“But?”
“You’ve not taken care of the other things my cousins were hesitant to mention out loud. We expected you to overcome the last hurdle that would help make a second marriage a satisfying one.”
He swiveled to face her fully then. “What exactly do you think I have not done?”
She sighed again. This was not going to come out well, but he’d started this conversation. He would simply have to deal with the embarrassment. “When was the last time you were with a lover?”
Sullivan sprang to his feet and stepped away from her quickly, glancing toward the door. But there was no one there to have overheard, and he let out a long and shaky breath. “Surely that is too personal to discuss with you of all people.”
Aurora stood too. She had already known what he would say when she posed her question. There was a wariness about Sullivan. Tension in the set of his shoulders whenever any of his friends boasted of their lovers or wives. Of their intimacy and satisfaction. She knew she shouldn’t concern herself with that sort of thing, but Sullivan’s reaction to those remarks were very telling. He was as skittish as a virgin.
“If your answer is not yesterday, or last week, or last month, or even during these past two seasons, then how can you ever hope to unlock your heart from the black you still wear around yourself?”
He stepped toward her and lowered his voice. “I am out of mourning.”
“Are you?” She searched his face. “When was the last time you even kissed a woman?”
His cheeks were turning an unhealthy shade of red at the question.
She turned away from him briefly to take a deep breath. What she said next would either help him make a match or ensure he never spoke to her again. “It is my opinion, and mine alone, that remaining faithful to a dead woman is preventing you from winning another lady’s heart.”
“You are mistaken,” he snapped.
“You will only make a miserable union if you cannot let her go…and I am sorry about that. You deserve more. You deserve to be happy again, my lord.” She walked to the settee, sat down, and picked up her half-drunk teacup.
Sullivan stood where she left him, huffing and puffing, before he suddenly stalked away.
No doubt she’d angered him with her blunt words, but she was only speaking from the heart. He did not pay enough attention to the women he was with. He’d never been close to anyone since Clare died. He was too polite, and she’d never seen him flirt with anyone at a ball, although she knew from their meetings how sweet and charming he could be when he was in the right mood.
She finished the last of her tea, staring at the warm fire a moment longer, sad for Sullivan and more than ready to go home to Wharton House, where at least she might plan out her new business venture in more peace. She’d make a list of all the gentlemen and ladies that might have need of her.
The unfortunate thing was, she might even have been able to help Sullivan make his match if he’d listened. She’d known him a long time, and knew what he wasn’t doing to capture a lady’s heart.
The first thing, of course, was that he had to cease mentioning his late wife and son so much. Not that he should forget them; she doubted he ever could. But no woman wants to constantly fail to meet the high standards set by her predecessor.
The doors to the library suddenly snapped shut—and she spun around in surprise.
Sullivan was walking back to her, and he looked…well, furious, to be completely honest about it.
She put her cup aside quickly. “My lord?”
He was in front of her the next moment, and then beside her again. He leaned toward her. His blue gaze never left her face as he reached for her hand.
Aurora was too stunned to move away from him. “What are you doing?”
“Doing what you suggested.”
He released her hand and settled the tips of his fingers on her thigh. His hand flattened possessively. His palm was warm through her gown and petticoats. Heavy.
“I’m not still mourning Clare. I can be as wicked as any of the swains who flirt with you, too. You like that about them, don’t you?”
“My lord, please,” she whispered, tracking the slow movement of his palm up her thigh.
His eyes widened suddenly. “Were you offended that I haven’t flirted with you?”
Aurora trembled. “Of course not.”
But a slow smile spread over his face as she struggled to breathe. “Tell me to stop, and I will. Say nothing, and I’m going to continue seducing you. I hear from a reliable source it’s what I need.”