointed he’d have to wait so long to touch her again. “I see your popularity has not waned.”
“Willa tells me most of them are married,” she murmured in slight disapproval.
He hid a grin. He was not so outnumbered after all. Tonight would be another step in the right direction. “There’s not a man alive who would not want to dance with you,” he promised. “Until later, my lady.”
She curtsied. “Your grace.”
Sinclair turned away from Kitty without a clue if he was gaining ground or not. She seemed disposed to like him, but what he wanted was a lot more than that. He wanted to have her welcome him into her arms again, and into her bed.
Since he’d accomplished all he could for now where she was concerned, he headed for the card room, where there were bound to be far fewer unattached women lingering about. He settled into a vacant seat beside the Duke of Baxter. The other two chairs were empty still. “Good evening.”
“Exeter.”
Two other men joined them.
“Nothing beneath a thousand pounds,” Baxter warned them all.
“Too rich for my blood,” one fellow said, rising quickly. The other took a moment longer to decide, and then he departed, too.
Sinclair glanced at the Duke of Baxter, curious as hell. “Did you not want to play against them?”
“Fuller is an appalling opponent, shows his hand every time. Plimmswood knows this and takes advantage. There was no point Plimmswood staying if Lord Fuller was not.”
Sinclair shook his head. “Does Plimmswood really believe it is not cheating if everyone sees?”
“Quite.” Baxter glanced his way as he idly reshuffled the cards. “Speaking of paying calls.”
“I was not aware we were?”
“We are now.”
Baxter slowly shuffled the cards. “I heard a rumor you have called at Lady Darrow’s home late at night. Sending her flowers every day, too.”
“You have heard a lot then.”
“My servants do keep me informed.” Baxter’s lips pursed. “I trust you are not imposing.”
“My interests lie elsewhere, of course.”
Baxter sighed. “That is what I assumed, and I am glad to hear it confirmed.”
“I should warn you that while the object of my interest remains at that address, you might hear of more late-night calls. At least I hope so. But…”
The Marquess of Gowland paused beside the table and Sinclair held his tongue, aware an incautious word would spread like lightning if anyone knew he was discussing a woman. Gowland gossiped like some women did.
When he lingered, Sinclair decided it was better to disguise their conversation as something else entirely. “I assure you I have no interest in your property,” Sinclair promised.
Baxter caught on quickly. “I would never sell it,” he advised, as he flicked the cards restlessly one more time. Gowland moved away. “Meddling old busybody,” Baxter complained. “Won’t put down the money to play but his ears are still sharp.”
He and Baxter were equals, in both their skills at cards and the sizes of their fortunes to afford the stakes Baxter had set. “Shall we play?”
“Might as well.”
A prickle of awareness had him glancing over his shoulder, though.
Kitty and Lady Darrow had left the ballroom for the card room, prowling round the tables, distracting the players.
When they arrived at Sinclair’s table, he smiled warmly and stood. “Have you come to try your luck against us?”
“Perhaps we have,” Kitty murmured.
Baxter stood, too, and offered Lady Darrow a chair beside him. Sinclair did the same for Kitty. Duty done, he retook his seat and waited for Baxter to deal.
Baxter announced lower stakes and the ladies nodded enthusiastically. Sinclair picked up his hand, noting luck was on his side. He carelessly tossed some coin onto the table and turned to Kitty. “I thought you were to dance now,” he whispered.
“Lord Freemont’s wife was not feeling the best and insisted he accompany her home,” she whispered. “As did Sir Stephens’ wife, and Lord Hodges’, too.”
He laughed, imagining those wives staring at the new widow in Town. “I am sorry to hear you were disappointed. However, I can not be sorry to have more of your company.”
They settled in to play, and Sinclair found his usual luck at cards suddenly became Kitty’s. She was skilled, much better at cards than she’d once been.
She did so well that Baxter scowled at her after she’d won the third hand. “When are you leaving London, Lady Forbes?” he asked rudely.
Before Kitty could answer, however, Baxter grunted. He thrust his hand under the table and rubbed his shin.
Lady Darrow smiled serenely.
“I cannot say yet, your grace,” Kitty answered as she piled up her winnings before her. “I have just begun to know my niece, and I must say, I find it hard to imagine leaving her too soon.”
“That is good,” Sinclair said. The longer Kitty stayed in London, the greater chance he had to be with her. “Girls do need the guidance of other women.”
“It must have been hard for your niece, Lady Hallam, to have been deprived her mother’s love, too,” Kitty said softly.
He nodded. “We tried our best to fill the void, as will you, I am sure, for your niece.”
Kitty shuffled her cards and placed them face down on the table. “Is your niece in London?”
“No, but I expect to see her any day.”
She smiled quickly. “How wonderful for you to have a close relation coming to visit. I should dearly love to catch a glimpse of your sister’s child while I am here. Who do you think she favors? Your sister or her father?”
“You will find it a shock how much of a resemblance to my sister Virginia is to look at.”
Kitty wet her lips and picked up her cards again. “And in character, are they much the same?”
“Vastly different, thank heavens,” he said, remembering his niece with great affection. “You will easily determine the differences once you get to know Virginia. She is a much kinder soul than Susanna ever was.”
Kitty blinked rapidly then looked at him sharply. “I have never heard you complain of Susanna before.”
“Age and experience have clarified some traits my twin exploited for her own gain. I gladly forgave her lapses of judgment and harsh words while she lived, for the sake of peace. Now, though, I suspect she stood in my way.”
“How did she do that?”
“She introduced you to Forbes,” he noted, conceding the hand to Kitty again.
“She did, but she did not encourage me to accept him. She had no idea he’d proposed. I certainly never told her.”
He shook his head and picked up his new hand. “If she was your friend, as she claimed, she should have known and stopped you.”
“You cannot change what has happened.”
“I damn well wish I could,” he muttered, feeling angry all of a sudden. “I would never have let you accept him if I had been there. Susanna kept the truth from me, and like an idiot, I stayed in London, not knowing you were being pursued.”
She stretched out a hand toward him but froze in the act and withdrew again quickly. “It was not like that.”
“What was it like, because dammit, I need to know?” he cried out softly, hating that she made him beg for the truth.
“This is not the time nor the place,” Kitty warned as she threw her cards into the pot to exit the game. “I am afraid I must return to the ballroom. I have promised this dance to another.”
She rose with a muttered apology for Baxter and Lady Darrow, her cheeks pink with high emotions—some Sinclair most likely shared. He’d gotten himself worked up, but she was right that this was not the time nor the place for their discussion. The truth must wait for the correct location.