Chapter 21 #3
“He does seem rather experienced,” Alix said, thinking about how skillfully Rafe’s hands and lips moved on her body.
“He’s no innocent, but he’s no rake either.” Phoebe smiled. “When you meet my husband, you’ll understand that I know the difference.” She turned to Alix, her blue eyes softening. “But even rakes reform when they fall in love.”
Phoebe laughed. “Still, for all his reputation, it is amusing to think that a French lady has stolen his heart. There’s something he never planned for, I’ll wager.”
Alix followed Phoebe through the crowd, admiring the advantage her height gave her in finding her way.
When at last they stopped, she saw that Rafe was talking to a tall handsome man with raven-dark hair and dark eyes.
He turned, his eyes sparkling when they rested on Phoebe, and his mouth breaking into a wicked grin.
Alix had no doubt that the man was Phoebe’s husband, Cole.
“Why Rafe, look what my very clever wife has discovered, the elusive Mademoiselle de La Brou.”
Rafe murmured to his friend, “You see what I mean, Davenport, about your head being an attractive target for rocks.” Straightening he said.
“Mademoiselle de La Brou, may I present Cole Ashbourne, Viscount Davenport.” As Cole stepped forward and bowed over her hand, Rafe added, “Don’t trust a word he says. ”
“Ah, but you may trust me with your life,” Cole said warmly as he lifted his head, and somehow Alix knew that she could.
“I think that I shall dance with your lady, Moreham. I won’t seek your permission, since you’ll only deny it.
And I do think Mademoiselle de La Brou needs a chance to discover that not all Englishmen dance like great glowering giants. ”
He did dance exquisitely, Alix thought as Cole led her through the steps of a country dance. He kept up a patter of light conversation, nearly putting her at ease, but she couldn’t help being aware of his dark eyes assessing her every time they drew close.
“So tell me, my lord,” she said as she circled under his arm, “what is it you are dying to know?”
“Many things, mademoiselle, most too impertinent to ask.”
“Why do I have the feeling that’s never stopped you before?”
Cole drew his brows together in as if considering her words carefully, then said with a flash of his white teeth, “You’re quite right, it hasn’t.” They turned and circled. “I’m wondering,” he said, “whether you will leave him again.”
Alix nearly missed a step. “You know about us then?” she asked when they drew up.
“Ah, yes, Lady Moreham. Rafe was quite done in when you left him. Cut a vicious swath through White’s. Haven’t seen him that hurt and angry since his brother died and left him the title and a mountain of debts. He was impossible to live with until Jervis started reporting in on your whereabouts.”
Alix glanced up at him. “And which part of him was suffering most, my lord, his pride or his heart?”
Cole laughed. “A bit of both I believe, but mostly his heart.”
“Indeed,” she said as the dance ended.
Cole took her arm as they finished with a promenade around the room.
“So that’s how things stand,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.
“Rafe’s never been much of a talker, more of a planner, a doer.
Even as a child, if he saw something that needed to be fixed, he fixed it.
If he saw something he wanted, he went out and got it.
Rather a contrast with the rest of his family.
A terribly scatterbrained bunch if you ask me.
Got so everyone looked to Rafe to be the responsible one.
” Cole smiled ruefully. “Even me. It makes him seem...” He struggled for the words.
“Highhanded?” Alix suggested.
“Perhaps a bit stiff-necked.”
“Arrogant.”
“I think you take my point. He’s a bit more accustomed to listening to his head, rather than his heart.
You have him quite confused.” Cole stopped just before they reached Rafe and Phoebe.
“He’s never been in love before, but give him time, he’ll figure it out.
” He eyed her appreciatively. “He’s a smart man, Rafe Harcrest.”
“I return your lady to you, Moreham.” Cole said, returning Alix to Rafe. He tipped his head. “I trust you will hold on to her this time?”
“To make certain, Alix and I shall take part in the next quadrille. That way she will be safe from the distractions of your sort.”
“Distractions,” Cole tutted, “how unjust, particularly when I have been extolling your virtues to the lady.”
Alix glanced up at Rafe. “Aren’t you supposed to request a dance before leading a lady out?”
Rafe smiled. “I thought one of the conveniences of marriage was that one no longer had to ask.” He leaned close to her ear. “So what nonsense was Davenport spreading?”
Alix inclined her head towards the dance floor. “Well, for one thing, he said you were accustomed to having things your own way.”
Rafe grinned. “Only when I know best.”
“And you think you know what’s best for me?”
His hazel eyes gleamed. “Believe me, my dear, I’ve some very good ideas.”