After removing his greatcoat, Rex handed it to the servant. Ever solicitous of his wife, he placed his hand on Eleanor’s back. He turned to look at me, his expression giving nothing away. They might have made up, but I was dying to know the answer to one question.
“Thank you, Withers. You may go.” I dismissed the servant, wishing him to leave so I could have a conversation with my friends. Once the door clicked shut, I turned to Eleanor and Rex. “I took the liberty of ordering a spread of cold meats and cheeses. Come, let’s sit and talk.”
I led the way to the table near the fireplace, a coal fire hissing in the grate. I knew that Rex had been at Parliament and often forgot to eat. The idea of food turned my own stomach, my emotions in turmoil after a long and exhausting day. It was silly to be nervous, yet there I was.
“Thank you, the food looks lovely.” Eleanor removed her gloves to expose her slender hands, and I held the chair for her. She slipped into it, a rush of soft roses tempting my nose. Until I learned my answer, I needed to refrain from kissing her tempting neck.
“I am very hungry, thank you for the forethought.” Rex clasped me on the shoulder before taking his own seat. His back to me, I tried to gauge the situation between them. The animosity seemed to be gone, which was promising. Whether they wished to continue with the affair was what had me on pins and needles.
“It appears that Flynn has ordered your favorite cheeses and the bread you like.” Eleanor began to fill a plate with the cheese and meats while Rex tore off a piece of rustic bread. She leanedinto him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. He angled his head to press a kiss on her temple. If I didn’t know better, I would never guess they had been on the outs. “Would you like some butter?” she asked her husband.
I wanted some answers. The words settled on the tip of my tongue but never found their way out. I poured two more glasses of champagne and rounded the table. Both Eleanor and Rex appeared obsessed with the food. I set the glasses in front of them, the tension in me growing. My future rode on this agreement.
“Yes, a lot of butter. You know how fond of it I am.” Rex never looked at me, seemingly enthralled with the food. A beard shadowed his jaw, and his clothing was rumpled.
“How do you think the girls will take the news of Olivia leaving?” Eleanor asked, buttering her own bread. The gaslight cast fiery red highlights in her hair. She had continued to wear her hair in the same fashion the maid I had hired to tend to her toilet at the Stratham had styled it. The less severe style complimented her heart-shaped face. “I am sure they will be devastated.”
“They will be distraught, no doubt.” As was I. Had tonight not been so important, I would have stayed at Larsson House with them. But it was well past their bedtime thus my guilt was relieved somewhat. Despite tonight’s outcome, I would be home before they awoke to share the news and mop up their tears.
“How are you faring?” Rex asked, popping a grape into his mouth. The subtle darkness of his pupils gave away his unsuppressed desire.
For me? Hope replaced my earlier unease. “I will miss her, but Olivia isn’t my concern right now.”
“Did something else happen?” He lowered his lashes and ate a strawberry, his profile to me.
Annoyance crept into my consciousness. Either he was playing with my emotions, or he had no idea of the anguish I suffered because of our falling out. Granted, he had apologized to me for being an arrogant prat concerning Eleanor, yet I selfishly wanted his attention. The time for subtlety was over. “Of course something bloody well happened. By the looks of the two of you, you were doing more than riding in the carriage together.”
The corners of his mouth lifted, a smile dimpling his cheek. He met my gaze once more, laughter in his eyes as he drank from his glass. “Are you jealous?”
“Yes.” I narrowed my eyes at him, and half-standing, I looped my hand around his neck, pulling him toward the middle of the table. Eleanor laughed at our antics, her hand floating to her chest. With a low growl, I caught Rex’s smiling mouth with mine. I angled my head, my tongue breaching his lips. He kissed me back without hesitation, his response telling me all I needed to know.
A soft knock sounded, and I cursed the interruption. I withdrew from our kiss and reclined back in my seat before calling to enter.
Withers, followed by an attractive waiter with pomaded black hair, stepped into the room. “The chef has sent up a special dessert for you.”
The waiter held a silver tray with a cover. With a flourish, he lifted the cover to reveal a plate of chocolate truffles decorated with gold leaf.
“Oh, Guy, those are beautiful.” Eleanor stared at the truffles as he settled them on the table.
I frowned, the name sounding vaguely familiar.
Rex stiffened, his gaze shooting to Eleanor and then back to the waiter. “You are Guy?”
“Indeed, monsieur.” Guy bowed as was proper, looking uncomfortable at Rex’s scowl.
“He is a very efficient waiter.” Eleanor pulled the dessert plate toward her and gave her husband a warning glance. “Thank the chef for us.”
“Of course. Is there anything else I can get for you?” Withers dismissed Guy with a wave, and the waiter scurried out.
“No, you may go. I will ring if we require anything else.” I kept my voice light and polite when I wanted to order him to leave posthaste. Time was wasting. Where before it had crawled, time had picked up the pace.
The second Withers left, I sipped my champagne.
“Bloody wanker,” Rex mumbled under his breath.
“Mind your tongue,” I said. “There is a lady present.”
“Better yet, your tongue needs to be minding me,” Eleanor said, her cheeks flushed a flattering rosy hue. She settled the truffle on her tongue and licked the underside of it. The erotic action fired my blood, and I nodded.
