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CHAPTER2
As Jeremy left the dancefloor, he felt the lady on his arm clutch a little too tightly.
Oh no, it is happening again.
“Thank you, Lady Finch.” He lifted her hand from his arm and kissed the back. He ensured it was a formal touch. His lips did not linger on her glove, even when he noticed her breath escape her lips suddenly, as if breathless at such a simple touch. “It was a pleasant dance.”
“Pleasant?” She giggled with the word as a blush lit up her cheeks. “It was not quite the word you used when I kept you company the other night.”
Her boldness made him step away as he looked around the room. Talking of such things near other dancers that were retreating from the floor was a great risk, and not something he was willing to indulge in.
“That was for one night only. If you would excuse me, Lady Finch.” Jeremy bowed, attempting to make his escape, but he did not get far. Lady Finch was in front of him once again.
“May we not share another dance, Your Grace?” she said, her excitement so apparent that her lips twitched. “I would like the opportunity to know you better.”
Jeremy fought the smirk that tempted his lips.
I feel I know you very well by now, Lady Finch.
He had shared her bed the other night, but that was as far as he knew any lady these days. He never got close, he did not ask after their interests, their passions, or their pursuits. Neither did he ask what was in their hearts. Deep down, he knew it was cold, but it was a way to live.
It is the safest way to live if the past is not to be repeated.
“Forgive me, Lady Finch, I thought you understood our arrangement.” He hated this part, seeing the disappointed look on a lady’s face. “I enjoyed your company the other night, but…” He didn’t need to say anymore. She stepped back and her eyes cast downward.
“I understand. Goodbye, Your Grace.” She made a hasty retreat and backed away from him, turning her head to hide her blush.
As she went, Jeremy lifted a hand and pinched the brow of his nose in frustration. Most of the time the ladies he shared his bed with knew his rule. They understood it was about fleeting excitement, enjoying that moment for what it was worth, nothing more. Yet every now and then a lady came along who thought she could change him and his rule.
I cannot be changed.
“Well, there’s another one that goes scurrying away like a mouse.” The deep voice made Jeremy jump and turn round, to see his good friend had approached offering a glass of brandy forward. “Here, you look like you need this.”
“Thank you, Stephen.” Jeremy took the glass and nearly downed it in one.
“Slow down, Jeremy,” Stephen said with a laugh. “They’ll be out if you continue at this rate. Was the lovely Lady Finch not enough to hold your charms for a second night?”
“You know my rule.” Jeremy levelled his gaze at Stephen who still chuckled.
“I do, even if I do not understand it. Come, this way, people can overhear us here.” Stephen led Jeremy across the ballroom.
As they walked, many ladies looked their way. Jeremy was no fool and he was also not blind. He saw the way ladies looked at the two of them. Either they were drawn to Jeremy’s dark chestnut hair and striking blue eyes, or they preferred Stephen’s fair hair, and rather unusual dark eyes. Together the two could command the attention of a room.
When they reached the edge of the assembly rooms, the two of them sat down in chairs as Stephen reached for a brandy carafe and topped up their glasses for them.
“Tell me again…” Stephen whispered.
“Tell you what?”
“Why you keep to this rule of yours.”
Jeremy didn’t answer but had another swallow of brandy. They’d had this conversation often enough for him to realize that Stephen was trying to change his mind on his own rule.
“Come on, do not look at me like that.” Stephen laughed with the words. “You puzzle me, that is all.”
“You are hardly a pillar of virtue yourself, Stephen.”
“Far from it.” Stephen acknowledged with a nod before he leaned forward, whispering to Jeremy so no one else could overhear them. “Yet I think I would have also spent a second night with Lady Finch.”
