Saville shot back a warning of his own. “You knew she planned to sneak out tonight?”
“Are you asking about your sister or Lady Theodosia?”
Saville cursed.
“Don’t forget who sparked your annoyance in the first place,” Warrick reminded. “And don’t forget who assigned me the role of guardian for this season.”
“I am astonished that you are taking my sister’s side. Weren’t you the one who wanted out of this role three days ago no matter what? Since when have you become so close? You are even shielding her from my wrath.” His eyes narrowed. “You’ve never done that before.”
What the hell had wormed up Saville’s arse tonight? His own temper would soon erupt if he didn’t get out of this damn house soon.
“Close is not the word I’d use to describe it, but your sister and I have come to an understanding.”
Saville crossed his arms. “And what understanding is that?”
“Rather than play cat and mouse, we coexist and mutually benefit from the coexistence. You might want to try it with your lady playing cards over yonder.”
“And what are these mutual benefits?” Saville asked. He might as well have coated his voice with suspicion.
“I don’t tattle to you, and she allows me to escort her safely to and from events,” Warrick replied bluntly. He felt her gaze on him. Hot. Speculative. “It’s a good deal.”
“Bloody hell,” Saville snapped. “I cannot believe you said that to my face.”
“Neither can I,” Selena murmured.
Neither could he, but that still didn’t stop the pride swelling in his breast when he caught the look of delight in her gaze. Finally. Was this how it felt to champion a woman? Warrick had to admit, the feeling wasn’t that bad. Not bad at all. A man could get addicted to this sensation.
The corner of his gaze caught the lady with the candlestick inching closer. She had hesitated when Saville joined their party, but she hadn’t given up.
Of all the things he had to deal with.
Someone pinched his arse.
Warrick jerked forward, a curse leaving his lips even as he whirled around to catch the culprit. Could someone please explain to him what’s the matter with the woman of thetonand why they are targeting him?
“What’s the matter?” Selena asked.
Confound it! They escaped again. “A bug bit me.”
Confusion clouded her face. “A bug bit you?” Her eyes darted back and forth, searching the air. “What sort of bug? I hate bugs.”
Saville laughed, a knowing glint entering his gaze. “A bug, you say?”
“If you hate bugs, then we had better leave at once,” Warrick said, sending his friend a threating look. “We will discuss this more another time.”
As for tonight, all he wanted to do was escort Selena home and practice peace of mind with a bottle of liquor. Any would do at this point. It wasn’t too late to salvage this night. He could stillreturn home and forget about women pinching his arse, ladies brandishing candelabras, and her.
He could forget, even if just for a moment, all about Selena Savage and the look that flashed across her heart-shaped face when he chose her side over her brother’s.
Yes, let him forget it all.
Chapter Five
The scent ofalcohol hit her the moment Selena stepped into his bedchamber. Raw. Intense. Overpowering. Much like the man himself, at times. Her gaze fell on that man sprawled on the bed like a starfish, light snores indicating he was still in a deep sleep. Had he enjoyed his “peace of mind” this much?
“Well, this is a new sight . . .”
With Saville as a brother, she had come across all sorts of drunken scenes over the course of twenty years, each scene more pitiful than the next. Warrick, on the other hand, didn’t look all that pitiful. Granted, this position did give off a dash of hopelessness, but for the most part, it rather highlighted the powerful contours of his body.
