His muscles tensed against her body. “Is that what brings you to my door?”
She swallowed. If only his secrets were the only thing between them. “I…” She set her shoulders and took a deep breath.Audentes Fortuna luvat. Fortune favors the bold. “I have something to tell you.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “And I have something to tell you, too.”
“Do you want to go first?” she asked hopefully.
“Not particularly.”
“Nor do I.”
They stared at each other, until one side of John’s mouth quirked up. “I propose a game.”
Netta’s shoulders relaxed. This was familiar. This was fun. Depending on how John took her news, it might be the last bit of fun she had with him. “Loser talks first?”
“Of course.”
“And what are the rules to this game?”
He cocked his head. “That depends on how well you are feeling. Montague is hosting a musical evening with dinner tonight. I told him I did not know if we could attend.”
Her mouth went dry. “Who else will be there?”
“As his wife is barely accepted by society, I suspect all the outcasts of the ton.” John pressed his lips into a slash. “I asked Montague to extend an invitation to Sudworth, as well, in hopes you’d be well enough to pique his interest further, but Montague informed me this morning he declined. Which, although disappointing, does allow us some hours of frivolity instead. What say you?” He circled around her, tracing his fingertip along the back edge of her gown. “Do you feel like being naughty tonight?”
She shouldn’t. Just because Sudworth wouldn’t be in attendance didn’t mean someone else from her past wouldn’t be. But…shewasof age now. No one could send her back to her father’s. And this might be her last night with John.
Cerise would call her impetuous. Tell her to use her head instead of her heart.
But Netta wasn’t her friend.
“Besides a slight twinge, my ankle is fine. I’m in.”
He smiled, his teeth gleaming in the morning light, and a delightful shiver raced down her spine. She didn’t trust that look. It foretold of something wicked.
His wickedest plans were the most pleasurable.
John tapped his index finger against his pursed lips. “Wear the peach silk gown tonight. The one with the ivory lace embroidery.”
Now she truly didn’t trust him. She rocked up onto her toes with excitement, then muttered a curse when her ankle ached. “And you wear the navy velvet jacket, the one that brings out the blue in your eyes.” If he could make demands on wardrobe, so could she. And she did adore him in that jacket. It nipped in at his waist and made his shoulders look as broad as an ox’s.
A tingle started in her stomach and shivered lower. Whatever he had planned for the night, she wanted to be prepared. “I’m going to rest my ankle.” She trailed her finger up his waistcoat and flipped the knot of his cravat. “I will see you later tonight.”
And with a seductive sway to her hips, she sauntered out of his study and down the hall.
The ice bath for her ankle made it feel almost like new. The nap she took also helped. She was going to miss living in an earl’s home. Not as much as she’d miss John. But a steady supply of Pomfret cakes, satin sheets to lay her head upon, a dressing room full of beautiful gowns…
She stared at her reflection in the mirror as Margaret put the finishing touches on her hair. It was close, but John still won out. And tonight could be their last night.
She raised her chin. So she would eke out as much enjoyment in their time left as possible. No regrets.
Her nerves crackled with anticipation the entire carriage ride to the duke’s townhouse. Anticipation skittered through her veins through the introductions to the wives of John’s friends. What did he have planned? And how would she win? When John touched her arm as they sat listening to music, she jumped.
He smirked. “I only wanted to tell you that I must step out. Save a seat for me at dinner. Oh”—he leaned close and brushed his lips over her ear—“and the only rule to this game is for you to not make a sound.” And during the violin solo, he stood and left the room. Leaving her a fidgeting mess.
Not make a sound? He couldn’t mean for her to become mute for the rest of the evening. His games didn’t include rudeness to third parties, so what did he mean?
After the music ended, the two sisters, Elizabeth, Duchess of Montague, and Lady Amanda Rothchild, hurried over to her. “I don’t need to know where Summerset disappeared to,” the duchess said. “I am only glad he has left your side for a moment.”
