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His brows pleated vexed. “What do I have to do with that?” He felt very little interested in feelings from debutantes fresh from the schoolroom.
“I thought to give her the opportunity to know you better.” She smoothed her rich brown hair, looking directly at him. The fire in the fireplace lit her tempting figure and cast a reddish light to her hair.
“You thought wrong!” His eyes strolled over her appreciatively.
He neared her, took the comb from her hand, placing it on the vanity. One of his arms went under her legs and the other to her back. He lifted, carried her to bed and pinned her to the fluffy mattress with his taut body. He separated her robe lapels, spreading open-mouthed kisses on her throat. She sighed, closing her eyes and arching her throat to give him more access.
“I’ll never marry the chit!” He nibbled her shoulder. “Forget it!”
That’s what she did as he threw her in the fires of passion, where coherent thoughts were foreigners.
Chapter 15
They’d received the invitation for another ball a few evenings later. The dowager Duchess of Winterton’s ball listed among the most important of this time of year and all the elite would be present. The ballroom glittered with hundreds of candles and well-dressed throngs of people.
Today, Selene decided to dare a little and dressed a Boudreaux coloured dress of a shade almost red, since half-mourning allowed for dark colours. The open neckline made her skin glow and brought out the rich brown of her hair. The strands had been piled up in curls and ringlets framed her delicate face.
As the doorman announced Selene and Philip, they entered and separated, each one going to greet their close friends. Selene headed to the line of chairs in the ballroom, where she’d certainly find hers. A man blocked her way. She lifted her eyes. Charles, her half-brother. What the darn? This wouldn’t be a place he’d be invited to. Their family mere gentry, not aristocracy.
“My dear sister.” He greeted, his breath exhaling alcohol.
“Charles.” She responded. “How did you get an invitation?”
He smiled wobbly. “I didn’t.” He caught her hand and bowed over it. “Travis invited me to come with him.”
Travis was one of his gambling friends. Heir to an Earldom, the mid-twenties nobleman could afford squandering his money.
“Fine.” She took back her hand. “Enjoy yourself.”
“That’s my intention, little sister.” A smug expression in his eyes.
r /> She curtsied and left, making it clear she wanted no socializing with him.
Philip watched the exchange attentively from afar. The man spelt trouble and he’d keep an eye on Selene to make sure no harm came to her.
“Mayhap the speculations are not completely unfounded.” Darius beside him, commented, following Philip’s gaze.
Philip had lost notion of where he stood, his focus all on her. He had to be more careful with his comportment. “Her half-brother is here and he is bad news.”
“I never knew you to be so protective.” Darius turned to him and watched his reactions.
Nor did Philip, he thought bewildered. But he discovered a lot about himself where she was concerned. “She’s under my protection now, you know. It’s my duty.”
“Not a hard one, considering she’s one of the most beautiful women in the premises.” Darius wondered.
Philip turned his head and ogled his best friend in such a threatening, jealous way Darius’s expression became quizzical. “God, you’re in love with her!”
The observation fell like a meteor on Philip. In love? Him, the Duke of Crompton? “What nonsense are you about, Cumberbridge?” He called Darius by his Viscount name. He couldn’t be in love with the blasted woman! He just had this…rippling craving for her, just that!
“Well, if you are not in love with her, you’re very nearly falling for her, no doubt!” His friend said as the most obvious thing on earth.
“You’re the romantic here, Darius, not me.” Philip tried to divert the subject.
“Oh, I’d marry her happily!” His blonde, blue-eyed face with a dreamy smile.
Philip glared at him, shards darting from his clove eyes. About to punch his own friend, he fisted his hands in search of control. He couldn’t expose himself to scandal.
Darius’s smile faded. “You should see yourself now. The very possessive caveman!”
