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Decision made, Elijah straightened his cravat in the mirror before making his way over to press his ear against the wood door between his room and Josie’s. He could hear very little, though she had retired to her room after supper. Was she already asleep? Reading? Though it was not her favorite pastime, it was possible.
His lips tightened. He wanted to go in to see her and question her, but what could he say?
Why were you so well-behaved today?
Are you not upset we are spending so little time together after our wedding?
Hmm. Perhaps he did not truly want the answer to the second question. Part of him liked to think the reason for her good behavior had been to draw his attention or impress him. The idea she was content to see very little of him, maybe because of her lingering feelings for his brother, made his chest tighter, almost aching.
He could not expect her feelings toward him to have changed so soon, despite the fact, his had been engaged.
Seduce her,a little voice whispered in his mind.Bring her to the Society. See if Adam is correct about her inclinations. Dominate her, claim her, and make her your own.
No. No, he could not.
The danger would be far too great if he let her into that part of his world without knowing for sure if the traitor still had eyes within the Society. Maybe after his mission was complete. If Josie was interested. Between now and then, when he was able, he could introduce her to some of his darker desires… slowly, hopefully without frightening her.
Heading straight into one of the Society’s events would be far too much for her.
Josie
Dressed in her lowest cut gown of teal and purple silk, Josie did not think she would have the nerve to attend a ball without a fichu to cover her decolletage, but for the Society of Sin, it was perfect. Even if she did feel half-naked.
Josie scowled as she snuck out of the house to the carriage, where Mary and Rex waited for her—she had sent Mary a note that afternoon when it became clear Elijah was not going to mention the event. She scowled ferociously. Elijah had already left the house, almost a quarter of an hour ago. Whether he was going to Lady Greywood’s, she had no idea. He had been dressed normally, though too casually for a ball.
Joseph had gone out for the night as well, separately from Elijah.
She still cared far more about what Elijah was doing than what Joseph was doing. Maybe that should not surprise her. Eventually, she supposed she would get used to being more jealously possessive over Elijah than Joseph, but it still took her off guard.
“Hello!” Mary said cheerfully as Josie stepped into the carriage, clutching her light cloak around her. Even though it was Rex and Mary, she felt shy about how exposed she was. Bending at the waist, she wanted to press her breasts back down to keep them from falling out of her neckline. Mary was dressed similarly but without the cloak covering her cleavage. Her curves were practically spilling out the top, and Rex kept eying them as if he was waiting for that very moment.
Had Elijah ever looked at her like that? Would he ever? A wistful desire flittered through her, leaving her slightly bereft.Herhusband had abandoned her this evening, again and could even now be looking at some other woman like that… if he was at Lady Greywood’s. She almost hoped he was not, except then she would not know where he was and would have to make it through the evening without him. She wanted him there.
“Hello,” Josie echoed, clutching her cloak firmly around her. She was a bit shocked to see how easily Mary wore her incredibly revealing gown. Even in the dim light trickling in through the carriage’s window, she could see how thin the green silk was. While Josie could have worn her dress to a ball if covered with a fichu, Mary’s dress was certainly not suitable to be seen in most public spaces.
Mary smiled at her, reaching out to pat her knee reassuringly. At another time, it might have made her bristle, but right now, she appreciated the gesture.
“It will be all right, Josie. Rex and I will not leave your side if Elijah is not there.”
“Perhaps even if he is,” Rex murmured, a wicked smile lighting his face and making Josie laugh, loosening her nerves. If Elijah was there, he would not be happy to find her there and would be even less happy to have Rex following them around. Mary giggled as well, shooting a saucy look at her husband.
“Troublemaker,” she teased, elbowing him gently.
“Always, petal.” Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips to kiss.
Josie sighed, catching their attention and ruining the moment. Blushing, she lifted one shoulder, trying to shrug off her embarrassment and envy.
“You two are…” Her voice trailed off, and she sighed again, unable to find the words.
“We are very lucky,” Mary replied sympathetically.
Rex snorted. “No, I was very smart in choosing my bride. Luck had nothing to do with it.”
“You almost married Arabella,” Mary reminded him with an arch look, making Josie snort. Arabella was now Mary’s cousin by marriage, so their situation was a little closer to hers and Elijah’s than she had realized. Not that Rex had been in love with Arabella, she did not think, but he had still chosen her as his future bride.
Then he had fallen head over heels in love with Mary.
And they were happy together.
