“Aunt Amelia likes chocolate. Will she have chocolate there?” he asked, jumping another step in his excitement.
Music spilled out of the open doors to the ballroom. Amelia and Oliver stood at the head of the receiving line speaking with a couple. My pulse picked up, the blood in my cock stirring in an inappropriate way. Amelia looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder wine-red ball gown, the tight bodice enhancing her full bosom. Oliver stood tall beside her, every inch the duke in his black tuxedo and black bowtie. They made a very handsome couple, and I tamped down the touch of envy I experienced every time I saw them together.
Amelia lifted her gaze, her eyes widening. A sensual smile formed on her full mouth, and she lifted one gloved hand. A pearl necklace encircled her long neck, and curls framed her face. A servant announced us to the room at large.
“Aunt Amelia! Oliver, we’re here,” Ethan called out. He tugged on my hand and tried to drag me forward. “Come on, Papa.”
I pulled him back to me with a gentle hand. “Ethan, what is the rule?” I asked, wishing to rush to her side, but I couldn’t forget proprieties.
“Walk, don’t run, wait my turn, listen to Nurse, and don’t steal any more tarts,” he said with a decided twinkle in his eye.
“Very good. We have to wait our turn. There are others in line to speak to the duke and duchess.” Like my son, I was impatient. Our earlier conversation in the breakfast room had heated my blood, and all day I yearned for the time when we’d all be aloneonce more. The ball precluded any privacy, and like Oliver and Amelia, I had to play my role.
“Ethan, Noah.” Lady Ellen approached, the somber dress making her skin sallow. She was still wearing black, the beading on the lace gown shining in the gaslight. Like Queen Victoria, I had an inkling she’d be in mourning for the rest of her life. As would I.
“Have you seen William, Grandmama?” Ethan asked.
She frowned and looked to me for an explanation. “Who is William?”
“He’s Hortense’s eldest,” I explained, my gaze drifting back to Amelia and Oliver. I caught her staring at me again, hunger in her eyes. She nudged Oliver, and he turned his head, grinning. During events such as this, I missed Sally even more. While I’d chosen the path to be alone, I missed being part of a couple. Oliver and Amelia were starting out on their journey, and I hoped it ended better than my own.
“Yes, the room is so full, it is hardly navigable.” Lady Ellen bent down and tweaked Ethan’s nose with her finger. The gentle smile transformed her face as she revealed her softer side. “How handsome you look.”
“Thank you, Grandmama,” he said, taking in his surroundings. He lifted his hand, pointing to the far wall. The room was rectangular with an orchestra at one end, the parquet floors polished. Gaslights enhanced the rich feel of the refined decor. “There he is. There’s William.”
“So it would seem.” I was next in line and didn’t wish to miss a conversation with my lovers. “Lady Ellen, can you escort Ethan to visit his friend? I wish to pay my respects to the newlyweds.”
“Yes, of course. Come along, Ethan.” She held out her hand, and he took it. Eagerness caused him to forget what I told him as he dragged her away. Secretly I was grateful. I could only take so much of her.
The couple Amelia and Oliver had been speaking with moved away. I stepped forward, wishing I could do more than bow in greeting. “Your Graces.”
“Noah and E...” Amelia’s smile faltered, lines forming between her eyebrows. Lady Gwendolyn had given her new granddaughter-in-law a gold and ruby ring. Amelia wore it in celebration of their marriage and worried the ring. “What happened to Ethan?”
“Your mother took him to see William,” I explained, glancing from Amelia to Oliver. Heated eyes held mine before he waved the butler over.
“We will end the receiving line,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face. I would have to speak with him about schooling his features so nobody could guess his secret. He was a duke; thus, not even the vile Marquess of Queensbury would dare try to out him as queer. However, he’d be the object of speculation for the rest of his life.
“Yes, your grace,” the butler said, moving to do his master’s bidding.
“My nephew rivals Ethan in mischievousness, I pray Lady Ellen can keep them in check,” Oliver said, rocking back on his heels. The strain that aged him beyond his years before his marriage had lessened. Marriage to Amelia and the subsequent bedding of his wife seemed to give him confidence.
“Mother is a general in a skirt,” Amelia said with biting sarcasm.
I laughed at her quip, my wayward thoughts drifting to her lying naked in bed, her body stretched out while I pleasured her with my hands and mouth. “And equally as formidable.”
“Indeed,” Oliver said, frowning as a familiar figure shot past us.
Ethan threw himself at Amelia, his face flushed. “Aunt Amelia.”
“Ethan,” I said, displeased by his rowdy behavior. At times he seemed much too mature for his years; thus it was a shock when he acted his age. “That is no way for a gentleman to behave in public. I thought you were with your grandmother?”
He slipped his hand into Amelia’s, glancing from me to her in indecision. Rarely was I on the outs with him, and every time I was forced to discipline him, I felt like the worst sort of villain.
“I am sorry, Papa, but Lady Gwendolyn asked me to fetch Aunt Amelia,” Ethan said in a small voice.
“Did she indeed? Did she tell you why?” Oliver asked, his smile faltering. His grandmother had insisted on joining in on all the festivities. The last time I’d seen her, she looked rather pale but in good spirits.
Ethan nodded with an eager smile, his confidence level increasing. “She said she wanted Aunt Amelia to play wizard.”
