Chapter 15
Colin paused in the salon by the small table where the decanters stood like soldiers waiting to die. He’d already killed one half-empty soldier of brandy this afternoon. Perhaps he should retire to his room so as not to embarrass himself again today. Once was definitely enough.
But he turned his head, all thoughts of leaving the room drained from his mind. The only way he wanted to depart the salon was with Selina in his arms. She looked like one of the women he would see at any London party . . . only more beautiful. The green of the dress matched her eyes as if it had been made specifically for her, which was beyond mad since he knew she couldn’t afford such a dress. Where the bloody hell had she gotten that silk dress? Seeing the look of pleasure on his sister’s face, he understood exactly what she was up to this evening.
The low-cut gown emphasized her perfectly rounded breasts and the long length of her neck. He wanted to shower her graceful neck with kisses until he reached those peach nipples. Feeling his penis react to her presence, he squelched his degenerate thoughts.
“Good evening, ladies,” he said with a quick bow to them.
“Where is Mother?” Kate asked as she sat on the gold velvet divan.
“Her maid said she had a headache and wouldn’t be joining us. But I am especially pleased to see you up and about tonight.” He walked over and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you.”
“And you, Miss White,” he said stiffly. He was not about to let his rampant desires get the best of him again. That could never happen where Selina was involved. Although, as he stared at her in that seductive green dress, he wondered why he couldn’t have her one more time. Not one logical reason came to him.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said in a more demure tone than he’d ever heard her utter.
“Sherry?” he asked as he glanced back at his sister.
“Yes. And one for Selina.”
Or maybe more than one for Selina so she might forget the utter mess he’d made of this afternoon. “Very well.”
He poured the glasses as his hand shook with desire and longing and the need to have his wise woman once more. That would cure him, he decided. After handing one glass to Selina and one to Kate, he turned toward his sister. “Have you decided what you shall do about the wedding?”
“I wrote to John this morning. I told him we should postpone until his mourning time is over. I also told him I might just stay the summer here.”
“Stay the summer?” he asked
incredulously. He’d assumed she’d want to leave as quickly as she could to be with her betrothed.
“Yes. John is a rather private person. He will need to be alone with his grief before he’s ready to talk about it.” Kate sipped her sherry and then stared down at the reddish liquid in her glass.
“Did you tell him about the baby?” he asked softly.
“I told him there was no need to rush the wedding. And that I hadn’t been feeling well lately. I couldn’t take the chance that someone else might read the note.”
“I’m sure he will understand your meaning,” Selina commented before sipping her own drink. “With you deciding to stay for the summer he will understand what happened.”
Kate nodded and blinked quickly. “I can only hope that the added distress over the loss of our baby won’t upset him in his grief.”
Colin turned away from the women and glanced outside. “Was he pleased when he found out you were with child?”
“Yes. Once we both overcame our initial shock, John was very excited about becoming a father. He told me he didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl.”
He turned back toward the women just as Kate wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m sorry, Kate.”
She nodded. “Mother told me we received an invitation to Mrs. Littleton’s ball. I believe we should attend. It will get our minds off current events.”
“If you wish to go, we shall,” he replied before looking over at Selina who appeared uncomfortable. He wondered if she had ever been taught to dance and immediately realized how stupid a thought that was. A woman like Selina did not dance or go to balls. But he wished she could attend, wearing that dress.
He would love to see the flickering candlelight dance off the silk of her dress. Or the catch of light from a diamond necklace around her slender neck. She should go to a ball.
Roberts cleared his throat at the doorway and then announced dinner. Kate rose from her seat and quickly walked toward the dining room, leaving Colin and Selina alone.
Colin held out his arm for her. “Shall we?”