‘Good.’ He smiled. ‘I am also glad to see him vanquish his grief over William’s death. It was a bad business at Waterloo, and he suffered most grievously.’
Grace did not quite know what to say, but Hardy’s face was kind as he stared down at her. ‘I know that it was not just Rawden who suffered a loss that day.’
Did he think she was using Rawden? ‘Captain Hardy, I intend to be a good wife and make him happy. My loyalty lies with Rawden.’
‘I know it does. I can see it. But be kind to him, for Rawden does not always know how to control his temper or worst impulses. I should know, for I have been his friend these many years. Would you care to dance another?’
‘No, and give thanks for no broken toes, Captain Hardy. I do not pretend to dance well.’
‘You held your own quite admirably,’ he said. ‘Shall we find a glass or two of champagne?’
‘Yes. I would like that very much,’ said Grace. If she was to get through this evening, she needed to bolster her courage.
They retired to a quiet corner, and Hardy continued to be most attentive, but every now and then, his gaze slid to the other side of the room. Grace soon saw that it focussed on a lovely young lady whose pert beauty made her impossible to ignore. She possessed the perfect patrician looks – ebony hair and blue eyes in a face of doll-like perfection, all high cheekbones and rosebud lips. She was quick to smile and laugh and was mesmerising in her vitality. Eager admirers would soon fill her dance card, and she would be the centre of attention, like a beautiful butterfly taking its pick of summer flowers.
‘Who is that fine young lady over there?’ she asked Hardy.
He reddened and fingered his collar, and his tone became melancholy. ‘It is of no importance,’ he said as if he could not bear to say her name aloud. ‘The lady and I were firm friends in childhood, but now she has become a captivating young woman who does not see me.’
‘I am sorry for it. Perhaps you should find another who is more appreciative of your admiration.’
Hardy gave a tight smile. ‘Once the heart is given away, one cannot easily retrieve it. I fear I nurture an affection born in childhood and thus rooted too deeply. It is a fault I wrestle with daily.’
‘Loyalty is not a fault, Captain Hardy.’
‘No, but it can be a great source of pain, can it not? Ah, I see Rawden bearing down on us. I must give way to him.’ He smiled, gave a curt bow and moved away. Grace had a pang of pity for Rawden’s rakish friend as the lovely object of his affection swirled out into the middle of the ballroom with a tall suitor.
***
As the evening wore on, Rawden could not tear his eyes off Grace. He suffered the polite chit-chat of the ton for as long as he could until the urge to kiss the life out of his wife overcame him. He grabbed Grace’s hand and led her from the ballroom and upstairs.
‘Come on. Let us explore,’ he said.
‘We are guests. We cannot.’
‘I know the Hardy’s well, and this house, like the back of my hand. Do you trust me?’
‘Certainly not,’ said Grace with a smile, but she followed all the same.
They hurried down candle-lit corridors until Rawden found a door and pulled her inside. ‘The billiard room,’ he declared, turning the key in the lock with a click.
The curtains were open to a moonlit night, and a lone candle stood on the mantelpiece, sending a flickering light bouncing off a huge gilt mirror above a billiard table.
‘And why do we need to see this, Rawden?’ said Grace.
‘Because I had an overwhelming urge to kiss you, Grace, and you know it. And I could hardly scandalise the ton by doing it in front of them.’ Rawden pulled her to him. ‘Are you willing?’
‘Oh, yes,’ she cried, and then she was in his arms, and he was all over her, in her mouth, hands tangled in her hair, stroking, grabbing, possessing.
What happened next would no doubt cause Grace to blush for many years to come, but Rawden was beyond caring. He lifted her onto the table, pulled up her skirts and entered her in a rush. He took her in a pounding passion as if he could not get close enough, deep enough, and Grace clung to him, encouraging him with little stifled moans gasped into his chest. He had never reached a peak so quickly, and as he spilt his hot release inside her slippery warmth, it was the most intense experience of his life – an insatiable, searing need.
To his surprise, Grace was not angry with his shamelessness. She giggled against his chest. ‘Oh, Rawden, we are so very wicked, aren’t we?’
‘And I am glad of it,’ he said, planting a hearty kiss on her mouth, plump from his kisses. ‘Now I think we should return to the ballroom for the sake of appearances, don’t you. Or we can go home if you would prefer.’
‘No, the Hardy’s are wonderful hosts, and I am beginning to enjoy myself.’
‘So I noticed.’
