Caroline Ashfield cleared her throat and Vaughn started. This conversation had become so much about just them that he’d all but forgotten the others in the room, watching them, reading them. “Arabella, why don’t we play some parlor games?”
Arabella was still watching Vaughn, even as she nodded. “A capital idea! I hesitate to offer literary riddles because my dear husband is far too good at such things, but as long as he is on my team…”
The others laughed and it shook the heavier mood. Evelina came toward him and they didn’t speak as they linked arms to ready themselves for the game. He glanced down at her. “My apologies, Evie. I shouldn’t have gotten so maudlin.”
Her brow wrinkled. “It isn’t maudlin. And you don’t have to apologize to me unless we end up being terrible at this game and have to endure my sister crowing about it and holding it over my head for the next twelve years.”
“Twelve?” he repeated on a laugh.
“Oh yes,” she said. “Don’t ever mention the sack race we had as children, she’ll never stop talking about how she bested Julia and me.”
“Well, I will endeavor to act as your champion, my lady, and not let you lose again.”
She smiled and for a moment he was dumbfounded by it. Like a ray of sunshine had hit some of the ice around his heart and it was thawing. He found he liked the sensation and he refused to back away from it as they launched into the game of riddles.
* * *
The evening was coming to an end as the clock chimed midnight and Evie smiled across the parlor at Vaughn. They’d ended up being very good partners in all the games played that night. They’d bested the rest several times and she found him to be as gracious a winner as he was a loser. She slowly moved to him.
“You’ve been lovely tonight,” she said.
He smoothed a lock of hair from her face and that gentle touch sent reverberations of sensation through her body. “As have you. I know we came in separate vehicles and we didn’t plan to spend the evening together but for Arabella’s invitation, but would you like to come home with me?”
She couldn’t look away from the green depths of those eyes and all the promises they contained. She nodded. “Very much so.”
“Good.” He leaned down and kissed her briefly. She blinked as she pulled away and then realized her entire family was watching the exchange. From the arch of Arabella’s brow it seemed her sister had opinions.
Evelina wasn’t ready for them tonight. So instead she said, “I’m afraid my energy is waning. I think Blackburn and I will take our leave. Julia, did you come in a carriage or do you need a ride?”
She found herself relieved when her youngest sister shook her head. “No. I’m staying with Arabella and Silas tonight.”
“Good,” Evelina said without thinking, and heat rushed to her cheeks at the slip. “I mean, that’s lovely. You’ll have a wonderful time.”
Arabella arched a brow at her, but wasn’t able to push her because Silas stepped up, hand outstretched to Vaughn. “It was good to see you, Blackburn. Perhaps we’ll bump into each other over at Fitzhugh’s. I sometimes play billiards there with the Earls of Delacourt and Ramsbury.”
Vaughn lifted his brows. “Ah. Well, I’d be happy to join you. Thank you.”
Evelina lifted up to kiss Silas’s cheek. “Yes, thank you,” she whispered, and met her brother-in-law’s eyes as she said it. After all, she knew that every positive connection Vaughn made put him back on a path to acceptance once the nasty business of the divorce was finalized.
Silas squeezed her hands and then stepped aside so she could say her farewells to Arabella, Julia and her aunt. She did so, watching Vaughn do the same with as much warmth as he’d handled them all evening. Such a difference from Harry. She felt the weight of that all the more now.
Together they all moved to the foyer and she found Vaughn’s carriage had already been called for. He helped her up and they waved as the vehicle started out the drive. As soon as it had exited onto the street, he caught her hand and drew her to his side.
She lifted her face to his and they kissed. It wasn’t brief as their kiss had been at Arabella’s. No, this was deep and powerful and passionate. He dug his fingers into her hair, she gripped her fist against his chest, their tongues collided and warred and when they parted her heart was pounding.
“Oh, I’ve been waiting to do that all night,” he breathed. “The amount of self-control I’ve exhibited should be rewarded.”
She shook her head with a laugh. “I can only imagine the kinds of rewards you’d request.”
“You in a tub, me getting to lather that body up and then watch you ride me until we’re both spent from coming?”
She blinked. “Well, that’s a reward for both of us.”
He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I’m very generous.”
“I think you are at that,” she said, touching his cheek. “And you were truly wonderful with my family.”
“They’re easy to be wonderful around. Your closeness is admirable and enviable. I wish I’d had the same, but you know how thetonis.”
