“I fear Grisham wishes to educate you in other matters.” A wrinkle marred his perfect brow. “I’ll escort you to the lawn while we search for Miss Maplehurst.”
“You’ll do no such thing. But if you are that concerned, you could offer to teach me yourself, Worth,” she said in a bold tone, no longer speaking of bowls. There had been many times, given her attraction to Worth, when Aurora imagined the two of them trapped in a torrid embrace.
The beautifully sculpted features tightened into a stone mask. “Aurora.”
“Ugh,” she waved him away. “I already have three brothers. I do not require a fourth.” Aurora was beginning to regret she’d ever set eyes on Charles Worthington, especially today. There was once a time when she couldn’t wait for his arrival at Emerson House. He came often to dine with the Sinclairs, and after, everyone would gather to play cards in the drawing room. Worth would often partner her, explaining the fine points of whist. Tell her amusing stories. Talk to her of books. He was exceptionally well read.
But after her debut, Worth no longer made a point of calling at Emerson House. When he did dine with the family now, which was rare, he avoided Aurora. There was no more partnering him in whist. Or sharing a jest together.
The evening of her debut, Worth stood beside Aurora, casting witty observations at the swirling mass of guests to keep her nervousness at bay. He’d loomed nearby as each gentleman approached, far more interested in Aurora’s dancing partners than her brothers. Worth fetched her lemonade and a plate of tiny cakes. Charmed the dowager duchess. Joked with the rest of her family and drank a great deal of wine with Drew.
And Aurora had basked in his attention, waiting for him to bow and lead her out on the ballroom floor.
She was sorely disappointed.
Worth partnered with a half-dozen other ladies in attendance, including Tamsin, who stepped on his toes and couldn’t carry a tune to save her life.
But Worth did not dance with Aurora.
She’d worried over that, later. Cried a bit as she went to bed. If nothing else, Aurora assumed Worth was her friend. But after that night, he behaved quite differently toward her, when before he’d—
“Come. You can’t go wandering about on your own, nor approach Grisham in your state.” Worth gave an exasperated sigh, as if she were a problem he needed to solve. His entire manner had Aurora’s blood boiling. He didn’t even offer Aurora his arm to escort her to Grisham. Unsurprising given Worth had not taken her hand in greeting since before her debut. Not once, in her recollection of that evening, had Worth even so much as brushed against her skirts. As if she were suddenly diseased. At first, Aurora’s fingers would hover stupidly in the air while waiting for him to take them, but now she didn’t bother.
She looked down at those long, graceful fingers. Two twitched, drumming along the edge of one muscled thigh. He probably made good use of those sensual digits, taking elbows, and kissing a lady’s knuckles, but never hers.
Which was perfectly fine. Honestly.
Aurora shrugged off the pinch. And Worth.
“Lovely to see you, Mr. Worthington,” she uttered in a polite tone, sailing away before he could say another word. Aurora swung her hips gently as she walked, hoping he might stop her.
But Worth did not follow.
Chapter Two
Ashort timelater, Aurora, still smarting from her encounter with Worth, found Lord Grisham as well as another glass of punch. This cup was far stronger than that being served in the tent, probably due to the number of gentlemen playing bowls. She fanned herself while watching Grisham stride across the lawn, admiring his backside as he flung his bowl with accuracy. The young earl was terribly attractive. Well-mannered. Athletic. The exact sort of gentleman whose attentions Aurora should encourage.
Regardless of Worth’s unwanted opinion.
Aurora took another sip of her punch. Grishamwasappealing. Didn’t treat her like an infantandshe’d caught him staring at her mouth. Grisham had potential.
She waved at Grisham and he immediately came to her side, greeting Aurora with a smile and asked if she cared to partner him in the next match. Aurora declined, regretfully of course, mindful of her terrible skill at the game and the fact she’d had enough punch now to make her more than a little clumsy. Also, she had no real skill at bowls. Even so, Grisham smiled at the fleeting touch of apology she gave his arm.
Sipping at her punch, Aurora entertained herself by watching Grisham stride about. She was determined to put Charles Worthington and her own childish fantasies concerning him out of her mind. It was clear to Aurora that in the months since the last time she’d seen Worth, nothing had changed. Her lastencounter with him before today had been just before Worth had gone to Lincolnshire to visit Drew and Hester. Worth had called at Emerson House to inquire if Jordan wished to send a letter to Drew, not bothering to hide his disappointment that Aurora had been the only one at home.
He hadn’t even asked after my health.
Nor did he stay for tea. After pacing about the drawing room for some moments, Worth had bowed and taken his leave.
Aurora swallowed another mouthful of the punch, blinking as the game of bowls went out of focus. There was a light, euphoric sensation making her mind buzz about, making it difficult to concentrate. She pulled her attention back to Lord Grisham. Difficult to determine if they would suit or not, especially if he stayed gentlemanly. Aunt Lottie often said a man’s passionate nature, or lack of one, could be determined with a kiss or two.
Unfortunate then, that a young lady could not ask a man to kiss her. Not without an uproar.
Aurora was of the opinion that a kiss, or even allowing a discreet liberty, would go a long way in deciding whether a gentleman suited her. She knew of far too many young ladies who had ended up wed to a gentleman they hadn’t yet kissed. How on earth could you enjoy what Aunt Lottie termed,bed sport, if you didn’t even like him kissing you? Revulsion was soon to follow along with a miserable state of affairs.
Aurora swished the last bit of punch between her teeth. She was quite resolute that not be her future.
Aunt Lottie had been kind enough to draw Aurora a version of a male appendage on a piece of paper one day, reasoning that someone must have the conversation with Aurora. Neither Tamsin nor Odessa had done so. Also, Aunt Lottie was growing concerned that Aurora’s overt curiosity about such things might lead to ruination.
