Chapter Six #2
She frowned. “William is here?” With a glance look about the ballroom, she huffed.
Her heartbeat accelerated, for he would come the crab if he caught her going out of the room with his best friend.
No doubt Nathaniel’s reputation made her brother feel overly protective in regard to her.
“He didn’t inform me of his plans, and I haven’t seen him yet tonight. ”
“The last time I spoke with him, he expressed an avid interest in attending. Of course, he could have changed his mind depending on his whim or what your parents wish.”
“That is true. I’m afraid he won’t take Papa’s death well.” To be fair, neither would she, but William wasn’t as experienced in death. “It will be quite the sorrowful time.”
“Well, since I’m his best friend, I will be there supporting him. Not to mention what you and I have done together this week warrants at least me helping you through the loss.” He cleared his throat again. “That is, if you wish it.”
Before she could respond, a man perhaps ten years her junior came up to them both. When he murmured an apology, he then turned the whole of his attention on Diana.
“I would enjoy it above all things if you would promise me a dance tonight, my lady,” he said in a deep whisper that ordinarily would have pleased her, but at the present time, she simply wasn’t interested a man so much younger than herself.
I already have my hands full with Holdcraft, and I’m not nearly done with him.
“Unfortunately, I—”
That was when Nathaniel forcefully put space between her and the newcomer. “Off you go, Mr. Aldren. The lady is spoken for the rest of the evening. You’ll need to go bedevil some other lady tonight.”
The younger man bristled. While the candlelight made his blond hair glimmer, he dared to ignore the viscount and instead took up one of her hands. “I won’t go unless Lady Diana gives me that directive.”
“Truly, Mr. Aldren, while I appreciate your interest, I’m afraid Lord Holdcraft is correct. I have other commitments for the remainder of the night.” And if fate were kind, they would involve the viscount’s naked body being wrapped around hers.
What has gotten into me since meeting him?
“You heard her, Aldren. Off you pop,” Nathaniel said with what could only be described as unholy glee in his expression.
Ruddy color crawled up the younger man’s neck. “Perhaps another time, then,” he said in a rather stilted voice. Then, with a nod, he moved away from them toward the gaggle of wallflowers at the far end of the room.
Diana bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. “That wasn’t well done of you. There was no call to be rude.”
“Perhaps, but it was definitely needed.” When he smirked, she snorted with laughter.
Good heavens, when was the last time she’d had so much fun at a society event? Or with a man, for that matter? “Rogue.”
“I did warn you.” He gestured at the doorway with his chin. “Shall we? If you would rather I scout out a spot in the house, I can manage that as well. You could join me later.”
That sounded far too complicated, and she simply didn’t have the wherewithal for it. “Why don’t we remove to the entry hall? Guests are milling about everywhere else, and I suspect our host and hostess invited far too many people than the house can hold.”
“One of the pitfalls of wishing to make a sensation.” Seconds later, the viscount left the ballroom, and then she followed.
Honestly, she didn’t much care if gossips wished to attach rumor to her name. It wasn’t as if she were making her debut in society, and after surviving her marriage, perhaps it was time to shake a few things up a bit.
By the time they arrived in the lavish entry hall where oil paintings of landscapes decorated the walls in gilt frames, there was only a footman hanging about, no doubt ready and waiting to fetch wraps and hats should guests wish to leave early. She and Nathaniel both ignored him.
“Come, sit beside me,” she asked in a low voice as she settled onto a settee with a gilt-painted frame. The cushions were of crushed golden velvet. When he did, she asked, “You have mentioned a few times that you are a rake and a rogue. I wish to know if you have ever fallen in love?”
“I have.” He nodded as he rested his gloved hands on his knees. “Twice. Once as a young man of twenty. I’d foolishly fallen for an heiress who I thought held the same feelings as me. Unfortunately, she only wanted me for what I could do for her carnally.”
“Ah, so was that when you embarked on a life of shallow liaisons? So you wouldn’t have your heart broken again?” It was an interesting look into his life.
“I suppose it was, now that you mention it.” Surprise lay stamped across his face.
“I’d never entertained the idea before.” For the space of a few heartbeats, he remained silent before speaking again.
“The second time came a handful of years later. I’d fallen hard and fast. In fact, I was on the verge of asking for her hand. ”
“What happened?” Despite herself, Diana was swept away on the story.
He shrugged. “Two weeks later, she announced that she was engaged to a different man, one who had a much higher title than I did, and one who was wealthy beyond her wildest dreams.” A huff of annoyance escaped him. “Apparently, she desired that much more than she did genuine love.”
“Which made you shun the very idea of marriage altogether.” The bits and pieces of his life were coming together into the puzzle she knew him to be now.
“Perhaps. I suppose I’m a bit broken in that way.”
“Or else you simply need to let yourself try again. The next woman to hold your heart might prove to break your unlucky streak.” Odd, but the thought of him with another woman caused her chest to tighten and a wave of irrational anger sweep over her.
“Said woman would need to prove herself much different than the others.”
Diana nodded. “Have you done anything over the course of your life that will prove as your legacy? Meaning have you involved yourself into charities or causes that don’t directly benefit you?”
“Beyond wanting to dabble in poetry?” His slightly crooked grin sent frissons of need twisting down her spine. “I fund a few causes throughout London. One for widows, one for the care of orphans, and one to provide day-old loaves of bread to the less fortunate in areas such as the Dials.”
Surprise moved through her. “That’s wonderful, and a bit surprising.” One wouldn’t think that a rake like him would think along those lines.
“About five years ago, I had a riding accident that brought to me a crossroads. I realized that my life was more than a bit shallow and wasteful, so I wished to change that.” A sigh escaped him. “It helps to balance being a rake. Or, at least I hope it does.”
“I rather think it will, when all is said and done.” Her respect and admiration for him went up a notch. Too bad they weren’t alone. She wanted to kiss him, see him naked, bite his skin, explore his body at her leisure.
When he touched a hand to her arm, he grinned and lowered his voice. “Shutter your eyes, Diana.”
“Why?”
“Because we will land in scandal if you don’t.” Yet the look in his eyes suggested he wouldn’t mind that at all.
She snorted. “I doubt that. I’m a widow and you’re a known rake.” Not that any of those things made a difference. The dragons of society could mind their own business.
“Regardless, there is heat in your eyes that suggests you’ll throw me up against the nearest wall and do wicked things to me in a few moments.”
A shiver of need ripped down her spine to lodge deep in her core. “What if I want to do exactly that?” The man beside her was having a scandalous effect on her. How was that possible?
A dark flush rushed up his neck, and it was as adorable as everything else she’d discovered about him.
After a chuckle, she asked, “What? You didn’t expect such an appetite from a woman older than you?”
“To be honest, I didn’t. Silly of me, surely, for women of all ages can become aroused and participate in carnal games, and I find that quite interesting from you.”
She allowed herself a small smile. “If we’re fortunate.
Growing older as a woman isn’t kind, and there are times when I don’t feel quite the thing, but those urges are still there.
I still have needs, but some of them come with the hope of merely being held until whatever storm I’m fighting with manages to pass. ”
Was it embarrassing to admit that to him? Perhaps a bit, but it was the truth.
“A man would be a nodcock not to want to embrace everything you represent.” For long moments, he held her gaze then dared to take one of her hands and squeeze her fingers. “In light of what you’ve said, perhaps it’s time for us to remove from such a stifling place.”
“Ha. You’re learning, Holdcraft.” A chuckle followed her statement.
Twenty minutes later, he assisted her into his closed carriage, and the rain hadn’t let up since earlier in the evening. Before he joined her, he asked, “Do you wish to go home?”
“I do not.” Heat enveloped her, for she intended to act quite brazen tonight.
“Very well.” Nathaniel nodded. To his driver, he said, “To my townhouse.”
“Of course, Lord Holdcraft,” the man said as the viscount joined her in the carriage.
Once he’d closed the door and the vehicle lurched into motion, Diana sat beside him on his bench. This addition to the night would be much more fun than the ball.
“It’s lovely how well you follow instructions, Nathaniel.” Then she pulled him close by his cravat. “That bodes well for other things, don’t you think?”
A growl came from his throat as his arms went around her. “I do indeed.” Seconds later, he claimed her lips in an intense kiss that set her blood aflame.
Excitement buzzed through her, and she gave herself up to his ministrations. Heavens help her, but there was no going back now.