Upon hearing her voice, Constantine whirled around, his breath catching in his throat as his eyes hungrily devoured the woman looking down at him from a perch atop the steps.
Though she was not dressed in crimson—his favorite color on her so far—her silver taffeta gown was stunning on her. It hugged her corseted waist, highlighting the alluring curves of her torso, and its sleeves reached her elbows. Long, puffed-out skirts supported by petticoats further enhanced her silhouette, as did the scoop-necked bodice embroidered with diamonds that clearly emphasized the swell of her perfect bosom.
Visions of their night together a week ago erupted in his thoughts, and his cock stirred to life as he recalled howdelightfully pink and perfectly shaped her nipples were. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly full of water as he envisioned the perfection that lay just beneath such a jeweled surface.
Her delicate throat was adorned with a simple silver ribbon bearing a single diamond-shaped sapphire, perfectly placed in the small dip between her collarbones. Matching sapphire earrings adorned her ears, and in her updo of curls, matching pins kept her raven hair in place.
She is… exquisite.
Elara blushed as he took her in, and realizing that he was staring at her so intently, Constantine quickly looked away.
“Is it not to your liking, Your Grace?” Elara asked as she descended the stairs. “I have never been to Vauxhall before. I am not sure if I have done too little or too much with myself.”
“You are perfect,” he muttered. Then he frowned. This would not do. He could not be so affected by a woman who was so clearly wrong for him and his family.
Let alone temporary.
“I beg your pardon, what was that?” Elara asked as she reached the bottom of the steps.
“I said you are suitable,” Constantine stated, louder this time. “Quite suitable, in fact.”
Elara offered him a small, relieved smile, and his heart fluttered at the beauty.
“I am pleased to hear it,” she replied, her gaze moving up and down his person. “You are… quite suitable yourself, husband.”
He had not meant to match her so keenly. As usual, he opted for a black suit, but tonight the jacket he chose was embroidered with silver thread around the buttons, collar, and cuffs.
“Then we make quite a pair,” he mused, offering her his arm. “Shall we? Though I appreciate that beauty takes time, we are running behind.”
“We shall,” Elara agreed, looping her arm through his.
“I am quite excited by this particular adventure,” Elara went on as he helped her into the carriage. “Not only are we one step closer to finding Augustus, but we are attending an establishment I have always wanted to visit. Adrian and Evander would never take me, and despite our best efforts, Caroline and I were never admitted when we attempted on our own…”
Constantine tried to hide his growing adoration for Elara by staying silent and expressionless as she chattered on. Despite his best efforts, he found himself clinging to every word she spoke, noticing every sign of happiness and excitement on her beautiful face as they moved closer to the venue.
“Oh! Even the gates are lovely!” Elara exclaimed as they reached their destination.
Constantine raised an amused eyebrow as he looked out the carriage window. To him, it was just another structure. A stone turret on either side of the ornate wrought iron fence. Torches lit around the bottom of each turret. On the other side, a large fire burned in the spacious open pit that split the two paths to the gardens. Even this early, the entrance was full of other people of theton; no doubt looking forward to the night’s events.
“You are so easily entertained,” he teased as the carriage door was opened for them.
Elara shot him an annoyed glance, the very expression making his lips twitch toward a smile.
“Do not tease me,” she chastised as she allowed the footman to help her out. “Some of us were not awarded the liberties you are very much used to. Oh, listen! An orchestra! And what are those?”
“It seems there is a carnival of sorts going on,” Constantine explained as he stepped out of the carriage.
“A carnival!” she gasped excitedly.
Constantine’s lips split into a wide grin as he peered down and clucked his tongue.
“Do not get distracted,darling.We are here for something far more serious than a carnival,” he chided.
Again, he was rewarded with that narrowed-eyed look of annoyance that he was very much starting to grow fond of. This time, as she delivered such a hostile glance, she seemed to lose the battle with her lips and ended up smiling.
“You do not need to remind me of such things,darling,”she retorted with equal sarcasm. “I am well aware of why we are here. However, the night is young, and we are not to meet this Mr. Merlot until midnight. What is wrong with having a little fun until then?”
“Hmm,” Constantine mused, feeling himself drawn into her piercing blue eyes despite himself. “I suppose you are right.”
