Shades of Truth (The Summerlynn Secrets)

by C. L. Stockton

  “There are ways around him.” Such as sneaking off in the middle of the night.

  “Not many.”

  “Give me the map.” I reached for it, but he backed away.

  “Not a chance. If you leave and Sorin finds out I identified the destination for you, he’ll murder me.”

  “That’s unfortunate.” Giving up I glared. “If you do not give me the map, I will personally inform Lady Melanie she should expect a proposal from you very soon.”

  His navy eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t.”

  “I would.” For a moment, he matched my glare. With an eye roll, he relinquished the map.

  “This isn’t the end of it,” he warned, lower lip sticking out in a pout.

  “Of course not.” I slipped the map into my pocket. “It is your parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary celebration tonight and you cannot sulk at the ball.”

  I almost saw the internal debate as Rob decided whether to allow the subject change. His shoulders briefly sagged. “My manners are impeccable, Miss Summerlynn. Would that yours were as good.” Noticing two dresses hanging on the inside of the wardrobe, he asked, “Blue or red?”

  Taking one in each hand, he held them up to the window to analyze cut and fabric.

  “The blue.” It was more conservatively cut and I always felt more comfortable without having to worry what showed when I bent over.

  “If you wish an argument free evening with my dear brother, wear the red. He will be hard pressed to remember his name, much less your argument this afternoon.” He neatly hung the blue dress back inside the wardrobe, leaving the red on the door.

  “That hardly seems fair,” I returned.

  “I am disappointed in you. I thought you’d have more of a backbone when confronted with Sorin’s almost fiancé.” Leaning lazily against the wardrobe, Rob appeared nonchalant. I knew better.

  “Lady Constance is attending?” I was extremely curious to see Sorin with his old love. All right. Curiosity wasn’t quite the word for the burning need within me to ensure that relationship was over.

  “Wear the red.” He bent to kiss my cheek before leaving my thoughts to claim me.

  Faced with his almost fiancé, I knew I would need something extra to snare the man’s attention. I knew his feelings for me were complicated and very deep. I refused to call them by name, even though I knew very well what he felt.

  I again looked at the red dress. Our time together had always been limited. I would wear the red dress and I would sear Sorin’s memory so deep he would never forget me, even when the edges of his memory dulled with age.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I was not confident as I descended the front staircase fifteen minutes before the guests were due to arrive. The red dress hadn’t looked quite so provocative in the mirror upstairs. Upon further inspection, the neckline was entirely too low for an anniversary party! I hardly felt decent, as the clingy satin hugged my hips and breasts.

  Was there enough time to change? If I doubled back, I might be able to change and still be down in time to greet the first guests. Intent, I turned and nearly smacked into Rob.

  After steadying me with a knowing look, he asked, “Where are you off to?”

  “How did you get here so quickly?” The last I’d looked, he’d been nowhere in sight.

  “My movements are always quicker than the eye.” Grabbing my arm, he looked me up and down, and snickered. “I cannot wait to see Sorin’s face when he sees you in that dress.”

  “Where is he?” He hadn’t been at the bottom of the stairs with his parents. Not that his was the first face I looked for when I entered a room. Or left it. Or decided whether or not to even enter it.

  “He had a last minute detail to attend to but will join us shortly.” Practically dragging me behind him, Rob led me all the way down the stairs and to his mother.

  “Cadrian, you look lovely!” Cassie kissed my cheek. In a dark blue gown that nearly matched her eyes, the queen’s blonde daintiness was emphasized. How she had two sons over six feet tall was beyond me. Her smile was a warm glow across my otherwise chilled skin.

  “Thank you. I had better collect the compliments now, as no one will notice me beside you,” I teased.

  “That is not true, my dear, but thank you for saying so.” She turned to her husband. In a fluid movement, she corrected the jacket collar that had rolled over in the back.

  “Good evening, Your Majesty.” I was always carefully correct whenever I addressed the king. I knew he was as likely to throw me into prison as return my greeting.

  “You look exceptional this evening, Miss Summerlynn.” King Richard turned, hailed by Cedric informing him the first guests had arrived.

  Smoothing her dress, Cassie asked, “Ready?”

  Rob grunted. “As ready as I ever am to be ambushed by marriageable females.”

  “Lord Conway’s daughter is quite attractive. I will introduce you tonight—“ My attention wandered as we arranged ourselves in the receiving line. Despite my protests, Cassie demanded I stand beside Rob, so I was part of the line whether I wanted to be or not. This was as good as announcing I was nearly engaged to one of her sons. I imagine the odds were now equal for both Rob and Sorin.

  The door opened and a steady stream of people began filtering past. I limited my greetings to a polite “Hello” and smiled. A few of the faces were familiar, but not many.

  A slight draft alerted me our line had extended by one. Of course, I knew the moment he entered the front entryway, looking insanely handsome in a formal black suit, bright white shirt, and black cravat. His blonde hair had been newly trimmed, lending more crisp edges to the perfection of his features. I looked away before our eyes met. I felt his scrutiny as he took his place beside me in line.

  Thankfully, the man I was greeting appeared to be a friend of Sorin’s, because he immediately engaged him in conversation. Hiding my smile, I continued greeting the other guests, leaning over to speak with Rob when the line jammed because of Sorin’s conversation.

  “How much longer?”

  “I believe there are over three hundred invited guests.” Rob smiled at the next lady in line, meaning I must resume my own position. Sorin’s friend moved on, and the line once again smoothed.

  Unfortunately, Rob became engaged in conversation to my right, meaning Sorin and I now stood with no one to speak to except each other. One mental sigh later, I looked over.

  Big mistake. He had taken a step sideways, bringing his shoulder nearly against mine. When I turned, it only served to put his shoulder squarely against my breasts. I sighed. This certainly isn’t what I’d planned would happen when I faced him. I should say something. Though I couldn’t think what to say because the thoughts I had at the moment were not considered acceptable behavior in receiving lines.

  I watched his eyes skim my body. “I’m torn between throwing you over my shoulder or forcing my jacket on you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that dress is sinful.” With a finger, he traced the front swell of the bodice. “No man can resist you tonight.”

  I stepped back, fighting the tremble in my knees. “I am only interested in one man tonight.”

  He smiled, a distinctly slow, hot movement of his lips. “You shall have to convince me.”

  My cheeks warmed. In the next instant, I turned to greet the lady waiting patiently in line for my own greeting, saving me from a reaction.

  The rest of the guests arrived, but I barely noticed, too busy thinking about Sorin’s spine weakening smile. I shouldn’t be so aware of the man beside me. Every not so accidentally brush of his shoulder against mine, every word spoken in his smooth tenor, and every laugh thrust my heart tighter and tighter into his hand.

  Eventually, the line of guests ceased. Alone for a moment in the entryway, Cassie sighed. “On to the next battle, I suppose.”

  “Wherever you lead, my dear, I will follow.” King Richard gave his wife a soft kiss.

  Embarrassed to witness
such a tender moment, I averted my gaze. In the process of attaching my hand to Rob’s arm in the hopes I could delay the reckoning with Sorin, he proved remarkably hard to catch.

  “I believe my brother would like a moment with you.” The coward fled toward the ballroom behind his parents.

  Now there was no protection to be found. Slowly, I raised my eyes to meet Sorin’s gaze. That familiar shock traveled from stomach to toes and back up into my heart.

  Without saying a word, he lifted my gloved hand to his mouth. Then he placed my hand against the back of his neck, drawing me close with a hand at my waist. My body began a slow simmer at the intense blueness of his eyes. Unable to resist, I tilted my head upward in preparation for his kiss.

  Before he could close the distance, the door opened. Though I would have sprung away, Sorin’s hold at my waist was such that I was unable to do so. Whoever arrived was certainly getting an eyeful.

  “Ah. Once again I find myself intruding at the most inopportune moment.” A tinkling laugh accompanied the velvet words.

  Releasing me, Sorin turned to greet the woman standing in the entryway. “Good evening, Constance. Are your parents here as well?”

  Her reply was lost as I examined her. Though Rob had told me she was beautiful, I wasn’t prepared at all for the long black hair or pale white skin coupled with eyes of the darkest blue. Her features were dainty, her cheekbones more of a suggestion, her nose almost tentative above the deep red of her lips. There was nothing hesitant about those.

  My gaze swung to Sorin. He appeared completely normal at first glance. His mouth titled in a smile, his brow free of worry lines. I would have dismissed this woman as nothing to him, but then I noticed the set of his shoulders was tighter than usual. Actually, his entire stance was too rigid to be natural.

  He still had feelings for her.

  My heart plummeted.

  “Will you introduce me to your friend?” Even her voice was attractive. Almost like crumpled velvet, it caressed the eardrum.

  “Constance, this is Miss Cadrian Summerlynn. Cadrian, this is Lady Constance Patterson.” We made polite noises at each other. I noticed the edge of her skirt now overlapped Sorin’s shoe and her hand nudged at his side. Who moved toward the other first, or had it been completely unconscious?

  “I understood your mother took in a ward. I never imagined she was fully grown.” Lady Constance laughed, but I saw the edge enter her blue eyes. The word ward conjured up all sorts of images, none of which were attractive. I was certain she used it deliberately.

  “Miss Summerlynn is far too pretty to be deemed a ward.” To his credit, Sorin edged away from Lady Constance and nearer to me. Just as quickly, I stepped further away, earning a dark look from him.

  “I see.” Lady Constance watched our byplay. “Tell me, Sorin, have you had a chance to speak with Micah about his upcoming exhibit at the Penthon? I know how you enjoy your art.”

  I didn’t know Sorin liked art. It never came up in conversation. Probably because our conversations never went much beyond my father and all the secrets kept from me. I spared a thought for all I’d never know about Sorin.

  I wondered what we’d be if we hadn’t met under such contentious circumstances. Would we have been friends? No, I decided, my gaze skimming his features and body, we wouldn’t have been friends. Especially since simply looking at him was enough to speed my heartbeat.

  Had I really thought a red dress would right all that was wrong between us? The gulf between us was too much for mere fabric to bridge.

  Around me, the conversation about Micah and the Penthon exhibit flowed. Apparently, Micah was a mutual friend they’d known forever. The constraint of their greeting had fallen away in the recitation of friends and events. They were now two old friends recounting familiar tales.

  My eyes narrowed. All the shared memories contained much more than friendship. There was something between them still. I wasn’t certain what, but from the way Sorin smiled, he was far from immune to Lady Constance.

  I scolded myself for being jealous. Sorin was not mine and hadn’t I decided barely two minutes ago that it was over between us? Whatever bound us together, I would break. Starting tonight.

  That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt to watch Sorin personally inventory each of Lady Constance’s attributes.

  “I can see you have much to catch up on. I shall be in the ballroom.” The words were light and sounded completely normal.

  Without looking from Lady Constance, Sorin waved a hand in acknowledgement. Lady Constance nodded, saying something about how nice it was to meet me. It was a lie I did not bother to repeat.

  Freedom wasn’t nearly as sweet when one didn’t have to fight for it. My suddenly nerveless feet carried me into the glittering mass of people in the ballroom. Of course Sorin still loved Lady Constance. The woman was otherworldly gorgeous. The beauty of her face was such that I couldn’t remember the color of her dress.

  This made leaving much easier. So why wasn’t I pleased?

  I didn’t have long to mope because Rob found me almost immediately.

  “Why so glum? You are at a party. Smile.” He poked me in the ribs. “Where’s Sorin?”

  “With Lady Constance.” I couldn’t help the sneer on my face.

  “Oh.” He paused. “That’s surprising. I thought he wouldn’t leave your side.”

  “Well, you thought wrong.” I raised my head. I wasn’t going to allow Sorin to ruin my night. He hadn’t intentionally done anything. He simply loved another woman. No problem.

  My heart cracked directly down the middle. I met Rob’s eyes, on the verge of tears.

  Instantly understanding, he chucked me under the chin. “Come. We will dance and make my brother insanely jealous.”

  “He’s not even here to see.”

  “When people see the way we will dance, he will come.” With a devilish laugh, Rob swept me onto the floor.

  I always enjoyed dancing with Rob. His lead confident and steady, the steps found my feet rather than me finding them. With one arm firmly wrapped around my waist, Rob pulled me close against him. The contact of his body against mine was pleasant, but contained none of the fire inherent in Sorin’s every touch.

  I became aware we were being watched and whispered about. My presence in the receiving line had added fuel to the already incendiary gossip regarding my exact relationship with the two princes. Nobody knew who it was, but it was clear either Rob or Sorin was very seriously involved with me.

  Just because I could, I skimmed my fingers into Rob’s black hair, playfully fluffing it. I leaned close, whispering, “This will certainly cause a stir.”

  “And most likely result in my death.” He laughed.

  “I won’t let him hurt you.” With an effort, I curved the corner of my mouth upward. “Besides, he is too busy making eyes at Lady Constance to care what I do.”

  “No, he’s not, and he deeply cares.” Motioning with his head over my shoulder, Rob said, “See for yourself.”

  As quickly as possible in the dance we performed, I caught a glimpse of Sorin standing in the doorway. Every inch of his posture screamed outrage.

  Good. My lips curved in a smug smile. Let’s see how he liked being replaced. Deliberately, I rested my head against Rob’s jaw.

  Seconds after the dance ended, Sorin reached us.

  His gaze was crystal hard on us, his jaw tense. “Would you care to explain that?”

  Defiant, I stared back at him. “That was a dance.”

  “It was a spectacle.” His gaze shifted to Rob. “You know better.”

  Rob frowned at his brother. “You have some explaining to do.” He straightened his shoulders and left the dance floor, neatly avoiding the clusters of people watching us.

  I would have followed only Sorin grabbed my arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Somewhere far from you.”

  “That place does not exist.”

  I stared up into his face, thinking I’d ne
ver seen him so furious. His eyes were twin slits of blue, his mouth a pale red slash with white lines radiating from the corners. A part of me thrilled at having angered him, proving he was not immune to me no matter how wrapped up in Lady Constance he was, but the other part looked for the first opportunity to escape. I valued my life.

  “There are other ways to gain my attention.” His smile was cold. “Making a spectacle of yourself dancing with my brother was not the smartest choice.” The orchestra began a new song with a loud cymbal crash, probably to distract everyone from the argument near the periphery of the dance floor.

  “I don’t want your attention.” That was the only rejoinder I could think of because he was already drawing me into his arms, and, like a fool, I went.

  Normally, Sorin was gentle whenever he touched me. Even when we kissed, his touch was firm but never left marks. From the grip his fingers had on my arms, I knew it would bruise. Each of his movements was stiff, as though he were so furious he could barely bend his limbs.

  Not that that affected my reaction to his touch. When his hand claimed the base of my spine, I felt each separate indention of his fingers. There was no space for breath between our bodies as the strains of a waltz wrapped around us.

  He guided me through the fluid steps. I felt each flex of his thighs, each intake of breath, and each time his fingers dug a little deeper than necessary into my skin. My head titled forward, pulled by the tantalizing scent of his skin.

  I licked my lips. “Sorin,”

  “Words will not save you.” He exhaled harshly as my fingers claimed the area above his heart. His rapidly pounding heart.

  I thought briefly of arguing, but decided against it. We were so rarely in harmony. Locked in wordless communication, we danced. Around us, I caught flashes of brightly colored dresses, and the darker hues of the men. The murmur of conversation mingled with the music, creating a steady hum.

  Unlike the hundreds of other dances in my life, this was different. We moved with a fluidity that spoke of two bodies so completely familiar that no movement was unexpected. When he moved left, my weight had already shifted. When his right foot lifted in preparation for a complicated step, my left foot was poised to follow.