“Rather bold of you to assume that anyone could steal attention from my wife.” Thomas pursed his lips, giving the man a lookhe had seen his grandmother weaponize all his life. It was the sort of look one would give to a particularly slow child who had only just understood that water was wet and thought this was somehow news. “I, for one, did not doubt that she would command the attention of theton. Why else would we extend an invitation to you both?”
He and Vivian had agreed that inviting them both would be not only gracious but further the idea that she was unbothered by Lord Brixten’s treatment. A decision he was doubly glad of now that he was face to face with the man.
This is the weasel her parents promised her to?
Lord Brixten’s eyes slipped from Thomas to Vivian, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He shifted, drawing the man’s attention back to him as he stared coldly at him.
Men like you crave power, but I will show you what it is to wield it.
“I thought it was the kindest thing to do.” Lord Brixten’s voice was plaintive. “While I am not proud of my treatment of Lady Vi—Elington, I had no wish to add any more pain to her life.”
“How could seeing your joy bring me pain, Lord Brixten?” Vivian’s voice was steady, but Thomas could feel a slight shake in her hand against his chest. “How could I begrudge your own happiness when it has given me so much?”
He placed his own hand over hers, squeezing it lightly. She looked at him, her hazel eyes blazing in the sunlight.
How is she so beautiful?
He brushed a lock of hair gently from her face with his hand.
Lord Brixten’s voice cut in. “Perhaps she thought your happiness a fragile thing; after all, you found one another so quickly, and such things do often pass…”
Thomas slowly turned back to face Lord Brixten, taking in his swiftly reddening face and the clenched fists at his side. “Though, as we all know, some things are simply destined, are they not? A pity your wife is not here; perhaps seeing the strength of our bond would have alleviated some of her fears.”
The sight of Lord Brixten sent a wave of satisfaction through him.
“Perhaps.” Lord Brixten shrugged. “I suppose only time will tell.”
“Indeed.” Thomas locked eyes with the man.
The sound of music filled the air, and he saw Lord Brixten’s eyes drift to Vivian once more, his mouth open as though to ask a question.
“Vivian, I believe I promised you a dance.” Thomas put himself between Lord Brixten and Vivian, taking her hand in his and gently pressing it to his lips as he swept into a low bow. “If you would do me the honor?”
“But of course.” Vivian’s voice was breathless, and when Thomas looked up, he saw the familiar, endearing red flush creeping across her cheeks.
“Perhaps I might have one later in the festivities?” Lord Brixten’s eyes drifted to Vivian.
Thomas glanced over his shoulder, his lip curling as he shook his head. “I am afraid, Lord Brixten, that this will be quite impossible. While propriety demands that our dances be shared, I find that today my heart is at the helm. I am sure you, of all people, understand what that is like.”
Without bothering to wait for a reply, Thomas led Vivian to the dance floor, keenly aware of the fury he had glimpsed in Lord Brixten’s eyes. As they moved into the starting position, he saw Vivian’s eyes drift toward the man.
“Do not let him see you look.” Thomas kept his smile wide as Vivian’s gaze snapped back to him. “Right now, he is furious that he let you slip away, and if he sees you look at him, that will ease some of his pain.”
“How can you be sure?” Vivian tilted her head as they began to dance.
Because I saw the way he looked at you, the way he hungered for your touch.His shoulders tensed, and he forced them to relax. “Men like that are as easy to read as a children’s book. He longs for your attention, for you to notice him. So you must not.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?” Vivian frowned. “I can feel him staring at us even now. Actually, it feels like everyone is watching me. Waiting for me to make a mistake or slip, or who knows what. And I barely know where to place my feet, and I am supposed to be your marchioness, and?—”
“Let them.” Thomas gently adjusted his hand against her back, shifting her ever so slightly so that she had to look at him to keep her balance. “They will wait with bated breath for a fall that will never come.”
“You sound so certain that I nearly believe you.” She tilted her head toward him, with an unreadable expression on her face.
“You should.” He spun them and dipped her slightly, feeling his lips quirk into a half smile as she gasped. “I am not the kind of man who lets his partner fall.”
“Careful, Marquess, lest I begin to believe you a true husband.” Her teasing smile tugged at his chest.
“I know how to play my part, Vivian.” He shrugged, the feel of her hand in his sending warmth through his body. “Before this day is finished, the entiretonwill dream of the kind of love they think we have.”
