Nevertheless, her heart ached thinking of their separation. It was the longest they had been apart since their parents had died. But she forced herself to focus on the evening before her, and the night ahead.
She was thankful that Drake was a considerate lover. He never found his pleasure until he was confident she had found hers. While their affair might never lead to anything more permanent, most of the society unions she knew of lacked true adoration. The majority of those happy family portraits were fabricated for one reason or another.
With Drake, she could be honest, because he wasn’t trying to be someone else. He admitted to some of the darkest parts of his history. There was nothing for her to fear, because although he had done some terrible things, something told her that he wouldn’t hurt her. At least, not physically.
As far as her heart…
But no, she wasn’t going to think about that now. She was here to enjoy herself and that is what she would do.
She thought about the hungry, promising look in Drake’s eyes when she had come down the stairs that evening in that silver gown which hugged all of her curves. With its plunging neckline and the diamonds combs placed in her dark updo, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off of her. When she’d joined him in the foyer, his nostrils had flared when he said, “You shall be the envy of the moonlight this evening.”
It was the highest compliment she had ever received. And by Drake’s side, she could almost feel as though she was as beautiful as he’d claimed her to be.
Thus far, he hadn’t allowed her to walk on her own, keeping her firmly at his side so everyone present knew that she was spoken for.
Fleur’s heart was skipping with joy at the possessiveness of his actions, because it told her that he cared. If he didn’t, he would have gotten lost in the crowd and left her to fend for herself.
With a permanent curve to her lips, Fleur realized it had been a long time since she had felt so… free. She had always been burdened with trying to survive and keep Flavian out of trouble that she had lost herself somewhere along the way. It was nice to finally be able to take some time for her own enjoyment.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Fleur noticed a familiar face in one of the private booths near the heart of the entertainment. Her steps faltered and Drake looked at her. “Do you want to ignore them?”
Fleur exhaled slowly. Did she want to approach her brother and Harriette in the midst of such a public place? “I don’t want to make a scene.”
“You won’t. And I won’t allow her to do so.” His focus was as direct as it usually was. “If you wish to speak to your brother, I will make it happen.”
Fleur twisted her hands in front of her. Although she had told herself to leave Flavian to his own devices, she couldn’t, in all good conscience, walk by without a single word. It would hurt too much for her to give him the cut direct. He was her flesh and blood and the trials they had faced together meant something to her, even if they didn’t mean much to him.
“Yes. I would like that.”
Drake inclined his head and they made their way across the lawn.
* * *
Drake knewit had taken a lot of courage for Fleur to agree to meet with the man who had betrayed her in the worst sort of way. He didn’t know if the scoundrel actually understood everything that Fleur had gone through since they had parted. The initial melancholy was followed by the shock and anger of his actions with the woman who had traded her as effortlessly as a sack of grain.
He was surprised that she wasn’t bitter to the point she never wanted to see either of them again, but that was another part of Fleur’s kind nature that had called to him. While there wasn’t an actual angel halo around her head, tonight he could almost believe it. There was still compassion and love in those green eyes, something he had long ignored, nor cared about. But because he didn’t want to see her as jaded as he was, he was willing to do whatever it took to keep that beautiful smile on her face.
Miss Wilson saw them approaching before Flavian had glanced up. He appeared a bit rumpled in his finery, slumped in his chair with a glass dangling from his grasp. Drake clenched his jaw at the sight of the drink in his hand. The idiot had learned nothing. He was making the same mistakes now as he had in Greenwich, allowing his vices to consume him. Drake had known men like him, and sadly, they never changed until it was too late.
“Mr. Porter,” the famed courtesan preened as they stopped before her. “I didn’t expect to see you out this evening.” She flicked a glance at Fleur. “And Miss Davies. How… altered you look.” She returned her focus to Drake. “I see that the current situation suits you both. I’m quite relieved.”
It was all Drake could do to retain his composure. Luckily, Flavian seemed to notice them out of his drunken stupor. He stared at his sister as if he didn’t recognize her and then he quickly stumbled to his feet. “Fleur.”
“Flavian.”
Drake wasn’t sure how to interpret the tone of Fleur’s voice, but he imagined it was a mixture of disappointment and resignation. “Would you mind giving us a few moments alone?” she whispered to him.
He said nothing, just reached out and grasped Harriette’s elbow and steered her toward the back of the tent. “Let’s allow the siblings a chance to catch up,” he uttered.
Miss Wilson laughed gaily. “Of course. I shall certainly not pass up an opportunity to entertain you, Mr. Porter.”
Once they were out of earshot, Drake released her as if she was venomous snake and the truth wasn’t that far removed. “What are you doing with Flavian Davies?”
She shrugged her narrow shoulders and tossed her brunette head. Pinning him with a flirtatious expression out of her green eyes, she returned smoothly, “He’s actually a rather competent lover. He is learning quickly and eager to please.”
Drake clenched his fists. “You can find a suitable cock anywhere. He has nothing else to offer you. You know he has no funds at his disposal.”
She gave a mock gasp. “Don’t be so crude. I know you have a reputation to uphold, but truly, it doesn’t become you.”
