“Of course not! That’s where I’m tempted to cross it.”
Oh, lord. “You might be just as hopeless as I am.”
Annabelle grinned, unrepentant. “Utterly. But why areyouhopeless?”
Alyssia stilled. “Oh, you know, just in the normal sense of the word.”
“Alyssia!” her friend exclaimed in a hush. “Do not give me vague evasions.Howare you hopeless? Have you consummated the marriage?”
“No!”
“Then how?”
She glanced at Giles just as he turned to look over, their gazes locking. He blasted a grin aimed directly at her. She whipped her head back, cheeks heating.
“Ah,” Annabelle murmured. “I see.”
She glared at her friend. “What exactly do you see?”
“Your hopelessly softening heart. Not that I’m complaining. I’d rather you be happy than not.”
“My heart is just fine, thank you very much.” She peeked at him again. He leaned in to say something to the marquess, and the movement pulled at the lines of his shoulders, drawing and keeping her gaze entirely against her will. Her pulse tripped over itself.
“If you say so.”
“Not everything is always as it seems.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Alyssia glanced at her friend. “It’s too complicated.”
“Mm-hmm.” Annabelle cocked her head. “You were staring.”
“I was glaring,” Alyssia corrected.
“You’re glowing.”
“From outrage.”
Annabelle grinned. “If outrage looks like that, perhaps I should cultivate some. But do keep ogling your husband.”
“I am not ogling!”
“Then your face forgot to tell your eyes.”
Before Alyssia could retort, the men returned, Giles placing a fresh glass of port before her with an infuriatingly gentle smile. “Another for mywife.” He scooted away the moment the last word fell.
She clenched the stem of her glass.
Yes, run, you rogue!
Annabelle’s smirk was audible.
Alyssia lifted her glass, pretending her heart wasn’t beating as if it meant to leap from her chest. “Thank you,” she bit out.
“You’re welcome,” he said, voice throaty and filled with laughter.
Ah, lawd. The man unsettled her. He always had. Even when they were younger, he’d possessed this uncanny ability to unmoor her without trying. Now, with every grin and glance, he made her feel seen in ways she hadn’t expected, or wanted, to be seen.
