“Ignore him,” Margot chuckled. “His so-called sense of humor takes some getting used to, but it’s not all bad.”
“Was that a compliment?” Sebastian asked as if shocked. “How very rare. And Lady Arabella…” He stepped into Arabella and took her hand, giving it a kiss. “It is lovely to see you again.”
“Oh…” Arabella’s frown deepened. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Please, call me Sebastian. We are family, no?”
He was being silly and over the top, Margot knew. But there was an earnestness to it, a sense of fun that was hard not to enjoy. And Arabella, always nervous and unsure, seemed to relax under it in a way that surprised Margot.Is he doing it because he knows how shy she is? Making it easier on her? Or is it just his way?
They spent some time with Arabella, and soon Elizabeth joined them. Once again, Sebastian was congenial and friendly and soon had the two girls laughing along at his jokes as if they were old friends.
It made Margot wonder further about him, and she found herself studying him closely as she considered this new side to her husband.Although I suppose it isn’t a new side at all, merely one I have not yet noticed. All week, she had been so careful to avoid him, to not let his charming personality wear her down. But now that she was not guarded against it, she found that Sebastian wasn’t at all the rogue she had always assumed. At least not fully.
For that reason, Margot decided at that moment to stop being so distrusting. Still, she could not say what she wanted, or what he wanted, just that she was finally willing to treat her husband as a human being and give him a chance.A chance at what? I suppose time will tell…
It was later in the afternoon when Lord Marlow, the host of the party, finally came to greet them. Margot had never met the man before, but she recognized him from his beak-like nose and the liver spots that peppered his bald head. He had a look about him that was stiff and regal, a constant sneer on his lips, and a judgmental glimmer in his eyes.
“Your Grace,” he said formally as he approached. “It is so good of you to come.”
“Ah, Lord Marlow…” Sebastian stepped forward and took the man by the arm, giving him a shake. “Thank you for having us. Have you met my wife…” He turned to indicate for Margot to step forward.
“Lord Marlow, it is a pleasure to meet you.” She curtsied for him.
“So, this is the famous wife,” Lord Marlow said, his eyes flicking over her judgmentally. “I had heard the rumor, but I hesitated to believe it.”
“Oh?” Sebastian said.
Lord Marlow chuckled coldly. “Come now, Your Grace. How long have I known you for? I did not think such a thing was possible. What do they say? Some hounds simply are not made to be domesticated.”
It was an odd comment, its meaning only too clear. Despite Sebastian’s position and the fact that he was now married, his reputation was not something so easily forgotten. It made Margot wince, feeling a little foolish for the way she had been acting today.Sebastian is so charming that it can be easy to forget who he is. A firm reminder that perhaps the side I see of him here is not the true version of him.
“I would be careful what I said if I were you,” Sebastian said with a smile, even if his voice had turned suddenly cold. And as he spoke, he stepped back into Margot, his hand this time slipping around her waist.
Margot’s eyes widened to feel him hold her, and her breath caught as she glanced at him, noting the glare he fixed on Lord Marlow.
“I meant nothing by it,” Lord Marlow said simply. “Just an observation.”
Sebastian scoffed. “As you are so keen on observations, perhaps you should observe this.” His grip tightened, and Margot’s pulse quickened. “Any hound can be tamed, it just takes the right set of hands to do it.”
“Is that right?”
“And if anyone can tame me…” He looked down at Margot, smiling for her in a way that felt almost possessive. He met her eyes and held them, looking through her as if needing her to hear the words he was about to speak. “Well, let’s just say I’ve found the right set of hands for the job.”
Margot’s pulse was positively racing. She could feel her body flush. She could feel itshake. Likely, he was just speaking the words he thought he must for Lord Marlow’s sake – confirming the lie they were here to impose. Only, itfeltdifferent. More than words. Again, that sense that this marriage was taking a shape that Margot had not wanted or expected, but was now wondering where it might go next.
“That is… I am happy for you.” Lord Marlow looked confused and unsure as his eyes flicked between the two of them.
“Not as happy as we are, I assure you,” Sebastian said, squeezing her waist. “Now, if you will excuse us, I believe my wife and I are overdue for a dance. Isn’t that right?” he asked her.
“Oh…” She blinked, forcing herself to focus. “Ah… yes?”
“Wonderful.” Sebastian kept his hand tight around her waist as he led her away from Lord Marlow and toward the dance floor.
Margot thought to ask him about what just happened. To confirm that he was only saying what he thought he must. But still his hand was about her waist, still he held her close, and for that reason Margot decided not to say anything.The truth is, I hope he was not speaking out of turn. Dammit, am I starting to fall for my husband?
The sun was just beginning to set as Sebastian led her onto the dance floor. The sky, painted in dark purples and deep reds, watched over them as they reached where the other couples stood waiting for the music to begin. Margot could feel the eyes of the guests upon her and Sebastian, but she did not care to notice them. Sebastian stood before her, one hand on her waist, the other taking her hand, his blue eyes gazing deeply at her, and all she could think about was him.
“I… I did not know you could dance,” she said for no other reason than she needed to break the silence. She was staring at him, glancing away as she felt her cheeks flush pink.
