He grinned at her and his eyes lit up. The only time her husband had appeared that happy was when his mistress was present, never around Vivian.
“I take it you will attend the soirée this evening?” His deep, gentle voice washed over her, once more taking her breath away.
“Yes, with Phoebe.”
“It’s a shame there is no dancing.” Lord Stanstead angled himself closer to her. “However, the Framingham ball is on Wednesday. I’m sure Lady Telford received invitations.”
“I believe she did.” Head bowed, Vivian applied herself to her food.
“I would be honored if you would dance the first waltz with me.”
Her mouth dried and she reached for her glass of wine. She would never be able to eat a thing at this rate. “It would be my pleasure.”
The memory of being in his arms flooded her senses, and she yearned for him to hold her again.
“And the supper dance. I dare say our friends will once again take supper together.”
“Yes, of course.”
What was she doing? This way would only lead to heartache. Once he saw her body, he wouldn’t want anything to do with her. A pain started in the center of her heart and exploded. She must cease thinking of him and wanting him.
Vivian raised her gaze to his, and was shocked to see the warmth in them. She had to say something to distract him. “What of Miss Banks?”
He raised his brows in surprise. “Miss Banks? Why would you think of her?”
Vivian twisted her serviette. “She is young and seems quite interested in you.”
“Too young, and I have no interest in her.” His stare bored into Vivian, as if he could will her to understand what he was not saying. “She is here to catch a husband, and her conversation is full of inane chatter.”
If only she could trust her instincts, maybe then she’d know what he wanted. Perhaps he merely wanted an older woman with whom to dally. If only she could bring herself to have an affair, on her terms, but she couldn’t even do that. She would not take the chance of being seen leaving a gentleman’s house, she could not bring him to Clara’s home, and she must never forget that her body was anathema to the male sex.
Still, he did not turn away. “When I wed, the lady must be capable of helping me run several estates and be interested in being a political hostess as all the ladies here are.”
She allowed his voice to caress and tempt her again. That was the life she thought she was getting before, and it had all turned out to be a lie. A footman appeared with sole in butter sauce and almonds. “I would love some fish.”
Lord Stanstead studied her for a moment before serving her the sole. “Anything you wish, my lady.”
The problem was, he sounded as if he meant it.
On her other side, Lord Rutherford claimed her attention, giving Vivian a chance to stop herself from falling into Lord Stanstead’s gaze. “My wife tells me you are interested in orphans.”
“Indeed I am.” After her husband’s death, she had finally been able to set up a home for them. “As is Lady Rutherford.”
“Although we like to keep our children close to home, Anna and I have been discussing setting up more programs in London. I do not know if the subject was raised, but she, Phoebe, Lady Marsh, whose husband is my brother-in-law and a Member of Parliament, and Serena have already begun an orphan asylum. Those children are apprenticed out, and we have now turned to other children who live at home but whose families are desperately poor. Is that a project you would be interested in supporting?”
For a moment Vivian was startled; a gentleman had never before asked for either her opinion or her help. “Of course, I would love to be involved.”
“Mention it to my wife or any of the others, and I am sure they would be grateful for your support.”
She was more than thrilled with the way this evening was going. It had far surpassed her wildest dreams. “Thank you, I will.”
He glanced over her head for a moment, then grinned. “You’re welcome. I’m always happy to see another lady who is interested in the plight of the less fortunate.”
When the ladies retired to the drawing room, Vivian brought up the subject with Anna.
“How good of Rutherford to bring it up.” Her brow creased for the merest moment. “I think we should hold a meeting soon. One must never allow forward momentum to slow down.”
“I agree. Ideas such as this must go forward quickly, so that others do not have the time to back out.”
