Something Old, Rebecca Connolly [ebook reader for laptop TXT] 📗

a natural inclination that hardly seemed to require effort on his part. It simply was, and simply grew, and simply stayed.

What could he do about it, then?

“I see Julia,” Lily told him as they started around the edge of the room. “Will you take me there?”

“I’d take you anywhere short of a billiard room, my dear,” he replied through barely moving lips. “Where is she?”

Lily’s thumb brushed his hand gently. “Near the French doors. She looks lovely, that gown is the color of the most beautiful sea.”

“I cannot see any beauty but you, so I shall take your word for it.”

She glanced up at him. “I thought you were going to struggle with words, Thomas. You seem to be doing just fine for my ears.”

He laughed once, giving her a sidelong look. “That is because you and I are managing to speak privately before we reach any companions or can be overheard.”

“So if I were to remain by your side all evening…”

“You would hear all sorts of things, and it would undoubtedly be a shorter evening than originally planned.”

He caught sight of her difficulty swallowing, which sent a shot of primal approval streaking through his body. A shorter evening than originally planned sounded rather perfect, come to think.

“Aren’t you a vision?” Mrs. Roskelley’s voice chimed, breaking through Thomas’s heated haze of the moment.

His eyesight veered enough for him to see the woman, and, admittedly, acknowledge that she did look rather fine, the brilliant blue-green color of silk giving her copper hair a more vibrant appearance than even its already natural brilliance. Her smile of greeting was warm and welcoming, which settled Thomas’s irritation enough to return it.

“I believe I pale in comparison to you, Julia,” Lily returned with her usual demurral.

Julia looked utterly bewildered by the comment. “How could you? You have something of a portrait of seraphims about you, while I simply look as myself.”

“No, not at all!” Lily protested.

“Ladies, ladies…” Thomas interrupted with as much boasting as a gentleman could safely exude. “Your modesty becomes you both, but I must intervene. You are both exquisite examples of feminine beauty and looking more beautiful than I have ever seen you, which I had not thought possible.”

Mrs. Roskelley laughed merrily, tossing her head back and waving her fan in a steady cadence. “Very gallant, Mr. Granger, and an effective end to a silly argument between us. Would you be so good as to watch for my husband tonight and keep his losses at the gaming tables to a minimum? He’s a good soul, but he does so hate losing, which leads him to keep playing, and keep losing, and…” She sighed, smiling still. “Be a dear, and help rein him in?”

Thomas bowed politely. “Of course, Mrs. Roskelley. I know something of the temptations of the lady of luck, so I understand all too clearly. If I witness excesses, I shall bring your husband out to the dance floor and force him to dance three dances in a row without breath in between.”

She laughed again, and he nodded, turning his attention to Lily and bringing her hand to his lips, lingering longer than he ought. “If it will be permitted, I would greatly love a dance with you this evening.”

“You may have any of them,” she replied with bright eyes. “All of them, if not too scandalous.”

“When we burn?” He laughed a little, kissing her hand once more. “Nothing could be more scandalous. One dance will do, and one dance might be all I can stand.” He bowed to her, then turned from the group of ladies before he would draw comment on his attention to his wife.

And now to turn his attention to safer grounds, if more tepid ones, and find something better to do with his time than pine away.

The music began to strike up, and lines formed as dancers moved to the center of the room. From the number of them, it would appear that Trembath had managed all of the respectable Society in the area and some additional besides. No doubt numbers had come in from the surrounding areas, any and all eager to be linked in some way to the established Trembath family. Plenty of young ladies likely sought Trembath’s hand, though it would not easily be given, and Thomas had no doubt the men wished to better their acquaintance with him and further their own prospects.

It had to be exhausting to be expected of such great things from so many. Thomas suddenly felt exceedingly grateful that his prospects had only ever been moderate. Respectable, but moderate. Even Lily’s parents had only accepted his suit for her due to their connection to him and the promise of improving his prospects.

Thank heavens he had improved them, else they might have regretted the connection. Not that it would have done anything to the marriage or the connection, but they could have done significant damage to his reputation. Also to his benefit, they were distance parents who considered marrying off their daughters as a completion of their parental duties.

But what did any of this have to do with his present feelings and situation?

He needed a drink, if he could find one in this place. Ideally, he’d remain in the ballroom so that he could continue to be distracted and tormented by his wife, and, if he were so fortunate, provide a little distraction and torment for her as well.

“Oh, good, you’re already here.”

Thomas turned with a smile for their host, who seemed a trifle strained by something or other. “Trembath, good evening. It would appear you have a rather good gathering.”

Trembath made a noncommittal sound of acknowledgement. “Do I? Marvelous.” He took a long drink of a glass he held, instantly drawing Thomas’s attention and envy.

“Where might a man get such a drink?” he asked his host at once.

“From me.” He crooked two fingers in the air, and a footman appeared with a tray carrying several glasses of the same. He gestured for Thomas to take one, which he did.