Worth had his hand on the back of Hester’s chair as she spoke to him, forefinger lightly trailing along her spine.
How had he not seen that Hester had a spectacular, swanlike slope of neck? Delicate shoulders? He’d been so intent on kissing her last night that he’d paid little attention to the rest of her lithe form, save the rosy pink of her nipples.
God, those perfect pink tipped breasts.
Drew took a sip of his wine, gaze never leaving Hester, wanting to taste those tiny peaks. Roll the tips between his teeth. The sheen of the gown made Hester’s skin glow, every rustle of her skirts when she shifted in her chair inducing Drew to murder his best friend and future business partner.
Notable, Drew mused, while taking another swallow of wine, how possessive a man could become over a woman he hadn’t even tupped. Barely kissed. One he was actively attempting to force from her home. He wasn’t even sure helikedHester.
Worth tilted his head, grazing the side of Hester’s cheek with his nose. An accident, his friend would protest, if she objected to such intimacy.
Hester did not. She smiled.
Drew gripped his fork tighter. As a weapon, it wouldn’t be very useful against Worth, who was good with a sword. Besides, he liked Worth better than either Grout or Phalen.
You could just go to Jordan for the partnership funds.
Yes, he could. It was becoming more apparent by the day that he should do exactly that, but ironically enough, he was as stubborn as Hester. He didn’t want to go to his brother.
Part of the coal at Dunnings is yours.
Yes, but that felt too easy. He’d wanted to do this on his own.
Drew growled into his wine. He amused himself by tracing the line of Hester’s mulish jaw with his eyes, longing to take hold of the bit of copper dangling from her simple coiffure. He realized that was where she’d been yesterday, off purchasing this dress so she could seduce Worth into perhaps convincing Drew to keep her on as land manager. Or perhaps inducing him to purchase Blackbird Heath himself.
He’d given Hester the bloody idea.
The more Drew considered it, the more likely that was Hester’s game. The seduction of Worth, which would present little challenge, to secure Blackbird Heath. That abundance of copper hair would spill over her naked body with those perfect breasts. For Worth.
The goblet of wine in his hand slammed down on the table, sloshing a bit of the liquid over the sides. Inviting his friends to the country had been a terrible idea.
When he first met Worth, Drew had still been at Dunnings, making a decent living playing cards, attending house parties and seducing widows. The pair had bonded during several games of vingt-un, most of which Drew won. He had envied Worth many things over the course of their friendship: his family’s wealth. Pedigree. Status. But tonight, he was jealous of the easy way Hester shared a small joke with Worth. She regarded his friend, not with dislike, but true interest.
Even after he’d kissed her, Hester had never looked at him like that.
Another rumble came from his chest. Perhaps he shouldn’t have any more wine.
Constance was batting her lashes in his direction, bored to tears with Grout and Phalen and wanting Drew’s attention. She posed artfully, displaying her generous bosom. Smiled, promising all sorts of delights.
Nothing moved inside Drew. Certainly not his cock.
Pouting at his disinterest, Constance turned back to Grout.
Hester leaned just slightly in Drew’s direction, challenge and determination written all over her striking features. Not beautiful like Constance, but all the more intriguing for it. And it had nothing to do with the color of her hair. Slender and lithe. Strong. Muscular arms and thighs from days spent in hard work. Hands calloused but hidden tonight beneath gloves. Hester’s attractiveness was that of a horse not yet broken because no one had yet attempted to do so.
Drew desired her more with each passing moment and yet, he’d sent her straight into Worth’s arms. How far would she go to secure his aid?
The thought didn’t sit well with Drew, nor had anything else since kissing Hester last night.
When the simple meal of roasted chicken, potatoes, carrots, and turnip greens ended, the table was cleared for cards. More wine was brought up from the basement and flowed into the glasses strewn across the table.
“Mrs. Black, you’ll join us for cards, won’t you?” Drew addressed her from the head of the table. It was the first time during the entire meal he’d spoken to her directly. He expected her to decline. Hester had a natural aversion to gambling thanks to her father and Joshua Black.
“I—” Her cheeks flushed. “I’m afraid I’ve never played. I don’t wish to ruin everyone else’s evening.”
“Don’t trouble yourself, Mrs. Black. I’ll help you. We’ll be partners.” Worth inched closer to her. “I’ll teach you as we go along.” His arm brushed along hers.
Charming bastard.Drew’s fingers pressed into the tablecloth.
