She rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm. “Oh, come on. Let’s go over and say hello.”
****
Jack and Caroline crossed the room toward Vivian. Jack again dressed in simple black, no colorful jackets or embellished lace sleeves for the sea captain. He wore a light gray, silk vest and a snowy white cravat tied in a simple knot. That gorgeous black hair was tied back into his usual queue at his nape. He looked every inch the gentleman tonight. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered to life every time she saw him. If only he would see her not as some wild girl, but a lady worth pursuing. She squared her shoulders, determined to be on her best behavior tonight.
“Caroline, Captain Aston, I am so glad to see you here tonight.” She gave Caroline a quick hug.
Jack bowed over the ladies’ hands. “You both look lovely this evening. Davis, good to see you. How did you end up dragged to this thing?”
“I am just a slave to my fiancée’s whims,” George replied with a smile. Gabi gave him a sharp look. “No, really, I have so few evenings off from the hospital, I must come along or not get to see Gabrielle at all.”
“Let’s go get a drink. How are things going at the hospital?” Jack asked. The two men wandered off.
“Vivian, I have been dying to ask you about Lord Davenport.” Caroline turned to her and asked. “I heard you were out walking with him in the park the other morning. Are you interested in him?”
“He did come to call earlier this week,” she hedged. The truth was she didn’t know how she felt about Lord Davenport. Both Caroline and Gabrielle looked at her expectantly. “He is rather handsome, young, and he enjoys art. I think he would probably make a kind husband, yet…” She shrugged her shoulders, struggling to put her hesitation into words.
Caroline stared at her intently. “He is rather a proper fellow, although he can be quite the entertaining storyteller. Do you think he is looking to get married?”
“He hasn’t made any of his intentions clear. At present we are just getting to know each other.” She rolled her eyes. “I will have to try not to spill anything on him.”
“Well, he is the best candidate to come across our drawing room so far,” Gabi chimed in loyally.
Vivian’s eyes were drawn to where Jack and Davis stood talking across the room. Gabrielle and Caroline exchanged a look between them. Her feelings for the captain were clearly far too obvious. She must stop mooning over him like a girl in nursery strings and be practical. The captain was not interested in her romantically. He made that clear on the ship a year ago. After visiting his family he would be sailing away, so enough. She should focus on finding a suitable gentleman to marry. Straightening her shoulders, she set her smile in place. She rejoined her friends’ conversation as they moved to take their seats for the performance.
When the performance ended, everyone clapped politely and stood to mill about. Footmen arrived, carrying trays of wine and food. Gabi took the opportunity to lean over to Vivian. “You are wrong, Vivi. Captain Aston is definitely interested in you as more than just friends.”
“What? How can you tell?” Vivian asked. She peeked at Jack. He spoke with his mother and Caroline down the row.
“The way he has been staring at you all night, you ninny. Like he could devour you whole.” Gabi grabbed her hand. “You should go ruffle his feathers.”
Should she? Vivian glanced at him again and noted Lady Louise and Caroline had left him to go speak with their hostess. She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and walked toward Jack with Gabi and George at her heels.
“Whew, I am so overheated. Why do London hostesses insist on packing in as many guests as possible into their events? Captain Aston, perhaps you could escort me outside onto the veranda for some fresh air?”
“Mr. Davis and I will accompany you. I could use some fresh air too.” Gabi said.
“Of course, my dear,” George agreed.
****
Jack gazed down at Vivian’s beautiful upturned face. He certainly wasn’t going to decline an opportunity to enjoy her company. He nodded and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. They wound their way through the crowd and out onto the terrace. A cool breeze washed over them.
Vivian’s eyes closed briefly. “That feels lovely.”
They were not the only guests trying to cool off. Out in the gardens, there were couples milling about the lighted paths.
“Let’s head down this way. Perhaps there will be fewer people.” She led the way down the terrace.
As they headed past the steps that led to the gardens Miss Beaumont paused. “Oh, look, George, at the beautiful camellia. I must have a closer look.” She deftly steered him down the stairs.
Their chaperones disappeared into the shadowed gardens, but Vivian kept walking in the opposite direction. Giving a last glance to Miss Beaumont’s retreating form, he followed Vivian along the terrace until they came to where it turned the corner to wrap around the side of the house. She stopped at the bend and leaned back, her elbows resting on the railing behind her.
“Finally, some space to breathe.”
Joining her, he wondered if she realized how provocative her pose was with her breasts thrust out enticingly. As she inhaled the night air, the rise and fall of those plump, perfect globes captured his attention. He tried to reign in his lusty thoughts, reminding himself he needed to act the gentleman.
A high-pitched voice rose above the low conversations in the garden below.
