Barrington's gaze snapped to his, and there was a moment where he was certain he would say something, then he perhaps thought better of it in front of so many friends.
"Of course, I am neglecting my guests." He momentarily turned back to Elyse, a cool expression on his face. "You will change into something more... suitable," he told her, then added, "I expect you to do as I ask." He turned abruptly and stalked back across the great hall, leaving them at the edge of the room.
She knew Jerrold had a reputation for being forceful with business associates, but this was far different, and she was stunned by his cruelty.
Zach fought to bring his own anger under control. He'd spoken out of turn, and he knew it, but that didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the wounded expression on her face that tore at him.
"I repeat what I said before—you are stunning. And Barrington is a fool."
Her hue had darkened with emotion. "I have no idea why everyone making such a fuss?" Her voice trembled slightly, but more from anger. "I thought it would be such a wonderful surprise." The surprise had been at Jerrold's outburst to the point of cruelty.
"Do you have a handkerchief?" Zach asked her as she blinked back tears.
She gave her head an angry toss. "I'm not crying."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that," Zach announced.
Why was she even discussing this with him? But before she could point out that it was none of his business, he grabbed a glass of brandy from the tray of a passing servant.
"It doesn't seem the best way to begin a marriage," he commented. "By the way, why are you marrying Barrington?" He held out the tumbler to her. "You're not at all suited for one another. You have too passionate a nature."
Passionate? She took a sip of the brandy.
"In answer to the first part, it doesn't concern you. In answer to your question, that doesn't concern you either. And as for your opinion about Jerrold... " She hesitated. If she was being perfectly honest with herself, St. James wasn't the first person to make that comment. Lucy had said the very same thing.
She'd dismissed it at the time. Still, it was odd that both St. James and her dearest friend had said the same thing about Jerrold.
"And my observations about your passionate nature?" he asked.
She refused to meet his gaze. "You're wrong about that too."
He reached up, his fingers warm beneath the curve of her chin as he forced her to look at him. "I'm wrong." His expression was no longer gently teasing. "I remember a very passionate creature in my bed two nights ago."
She bit back several comments, deciding that ignoring him was undoubtedly the safest course at this point. She didn't need to draw any more attention to herself. "You're mistaken."
"Am I? Let me refresh your memory." He traced her full bottom lip with his thumb and was rewarded by a faint tremble and the subtle change of color in her eyes.
She'd been embarrassed before an entire roomful of people; Jerrold was furious with her. His father would probably never speak to her again for reasons she couldn't begin to understand, and now this pompous fool was reminding her of something she would much rather forget. Worse still, she couldn't deny the pleasure that simple contact caused. She bit his thumb.
Zach's reaction was immediate. His other hand closed around her wrist, the hand with the wounded thumb, obviously not seriously wounded, slipped around her waist. He pulled her into the shadows of the shadows where the hundreds of candles in the great room failed to reach. She gasped at the contact with his lean, hard body.
"Did I ever tell you about my methods for taking revenge?" His gray gaze bore into hers.
"I don't believe we discussed that," she replied breathlessly.
A smile spread across his lips. "For revenge against being wounded I expect to be paid in triplicate."
"Three times?" Ridiculous for an injured thumb, she thought as she wedged her hands between them.
The last thing she needed was for one of Jerrold's guests to pass by and find her with the St. James. Or worse yet, that Jerrold would return.
"It makes the satisfaction so much greater."
He was serious! Elyse stared at him. Did he actually mean that he intended to bite her three times? She would have hardly any fingers left.
"Right now you're wondering if that means I intend to bite you as you bit me."
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not thinking anything of the sort." He was close, too close. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek.
