“You need to tell her what you feel, little brother,” Michael said softly.
“What?” He dragged his eyes from the vision that was Mary Blake.
“You love Mary, so tell her before it is too late.”
“What? No.” He shook his head. “That’s not true,” he lied. “How can you believe such a thing when it was not long ago that we couldn’t stand to be in each other’s company?”
“And yet not now…” Michael left the sentence hanging and then walked away with Nathan and Gabe. Zach stood there alone reeling as he wondered how it had happened that he could have fallen so hard and fast for Mary.
Well not fast. He’d known her for years, but still, it felt like his heart had capitulated with speed as soon as… what? He’d kissed her? Really seen her?
What did that say about him? Did she care for him? He had to believe she would not have kissed him if she didn’t.
Pressing a finger to that place between his eyes that had started to throb, he wondered when life had become so difficult. There he was, one of society’s favorite bachelors, swanning through life with enough danger and female companionship to satisfy him. His family loved him as he did them, and of course there were his niece and nephew and the imminent arrival of more.
“When I am laid low with a headache, I take to my bed in a darkened room and have lavender water dabbed regularly to my temples.”
“Yes, thank you, Plunge.”
The man was now before him, blocking his view of Mary. He leaned in as if to examine Zach.
“She is a complex and wonderful woman, Deville. Try to see that and not only her beauty, which you have finally noticed since you stopped arguing with her. She is deserving of your respect for her intellect and what she has achieved.” Plunge then wafted a handkerchief in his face before stuffing it into Zach’s hand.
“Lavender water, sir. You mark my words!” he then roared before walking away.
“I am surrounded by madness,” Zach muttered, heading to where Mary stood. What he would say when he got there, he had no idea.
Like a doe being hunted by prey, Mary’s head shot up when he was still a few feet away, and her eyes widened. Clearly there was something other than friendly courtesy in Zach’s eyes, as hers narrowed.
That gown seemed to float around her, and he cursed Dimity for deciding she needed a new dressmaker and Gabe for paying for it. Zach could not believe he was thinking it, but he wanted to see her in those horrible dresses that hid her body again.
He didn’t want her revealing so much of herself.
Caldwell had better not be leering at her. Zach would bloody his nose and damn the consequences.
“Sir.” The sharp-faced Frenchman bowed, as did Caldwell. Phillipa dropped into a curtsey as she gave him a simpering smile.
Zach nodded before focusing on Mary. “Mary,” he said with an enthusiasm he was far from feeling. “How are you?”
“I— Pardon?” Her eyes grew wider.
From his vantage point above her, he could see down that bodice. It would not do, because if he could, then likely Caldwell and Moulin had.
“Dimity said you were feeling a little off today, so I have come to collect you as she has saved a seat, for fear you would be forced to stand.” As far as tall truths went, it wasn’t a bad one, considering he was thinking on the hoof.
“Oh… well, my head is vastly improved, thank you, sir,” Mary said, instead of refuting his obvious lie. Of course, lying was something she was now very good at, considering what she’d been doing for Alexius. He would need to be on his guard around her.
“I did not know you had a sore head.” Phillipa frowned.
“Alas, allow me to offer my sympathies, madam,” Moulin said.
“I rested, and it was fine,” Mary said, avoiding Zach’s eye.
“Caldwell, how is your septic toe?” Zach added with yet another falsehood. The man spluttered.
“What? I do not have a septic toe.”
Mary pressed a gloved hand to her mouth, which Zach was sure meant she was hiding a smile. He felt quite good about that.
