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Chapter 16
“We’ll go to Lady Dunbary’s ball next week, then we’ll have the dinner with my parents and then…” Maddie paused, pushing a finger to her cheek in thought. “Am I forgetting something?”
He inched closer, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck gently. “Let’s see: you’re forgetting our vacation, our romantic dinner, and every single date we have planned together,” Simon teased. “I don’t blame you, of course, you do have a busy life after all.”
“Ha ha,” Maddie replied sarcastically, pulling away. She let her black hair loose, and it fell down to her snatched waist. “Goodness, why is it so warm in here?”
“I have a few theories,” he said. He licked his lips as his eyes trailed down to her body. She was wearing the dress he’d gifted to her, that red, silky devilish charm that brought out all her curves, the ones he had dreamed so many times to touch.
“You know,” she turned around, trailing her fingers along his body, “I spoke with Lord Laster again today.”
“…Why would you do that?”
“I happen to delight in his company. He invited me for dinner at his estate,” she continued.
Simon pulled away, running a hand through his hair and clenching his jaw. He was furious. He loved Maddie, but her greatest, and perhaps only flaw was that she didn’t know when and how to say no. She was a social butterfly, she loved discussing and spending her time with most of the ton, but sometimes she would cross the limit.
And this was one of the times.
Lord Laster was a rake. Known for his flirtatious ways. And Maddie was no stranger to it. There was a moment where during every outing, Laster would arrive actively searching for Maddie and shamelessly interrupting the two of them, even when it was announced and acknowledged they were engaged. But after a tense argument with Maddie, they had each agreed to have him stay out of their lives.
Until this moment. He couldn’t understand her sometimes, and he couldn’t understand why she was telling him this. There was no guilt present on her face either, her lips were simply pressed in a tight line, hoping for approval, if anything.
“Did you say yes?” he asked.
“It’s an innocent family dinner, so I couldn’t find a reason to say no.”
He gritted his teeth. “I thought we agreed you would stay away from him.”
“No,” she said. “You agreed to that.” She pointed an accusing finger at Simon, sending waves of anger his way. “I already told you that I enjoy his company, and I happen to find him a good friend.”
“He’s very clearly flirting with you!” Simon yelled out. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout—but he’s trying to seduce you. His hand always inches closer to your waist. He even tried to kiss you once.”
His veins pounded just at the thought of the many times Lord Laster brazenly attempted to seduce her.
“I understand you’re feeling jealous, but that’s not what happened,” she defended. “I don’t want our marriage to be about control.”
She stood still in the middle of the room, her hands touching the dress and swirling the fabric around. A habit of hers whenever they’d argue.
“I’m not,” he lowered his voice a bit more, “I’m not trying to control you. I’m just scared for you. And I don’t like the idea of a man like Laster lusting over you.”
“He isn’t lusting over me,” she defended, stepping closer to him, her hands extended, “you’re seeing things. He’s a good friend, and he has supported me before you were around.”
“By trying to kiss you,” he stated.
“It was an accid—”
“By trying to touch you.”
“He didn’t—”
“And staring at your bloody bosom every time you’re around?”
“We’ve already talked about those things.” Maddie rushed to the window, as far away from him as possible.
“Yes, we did. And we both agreed that after the first two warnings, he hadn’t listened, so you would stop interacting with him.” He couldn’t control the tone of his voice any longer.
“No! You agreed to everything! You agreed I shouldn’t speak with Laster because you don’t trust me.” She marched closer to him, stomping her foot on the ground. “You want me to stop speaking to a good friend because of your own shortcomings.”
