Which was why attending the Duke of Sinbrough’s masquerade was so out of character for her. She didn’t regret that decision and would happily do it again, or rather…she’d gladly spend the evening in the Duke of Carrington’s arms. That didn’t mean she would offer herself to him. She just didn’t regret her decision to have that one night with him. One night of decadent pleasure was enough. She hoped it was enough… Her mind kept rolling over that night and what he’d made her feel.
Her body heated at the mere thought of the things he’d done with his mouth. Eden had never known it could be like that with a man. Her husband hadn’t made her feel that way. She had never enjoyed the marital act. Perhaps that was the difference. Lovers didn’t have responsibilities such as securing heirs and estates to maintain. They could enjoy their interludes. She may be wrong, but what if she wasn’t? Just another reason to never say vows and tie herself to a union that was destined to fail.
“Isn’t this grand?” Roslyn said, exhilaration filling her tone. She had just finished dancing with the Earl of Havenfield. He was not a good choice as a husband, and later she’d tell Roslyn as much. He was a worse reprobate than William had ever been, and to make matters worse, he was also a fortune hunter. She’d heard from a reliable source he’d gambled the last of his income away and was now desperate for a wife to fill his coffers once again. That unfortunate lady would not be Roslyn.
“Quite,” she answered in a dry tone. “I’m glad you’re finding it entertaining.” Eden certainly hadn’t. “Have you filled your dance card?”
Roslyn lifted it so Eden could view it. She frowned. The card was indeed filled, and most of those names were not gentlemen she would recommend to her impressionable charge. One stood out more than the others, though. She hadn’t realized he was even in attendance. “I see the Duke of Carrington is finally going to have that dance he wanted with you.” She wasn’t certain how she felt about that development. Was the duke hoping to secure a match with Roslyn? That certainly would make family gatherings a tad uncomfortable.
“Yes,” she grinned. “Though he is disappointed that it isn’t a waltz. He arrived too late to have his pick.”
“I’m sure he’ll manage a quadrille just as well as the waltz.” He had been marvelous at the latter. She’d floated in his arms. It made her wonder if there was anything the man was terrible at. “Is there any specific gentleman that has caught your attention?”
Roslyn shook her head. “No.” She glanced away at that. Was there a gentleman she wanted to spend more time with? “No one to speak about yet.”
Eden narrowed her gaze. “Later, we will discuss some of those men on your dance card. This is not the place, but promise me you won’t be alone with any of them. Do not make a decision you will regret later.”
Roslyn nodded. “Don’t worry,” she said in a carefree tone. “I know to be careful.” She frowned. “I am already living with my brother’s mistakes. I do not need to compound my difficulties with some of my own.”
It was a sad fact, but Eden couldn’t deny it any more than Roslyn could. They were not outright snubbed, but she couldn’t ignore the whispers that they many of the ton failed to hide. Perhaps they didn’t mean to. They gossiped about her and Roslyn whenever they made an appearance. She had been privy to some of the harshest gossip and she was nearly certain they had meant for her to overhear it.
What was wrong with her, and why did her husband stray?
Was Roslyn as scandalous as her brother?
Would her son grow up to be a reprobate, like his father?
There were so many rumors going around and none of the speculation was favorable. If Roslyn wasn’t so determined to marry, Eden would happily stay home for the rest of her days. She didn’t need to be a part of society. They had nothing useful to offer her. Hurt was their currency of choice and it was a price she would not willingly pay.
“It is wise that you recognize that.” She nodded toward a gentleman approaching them. He was just as horrid as Lord Havenfield. “I believe your next dance partner is coming to fetch you.” At least this dance wasn’t a waltz either. The Earl of Coldwater was as frigid as his name implied. He might not be a rake, but he was rumored to be mean…likely the type to beat his wife and children if the mood struck him. “Be careful,” she told Roslyn.
“He will not harm me in the middle of the dance floor,” Roslyn chided. “You should lighten up a little and dance, too. You don’t belong on the edge of the floor watching as everyone else has fun.”
“I’m not a young deb,” she replied in a soft tone. “I’ve already been married, became a mother, then a widow. I don’t want to repeat any of that.” Her life was fine as it was, and she had no desire to make any momentous changes to it.
Roslyn tilted her head to the side. “I hope you change your mind. I wish you happiness. My brother didn’t deserve you, but some man out there does. Don’t close yourself off when you have so much you could have.”
Eden didn’t have a chance to respond. Lord Coldwater reached them and held out his arm to Roslyn. She looped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her to the floor. She watched the dance and became lost in thought. So lost she hadn’t realized when someone came to stand beside her.
“Do you think that is wise?” a man said, startling her back to reality.
She turned toward him and inhaled sharply. How could he possibly become more handsome every time she saw him? “Your Grace,” she greeted him. “To what are you referring to?” She lifted a brow.
“Allowing her to dance with Coldwater?” He gestured toward the dance floor. “Or are you not aware of his…proclivities.”
Eden frowned. “Should you be speaking with me about such things?” She didn’t understand this man. “Are not ladies kept in the dark about things that our ears cannot handle?”
He narrowed his gaze and studied her. “Not if she expects to be a proper chaperone to innocents. You may not speak about it, but you should still be aware of it.”
“And how would one become aware of something if we do not discuss it?” She tilted her head to the side. “Do gentlemen realize the conundrum they create for ladies when they make dictates such as that one?”
Eden was tired of all of the rules that men made for women. She wished she didn’t have to follow any of them. Unfortunately, she was part of society and she had to remain a lady in good standing. If she were alone in the world, she might not care, but she had her son, and Roslyn, to consider. For them alone, she held her tongue and kept herself from doing something scandalous. Well, something scandalous she might be caught doing, anyway. It was too late to prevent herself from going to that masquerade and taking a lover. Did he recognize her? She stared up at him and got her answer. If he remembered that night, remembered her, he wouldn’t be so nonchalant with her.
His lips quirked. “You amuse me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad I could be your entertainment for the evening, your grace.” Eden lifted her hand to her chest and exclaimed, “It’s my sole purpose in life to be amusing. Only for you.”
He laughed. It was a rich throaty laugh that sent shivers down her spine and tingles in all her lady parts. The duke had laughed with her that night. It was one of the things she loved most about it. He’d played with her, gave her pleasure, and made the entire interlude memorable, and yes, enjoyable. Damn him for reminding her. “Your wit and sarcasm are duly noted.” He gestured once more to the dance floor. “But I am quite serious. He’s not a good man.”
