“Where are you going?”
“To see if Colton would like to dance.”
Thank goodness horse theft was not a hanging offense in Regelence. As another group of peers passed Colton, the noise level decreased slightly. It was as if everyone held their breath. He bit his lip to keep from chuckling and studied the crowd. One man in particular kept watching him and turning back to his acquaintance. What a ridiculous notion that Colton could actually get away with such a thing. Prince or not, laws were laws.
Dalton sidled up next to him. “So…”
“I did not steal a horse.”
“Okay, okay.” Laughing, Dalton held up his hands. “I wasn’t going to ask that. I wanted to see if you could identify someone for me.”
“I can try.”
Raising his chin a little to indicate something across the ballroom from them, Dalton asked, “Who’s that talking to Trouble’s friend?”
Colton spotted Bannon, looking quite petulant. Lord Redding, Bannon’s older brother, was lecturing him. Redding shook his head and put his hands on his hips. “That’s Viscount Redding, the future Duke of Eversleigh. Why?”
“What’s his name? He’s stunning.”
Uh-oh. Colton jerked his attention back to Dalton. His gaze hadn’t wavered from Redding. “You might as well forget it. He’s nearly as stuffy as Rexley, and he’s very shy. He never ever steps out of line. His reputation is spotless. Bannon refers to him as Lord Perfect.” Colton understood Dalton’s preoccupation though. Redding was gorgeous. At nearly six foot, he was of average height for a Regelen. His build was athletic and toned, his features refined, his eyes big, his nose perfectly straight and his jaw slightly squared. Bannon and Redding shared those incredible, vibrant, grass-green eyes. Bannon referred to them as Thompson green because they ran in the family. Their father also had them. But unlike his redheaded younger brother, Redding had rich brown hair.
“What’s his given name?”
Colton sighed. “Blaise Thompson. But I’m telling you, you don’t stand a chance. Even if you could overcome Redding’s bashfulness to get him to talk to you, you wouldn’t get past Eversleigh. His father watches him like a hawk. He even approves Blaise’s dance card.”
“Hmm…” Dalton strode forward then stopped. “Er…would you like to dance with me later?”
Colton fished his dance card out of his inside coat pocket and held it up. “Sure.”
Something touched his lower middle back. A hand. A shiver ran up his spine. Someone stood close behind him. It was intimate.
Dalton arched a brow, and a smirk eased onto his face.
A soft chuckle tickled Colton’s ear and moved the hair at his temple. Wentworth. He knew that laugh as well as his own. Or maybe it was just the sixth sense he seemed to have where Wentworth was concerned.
Wentworth extracted the dance card from Colton’s fingers and tossed it into the ugly purple urn to Colton’s right. Clink. Clink. Plunk. “Now then, that will free you up to dance with me.”
Turning his head, Colton came nose to nose with Wentworth. A nervous flutter tickled his stomach. Wentworth was so close it would take no effort to kiss him. And Colton wanted to.
As if reading his mind, Wentworth’s gaze dropped to Colton’s mouth.
Colton’s lips tingled. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he licked his lips. The butterflies in his stomach increased, and warmth covered him from head to toe. The connection between them from this afternoon was still present. Maybe this afternoon wasn’t a fluke.
“Good evening, my lord.” Galaxy, was that his voice? It sounded much deeper and softer than normal.
“It is now,” Wentworth whispered.
Colton studied him, trying to gauge his mood. But Wentworth appeared as he always did. Reading the man had never been easy. Colton turned to get a better look. Dust, he had such dark blue eyes and long las— “What happened to your eye?” A bruise marred his lovely face under his left eye. Within the beard shadow, a reddish scratch stretched from his earlobe to his nose, and his hair was a lot more windswept than normal.
Colton touched Wentworth’s cheek just under his black eye. The thought of him hurt soured Colton’s stomach. I should’ve been there. If he’d been with Wentworth— What was he thinking? He couldn’t follow Wentworth around. Still, guilt niggled at him. He had the insane urge to kiss the injuries better.
Dalton cleared his throat. “Good evening, Wentworth.”
Colton jerked his hand away from Wentworth’s cheek and stepped back. They were in a crowded ballroom with people who already thought them thieves. Impropriety was becoming a habit…again.
“Nice to see you too, Ashbourne.” Wentworth bowed over Dalton’s hand, bringing it to his lips. Wentworth’s hands were ungloved and his knuckles were bruised. What in the world had happened to him?
“I trust that I leave my cousin in good hands, milord?”
“You do indeed, Ashbourne.” Straightening, Wentworth released Dalton.
Smirking, Dalton strolled off.
Colton gave one last fervent hope he’d stay away from Blaise Thompson.
“How about that dance you promised me?” Wentworth winked at Colton.
“I—” He hadn’t promised Wentworth a dance. “Sure.” How many times had he wanted to do this? Dance with Wentworth?
Wentworth placed his hand on Colton’s back again and led him to the edge of the dance floor.
Couples whirled about the floor. The lights glistened off the crystal chandeliers, throwing sparkles around the room. It was magical. Colton inched his hand under his sleeve and pinched his arm. Ow.
Wentworth swept them into the crowd of dancers.
Caught off guard at the abruptness, Colton wobbled and squeezed Wentworth’s shoulder. 1…2…3… 1…2…3. He stepped on Wentworth’s foot. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
“It’s okay. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important. I needed to talk to you and thought it best if we didn’t talk in front of others.”
Colton’s stomach sank a little. Wentworth wanted to talk to him? He supposed that explained Wentworth seeking him out. Colton met Wentworth’s gaze. “You didn’t interrupt. What happened to your face?”
“I was mistaken for a croquet ball.”
Colton burst into laughter. “What?”
Wentworth grinned. Laugh lines appeared at the corners of his eyes. “You have a wonderful laugh.”
“And you have an odd sense of humor. What really happened?”
“I ran into a gang of ruffians who thought to relieve me of my purse. They look much worse than I do.”
Colton gasped. A gang? Good grief, he could have been killed. Bile rose up the back of his throat. The image of Wentworth lying in the street flashed into his head. “You should’ve just given them your money. Your life is worth much more than a few hundred pounds.”
“Relax. I’m quite capable of defending myself. Besides, I had some help. One of my old teammates was there to back me up.”
It was hard to reconcile Wentworth with a commando. He seemed too elegant and refined to have been involved in the RSR. What would Wentworth look like in uniform? He’d be dashing, but then he could probably wear anything and still turn heads. It was the man not the clothes. Something about how he carried himself. His self-assured swagger.
As they turned, Colton caught a glimpse of some men on the edge of the dance floor pointing at them.
Wentworth must’ve seen them too because he asked, “Has the gossip been too bad?”
Colton met Wentworth’s gaze. “You’ve heard it then?”
“Only secondhand.”
“Rather silly tale, isn’t it?” Colton smiled sweetly. He was having much too good a time to let the idiocy of the ton bother him.
“Extremely. But is that why you weren’t dancing?” Wentworth gave him a soft smile that did wonderful things for his lips.
Colton shook his head.
For several long seconds they held one another’s gaze. They were in sy
nc. Moving as one. Pleasure shot through Colton, and his body coiled with excitement. The room and all the busybodies waiting for their next move faded into the background. He could not look away. He didn’t want to.
Wentworth’s eyes sparkled. There was something in his gaze Colton had seen before, but never directed at him. It was at once gratifying and terrifying. He’d wanted that admiration for so long, but now? He wasn’t sure.
“Why have we never danced before?”
“You’ve never asked me.”
“Stupid of me. You dance divinely.”
“Thank you. So do you.” Colton grinned. Caught up in the moment, he had not noticed their proximity to the edge of the ballroom until Wentworth whirled them out into the night air.
“Wentworth, where’re we going?”
Wentworth tightened his grip on Colton’s waist and dipped their hands down and back up, over-exaggerating their movements. “Sebastian. And we’re going for some fresh air.”
“Sebastian.” Colton smiled bigger and followed Sebastian’s lead. He couldn’t believe this was happening. The cool air chilled and electrified him at the same time.
Their footsteps thudded softly on the wooden porch. The music and the quietness of the night filtered out the chatter from the ballroom. Together they danced, taking much grander steps than the crush inside allowed for. The moon glared off the snow, and the golden glow of candlelight in the lanterns lit their way. It was exhilarating…fun.
Sebastian seemed to feel it too. He threw his head back and laughed, letting the dance sweep him away.
When the music faded, the sound of applause followed. But they kept dancing. Sebastian pulled him closer until the heat of his body warmed Colton’s front and there was barely space between them.
Lifting his head, Colton brushed his cheek with Sebastian’s, his lips only a hairsbreadth away from Sebastian’s. Colton’s heart pounded as Sebastian turned his head and their lips met. Colton and Sebastian stopped moving.
Colton’s toes curled in his shoes, and his cock began to fill. Had he wished this kiss into being?
Squeezing his hand, Sebastian deepened the kiss and leaned into Colton until their bodies touched. They fit so perfectly together, like they were meant to be. It was better than any fantasy.
Colton opened his lips, wanting more. And he got it. Sebastian nipped Colton’s bottom lip and squeezed his arse.
Colton stiffened. Should he put a stop to this? He didn’t want to, but he needed to.
Panting, Sebastian blinked as if coming out of a daze. “I’m sorry.” He moved back so swiftly the cold hit Colton where Sebastian’s warm body had been and made him shiver.
“Come, let’s get you back into the ballroom. I never should’ve brought you out here. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Sebastian took his arm and led him back inside.
Colton followed in a daze. What had just happened? How had things turned cold so quickly? Had he done something? Something other than kiss the man? Blast. Had he somehow coerced Sebastian into kissing him? He should’ve never accepted that dance.
If one more person made so much as an innuendo about Colton stealing that blasted horse, Steven was going to come untethered. Of all the asinine rumors to pick up on. Why didn’t they pick up on the eloping gossip?
He gazed out at the dance floor. Couples waltzed by creating an intricate pattern. The whole crowd seemed to undulate together, forming one big rotating mass. Maybe he should find Raleigh and go waltz again. That might improve his mood. Or maybe a drink. Yes, that sounded just right.
He searched the throng for a footman. He spotted one, waved him down and ordered himself a drink. Waiting on the drink, he looked for the kids. He might as well be a responsible chaperone. Aiden usually stood with the wallflowers and acted as chaperone, but he couldn’t tell you what his brothers or stepson were doing at any given moment even if he was held at sword point. If he wasn’t dancing with Nate, he was engrossed in a sketch.
Nate, however, usually knew where everyone was and what they were doing. But at the moment, Nate stood with his head next to Aiden’s, looking at whatever Aiden was working on.
Rexley stood in a group of peers by the punch table.
Trouble and Bannon Thompson leaned on a marble pillar gaping at something on the dance floor. Steven followed their gazes. Raleigh was dancing with Tarren. Why was that gape worthy? Raleigh usually danced with all of the boys within an evening.
Raleigh and Tarren whirled to the right, and in the spot they left, Colton and Sebastian walked arm in arm through the open terrace door. They’d been outside? Alone?
Steven grinned. Maybe tonight wasn’t a total waste. Apparently, throwing them together this afternoon had been a splendid idea. How could he continue to keep them in each other’s presence? Surely there were some errands he could have Colton run. And, of course, he needed someone to accompany Colton for safety’s sake.
“Your drink, Your Majesty.” The footman held out a tumbler.
“Thank you.” Steven took the glass. When he looked back toward the side of the ballroom, Colton stood by himself.
“Steven, how are you this evening?” The Duke of Eversleigh stepped up beside him. He too stared out at the dance floor. “Is Wentworth courting Colton? I noticed them dancing together earlier.”
“I can only hope. Wait. They danced together?”
“Yes. When you and Raleigh were dancing.”
“Drats. I missed it.”
Eversleigh chuckled. “Does Raleigh know you’re matchmaking again?”
“I haven’t a clue what you’re blathering about, Eversleigh.”
Eversleigh’s chuckle morphed into a full-fledged laugh. “Your secret is safe with me.” He was quiet for a few moments then asked, “Steven, do you have a few moments? I need to discuss something with you.” His face showed no hint of what he wanted to discuss, but Steven sensed whatever it was should be said in private.
Turning toward the ballroom entrance, Steven held out his arm, indicating Eversleigh should lead the way. “Let’s borrow Baxter’s library.”
They made their way through the mass of bodies. At one point, Steven lost sight of Eversleigh but caught up to him again in the foyer.
When they reached the library, Eversleigh closed the door and ordered the computer butler out of the room. He flipped open the globe bar in the corner of the room and poured himself a drink.
Steven took a seat by the fireplace and contemplated his friend. Warren Thompson was a solemn man in his early sixties. The Dukes of Eversleigh had served as the Regelence IN council member since the position was created. Even now Eversleigh’s heir was being groomed to be the next Regelence representative. It was a big responsibility, and the current Eversleigh excelled at the job.
He sat next to Steven. “I’d offer you a cigar, but I know Raleigh would throttle us both.”
“He’s not as bad as he used to be. As long as I smoke the flavored ones, he doesn’t mind. It’s the smoke he dislikes, and those smell good. Or so he claims.”
Eversleigh nodded. “Yes, Pierce prefers those as well. Personally, I don’t have a preference.” He crossed his ankles in front of him and leaned back. “The reason I wanted to talk to you is I’ve run in to something that concerns me. It may be nothing, but—” He shook his head. “I don’t know. It just seems odd to me with all the things we’ve learned about the IN recently.” He looked down at his drink and up at Steven again. “This requires a little back story, if you will indulge me?”
Sipping from his drink, Steven motioned for the duke to continue.
“As you may know, Admiral Jenkins’s wife is Regelen. He has a residence here in Classige and on the planet Delcorte. Since he’s retired, I thought he might be a nice addition to my staff. Not to mention, I’d like to pick his brain and find out if he can enlighten us further on this predicament we find ourselves in with the IN.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea. Nate has the distinct impression the admiral knows more th
an he’s told us, but Nate hasn’t been able to get ahold of him since he retired.”
Eversleigh nodded. “That’s the problem. I’ve been trying to reach him for the past two months with no luck. It’s like he and his family have up and disappeared. They’re not on Delcorte or here on Regelence. His son Robert, who is an IN lieutenant, has gone AWOL. I think something has happened to them.”
A sinking feeling gripped Steven. He downed the rest of his drink.
“No one seems to know their whereabouts.” Warren sat forward, holding his drink between his open knees. “Isn’t Wentworth kin to the admiral? Does he know anything?”
“No, Wentworth isn’t actually kin to the admiral. The admiral bought Wentworth’s commission into the Regelence Navy, but I believe Sebastian still corresponds with Jenkins. I’ll ask Sebastian tonight, but I’m certain if he knew anything he’d have told me.” Steven stood and stretched his back. He needed to visit the washroom. That scotch had gone right through him. “I wonder what information Jenkins had. Maybe we should find the last person he had contact with before he went missing.” He turned toward the fire and rested his arm on the wall.
Joining him at the fireplace, Eversleigh set his empty glass on the mantel. “I’ve already got my staff trying to discover the last time they were seen. It makes me wonder though. If he was in danger, why didn’t he come to us for protection?”
That was a good question. Nate was convinced there was more behind the man’s retirement than met the eye. “I don’t know, my friend. I don’t know.” The happiness from seeing Colton with Wentworth had been replaced with an eerie feeling of impending doom. Chills skittered up his body and made the hair on his arms stand on end. What was the IN planning? How did the puzzle pieces fit together?
Steven and Warren left the library together, promising to meet up tomorrow after Steven spoke to Sebastian and Nate.
Heading toward the washroom, Steven let his mind wander. He had no doubt the old admiral was loyal to Regelence, so why had he not been in touch? What did he know? So far they had stolen weapons, plans for a particle-beam weapon and an attempt to steal Regelence’s procreation technology. How did all those things add up?
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