“And you do know Collier is angling to match you with his cousin.”
“I am aware,” Tristan admitted tightly.
Whatever fleeting thoughts he’d given to the possibility nearly two weeks ago when he’d arrived at the Beckfords’ ball seemed a dim memory now compared to the kiss he’d shared with Hyacinth.
He let his gaze find her across the room again and instantly recalled the warmth of her lips against his, the softness of her skin under his fingertips. She’d been so sweetly eager. It had heated his blood. The scent of violets that clung to his skin after she stepped away had been intoxicating.
No lady had ever evoked these feelings in him, and he’d never imagined pursuing a woman who did.
Now, it was all he could think about.
“Shall we each pursue one of the Bridewell debutantes?” Selwick murmured as he set his empty snifter aside, then reached down to straighten his cuffs. “I shall engage the one who seems to have caught the eye of every bachelor in London. You can have the other.” Selwick had the audacity to wink at him. “If you can win Edgerton’s favor.”
“Stop speaking of young ladies as if we’re selecting a horse to bet on at Newmarket.”
Selwick flinched as if taken aback by Tristan’s outburst. In truth, he’d spoken the words so harshly and at such a volume that a few others guests’ attention had turned their way.
“Good God, man. Don’t tell me you’re besotted with one of them.” Selwick suddenly sounded far too much like Tristan’s father.
His hand curled into a fist and his tie suddenly felt constricting at his throat.
“If you’ll excuse me, Selwick.” It was either got away from the man or throttled him in the middle of the drawing room.
Tristan tipped back the remainder of his brandy and made his way toward the corner where Hyacinth stood with her sister.
Lady Felicia swept from his left, planting herself in his path. “Have I thanked you yet for inviting me, Sir Tristan?” she asked with what seemed forced brightness. Her tight smile didn’t quite match the anxious look in her eyes.
“You’re most welcome, my lady.”
In truth, he couldn’t recall if she’d expressed gratitude. All of his thoughts seemed to have narrowed to a dark chestnut-haired, green-eyed lady who’d kissed him with breathless urgency.
“I understand there is a lovely garden here at Oakhill. Nathan says there is even a moon garden, meant to be seen by moonlight.”
The garden had been Emma’s project. As if she sensed his gaze had landed on her, his sister turned her head and gave him a questioning look. When he nodded, she excused herself from Cartwright’s side and moved toward where he stood with Lady Felicia.
The young noblewoman seemed surprised by his sister’s approach.
“Lady Felicia asked me about your moon garden.”
“Oh, lovely.” Emma smiled, then glanced at the drawing room window. “I believe it’s a clear night. Shall we all go out for a stroll and then return for dancing?”
Lady Felicia looked slightly perplexed but nodded.
Emma turned back to the guests, clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention and signal to Collier to stop playing thepiano. “Shall we all have a stroll in the garden? The temperature is mild and the moon is out tonight.”
A murmur of agreement followed, and soon they were all setting their drinks and conversation aside to make their way out into the garden.
Lady Felicia looked up at Tristan expectantly, and he gestured for her to proceed him, his eye on Hyacinth, where she and her sisters and the duke were assembling to walk out together.
He tried to catch her eye, but it was almost as if she was avoiding any glance in his direction.
“Are you coming, Sir Tristan?” Lady Felicia asked.
He clenched his teeth, pasted on a smile, and followed the noblewoman outdoors.
She walked close, too close, and Tristan considered how he might put whatever hopes she’d formed to rest, all the while glancing behind him for the moment when Hyacinth might emerge.
When she did, the moonlight and lanterns strung in the garden catching in the faceted beads on her gown like sparks, his throat went dry and he stopped walking. Just stood still and watched her like a lovestruck fool.
