Shewasn’t what he was expecting.
Was Onora being willfully obtuse, or was this belligerence due to whatever she’d been imbibing? She always had been ahandful, more inclined to argue with him than anything else, but he thought they’d made a true connection.
It’s obvious she’s in two minds, and that means she’s considering going ahead with Seton. So this is how it ends, over before it has begun: a fling before she steps into her role as Marchioness of Seton.
Shakily, Jack got to his feet.
He didn’t trust these people with whom she was casting in her lot, but he couldn’t keep arguing with Onora.
He wanted someone who chose him as much as he did them.
CHAPTER 19
Who did Jack Balfour think he was, telling her what to do and how to do it! The audacity! As if all he had to do was fall upon one knee and she’d agree to marry him! Then, when she’d pointed out the holes in his plan, he’d taken umbrage and rushed out—running away because she wasn’t doing as he wanted her to.
Heaven knew, Onora had her reservations about Seton, but at least he was offering something tangible.
As the setting of the sun approached, she joined the other women in the lantern-strung courtyard. She and Madame Auvray werenot the only ones wearing wigs and serpent diadems, for each of the women was identically costumed. To her surprise, a sixth was among them whom Onora could not identify. There was no opportunity to remark upon it, however, for they were soon setting off, crossing the gardens barefooted.
There more lights had been laid out and, down by the water, four musicians sat cross-legged, playing a haunting melody, adding very much to the atmosphere.
Near touching the horizon the sun was a swollen, fiery orb, descending rapidly, washing all in softly coppered hues, making the river shimmer golden and gilding the rugged cliffs.
The men waited, dressed in sarong-style skirts in the same deep blue as the flowing gowns worn by each of the women. Shockingly, their chests were bare but for a large collar encircling their shoulders, woven from reeds and bearing the adornment of a snake.
Seton stepped forward, claiming her hand, leading heraway to the very edge of the water. Never had she seen him in any state of undress. His torso was finely muscled, covered by a scattering of hair, and his abdomen bore a trail of the same, down to where his lean stomach met the blue linen wrap.
The sight was not unattractive but it made her think of Jack, and how she’d caressed him there, and lower…
Do not think of it!
Remembering how bold she’d been, she felt remorse; yet it had seemed natural at the time.
“I’ve been thinking of you every hour since we parted. I am forgiven, I hope.” Seton’s gaze searched hers.
Looking into those steely, gray eyes, she wanted to believe he was sincere, that her happiness mattered to him.
“Toast with me: to our future as man and wife.” From a table close by, he raised two long-stemmed glasses, passing one to Onora.
She didn’t have the strength to fight him; not tonight. It was far more alluring to drinkhis champagne and enjoy the beauty of the desert twilight.
Most of all, she didn’t want to think about Jack Balfour.
The birds’ last calls fell, hushed with the darkening sky. Then, as if the day had never been, night rushed in, wrapping all in a seductive cloak of violet-black, and there was no light but the thin silver of the rising moon.
Sounds of merriment drifted upon the cooling air and Seton was beside her, but Onora had never felt more alone. Everything was remote—Oxford and her aunts as distant as some far-flung star. As if watching from some other place, no longer part of this world and unable to care about any of it, she was dimly aware of Seton’s arm slipping about her waist.
The hair on his torso brushed Onora’s bare skin, and her gaze fell once more to his chest. There was something beside his nipple. Some creature crawling, or was that…? Her mind was too hazed to pull the memory forward, but she’d seen something similar, not long ago.
The thought was dashed away by Seton pulling her close. A flash of desire took her so that she could barely breathe. Through the diaphanous silk, her breasts rubbed against his chest, and his hardness pressed to her mound.
As his mouth closed upon hers, she opened to him.
From some distance away,concealed at the very edge of the garden, Jack watched as Seton’s guests made merry, looking as if they were about to take part in some debauched Bacchanalia. The men were garbed in not much at all, and the women were hardly better.
Initially, with them sporting those wigs, he’d been uncertain which was Onora. Only when Seton had led her away had he beensure, and it pierced his heart to see how closely they stood to one another.
They made a handsome pair. He hoped, if Onora went ahead with the marriage, Seton would realize his good fortune and become the man she deserved. Jack had believed that man would be him, for Onora had made him feel he’d met his soulmate. He could hardly find the words to describe why that was so, other than he felt his strongest self when he was with her.
