“Ho!” One of the men called out as they passed. “Save a bit for us, ole chap! I’ll pay double what he’s paying.” They laughed uproariously and continued on.
Jenna sighed in relief and pulled away from Gray.
“What was that all about?” he asked, glancing at the men’s retreating backs.
“Quinn. Quinn was with them,” she said in a shaky voice. “He was supposed to be with Sebastian tonight. Said they were going to a gaming hell on St. James.”
Above them, the sky lit up as the fireworks began, but she ignored them, too absorbed in her fright. If Sebastian wasn’t with Quinn, where was he? Had he gone home early? What if he looked in on her? It would be just like him to offer an apology for their earlier quarrel. They never remained angry at each other for long.
“Jenna, are you all right?” His concern filtered through her thoughts. “He didn’t see you. Wouldn’t have recognized you anyway. Would you like to leave now?”
“Yes, please.” The night was ruined for her anyway. She couldn’t very well remain to watch the fireworks with Quinn wandering around.
“Come then, we’ll go get a boat.”
They hurried down the walk and out of the gardens. As they walked to the river in silence, her mind whirled with anxiety. Even now, Sebastian could be discovering her absence. Blast it! At dinner they’d said their plans were to go out. And when they went out, they never came in this early.
Gray helped her into the boat, and they glided toward the opposite dock. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I shouldn’t have suggested we venture out.”
“No, don’t be sorry. I loved the gardens.” She smiled at him and took his hand, wanting again to feel the thrill of his touch as she had on their walk.
“Do you want me to take you home? I fear our evening is ruined by the looks of you.”
“Can we drive by my house? I’d like to see if Sebastian’s light is on. If he’s there, I don’t know what I will do.”
“Of course. Try not to worry, Jenna. Chances are Quinn got bored and wanted to do what all young men want to do. Break away from stuffy older brothers and have fun.”
She laughed as they got out of the boat. “How do you know my family so well? You’ve described my brothers perfectly.”
They entered the carriage and Gray instructed the driver to pass in front of Jenna’s house on the way home. He took her hand in his. “Wasn’t hard to guess based on our conversations about them. I always wished I had siblings.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, I felt lonely growing up. My father was always working, trying to provide food for us, and my mother had to take me along to her odd jobs. I used to dream of having an older brother to take me with him wherever he went.”
“It’s not nearly as fun in reality,” she said sourly.
“But they’re your brothers, annoying as they may be, and will always be a part of who you are.”
His voice sounded almost wistful, and she felt a pang of sympathy for the way he had grown up. True, her brothers were annoying, but she loved them fiercely and couldn’t imagine her life without them.
The carriage slowed, and Gray pulled the curtain back from the window. Jenna peered out, trying to ascertain how many lights were burning in the house. Of course, she had no way of knowing if Sebastian was in Father’s study, since it was in the back of the house, but the rest of the rooms looked dark. Only the lights in the foyer and drawing room gleamed through the windows, left burning for when they returned.
“Do you want me to let you off?” he asked quietly.
Indecision flickered through her mind. But finally she shook her head. “No. No, I don’t. Can we return to your home?” If she was caught then so be it, but she would have one last time with him before she faced Sebastian. Chances were he hadn’t even returned home, and if he had, it was doubtful he’d gone to her room.
Feeling better, she turned back to Gray as the carriage picked up speed. “Now where were we?”
“I think right...” He kissed her neck. “About...” His lips moved up her jaw line. “Here.” He captured her lips, tugging at her bottom lip with his teeth.
“How long do we have?” she asked between kisses.
“It’s only two.”
“Plenty of time then,” she said flashing a wicked smile.
###
