Tom Linley pressed his ear to the keyhole of Lord Rochester's study, heart pounding."Will you be her shadow, Jon?" Rochester's words were barely audible, but Linley heard them, as well as Mr. St. Laurent's agreement. He'd heard all he needed to. He dashed into the nearest chamber down the corridor before the trio of gentlemen left Rochester's study. They would soon be leaving for dinner."Mr. Linley?" Linley glanced around. Audrey sat in a chair by the fire, looking cozy as she read a book. They were in a small drawing room, a private one for members of the family only, but he'd thought it was empty when he'd scouted it earlier."My apologies, Miss Sheridan." He straightened himself and prepared to leave, as if nothing was amiss."Oh no, please. I was just going. Dinner will be ready." Audrey stood, her dark green gown a bold creation of satin and trimmed with Belgian lace. No doubt the earl and his friends were dressed with equal refinement. Fine clothing and pleasant evenings wi
Audrey rejoined the ladies in the drawing room after dinner. She had to assure them all, especially Horatia, that she had merely been shocked at the news she'd heard. She was seated on the couch, watching the ladies catch up on their gossip. Usually she enjoyed being in the midst of those circles. They often laid the seeds for what would eventually turn into stories for her Lady Society column. But instead she was, for lack of a better word, moping.She was such a fool to let her heart yearn for a man who kept pulling away from her. And she couldn't help but think of what would happen tonight. Would he come to her room if she didn't go to his? He just might.Her sister eased down onto the seat beside her, carefully leaning back a little so she could rest. "Audrey.""Yes?""Is everything all right? I'm worried about you." Her sister covered one of her hands and squeezed it delicately."Worried about me?""Yes. I thought you and Jonathan would be, well, making an announcement soon.
Jonathan wound his arms around Audrey, pulling her to him. She tasted so sweet, and he knew he was making a dangerous move by kissing her now. The last thing he wanted was to make her regret being with him. He had no title and only a small estate to offer, yet she was the daughter of a viscount. Audrey acted quite forward in her thinking, but he didn't trust that if it came down between her place in society and love that she would choose him.And yet he couldn't stop kissing her. She gave a soft purr that made him rigid with need. He wanted to see her come apart in his arms as she had that night at the Midnight Garden. He'd been brave enough to touch her then, to show her what could exist between them. To do wicked things without truly compromising her. He'd seen the startled look of dazed pleasure on her, and it had nearly destroyed him with desire. Audrey in the throes of passion had been perhaps the most exquisite thing he'd ever seen.His kisses turned soft, then hard, then soft
Audrey wasn't sure what time she woke up the next morning. But the fear and anxiety that had sent her running into Jonathan's arms faded bit by bit overnight, and she'd relaxed enough to enjoy waking and discovering he'd stayed behind after their passionate kisses. She had a vague recollection of demanding that he help her undress, and her lips curled into a little smile. After a while of lying there beside him, she moved drowsily in the bed, unable to ignore how good it felt to have the warm body of a man beside her.She stretched her leg over Jonathan's and cuddled closer. His hand on her upper back drifted down to the base of her spine, just above her bottom. A sensual pulse passed between them as she wrapped her body against his. His hands, which had been slowly stroking her, now began to caress her more earnestly. He was awake now as well, and she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Did he enjoy this intimacy as much as she did? Had he been just as lost in their kisses
Jonathan scraped the razor over his chin, then swished the blade in the bowl of hot water. Then he put the razor to his skin again, watching himself carefully in the mirror. His gaze darted to his bed in the mirror. It was immaculate since he hadn't slept there last night, but he could still picture Audrey lying there, half-naked, tempting him with that seductive look to stay in bed all day with her.He smiled at the thought of her wanting to watch him shave. This morning had been a true victory in his war to win her heart. She wouldn't surrender to just any man.When she had taken him into her mouth so unexpectedly, he half believed he had perished in that bed and a choir of angels were singing him to heaven. If she was inexperienced now, he was afraid to imagine how deadly she would be with a bit of practice.Jonathan set the razor down on the cloth by the basin and eyed the clothes his valet had laid out on the bed. A burgundy waistcoat shot through with gold thread and a pair of
Charles baited his hook and cast it far out into the lake. Once his hook and lure sank below the water, he glanced around for the boats. The one carrying James and Gillian had drifted behind the sweeping protective curtain of an ancient willow tree close to the left side of the lake. The other, the one with Audrey and Jonathan, was drifting along in the middle of the lake. Audrey was reeling in a fish, and Jonathan rushed to help her. Moments later they fell deep into the boat and vanished from view.Charles sighed. "So much for spending time alone without the ladies." He knew a black cloud had to be forming over his head when he idly wondered whether the dandies back inside the house would be preferable company.He was glad that both of his friends were well on their way to winning the hearts of their women, but it didn't help his own situation. The sinking feeling that all of his friends were leaving him as they married was almost too much to bear. He stared at the rippling surface
Audrey arrived at Horatia's chamber and knocked lightly. She had visited Horatia and the baby at least once a day, but she still worried about her and Evander."Come in!" Her sister's voice was muffled by the door. Audrey turned the handle and entered.Horatia stood by the tall sash window overlooking the gardens. She wore a loose blue day gown, and her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck with a matching ribbon. She turned as Audrey closed the door behind her. Her face was glowing as she smiled at the tiny bundle swaddled in white blankets in her arms."Lucien said you were doing well?" Audrey came closer, holding out her arms.Horatia carefully transferred the child into Audrey's arms. "Yes, thank you."The baby stared up at Audrey with sleepy hazel eyes. His button nose wrinkled as he yawned and stretched, putting one fist above his head before he relaxed. Audrey gently stroked a finger down his cheek and then touched his tiny, delicate, perfect fingers, which he grippe
"Gone? What do you mean she's gone?"Jonathan was fuming. Lucien and Charles both sat in the morning room, Lucien with his copy of the Morning Post and Charles with a novel and a cup of tea. The pair of them looked so blastedly silly and domestic it made Jonathan want to bellow like a bear. Audrey had run off, and neither man seemed to care one whit. What was the matter with them?"She told Horatia a friend wrote to her, someone seeking advice on her trousseau, and Audrey's fashion sense was direly needed." Lucien reached into his waistcoat and pulled out a letter. "She left this for you."Jonathan took the paper, unfolding it to read. It said she'd left for London, but she hadn't given a reason. And he was expected to believe what Lucien was saying? Well, he didn't believe it. Yes, the little sprite loved her clothes, but to run away from a house party, from him, to see to some silly wedding dress? He'd grown so close to her in the last few days. Their shared intimacy was more than