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“How dare you,” Mrs. Stetson squawked. “She’s too young for a man of your age.”
“Exactly,” Caroline agreed with a sneer, crowding us. “You should be with a more mature woman. Like me.”
I ignored them—as if I gave a shit what they thought—my whole attention on Summer’s lips. I tugged my fingers through her hair, then wrapped my hand around the nape of her neck possessively.
Summer was too good for this world—for these women’s desperate disdain—and they needed to learn their true place in society.
When I pulled back, Summer was smiling. Her whole face glowing with warmth. I tugged on her lower lip, murmuring as I stared into her eyes, “If you'll excuse us, I'm a jealous man, and don't want to share her attention with anyone." I didn’t look at them as I spoke.
"But we were just starting to talk to her. Surely you wouldn't deny us her attention for a little bit longer." Caroline had gripped Summer’s arm, and her nails began to dig into her arm.
I grabbed her fingers, ripping them from Summer’s arm, and bent them backward. “Touch her again and I will break every single bone in your hand.”
“Mr. Craven!” Mrs. Stetson gasped, clutching at the pearls at her neck, “How dare you! Like a wild animal.”
“Mrs. Stetson, you have no idea,” I answered coolly.
Caroline's eyes were wide with fear. I could easily snap her fingers, making them as crooked as her soul. I wanted to do it, the dark energy inside me surfacing. I didn’t look away from the woman, and her throat bobbed. Finally, she looked away—to Summer for help. “Is he serious?”
Summer met her gaze with fire in her eyes. “I think you don’t want to find out.”
Caroline's mouth dropped in surprise.
I held my position until Summer looked at me, giving me a small nod. I released her, and Caroline heaved dramatically, her hand to her chest. Her cheeks were red with both embarrassment and anger, apparent even through her mask. Mrs. Stetson shook her head in disgust, tsking.
"Excuse me," Summer stepped forward, causing them to stumble a few steps backwards. "I would like to take Rook up on that offer to dance, or did your mother’s not teach you manners?”
“But,” Mrs. Stetson took an eager step forward, then back at my murderous look. “What about…”
“I’m not sure you would be a good fit for the Magnolia,” was all Summer said before she walked off without a backwards glance, leaving them shocked and disappointed in her wake.
They had no idea the grace and compassion Summer had in that denial.
"Those women," she huffed, "vultures.”
“You’re a better person than me,” I grumbled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I would love to watch the men in that society tear them to shreds.”
“Still. They don’t deserve it.”
“You just don’t know them well enough,” I disagreed. “They are so rotten inside, it bleeds through their facade. What you see in them is only the tip of the iceberg.”
“Maybe, but I couldn’t have that on my conscious. They’re not worth it.
I couldn’t agree more.
CHAPTER 43
Rook
The symphony had begun to play and couples swirled around us, their faces hidden by their masks. I kept my eyes open and alert for any lurking danger.
And, even though my gaze continually scanned the room, I couldn’t stop the pull to Summer.
My fingers tracing over her skin. Her body pressed to mine. Her smell permeating my nose like an addictive drug. My senses attuned to every movement she made.
She made me feel alive in ways I had never felt before.
We moved as one, even though we hadn't practiced the steps together, as she allowed me to guide her smoothly across the floor, trusting me to take care of her.
