Jemma thought Augie sounded more than a little put out that all of his mother’s attention wasn’t focused on him.
Augie wrapped his fingers about Jemma's arm possessively. “Behave yourself and do not antagonize Mother.”
Jemma stiffened at the mention of Lady Corbett. A woman she could not please no matter what she did.
Lady Corbett beamed as she pranced about on Nick Shepherd’s arm as if she were the belle of the ball.
Mr. Shepherd appeared enchanted with the Governor's wife. Towering over his petite, plump hostess, he allowed her to lead him around, matching his longer strides to her practiced, mincing steps.
An unexpected jolt of anticipation slid up Jemma's spine as Mr. Shepherd neared.
“My dear Augustus," Lady Corbett's face beamed with pride as she lifted a plump cheek for his kiss.
Augie obediently pecked his mother’s cheek and nodded in greeting to Shepherd but did not release his hold on Jemma. “Mr. Shepherd. Did you enjoy dinner?”
“Magnificent.” The deep voice rumbled as the brilliant blue gaze fell on Jemma.
“And this is our dear Jane Emily, daughter of our great friend William Manning.” Lady Corbett lay a gloved hand on Jemma's arm while pressing her cheek to Jemma’s. “My dear,” she whispered in Jemma's ear. “I will have my maid send over some of my special lotion for thosehideousfreckles tomorrow. I did not realize how out of hand they had become.”
Jemma barely heard her. All she saw was Nick Shepherd.
Mr. Shepherd bowed, but not before his incredibly inappropriate gaze slid over the whole of Jemma's form, lingering on her bosom.
Bits of fire lit her skin where his eye touched her body. Her skin tingled and prickled with warmth.
“Miss Manning, a pleasure.” He took Jemma's hand in his own, his touch causing a flame of sensation to run up her arm. He pressed a seemingly polite kiss across the knuckles of her outstretched hand, his lips lingering a bit too long before reluctantly releasing her.
Augie blew out a small puff of annoyance and clutched Jemma’s arm tighter.
She ignored Augie. Indeed, Augie and his anxious puffing, as well as everyone in the room, faded into insignificance until only Nick Shepherd remained. Was that the tip of his tongue that glanced against her knuckles?
Shepherd straightened, and inclining his head politely he said, "Your servant, Miss Manning." The brilliant blue gaze again lingered on her bodice, seeming to dip down into the valley between her breasts.
Dumfounded at his attention, she swayed a bit on her feet and her pulse raced. The hammering of her heart was so loud she wondered if he could hear it. His presence caused her world to tip, threatening to upend her, just as it had that day behind the Green Parrot.
“Mr. Shepherd.” She nodded, pulling her hand from his grasp to hide her burning knuckles in the fold of her skirts. She told her heart to slow. “A pleasure.”
“How did you find dinner, Miss Manning?” The full lips quirked into a half smile as he tilted his head slightly.
The voices of the other guests receded into the background, becoming no more than a distant hum. What would happen if she reached out to run her fingers over that mocking grin? Or touched the dark hair that curled about his shoulders, the red highlights glinting like copper. Jemma’s hand twitched in response to her thoughts, and she had to forcibly restrain herself.
“Delicious.” The words left her mouth in a seductive whisper. What in the world was wrong with her? “I found dinner, delicious.”
Augie stopped talking to his mother and turned to look at her, his mouth hardening in disapproval as he heard her tone. He pulled her against him.
Lady Corbett thankfully, didn't notice the exchange. She was far too busy inspecting the Sinclair sisters as the pair drew close. Agnes, in particular, seemed the focus of her attention.
“Ah,” Nick Shepherd said softy. “I would have thought you found it,” he hesitated briefly, the whiskey notes of his voice purring over her body, “amusing.”
“Indeed?” Jemma did not look away from that brilliant blue gaze. She was entranced, enthralled at the way he regarded her.
“There you are Mr. Shepherd.” Agnes ignored Lady Corbett’s frown of disapproval and marched over. Sparing Jemma a nod of victory, she and her sister came about him on either side, each winding about him like an ivy plant gone mad. Agnes batted her eyelashes wildly while Bertha got as close as she could, fitting against him like a barnacle.
Jemma blinked, the shrill voice of Agnes bringing her abruptly back to reality.
“Have you heard, Jemma,” Agnes said, her voice high like an excited child. “About Mr. Shepherd's nearly being robbed of his purse when he first arrived? How brave he was.’ A hand flew to her meager bosom dramatically.
“Jemma?”Shepherd raised a dark brow, his look intent upon her.
