“Yes, they are.”He leaned his forearm against the wall next to her head, crowding her with his big body.“Much of it is just for laughs, though.”
She stared up at his full lips and watched as they quirked into a half smile.His proximity was as potent as the wine, making her head swim.He smelled so good, dark and spicy.“I can’t remember the last time I indulged in anything just for laughs.Always far too much work to be done.”
“And what about tonight?”He ran one finger across her jaw and gently tapped her bottom lip.
Her breath escaped in a soft rush.Perhaps she truly had had too much wine because wicked thoughts of kissing the mysterious man in front of her formed as she stared at his lips.She’d never kissed someone with facial hair before.Would it tickle, or would it feel like the bristles of her hairbrush, stiff and rough?
“Fair warning, if you don’t stop staring at my mouth, I am going to kiss you.”His voice rumbled low.
Elizabeth blinked several times before turning her head to take a long gulp of her wine.What was she doing?Allowing herself to be distracted by this devil of a man.“Actually, I am here trying to track down an old friend.”Elizabeth took another sip.She was getting distracted by all the frivolity.She needed to be looking for Mary Beth.“Which way back to the main rooms?”
“This way.”He led her over to another door.When he opened it, they emerged into the back of the entrance hall.
She looked back through the door, trying to parse out how the series of turns they’d taken had led them to the front.“I can’t fathom how we ended up back here.”
“Yes, well, the place is set up to keep people inside and playing,” he replied.
Interesting.“You really know your way around.Do you frequent the club often?”
Again, the quirk of his lips was wry.“You could say I am a regular.Are you hungry?I know where we could sit and have some food.You could describe your friend.Perhaps I know who they are.”
She glanced down at her wine.Oh dear, how had most of it disappeared?Food might be a good idea.She looked across into the main gaming room.How was Nigel faring?Maybe he would like some food?
The blue devil followed her gaze.“Earlier, I saw your angel chatting with an older couple at the bar.”
“Oh, he’s not my angel; I mean, we came together.Wait, how did you know he was with me?”
“I saw the two of you arrive, and your costume choice amused me.Precious little does at these things.More?”He tipped the wine bottle toward her glass.
She shook her head.“Well, Nigel is as pure as the driven snow, so it seemed appropriate.”
“He is not your husband?”
The laugh that slipped out of her seemed cruel.Nigel was a perfectly respectable young man.And she was quite fond of his sharp mind and the dry wit with which he penned the gossip pages of her paper.She shook her head.“No, he is just a friend.”
“Good.”
He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.They walked across the foyer and through another large room filled with gaming tables.Hushed conversation rumbled low through the room, broken suddenly by a loud expletive that startled Elizabeth.Smaller light fixtures hung above each card table, candlelight melting into shadows that swathed the edges of the space.Long, tufted couches ran the length of the walls.She could see the outlines of shadowed guests intertwined with each other in the darker corners.
Before her curiosity was slaked, her companion opened another door, and they exited into a corridor identical to the one on the other side of the house.Three doors down, they entered a study of sorts.The room was dominated by a large billiards table with dark blue baize.Tucked in one corner was a small round table that could perhaps fit four.A chandelier bathed the room in a soft, warm glow.
She wandered over to the billiards table, running her fingertips along the polished wood edge.“Do people bet on billiards as well?”
“I am sure they do, but not here.This is a private room.”He took off his mask and set it on a side table, then crossed to pull a cord by the door.Mere moments later, the door opened, and a servant arrived.
“What can I get for you, sir?”
“Two of the lamb roast.”
“Right away, Mr.Reeves.”
Elizabeth leaned back against the table and smiled.“Finally, a name to go with the beard.”
Mr.Reeves chuckled and ran a hand through his raven hair.It was shorn on the sides, but the top was a mess of dark curls that refused to stay put when he tried to brush them off his brow.“Matthew Reeves, at your service.”
Smiling, she turned and rolled a green ball down the table.Mr.Reeves caught her elbow and gently swiveled her back to face him.“Don’t I get to know your name?”
“I’m not sure.You see, this flirtation is quite fun, and I don’t want to ruin it by being myself.”
