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Chapter 13
The dinner was a boring affair. Sebastian didn’t want to cause gossip by sitting Lady Lavinia next to him for the second evening in a row, especially after their fight earlier in the day, because he was certain to get a set down or two from her.
So instead, he had to endure boring conversations and suffer through watching Lady Lavinia flirt with Mr. Townsend. Was Sebastian the one who’d encouraged their acquaintance with his question the night before? Or were they friendly even before? Sebastian remembered Lady Lavinia entering his gallery hall, looking for someone… Could it have been Mr. Townsend? If so, Sebastian didn’t understand what she saw in the lad.
He studied the man with narrowed eyes. He wasn’t an expert on masculine beauty, but Marcus’s features were even, his nose straight, his manner polite. He could see how women would find him… tolerable if they liked boring men.
Sebastian heaved a sigh. He was being unfair. Mr. Townsend was dependable. He had lands, he had money, he had looks. He wasn’t a debauched bounder, nor was he a gambler. He was a reliable sort, and perhaps everything that Lady Lavinia needed.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He needed to get his mind off of the chit. He wasn’t looking for a lover, and neither was he looking for a wife. So whatever this obsession with Lady Lavinia had become, it needed to end.
Sure, she had inspired him to paint again, but was it truly an inspiration if he could only paint her and nothing else?
He needed to get out of England and for that, he needed to safely marry off his niece.
Ah, yes. Another stubborn woman who was dead set on torturing him. He looked across the table at Victoria, who was having a lively conversation with an elderly earl.
Sebastian frowned.
Who was the gentleman she was interested in? She never showed any indication of who it could be, or perhaps Sebastian didn’t pay enough attention to her. He was too preoccupied with Lady Lavinia.
His gaze traveled back to the lady in question just as she laughed, throwing her head back, exposing her neck for all to see. Sebastian’s breeches tightened, and his breathing quickened. He gulped and looked away before he made a fool of himself.
His gaze landed on the Duke of Kensington, who was also admiring Lady Lavinia.
Oh, for God’s sake!Could he be more obvious? His wife sat just a few places away, conversing with her companions.
Everyone spoke about how perfect their marriage was. And by society’s standards, it was perfect.
They attended all the same social events, held the most lavish balls, and despite always arriving together, they never spent a minute in each other’s company in public.
There were no longing gazes. Hell, they barely even spoke.
Was it too much of a stretch to conclude that the duke had a mistress? And that said mistress was a lady he couldn’t take his eyes off of?
Sebastian’s fingers tightened on the silverware. He had an undeniable urge to throw something at the insolent duke. And Lady Lavinia had the gall to pretend affront when he’d suggested she’d had a liaison with the man.
Not that he could blame her for seeking comfort in the arms of a powerful duke.
“You’ve been quiet all evening, Lord Roth,” said Lady Carlyle, a young, blonde widow, who sat by his side.
He cleared his throat and forced his gaze away from the other side of the table. He’d been completely rude to the ladies by his side. “My apologies,” he said with a smile. “I am too preoccupied with my efforts to marry off my niece. You understand.”
“Oh.” Lady Carlyle waved the issue away. “A lady in possession of such beauty should not worry. Add to that her dowry and her status… She’ll be married in no time.”
Sebastian smiled. “I suppose. But I want her to choose wisely.”
Lady Carlyle fiddled with a lock of her golden hair. “If she has as much charm as she has wit, it won’t be a problem.”
Sebastian inclined his head. “She is quite clever. I suppose you are right. I should trust her a little more.”
Lady Carlyle leaned in, drawing his gaze to her ample bosom. “And perhaps if you trust her more, you shall have time for far more pleasurable activities than watching your niece like a hawk.”
Sebastian blinked. He’d heard plenty of rumors about the lovely widow who loved spending her time with different gentlemen each night. Somehow, he hadn’t even thought of arranging a tryst with her.
Did he want to have a tryst with her? She certainly was enticing.
His gaze drifted across the table to Lady Lavinia. She smiled shyly as she fiddled with her silverware. She seemed nervous and out of place. More than that, she was a debutante.
