"Well then, put forth some effort. Have you even spoken ten words to her?"
"I don't need to have long, in-depth conversations with the woman I marry."
She gave an unladylike snort. "You can't just come here, marry a woman, bed her, and then nine months later have an heir. There's a lot more to it than that. I know because I'm a wife."
"The marquess doesn't even live with his wife, and he has five children," Cyrus reminded her.
"But he used to live with her."
"Mayhap he only visited with her once a year. Anyway, I doubt they've had many meaningful conversations. She's not even here."
Isobel blew out a breath. "If you dance with Lily, you won't have to talk."
She was right about that, but it had been over two years since he'd danced. He was completely out of practice. Maybe if he drank a few more drams of whisky, he could loosen up enough to dance.
"I give up. Come, dance with me, Dirk. A new reel is starting." She dragged him onto the dance floor.
"Only one," Dirk muttered. "And don't overwork yourself. You have the bairn to think of."
"'Tis not a vigorous dance. I may be with child, but I can still move."
Cyrus supposed he would have to dance with Lily at their wedding, so he may as well get used to it. He leaned over and helped himself to the whisky, filling his wee glass.
When he saw Elspeth laughing at something Fraser said, Cyrus ground his teeth. Why the devil did that bother him so much? He didn't care who Elspeth talked to. He had no interest in her.
He downed the whisky, but found it didn't help.
It annoyed the hell out of him that her bright ginger hair gleaming in the candlelight captured his attention. Her figure was slender, and her gown sparkled as if it was shot through with silver threads. He could not figure out how a merchant and penniless baron's widow could afford such expensive clothing. Not only that, but several jewels glittered between her throat and her enticing cleavage at the plunging neckline. His lips itched to brush over the pale, flawless skin between the jewels.
Muttering a curse, he forced himself to look away. Desperate for some peace of mind, he poured another dram of whisky, downed it, then arose. He stepped down from the dais, rounded the front and glanced about for Lady Lily. Where had she gone? The music and the reel had ended, he realized, while he'd been stewing in his own thoughts. He scanned each corner but didn't see her. Dermott stood talking to one of the men now.
"I believe she retired for the evening." The female voice came from behind him.
He turned to find Elspeth. Speechless for a moment, he finally recovered and gave a brief bow. "Lady Grey."
"Please, call me Elspeth."
Irrationally pleased, he gave a deep nod. "If you'll call me Cyrus."
"Of course." Her face was flushed and her breathing elevated. 'Twas obviously from the dancing, but it made him think of exertion from carnal pleasures. He wondered what she would look like with her lustrous hair disheveled and a satisfied smile upon her rosy face. And her whisky-colored eyes dark with desire.
The heat of her skin caused her exotic perfume to waft to his nose. 'Twas the most entrancing, seductive scent he had ever experienced. He could not even put a name to it. Without doubt 'twas an expensive French perfume, making him imagine rich white flowers in the moonlight, a sweet, spicy comfit and earthy sensuality rubbed across bare skin. He wanted to examine each note of her fragrance even as his eyes perused every inch of her face.
Saints, since when did he enjoy self-torture? The whisky had infected his brain with a warped madness. He stepped back a foot, trying to escape the bonds of her scent.
"Lady Lily wished me to tell you she's exhausted from her travels. She lives with her mother and sisters some distance from Rebbinglen."
He nodded, wondering if Lily truly was exhausted… or was she only avoiding him? "I should've asked her to dance," he blurted… then regretted it. Why had he said that? Too much whisky?
Elspeth gave a slight grin. "'Haps tomorrow night."
"Be Elspeth's partner for a few minutes, will you?" Bypassing him, Fraser tapped him on the shoulder, then strode away toward the exit door.
What the devil? Cyrus glanced back to Elspeth.
A becoming blush still colored her high cheekbones. "'Tis not necessary. I'd prefer to rest anyway."
"We need one more couple to complete the set," Rose announced. Her gaze scanned the room and landed on him. "Would you and Elspeth like to join us?"
