So often she denied that she was even capable of feeling anything — she tried not to ever acknowledge when an errant thought would tighten her nipples under her dresses, but Tristan’s mere voice had a way of rippling over her skin. It induced all manner of new sensations— a curling of desire for the very idea that he might wish to possess her body in the same indecent way that she longed for.
If only he were here, poised above her, pressing her down into her bed as a husband might. If he moved between her thighs with that confident smile on his arrogantly handsome face as his tongue moved over her skin …
Heat flamed across Seraphina’s face as she yanked her hands from her body and up over the covers, embarrassed of the direction her private thoughts had chosen to turn.
Her heart felt both buoyant and heavy with the weight of uncertainty as she wondered whether the enigmatic marquess had managed to breach the walls she had carefully built around her heart. The night wrapped her in its embrace, cradling her in the gentle realm of dreams, where Tristan’s image danced, and the possibility of love glimmered like stars in the night sky.
***
In the soft afternoon light, Elizabeth arrived at Seraphina’s doorstep, her eyes sparkling with excitement and her cheeks flushed with a youthful glow. Seraphina welcomed her dear friend warmly, though her heart still bore the traces of the previous night’s tumultuous emotions. Elizabeth’s enthusiasm was palpable as they settled into the elegant sitting room.
“Seraphina, my dear, I simply had to come and tell you all about it!” Elizabeth bubbled, barely able to contain herself.
“What has you in such high spirits, Elizabeth?” Seraphina enquired with a small smile, her interest piqued. Though, she knew before the words had even left her lips that only one thing could make her look so happy. She was practically giddy with joy and could not seem to sit still in her chair.
“It is Lord Thorne,” Elizabeth said, beaming. “We spent the most delightful afternoon together at the park. He is quite the conversationalist, you know, and we spoke about books and art and our favourite authors. It was like finding a kindred spirit!”
Seraphina could not help sharing in her friend’s joy. “I am thrilled for you, Elizabeth. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.”
“I did, indeed,” Elizabeth gushed. “And I could not have asked for a more perfect day. The sun shone, the birds sang, and Lord Thorne’s company was simply delightful. It was everything that I hoped it would be. You know very well that I have wanted this for so long. I just wanted him to truly see me as a woman.” Elizabeth swooned and fanned her face with her hand. “I still cannot believe it is finally happening. I believe I am quite smitten!”
Seraphina chuckled softly, feeling a hint of envy mixed with genuine happiness for her friend. Elizabeth’s exuberance was infectious, and for a moment, it lifted the weight of her own uncertainties. “As you should be! He has been a friend to you for so long. It was high time that he opened his eyes and truly saw the value of what he already had.”
“I do hope that this is true. I hope he truly means to put an end to all of his rakish tendencies … I want him so badly, Sera.” Elizabeth sighed wistfully and leaned back in her chair. “Can you imagine it? Me being his wife? I could be Lady Thorne!”
Seraphina could picture it easily. Lord Thorne needed somebody who could keep up with his endless energy and given that he was known for his gambles and good-natured pranks on his friends, she could think of no one with a better sense of humour to appreciate the man than her friend, Elizabeth. Personally, she felt they were perfectly suited to one another.
“I am glad you’ve found such happiness with Lord Thorne,” Seraphina said, smiling warmly at her friend. “He does seem like a wonderful match for you.”
“He truly is,” Elizabeth replied dreamily, her eyes shining with adoration. “He has started to ask me more about my parents … ensuring that my father has no upcoming travel plans. He thinks he is being subtle, but I know him far too well for that. He is looking for something more serious, something long-lasting. Paired with asking about my father … well, you know how he was before, but I think he is ready to settle down now. Oh, Seraphina, I cannot help but hope he might one day propose!”
Seraphina chuckled softly, happy to see her friend so enamoured. “It sounds like you have already made up your mind about him,” she teased.
“Was there ever really a choice? I mean, I was wholly ready to go to any lengths necessary to win his affection, but it seems more and more that all I have to do is simply to be myself!” Elizabeth blushed slightly but nodded. “But enough about me. What about you, Seraphina? Have you given any thought to what I said earlier?”
Seraphina paused, her gaze drifting towards the window as she considered Elizabeth’s words. “I have,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “There is something about Lord Ashford that intrigues me, something that I cannot quite put into words. But I also fear that I am reading too much into it, that I am simply caught up in the moment.”
Never mind the fact that if she admitted to herself the depths of her feelings for him — she would have to choose to admit the truth about who she actually was and the inferiority of her birth.
Elizabeth reached out and gently squeezed Seraphina’s hand. “Love is always a risk, my dear. But it is also one of life’s greatest adventures. If you feel something for Lord Ashford, if he stirs something inside you, then perhaps it is worth exploring. You never know where it might lead.”
It certainly did cause a stir within her. Even now, just the memory of his touch on her skin had her shift uncomfortably in her seat.
Seraphina’s heart swelled with gratitude for her friend’s support and wisdom. Elizabeth was right; love was unpredictable and sometimes required a leap of faith. Perhaps it was time for Seraphina to embrace her feelings for Tristan, to face the uncertainties head-on.
“You are right, Elizabeth,” Seraphina said, her voice steady with determination. “Perhaps it is time for me to be a little more daring, take a page out of your confidence playbook, as it were, and be a little more open to the possibilities that life has to offer.”
It was nearly as if her friend had pulled her thoughts directly out of her head.
Elizabeth beamed, clearly pleased with Seraphina’s response. “That is the spirit! You never know; perhaps reformed rakes do make the best husbands.”
Seraphina cringed, knowing that was the same line her father always seemed to be saying.
They both giggled, enjoying the lightness of the moment. As the afternoon sun painted the room in warm hues, Seraphina felt a newfound sense of hope and excitement. She could not predict what the future held, but she was ready to take a step forward and explore the depths of her heart and the enigmatic connection she felt with Tristan.
Chapter 17
The gentlemen’s club was not providing the same solace to Tristan that he had found in the past. He had come here that night looking for distraction and company to keep his busy mind from continually thinking of Seraphina, but he could not. Every time a play or event was brought up, he found himself wondering what her opinion would be on such a thing. He could not help wondering what she might think if she were here, engaging in these conversations with him.
