A butler brought a tray of champagne, which Vincent was eager to taste. Actually, if he could get whiskey, the effect would help him much faster. Unfortunately, he had to accept what was given.
Ellie stood beside him, sipping her champagne as her gaze combed the people gathered in the room. She would see Candace at any moment, and he didn’t know how she would react. Holding his breath, he waited for the moment of recognition.
Ellie’s body stiffened, and she stopped the drink nearly at her mouth. He didn’t want to say anything, mainly because he didn’t know what to say. After a few very uncomfortable seconds, she exhaled slowly and lowered the drink. Her body continued to remain stiff as she lifted her head and met his stare.
She licked her tight lips. “I’m sure you know who is here.”
He nodded.
“Were you aware that she would be here?”
“No. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come.”
She kept her gaze on him, although malice lit her eyes. “Are you going to leave my side to go talk to her tonight?”
He arched an eyebrow. “I hadn’t planned on it, but after all, we are at a party, so I expect both of us will mingle.”
Ellie’s shoulders sagged. “Vincent, how many people in this room know about your affair with that woman?” she whispered.
He wanted to laugh, but he didn’t dare. Was Ellie jealous, or was she just being controlling? He prayed it wasn’t the latter. He abhorred women who wanted to run his life. “How would I know? Do you wish me to go ask all of the guests?”
“Of course not.” Her nostrils flared and her lips thinned.
He gently caressed her arm. “My precious,” he said softly, “please don’t worry. I promise not to do anything that will embarrass either of us tonight.”
She lowered her gaze and turned from him. The silence between them bothered him, but so did the thoughts running through his head. Was this how she would act once they were married? Was it her intention to keep him from speaking toanylovely woman, or just his former mistresses?
Slowly, anger built inside him. He didn’t want to hold bitter feelings toward Ellie after they were married, but if she planned on turning into a shrew, he wouldn’t handle it well.
Ellie’s parents took her away to introduce her to some other people, leaving Vincent by himself. He shouldn’t have come tonight. And he shouldn’t have agreed to marry Ellie. Yet he wasn’t given a choice.
He lifted the glass to his mouth, only to realize it was empty. He searched for a waiter, and then placed his empty glass on the tray before taking a full glass of champagne. For certain, this drink wouldn’t dull his senses as he wished. Tonight would be torture.
New arrivals entered the room. Vincent recognized a man he hadn’t seen since he was in school. A woman hung on the man’s arm. By their dour expressions, neither of them appeared too happy. Vincent rolled his eyes. He was willing to bet they were married.
Inwardly, he groaned. Would this be him and Ellie in a few years?
A throb began pounding in Vincent’s forehead, so he rubbed the spot, hoping to relieve the pain. Truth be told, one of the main reasons he had never wanted to marry was because since he was a lad, he’d watched married couples slowly fall out of love. Happily married couples rarely existed. He didn’t ever want to be in that situation. If he fell out of love with a woman, he would just move on to another one. That had been his way of life for several years.
Leaning his shoulder against the wall, he watched Ellie interact with the others. She was shy with some people, and with others she wasn’t. Her actions made him curious, but he hesitated to say anything to her about it. Perhaps she wasn’t aware of what she was doing.
Just then, a man walked up to Ellie’s father and greeted him. Lord Calvin Drake was a name Vincent had heard whispered in gossip circles. The tall, broad-shouldered, robust man was on most eligible women’s dream list. He’d been single for many years, but lately there was talk of him looking for a wife. Not only did Lord Calvin have charm, but the marquess’ youngest son was wealthy to boot. Both of the man’s parents came fromold money.
As the introductions were being made, Ellie’s eyes lit up like stars and her smile widened. Vincent’s gut twisted. Why hadn’t she looked athimin such a way? Worse, why did he even care?
“I’m assuming the rumors are true.”
The deep, sensual voice next to Vincent snapped him out of his thoughts, and he jumped. He jerked his head in her direction, and his heart dropped.Lady Livingston!
His first reaction was to see if Ellie had noticed whom he was talking with, but he quickly ushered away that response. He wasn’t committing a crime because he was with his former mistress. As long as they were in public, everything would be fine.
“Lady Livingston,” he said, and bowed.
“Lord Trenton.” She curtsied. “I saw you standing all alone, and I just knew I had to come over.” She presented him the famous pout that she gave to men when she wanted something. “Why didn’t you meet me after the ball?”
He wanted so badly to peek over his shoulder to see if Ellie was watching, but he fought the urge. What was wrong with him? “I had to get my sisters back to the manor. I didn’t have time to meet you, as I’d thought.”
Frowning, Candace shook her head. “Why don’t I believe you?”
