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“After dinner…tonight?”
“Yes. You noticed all the invitations. I need to start getting out into Society.”
“I agree,” she said in a hesitant tone.
“But…?”
“I should have mentioned this before. As you know, the girls should not go to balls until they make their bow. Their first ball should be hosted by you…and held here.”
Will stopped and looked down at her. “Here?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Very well,” he answered with a sigh. “Do what needs to be done.”
Now that Abigail had deserted him, Will wasn’t sure about his future. As much as he despised England, the country and his title could certainly benefit the children. But the idea of staying left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Perhaps returning to America was still the best option. There was nothing stopping him from heading out west into the territories. Yet, even as he had that thought, his gaze went back to Elizabeth.
Chapter 9
Elizabeth attempted to swallow another bite of ham but the meat was completely tasteless. She was supposed to teach him about their family history. But the lessons she would teach him would have nothing to do with her background. Only his.
She could do this. The key would be remaining detached. It was just a lesson in his family’s history, nothing more. Elizabeth slid a glance over at him as he took a bite of his meal and her heart pounded. Remaining detached would be impossible.
She attempted another bite of food, then pushed her plate away. Food just wasn’t about to taste right tonight. Instead, she sipped her wine.
Why would he want to start tonight? After what happened today, she thought he would ignore her for a few days. They would have to work alone with each other in his study!
“Are you all right, Elizabeth?” Ellie asked before taking a bite of her potatoes.
“I don’t seem to have much appetite tonight,” she replied with a shrug.
William’s gaze burned her cheeks. “Would you like to postpone our lesson this evening?”
“No, I am really not hungry. There is nothing else.” She’d be damned if she let him see her discomfiture. There was no reason she couldn’t teach him about his family. He seemed completely unaffected by their kiss. This was obviously her problem.
He tilted his head and slowly his lips moved upwards. “Very well, then.”
Dinner progressed at an excruciating pace. It had only taken the children a week to learn their proper manners at the dinner table. Now, instead of rushing through dinner, they took their time and made conversation.
Not that she usually understood any of it. Michael tended to steer the conversation back to something that happened when they lived in York. Elizabeth always noticed the way William’s eyes lit up when speaking of either Canada or America. She wondered what he planned to do now that Abigail had refused him for good.
With Abigail no longer a concern, there was the one option Elizabeth had always rejected—seduction. Perhaps if Elizabeth seduced him, he would decide to stay.
What an absurd thought. She was not the type of woman to seduce a man. She glanced up the table at him briefly. After that kiss today, she could easily imagine him removing her gown, untying her stays, sliding her shift over her shoulders until it dropped to the floor. He would remove her garters and stockings slowly as she savored the feel of his rough fingers on her soft thighs.
She sighed.
“Are you certain you are all right, Elizabeth?” William’s voice interrupted her erotic thoughts.
Elizabeth blinked and noticed every one of the children looking at her. Heat blistered her cheeks.
“You look quite flushed,” Lucy added.
“I am well.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “If you will excuse me, I need to finish something before we begin our lessons.”
She left the room and strode to her bedchamber. Once there, she paced and paced until she was certain she had worn the old carpet to threads. One kiss and she was fantasizing about him. Utter madness. The kiss meant nothing to him and it should mean nothing to her, too. She was a fool to think otherwise.
