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Philip spooned her, his face in her loose perfumed hair. The zeal and tenderness he showed her never stopped amazing her. She revelled in his powerful body, leaning closer. He embraced her tighter. The contact of their bodies stirred her, making her remember what he made her feel when he did those…things to her. She felt him growing hard, but he never motioned. A long time passed, as she waited for him to make a move, that didn’t come.
“Philip!” She turned to him
“Hm.” His lips slid down her cheek.
“Will you stop treating me like a fragile ninny?” Her vivid green eyes on him.
He kissed the spot under her ear. “I’m not doing that!”
“Look at me.” She waited for his clove eyes to lock on hers. “I don’t need to be this sheltered. I’ll survive!” Her hands hovered over his torso.
“Single-minded as you are, I don’t have any doubt.” His eyes darkened with her caress.
Her hands dared further. His breath caught. She moved her head to kiss his chest. He closed his eyes tight. “So do something.” She nibbled his nipple, he groaned. “I want you.” She murmured on his heated skin.
“Oh, I thought you’d never say that!” Dark silky voice mumbled. His mouth descended on hers with the fasting of the last days burning in it.
That night they sought each other as if they’d been apart for a whole month.
Next day, Philip received a message from one of his men saying Eastwell had been seen in the outskirts of Suffolk. He decided to go after the lost soul himself.
He knocked at the library and entered to find Selene reading on an armchair. The scorching memories of the night popped in his mind. Going away figured as the very last thing he wanted.
“I have to make a short trip.” He said instead. “A couple of days, at most.”
Her lush lips in an O. “Fine.” He knew she didn’t expect it, but it had to be done.
He fell in an awkward silence, without knowing much how to deal with this. “I won’t be long. Don’t worry.” He finally added. If he stated the purpose of this, she might try to impede him. So he’d talk about that on his way back.
She nodded. “I left instructions with Jenkins. Talk to him if you need anything.” He completed.
“I’ll do that. Thank you.” He stared at her a couple of seconds more and left without wanting to.
That was it! She wouldn’t sit in that empty house missing Philip, Selene thought two days later. Not being a criminal, she had the right to go out a little for some fresh air. Dressing a discrete brown dress, she decided to wander Oxford Street.
Her personal carriage left her in a crowded Oxford street at that time of day. Browsing the shops at random, she saw several acquaintances, not one greeted her. The whole time, she received the cut direct. Not even a slight nod. The ton had judged, condemned and ostracised her mercilessly, she realised, a deep sadness coming over her. Thinking of it, there hadn’t been many invitations arriving at Crompton house this week. The ostracism had been going on and she’d been too immersed in the bad memory of that night, to give it a thought.
She’d not give up so soon. She entered the ribbon shop and caught sight of Lady Milton and Lady Wilkinson, her best friends. She walked to them, happy that she wouldn’t be completely isolated in all this.
“Good afternoon, my ladies!” She greeted them cheerfully. Both women didn’t move; didn’t even look at her. Her smile died pitifully.
Lady Wilkinson turned to Lady Milton and said. “We cannot keep her company or else we will be cast of society as well.” Both nodded, agreeing. That being the way they found to explain Selene their attitude. After this, they turned their back to her.
On the verge of tears, Selene had an almost inexorable impulse to turn and run. But, no, oh, no. She’d not run, not now! She straightened her spine, lifted her chin and went to browse another ribbon section. She went to the shopkeeper as an aloof lady, fighting fiercely the tense trembling in her hands as she took a ribbon. The piece of cloth never moved, even though she was in pieces.
She felt everyone’s side stares on her. Some reproving, some contemptuous. Some envious. Well, the envy she could understand perfectly, she thought a little smug. Women coveted Philip openly. Perhaps these kinds of reactions happened due to someone’s courage to go against so strict rules; she tried to console herself. But sorrow spread like acid in her heart. Luckily, she brought a closed carriage, which made it easier to hide her tears as it rode home.
London would destroy her! It would corrode everything she was and everything she valued. She concluded, as she sought refuge in her chambers. She couldn’t allow this to happen. How could she avoid compromising her very soul? The only answer she came to was to take a break from London and everything it contained, including Philip. Maybe she could attempt to ferret out some peace in the country, where she’d cool down, as clear thought came back on track. Going away always made her feel better, that’s why she did it so often.
Moreover, it’d give Philip a chance to find a bride. There’d be no zealous mama who’d allow her daughter to be courted by a man who lived in sin with his own step-aunt. It’d be painful to stay away from him; to hear of him courting another woman; to live without him. Better to start doing it now, while she still had the strength.
She called her lady’s maid, Nell. “I decided to spend some time in the country.” She announced. “Would you like to accompany me?”
“Yes, Your Grace, very much.” Nell answered meekly.
“I will understand if you want to seek another situation.” She completed. “You’ll have references, naturally.”
“Oh, no Your Grace!” The girl lowered her head. “A change of air will do you good.” She smiled faintly. “Besides, who’d give me employment knowing I’d worked for you?” She said in a practical way.
