Nicholas never failed to be astounded by the rapid summaries society created for some individuals. Henry sounded as though he were listing a business transaction in the way he spoke of Lady Wilde’s history. “Married, widowed, no children.” Nicholas allowed himself a discreet perusal of the lady as she walked through the crowd. She was extremely beautiful.
As his eyes returned to her face, their gazes locked and held, and he saw a familiar glint in her eye. He could have recognized that look in a crowd of thousands. It was an invitation—and a brazen one at that.
She might have secured his interest for a night or two if he had been in Paris watching such a display, particularly now that he knew she was a widower. This familiar game between a man and a woman should have excited him, but tonight, he could not feel the thrill he once had.
Lady Wilde and her father finally reached them, and he was swiftly introduced by Henry. Nicholas watched Lady Wilde’s gaze skim over his figure in a most forward manner. He kept his gaze carefully blank as her eyes moved to his. Her full lips curved up at the edges in a sensual smile.
This was bold, even for a widower, and he redirected his gaze to her father to avoid impropriety.
“I am most interested in your recent travels, My Lord,” Lord Wilde was saying. “I hear you have been everywhere in Europe.”
“Not quite everywhere,” Nicholas said, flashing his smile and slipping easily into the character. “I believe there is one small part of the continent I have yet to uncover, although I believe I have conquered the rest of it.”
The old man chortled happily and nodded his head.
“I have always wished to travel,” Lady Wilde added. Her gaze was less intense now that she was addressing the group.“I am most grieved that mourning has prevented any further exploration. I long to see Paris again.”
Nicholas was surprised to find himself wanting to lean away from the lady. It was a strain to maintain the façade this evening. It was as though he were wearing someone else’s skin, an itchiness prickling all over his body to be free of it, to be who he truly was.
“Paris is indeed beautiful,” he managed after a short pause. “I have been to the city many times, and I confess I believe it to be one of the most beautiful in Europe.”
“I can imagine you would be an excellent guide, my Lord,” Lady Wilde said with a wry smile.
“I confess, I am also the best guide in Europe,” he said, flashing his usual grin, and all three laughed. Nicholas’s chest was tight, but he kept his smile in place with an enormous effort. He felt too hot in his coat.
Lady Wilde was a beautiful woman and had made it clear she was interested in him, but he felt trapped in her presence. It was as though his old life and his new life were colliding, and his mind was trying to separate the two in full view of a room of strangers.
Have I really been this man for so long? Why do his easy smiles feel so foreign to me?
“I hope you will be in town for some of the season, my Lord?” Lady Wilde continued.
“Alas, I must be away very soon, but it is always a pleasure to return to England. I have a great love of London Society, not to say anything less of the country.”
Lady Wilde’s long, full lips stretched around her white teeth as she smiled up at him.
The orchestra suddenly began to play, and the first set started a moment later. Nicholas was caught between the Wildes and a desire to remain standing with Henry. However, Henryhad apparently marked Rosemary’s card and crossed the room to collect her.
Paralyzed by indecision, Nicholas pasted on a smile.
“Are you engaged for this set, Lady Wilde? If not, I would ask you to do me the honour of dancing with me.”
“I would be delighted, my Lord." The rapidity with which she disengaged herself from her father was alarming, and soon, those long fingers clutched Nicholas’s arm as he walked her onto the floor.
In public, she had the manner of a polite dance partner who asked the right questions, knew all the steps, and did not step upon one’s toes upon the floor. But when they stood opposite one another, or her gaze was just on Nicholas, the calculating glint in her eye was always prevalent.
“You are quite the dancer, my Lord,” she said as they spun away from one another and returned.
“I have had the honour of some excellent partners,” he said automatically.
“I am sure you have,” she said, taking his hand and raising her eyebrows. He returned a polite smile, attempting to defer her amorous gaze, but he was unsuccessful. He had met women like Lady Wilde before and had always been more than happy to entertain them. He had even had a regular dalliance with a few. But a restlessness was building in his mind and body that he could not shake. As he spun around for a third time, he saw Miss Crompton at the end of the group with another man on her arm. For a reason he could not entirely explain, the sight irritated him.
He returned to his partner, determined to finish the set and ensure he did not have to dance with her again.
***
A little later, once he had appeased his aunt and danced witha few more of the ladies about the floor, Nicholas made his way to the refreshments, desperately needing a glass of rum punch.
As he approached the table, he noticed his sister in conversation with a young woman of about her age, perhaps a little younger. She had an array of green and gold ribbons in her hair. As he came up beside them, Rosemary caught his eye. It was only then that he realized Miss Crompton was also there. She had been obscured from his view by a bulky man barging his way toward the wine. Nicholas felt a spike of irritation as her gaze remained on his sister. She did not even glance at him.
