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He canted his head, studying her. “Yes.”
“I daresay you have never spoken to me long enough to know who I am, Edmond. Perhaps we should change that.”
That was another stab in the dark, and given the quick frown marring his brows, Ester ascertained she had pierced accurately.
“I am a busy man.”
“Oh?”
An indifferent shadow dropped over his expression. “Inform Lucien I will meet with him later to discuss the books and some investment opportunities.”
Estertsked. “You shall meet with him tomorrow. I have…need of my darling husband this night.” She saucily winked. “I am sure you know my meaning.”
Edmond reared back as if she had planted him a mean facer, and this time he stared at her as if she were a creature. “I believe I misheard.”
“You did not.” Ester chuckled. “Oh, dear, I’ve truly alarmed you. The gentleman the scandal sheets recently called theprince of sin. I thought it such an amusing and scandalous moniker. Were they merely speculating?”
“You are rather interesting tonight, Mrs. Glendevon.”
“I amalwaysinteresting.”
His gaze narrowed thoughtfully.
Ester realized she might have prodded too far. “If you will excuse me, I shall join my darling below stairs. I bid you a good evening, Edmond.”
He bowed respectfully, and she sallied away, acutely aware of his burning stare on her shoulders, the swirl of sensations low in her belly, and a thrill she had not felt for months bubbling in her heart.
She paused on the staircase, gripping the railing.Nay, I have never felt this way in all my life.How truly astounding, all from an encounter they would likely forget in a few days. Pushing thoughts of the eldest Glendevon from her mind, she rushed down the stairs, determined to hurry and make her escape.
CHAPTER3
Should there be an afterlife when someone went on to their rewards, Edmond Glendevon was surely going to hell. His heart jerked too damn fast, his cock ached something fierce, and a fiery heat had settled low into his belly, all for the woman sensually walking away from him—his brother’s wife. Edmond wanted to roar his denial at the betrayal. His chest felt as if shards of ice pierced him, and he fisted his hands at his side until they damn well pained him.
What the hell had just happened?
For a raw moment, he had felt such want for that woman. Why it happened, he could not say. Eleanor Fairbanks had been married to his brother for almost a year, and Edmond had never once felt anything but a mild sort of appreciation and admiration for his lovely sister-in-law. She made Lucien happy. Indescribably so. Edmond loved her because his brother loved her, and Edmond had made her a part of his family like she had been his own sister. When he now planned his investment portfolio and the future, he considered the portion to make available for her and any niece and nephew he might have. Simply put, she was his new sister.
Yet just now, his heart had rattled inside his chest, and when she smiled, his eyes had been stuck on her mouth.Her damn mouth!And for an unforgivable moment, the provoking image of pressing his lips to hers had seared through his thoughts.
Something niggled at his senses, digging and prodding at him until he followed her downstairs and into the large ballroom instead of retreating to his study.Do not follow, he silently berated. Edmond forced his feet to stop, and from the upper bowers, he peered downward until he found her. As she observed those dancing, her eyes glittered with mysterious thrill, and a lush smile curved her mouth. She drifted toward the door as if she would leave, and Edmond glanced around, searching for his brother.
When he turned his regard back to her, a gentleman had placed his hand on her elbow. Something cold leaped into his veins.
Where the hell was Lucien?
Cutting a swath through the crowd, Edmond made his way to her in time to see the man lowering his hand and smiling sheepishly.
“Never touch me again, my good sir, or I shall do more than stomp on your shin!”
Edmond swallowed his chuckle when the young baron scampered away.
“I see you do not need rescuing, Mrs. Glendevon.”
Surprise flared in her eyes before her incredibly long lashes swept down and veiled her expression.
“Of course not. I have four brothers who taught me how to plant a mean facer. I have even started to learn to fence in recent times. I am looking forward to a vigorous bout tomorrow.”
He lowered his gaze to her belly. “Is that exercise safe for the little one?”
