“I notice many things.” There was a seductive quality to her reply, surprising Romy almost as much as did the overwhelming need to touch him. What would Granby do if her hands splayed across his chest, testing the muscles beneath the fine lawn of his shirt? “I was right about your coat, Your Grace. Surely my advice should be followed.”
“You have an argumentative nature,” he purred, so close his breath ruffled her hair. “It infuriates me. A young lady should be demure. Obedient.”
Romy’s lips parted, her entire body arching toward his in invitation. “I’ve never been considered...biddable.”
Granby’s fingers skimmed the line of her jaw before tilting her chin up. “I don’t suppose you have.” The husky octaves of his words pulsed against her skin.
He was going to kiss her. And Romy was desperate to have him do so.
Their breath mingled in the rose-scented air as the pad of his thumb ran gently over her bottom lip.
The sound of breaking glass echoed through the stillness of the afternoon, disturbing the silence cocooning them in the garden.
His thumb stilled before jerking back from her, hand falling to his side. His dark eyes flashed with savage, thwarted hunger and then faded to their usual chilly flatness. Granby took a deliberate step back from her, regarding Romy with both desire and dislike.
She blinked, slightly dazed, willing away the intoxication of Granby. Looking down at her feet, Romy focused on regaining her senses, her breath coming in short bursts, shocked at what had nearly occurred.
A curse drifted toward them, along with a string of muttered apologies.
Romy lifted her gaze, careful to avoid looking at Granby, and walked down the path until she had a clear view of the terrace. Theo was apologizing profusely to Lord Haven while he pushed her hands aside, wiping furiously at his coat.
“Not that it is any of my affair,” Granby’s cool words came from behind her, “but does your sister have some sort of affliction? In the last hour, she’s run into the balustrade, nearly tripped a servant, and now ruined Haven’s coat.”
“Vanity, Your Grace. Our physician suggested spectacles last year, but she chose not to bring them to The Barrow.” Romy took a cautious step in the direction of the terrace.
The scowl once more crossed his lips as he surveyed her with a frosty glance. Had Romy truly been a shrub, she might have merited more interest.
“If you will excuse me, Your Grace. I should go to my sister’s aid.” Her legs were unsteady as she moved forward, still trying to understand what had nearly happened and her own reaction to it.
“It would be best if you did, Lady Andromeda.” His broad shoulders dipped, effectively dismissing her. He reached inside his coat, pulled out a cheroot and proceeded to ignore her.
“Agreed.” Romy fled to the terrace without looking back.
* * *
“I seeyou’ve reacquainted yourself with Lady Andromeda Barrington.”
David flicked the ash from his cheroot and saw Blythe on the path before him, his own cheroot clutched in one hand. Lighting the end, Blythe took his time before speaking, seeming more concerned with enjoying his smoke. Finally, he said, “Did she have anything to say about your clothing this time?”
“No.” The word snapped from his lips.Christ, he’d nearly kissed her. Which wouldn’t have been nearly enough to satisfy the unwelcome hunger David had for her. He wanted todevourAndromeda. Swallow her impertinence and taste every inch of her luscious peach-toned skin.
“Impudent little thing, isn’t she? Her sister is much the same. I get the sense the Barrington sisters are all quite bold, though I have only Theodosia and Andromeda to base my observation on.”
David would have said confident. Opinionated. But he declined to correct Blythe. “You knew who she was, didn’t you? Not at Lady Masterson’s, but surely before now.”
“I made the acquaintance of Lady Theodosia in London.” Blythe stretched his shoulders. “I was flying a kite in the park for my nephew. She managed to entangle herself in the kite string. On purpose.” He shot David a cocky wink. “Which I allowed her to do. She’s bloody stunning. I knew from the moment I saw Theodosia in the park she must be related to the girl who had insulted you at Lady Masterson’s. There’s no mistaking those eyes.”
“You neglected to tell me.” Blythe seemed full of secrets of late.
Blythe shrugged, blowing a series of smoke rings over the roses and up into the sky. “Theodosia didn’t give me her name that day in the park, and I neglected to ask. I never heard her full name until today. Besides, even if I had known, what would have been the point in telling you? I’d no idea you even remembered the chit.”
“I suppose you didn’t.”
“Exactly,” Blythe continued. “Besides...” He laughed. “Lady Andromeda is the Duke of Averell’s sister. A gentleman as well known for his sexual exploits as he is for his association with Elysium. Which he owns with hisbastardhalf-brother. The entire family is rife with all sorts of imperfections you detest. I suppose if you’d known she and her sister would be here, you would have asked Lady Molsin to rescind her invitation to Lady Richardson.”
“That would have been prudent.” David’s fingers tightened over his cheroot, nearly snapping it in half. Blythe’s pretty speech didn’t fool him. His friend often found David’s inclination to disassociate himself from the baser aspects of society to be nothing short of ridiculous. Blythe didn’t understand the damage such deviations could produce, having never been the victim of such things. Perhaps if he had, his perspective would be different.
“Were Horace not already in the ground, the sight of two Barringtons inside The Barrow would have put him there.” An edge crept into Blythe’s words at the mention of David’s father. “But I’m sure he would have been proud of your choice of Beatrice.”
