Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society Book 2)
Page 23
And Lorena was glad for it.
The duchess was speaking at retreating backs when she said, “I’ll have Cook prepare lunch for you so that you may eat upon your return. And I was thinking that for dinner…”
As the duchess went on, Lorena said to Ashwick, “I’m afraid you didn’t greet me, my lord.” She offered him a smile.
Ashwick grinned back and replied, “Should I greet you like your brother did?” His voice deepened even lower when he suggested, “Or as he greeted Lady Genevieve?” He lifted a brow in challenge.
Lorena’s heart raced at both possibilities. She would love for him to take her in his arms, though she also liked the idea of him offering a kiss. The challenge almost dared her to be like Genie and turn her head at the last second. What would he do?
The question was never answered because at that moment, the door opened and the men ran toward the stables.
“Another time then,” Ashwick offered before turning his head away and leaving.
“Lady Valdeston,” Genie cried as she turned to Lorena’s mother. “Francis and I shall name our first daughter after you.” And she grinned as though Francis hadn’t rejected her kiss. It was one of the reasons Lorena loved her. She was so full of hope.
Constance laughed and her blue eyes squinted as she said, “I look forward to it, my dear.”
* * *
The Second Day of the Valdeston Country Party
“What shall we make him do?” Calvin asked as the group gathered around, his hazel eyes moving over everyone present. Dinner had finished and the room was now filled with the scent of spirits and tobacco. It wafted off the men, who’d occupied the parlor but a moment ago. Something about the smell seemed to make just being near them all the more… dangerous. They smelt like men and looked like men and Lorena’s mother frequently reminded her that she was very lucky to have so many at such close an acquaintance. Constance thought them all options for marriage, but Lorena doubted they ever saw her that way. And she…
Her eyes moved to Ashwick, who had his arms crossed as he concentrated on Calvin’s words. He didn’t seem like the sort to play parlor games, or any games for that matter. Yet she knew he’d ridden his horse through an obstacle course in their field that very afternoon.
Suddenly, his gray eyes slid to her and his expression softened.
She smiled and he returned it.
The duchess and the duke had decided to spend some time in the gardens, leaving the young gentlemen and ladies alone, and Genie had pressured everyone into playing Musical Magic.
The game was simple. Everyone agreed upon a task that had to be completed in the room. Someone, and that someone this evening happened to be the very handsome Sir William Tift, played the piano. One person, who happened to be Francis during this round, stood outside of the room and waited to be called in. When he entered, the music would play. The music would grow whenever Francis was getting closer to his task and would fade if he was getting colder. And this would happen until he figured out exactly what it was he was supposed to do.
“We could have him climb out the window,” Calvin suggested.
“Or kiss me,” Genie replied, as this was her plan for the game all along.
There were some groans.
Calvin rolled his eyes. “No, Genie, my sweet. He’d never go for it, and I’ll not help you catch him.”
Genie frowned. “Well, why not?”
“Because then I can’t kiss you.” Calvin winked.
Genie giggled.
“We should change the time on the clock and have him reset it,” Lorena offered.
Calvin’s eyes moved to her and a warmth filled his eyes, turning them more gold than green before he said, “Very good, Ren. Then that’s what we shall do.”
The group broke apart and everyone took whatever position they wished. Genie, of course, stood by the clock, and Lorena smiled as she moved to take a seat on the couch.
She was not disappointed when Ashwick passed her and dropped into the seat next to hers.
Without looking at her, he said, “Your friend is not shy in her pursuit of your brother.”
Lorena studied his profile. “Well, she knows what she wants and goes after it.”
He gave her a look she couldn’t read, but no reply, just a lopsided grin.
“You don’t smell like spirits,” she commented, then realized how very awkward she’d made the moment.
“I don’t drink,” he told her.
“Ever?” she asked.
“Ever,” he confirmed.
This surprised her, and she wanted to ask more questions but decided against doing so, then changed the topic. “Enjoying the game?” Lorena asked, hoping he was. She told herself that any good hostess would be concerned for the happiness of her guests, but she knew in her heart that no one’s happiness held more importance than Ashwick’s.
He leaned back in his chair, crossed his fingers on his lap and said, “It seems there is always something to learn at these events.” This was true since Genie happened to have demanded a game at the last country party Francis’ had held.
And every one before that since they were children.
But Ashwick didn’t know about the rest since this was only his second year coming.
“Teach me something,” Lorena asked.
Ashwick eyes darkened to the color of steel.
“About yourself, I mean,” she quickly stated, twisting one hand with the other.
“He’s in possession of a set of Roman dice that he won’t let anyone touch,” Calvin said as he leaned over the couch and propped himself on the back of it, his head appearing between them. His golden green gaze shifted to Lorena and he said, “Selfish of him. He’s got a whole house of things no one can touch.”
“You’re only interested in the coins and dice,” Ashwick cut in. “Anything that will make your time at the tables more entertaining.”
Lorena looked at Calvin and said, “Tell me, are you any good at the tables?”
“The best,” Calvin said, throwing a dark blond brow up.
“He cheats,” Ashwick cut in.
“Yet, I’m never caught,” Calvin said with confidence. Everything Calvin said was done with confidence. He was so sure of himself. As the son of landed gentry, one would think him a man of rank, but in his own eyes, and in the eyes of every woman who caught sight of him, he had more charm than any man had a right.
And it worked.
“One of these days, someone will catch you,” Lorena promised.
“Hope it’s you, Ren,” he whispered in a low voice. Then he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand before straightening.
Lorena touched her cheek where it still tingled and grinned because, well… it was Calvin Lockwood.
But then she met Ashwick’s hard eyes and her smile slowly faded.
The door opened, and William struck the chords to the first round.
Francis looked around the room, spotted Genie by the empty fireplace, and immediately cut a path straight to her.
William’s fingers moved just as brisk as Francis’ stride and grew into a fantastic ditty that had everyone watching to see what happened.
Francis stopped right before Genie and looked down at her.
The music was still at a run.
Genie’s eyes were wide, her hands crossed over her chest. She looked as though she were struggling to pull in breath.
Francis reached out and stopped his hand before her cheek; the music continued at the same pace. Then Francis moved his hand over toward a chair and table where Mr. Rollo Dixton and Calvin’s older brother, Frank Lockwood, sat. The music lowered just a touch. Francis’ hand returned to Genie; the music went higher.
Genie looked ready to pant.
Pant or pounce. Lorena wasn’t sure.
Francis’ hand moved up, past her hair and over the clock. The music grew and he grinned. He turned his head to look at the grandfather clock by the door then returned his gaze to the one by the mantle a
nd set the time.
The music stopped.
Everyone cheered.
Genie cried, “No!”
Francis turned back to her, placed a hand on the mantle, leaned over her, and said with a smile, “You’re unbelievably obvious, Evie.”
Evie. Only Francis called her that. Everyone else called her either Genie or more formally. Evie was reserved for Francis and Francis alone. In fact, Lorena had witnessed another man try and call Genie that only to have Genie correct him. The other man was calling her formally now.
Genie smiled and said in a low voice, “I can’t help it.” A bright smile grew on her face as she gazed up at Lorena’s brother.
Francis’ eyes softened, and he touched her nose before strolling away. “Who's next?” he asked.
Ashwick rose.
Francis grinned at him and clapped him on the back, and Lorena watched him stroll from the room. As he closed the door, his eyes flickered to hers before the wood blocked him from her line of sight.
Genie appeared, stole Lorena’s glove, and pranced across the room before setting it on the potted plant. “He should have to find Lorena’s glove and return it to her.”
“No,” Francis stated.
Lorena’s heart skipped, believing Francis knew her truth.
Her brother went on, “That’s two tasks. He’d have to get the glove and return it to her. Ashwick is not used to games. It’s better we do not make it too challenging.”
Genie complained, Francis fought her. Genie won.
And then… only moments later, Ashwick bent before her and, while staring into her eyes, took her hand gently and slipped the glove over her fingers, Lorena felt like a winner.
* * *
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ALSO BY CHARLOTTE STONE
The Spinster’s Society
Book 1 : Lady Lorena’s Spinster’s Society
LINK: Book 1 - Lady Lorena’s Spinster’s Society
^ Story of : Ashwick . Lady Lorena
Book 2 : Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society
LINK: Book 2 - Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society
^ Story of : Calvin . Alice
Fire and Smoke
LINK: Book 1 - The Earl’s Unforgettable Flame
LINK: Book 2 - The Duke’s Ever Burning Passion
LINK: Book 3 - The Viscount's Blazing Love
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This book is copyright © 2017
by Charlotte Stone
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or deceased, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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