Truthfully, he was uncertain as to the reception he would receive in Vanessa’s company. He was loath to face the same skittish behavior she directed toward Mr. Wilmot. It would twist his soul to endure such a reception from her, as was his due. Why had he played the incontinent fool last evening and given in to his temptations? He was not some callow schoolboy.
His thoughts churned, and he remembered her pliant body in his arms. After her initial shock, she’d succumbed willingly to his kiss, reveling in it as much as he. Why? She never accepted Wilmot’s clumsy, arrogant machinations. Why had she responded to him? Was it possible that she felt a modicum of feeling for him? She’d spoken of the pull between them. He’d recognize the feeling within himself but had not realized, and in truth verily denied, that she should feel likewise. Was it so unheard of? Could he now be chosen over Trevor? The questions reverberated in his mind as he paced the canal, searching for peace and answers.
Finally, drained from the efforts of a virtually sleepless night, he made his way back to the plantation house to seek out the company, stoically preparing himself for rejection but feeling he had to see Vanessa again.
The servants directed him to a corner of the property where the vegetation resembled a forest glade versus the ubiquitous swamp. The little party he sought was encamped on blankets under the shade of a large tree. They were all laughing and looking up to where Trevor’s six-year-old son was swinging from a thick branch, and little Mary sat in the crook of two massive limbs. Adeline stood beneath her, urging her to climb down, but the little girl just shook her head defiantly, inviting Adeline to join her.
Vanessa urged her sister to climb the tree, her face alight with mischief. Hugh saw Adeline steadfastly shake her head, a false frown remonstrating her sister for making the suggestion. As he drew near, Hugh heard Trevor add his voice to Vanessa’s and offer to give her a boost. Laughing, Adeline acquiesced, and Trevor gave her a leg up onto a low branch of the tree.
Adeline swung her legs and chatted animatedly with Mary. Hugh saw her sweep her arm wide to indicate the view, her gaze following a moment later, catching sight of him on the path.
“Mr. Talverton!” she called.
Vanessa swung around, a deep rose blush staining her cheeks. Deliberately she looked away, unable to maintain eye contact with him lest she show where her heart lay.
Hugh understandably interpreted her action as rejection. He would have turned on his heel if Trevor were not approaching him and the children not screaming with delight.
Reluctantly, he joined in their merriment. Alex dropped to the ground and ran to his side, tucking a trusting hand in his arm. Mary squealed and called for him to help her down. Laughing more freely now, he pinched her cheeks and lifted her off the branch.
“Help Miss Adeline, too,” the young girl instructed with a curiously grown-up presence.
He bowed over her hand. “It shall be my pleasure,” he promised earnestly. But when he turned to face Adeline, Trevor’s hands were already on her waist as he gently helped her down. Hugh frowned darkly when he noted his friend’s hands resting longer than was seemly in polite company. Embarrassed for Vanessa, he cleared his throat loudly.
Adeline and Trevor looked over at him but just laughed. Vanessa’s face bore a curious expression of serenity. Curious, because it was not a typical emotion for her. She felt things swiftly and heavily, with all emotions registering on the canvas of her face. Because of her usually mobile features, it was odd that she should sit so still and not display her feelings. He was sure she could not have observed the scene with quite the serenity she was showing.
“Feeling better now?” Trevor asked, his arm still around Adeline. His smile was hearty as it had been earlier that morning.
“I was,” he muttered darkly, his brows drawing forward again. How could his friend treat Vanessa in this fashion, ignoring her and reserving his attention for another woman?
If Vanessa could not come to love Trevor, then it would be on that gentleman’s head. If Trevor did not appreciate her, then damn it,hecertainly did, and he was not about to let any man give her slipshod treatment.
Trevor’s arm slipped from the small of Adeline’s back. He came toward his friend, smiling ruefully. “What ails you, Hugh? You are as blue as megrim.”
“It is not what ails me, it is what ails you,” came Hugh’s acid rider, putting his back to the ladies and children so they might be spared his righteous anger.
Trevor’s eyebrows snapped together. “Don’t stand on points with me. Quit behaving like a Tragedy Jack and tell me what has you by the tail,” he said with asperity.
“Your behavior,” Hugh ground out.
“My behavior?”
“Your behavior toward your intended is deplorable.”
“What?”
“The bonds of affection we share are strained by your unprincipled actions.”
The glint of sharpening anger showed in Trevor’s eyes. “Now see here, Talverton,” he said, maintaining a bare degree of civility, “my intended and I have a comfortable understanding, and I’ll thank you to keep out of our affairs.”
The gentlemen’s rising tones captured the attention of Adeline and Vanessa. They exchanged worried glances.
“Let’s go see what different wildflowers you may find for me,” Adeline hurriedly suggested to the children, leading them away.
Vanessa rose from her seat on the blanket and took a step nearer Hugh and Trevor, a concerned frown pulling at her features.
“Understanding—is that the best you have to offer a wife?”
“I repeat, what I offer is not of your concern,” Trevor answered tightly, his face flushing.
