Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

" S eraphina," Peggy hissed from behind her.

She turned to face her friend with a strained smile. "Can it wait? Tessa is just getting to the climax."

Peggy smiled and leaned back in her chair.

"Of course. Apologies." She turned to stare studiously at Tessa, her lips pursed in annoyance.

Seraphina turned around to face the front to the sigh.

Gerald turned to face her, his brow quirked. "Something the matter?" he asked softly.

She shook her head, giving him a reassuring smile. He reached out and squeezed her hand, and they both turned their attention back to the stage.

Tessa finished her set to raucous applause, and the guests began to scatter, seeking to refresh themselves in various ways.

Seraphina hurried towards her sister, a smile on her face seeking to congratulate her.

Mr. Larson got there first, however, grabbing Tessa's hand and kissing it enthusiastically. Seraphina paused, enjoying the scene. She felt someone come up to her and turned to see Lord Ruebridge, also smiling at the couple.

"They do make a most handsome couple, don't they?" he said.

Seraphina nodded. "I am loath to agree with you about anything, except that."

Ruebridge laughed. "Calm yourself. I know how to take rejection and submit gracefully to defeat."

"I pray you don't look at it like that, for there was no competition and nothing to be won."

He inclined his head to her. "You speak truth, Your Grace. Alas, for I would have loved to win your heart."

She couldn't help but laugh and shake her head. "You are incorrigible, Lord Ruebridge."

He gave her a look of entreaty. "Even now in my heartbreak you will not call me Nicholas?"

She let out an amused breath, conceding defeat. "Very well, Nicholas . And only because your heart is broken."

He put a hand to his chest and gave her a little bow. "Thank you."

She nodded to him.

"Now, I must move away from you before your husband throws me inside the Thames."

Seraphina glanced at Gerard and found him looking back a frown on his face; indeed, it looked like an expression a man would take before tossing another into a river.

She gave her husband a little wave, and he nodded curtly back before turning away.

"Your Grace, I did not expect to find you on your own. If I were your wife, I would never leave your side."

Gerard turned to find the dowager viscountess of Stanton smiling coyly at him. He could not imagine why she was speaking to him so familiarly, since they barely knew each other.

"Lady Stanton," he said with a bow. "How gracious of you to attend our little musicale." He gestured around them, "My wife put it all together, you know. I'm sure you understand how rigorous hostess duties are. She cannot only pay attention to her husband."

Her lashes fluttered, and her lips pursed in what Gerard could only conclude was annoyance.

"Well for such a busy hostess, she seems to have quite a bit of time to lark about with the Earl of Ruebridge. Or does that not bother you?" she challenged.

"Why would it? He is one of our guests, is he not? And I do believe his brother is courting my sister-in-law. Of course she would be friendly with him," Gerard said coldly.

He did not like what the dowager was trying to imply. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Of course, Your Grace. Now, I am certain you have many guests to attend to as well, so I'll take my leave," she said and with a curtsy, she scuttled away.

With a huff of annoyance, Gerard turned and made his way to the table; dinner was about to be served.

As everyone took their places—servants silently placing plates in front of each guest and pouring wine—the orchestra began to perform.

Seraphina was deeply regretting not making place settings for everyone since she found herself sitting next to Peggy. Seraphina's breath was taken away by her audacity and her pressing questions about her marriage, but she elected to ignore Peggy, in favor of watching the performance and eating her food.

It is high time I cut her out of my circle of acquaintances , she thought to herself as she watched the show.

Her eyes slid over to Gerard to see how he was doing. She had not forgotten his threat—or rather, his promise—to punish her for leaving his bed without informing him.

Does he mean to administer it tonight, or some other time?

She squirmed a little bit in her seat knowing fully well when she would prefer. It would barely be one past midnight at the latest by the time the musicale was done. She hoped he wouldn't be too tired.

After dinner, the beautiful Madame Magnolia took to the stage. Her voice was haunting and ethereal, evoking visions of longing and love as she crooned the night away.

The company stayed at the table, enjoying a digestif as the music washed over them. One by one, couples got to their feet so that they could dance to the music.

Seraphina looked across at Gerard and he smiled before getting to his feet and walking around the table to her side.

He bowed over her hand. "May I have this dance?"

She nodded, getting to her feet.

They waltzed around the room staring into each other's eyes as Madame Magnolia sang plaintively of love and loss.

As they moved in tandem across the floor, Gerard's hand pressed firmly into Seraphina's lower back, pulling her body close against his with a commanding grip.

His voice was a dark, almost predatory whisper as he spoke, "There's nothing I cherish more than having you completely under my control like this."

Seraphina's breath caught, "And why is that?"

Gerard's lips brushed against her ear, his words a low, sultry murmur. "Because it's a reminder that you're mine—every inch of you. The way you respond to me, the way you fit perfectly in my arms… it's all mine to command."

Her gaze met his with desire. "Show me then. Make it impossible for me to think of anything but you."

Gerard's grip tightened, his tone dropping to a dangerous growl.

"Good," he said, his eyes dark and fierce. "Because I want you to remember who you belong to."

Heavens, he knew exactly what to say to rattle her. If it were not for her sister, she would whisper in his ear to sweep her off the dance floor, upstairs to their chambers, and bend her over the nearest surface.

But alas, she had to contain herself. For now.

As he returned her to her seat, she noticed that Peggy's seat was empty.

Curious as to who the widow might be dancing with, she glanced back onto the dance floor but could not see the dowager viscountess anywhere.

"Have you seen Lady Stanton?" she asked Gerard.

He looked around with a frown and shook his head. "Perhaps she left."

Seraphina pointed to Peggy's chair. "Without saying goodbye? Certainly not. Besides, that's her shawl."

Gerard shrugged. "Well, then I have no idea where she is."

"Mm," Seraphina said with a shrug of her own, "Sit with me then, would you?"

"I would be happy to," Gerard said.

As they sat, Seraphina was suddenly struck with shyness. She felt like a blushing bride meeting her groom for the first time and not knowing what to say to him.

Beneath the table, Gerard took her hand in his and squeezed.

He leaned close to her. "I cannot wait for this to be over so I can take you to bed. I owe you a punishment."

Seraphina shivered. "Yes, I remember."

"What kind of music is this anyway?" Lord Astor complained from the other side of Gerard.

They both jumped, having forgotten that they were not alone.

"What's wrong with it?" Gerard asked.

"Bah. In my day, we had proper singers," his uncle said.

Gerard and Seraphina exchanged glances.

Seraphina leaned forward so she could talk to Erasmus. "I'm sorry it's not up to your standards Lord Astor. Next time, perhaps you can furnish me with the name of a performer who is more to your liking."

He grunted resentfully. "Best not to have another one."

"Mmm, that's a tall order. Perhaps you can absent yourself from the next one," Gerard chimed in.

Erasmus gave him a sharp look and frowned.

"Perhaps I will," he said sulkily.

Seraphina looked up and saw Peggy walking over to them. She frowned, wondering what was different about the dowager viscountess.

"Lady Stanton," she said, "where were you?"

The widow jerked in a strange way and then gave a strained smile and a shrug. "I had to powder my face."

Seraphina frowned. "All right."

She indicated Gerard's former seat. "I hope you don't mind that His Grace took your seat. You can take his."

Peggy nodded. "That is perfectly fine," she said taking the seat. "I'm sure you and His Grace have a lot to talk about."

Seraphina quirked an eyebrow. "Indeed." She stared at Peggy.

The other woman seemed lost, and Seraphina found that she felt a bit sorry for her.

"Would you like to come to tea next week?" she blurted then her own eyes widened as she surprised herself with the invitation.

Peggy's face lit up. "I would love to."

"Good," Seraphina said mutely, picking up her glass of port and downing it.

Why did I say that?

She realized that she could not retract her invitation, so she smiled. "I look forward to it."