In fact, I’d glazed over so badly, I’d only come unglazedwhen I heard his rich, attractive chuckle before I felt his firm, deliciouslips press to mine.
When he’d pulled away, he’d said, “We’ll leave it at thefact I have many interests, so there will be a number of soirees you’ll need toorganize to keep our investors happy, and a number of opportunities to wearwildly becoming gowns as men try to tempt me into investing in their schemes.”
“You know, of the last thousand words you’ve recently said,I only heard ‘soirees you’ll need to organize’ and ‘wildly becoming gowns,’”I’d replied.
Which hadn’t made him chuckle.
It had made him laugh.
Which had made me happy.
Short story long, when I’d read about this exhibit in thepaper, and learned the existence of this museum, and told him wehad to go,he’d rearranged his schedule in order to escort us here.
In truth, he gave into my merest whim, as evidenced by thefact we’d walked by a shop after our dinner two nights ago, I’d seen a hat pinin the window that I’d said in a throwaway manner, “That’s pretty,” and it wasdelivered to our house the next morning.
So, yes.
Totally spoiled.
Something he’d been doing since I lost it in his bedroomafterLe Cirque Magique.
Or maybe this was just Loren.From what Aunt Mary saidoutside, and every indication I’d had since I’d met them both, the Copeland mentended to indulge the women in their lives.
But I couldn’t get past thinking that he was trying to helpme make up for lost time, secluded inFleuridia, awayfrom Maxie and even Aunt Mary.
All this on my mind, I blurted, “I’m going to find my way.”
His brows slid together.“Pardon?”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, outside earning thereputation of the best hostess in all the Northlands, entirely so yourinvestors will understand how clever you are for marrying such a prize as me,”I joked.
He grinned.
I moved closer to him and went on quietly, “But I’ll find myway, Loren.You don’t have to look after me.You don’t have to worry about me.About any of us.”
As I was speaking, he’d slid his arm around me, but hepulled me closer when he replied, “It’s good Mary is here.I fear your motherbeing away so long, she, as well as you, will need a guiding hand in society.”He sent a small smile down to me.“I’m uncertain Lady Longdon murders a party,but I’ve no doubt she can set you on the path to figure out how you intend todo it.”
My insides froze.
Murders a party.
I’d told him I murdered a party.
And I did.
I mean, my friends were probably lamenting the demise of myyearly Halloween bash as much as the demise they thought became of me.
But Loren thought I’d said that to him in the stables allthose weeks ago in order to play the game my father had forced me to play.
When, for once, I’d been telling him the truth.
“Satrine?”he called.
I focused on him and repeated, “I’ll find my way.”
He was studying me closely, his arm warm around my waist,his gaze affectionate at the same time troubled, because he no doubt thoughtI’d had a bad moment, remembering my plight.
I pressed my gloved hands into his chest.“I promise.”
