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“Do you have the jitters?” He tried to sound glib.
“I must. It has been some time since I have danced.”
“When was the last time you danced with your husband?” Her eyes appeared golden in the reflected light. He wanted to melt into her arms and never let go.
“The last time we danced was at our wedding.”
“Then I hope tonight will replace that memory.” He gave her hand a squeeze while pulling her closer.
Before Selena could speak, the music began. They followed the rhythm, making their way across the floor, sweeping past the onlookers. It was as if they had done it a thousand times before. Selena relaxed after a few turns on the floor. The song increased in pace, their feet following. Owen was caught up in the magic of the moment. It was better than their lessons in the drawing room. His chest swelled with happiness. If he weren’t at a party, he would have thrown his head back and laughed out loud. It was pure bliss. Nothing could be better than being with Selena.
She seemed similarly affected. Two crimson dots colored her cheeks, and her lips were parted, as if breathless.
“How could I have been so foolish?” He hadn’t meant to speak aloud.
“About what?”
“About you.” He had to fight the powerful urge to pull her against his body, to feel her smaller frame fit into his. To let her feel the effect she had on him. Lord, his erection was painful. He had to cool his lust before the dance ended, or everyone would know what he had on his mind.
Finally, the dance ended. They bowed to each other, then Owen led Selena off the floor.
“Owen, there are some gentlemen I think you should meet.” Bran came up to them. “You don’t mind if I steal him away, do you?” He asked Selena.
“Of course not. That was the purpose of this evening.” Selena watched the friends go across the room to three other male guests.
Owen glanced over his shoulder. He did not want to abandon Selena, but he saw Sarah loop her arm through hers and lead her off. Good.
Bran made introductions, and the group fell into cheerful banter. The men talked of their business ventures and politics. Owen could contribute due to his consumption of all the newspapers. It was a pleasant exchange. After a while, Bran led him to another group of guests. And thus they proceeded until Owen wasn’t sure if he could keep everyone’s names straight. Several people seemed unsure of him. It must be difficult for some to reconcile the new Owen with the old, but most warmed up to him after being in his company for a while.
Eventually, Owen excused himself and went over to the buffet table. He’d had several glasses of champagne, and his head felt foggy. Best to put some food in his stomach. There were delicacies for every taste. After partaking of a few choice pastries, Owen scanned the room for Selena. Instead of his wife, another woman broke away from the crowd and headed for him.
She was young. Perhaps in the early part of her third decade. She walked across the room, confident, her shoulders back, chin at a slight angle. As she came closer, she gave him a cocky grin. The woman obviously knew him. No one had pointed her out to him, so Owen was at a loss.
“Good evening, your lordship.”
Owen bowed. “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.”
She coyly laughed. “Yes. I heard about your accident. Amnesia, I am told.”
“Yes.”
“Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Lucinda Whitaker.”
Owen brought her hand near his lips but did not kiss her. It felt like betraying Selena to do so. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, Owen. What has happened to you?”
To use his name so familiarly meant a certain level of intimacy. Owen’s heart dropped. Had they been lovers? The panic must have shown on his face.
Lucinda smirked. “Are you remembering something, your lordship?”
“No, but I fear the worst.”
She stepped closer. “On the contrary. You said I was one of the best.”
He swallowed the bile that had come up the back of his throat. Here it was, plain as day, proof of his infidelity. Part of him prayed it was not true. But this woman had sauntered up to him, in plain sight of everyone, as if proud of what they had shared.
Lucinda closed the space between them. “I’m sure some time with me could refresh your memories.”
Owen’s stomach twisted in knots. The lady had no qualms about propositioning him in the middle of a ball, in front of half the county. If she was acting so brazen, how had he behaved in the past? Had he flaunted his affairs in front of Selena?
Once again, he searched for his wife. There she was, standing in a corner with two other ladies. Their gazes met. Selena’s gaze then focused on Lucinda. Was her glass shaking? That was all the confirmation Owen needed to know that it was true. He had been intimate with Lucinda Whitaker. He watched Selena turn to her companions, say something, then walk away, but not toward him. In fact, she went in the opposite direction. He had to go to her.
Lucinda stretched out a hand toward him, but Owen pulled his arm away. “Let her go, Owen. You always said she was like a limp rag in bed.”
“Do not speak about my wife in that manner.” He barely got the words out through gritted teeth. “Whatever you and I may have had in the past, it will not be revisited. Now, if you would excuse me.”
Owen headed in the direction Selena had gone. He would make her see that the only woman he wanted to be with was her.
