“My new friend? To whom are you referring, Lord Trenton?”
He gave her a skeptical glance. “You know perfectly well, my precious. I’m speaking of your little visit with Lord Calvin.”
Her heartbeat quickened.Vincent saw me?“Uh, yes. I was happy to meet Adam Haddington’s cousin.”
Vincent’s eyebrows lifted. “His cousin?”
She nodded. “Yes, they are related, even though I haven’t met him until tonight. Was it a crime to talk to him?”
Vincent scowled. “Of course not.”
“And what about you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm, as they were nearly to the table. “How was your visit with Lady Livingston? Did you enjoy yourself?”
“As much as I dared,” he said in a low voice as they stood behind their chairs, waiting for the host and hostess to sit first.
They didn’t continue the conversation, only because the host and hostess sat, and they started the meal, beginning with soup.
Ellie peeked at Vincent beside her, and his head was bent as he ate his soup. Taking small spoonfuls, she slowly consumed hers, since she had suddenly lost her appetite. Why did she always argue with Vincent? This wasn’t the way she wanted to start a marriage.
Quickly, she brought her mind to a halt. What was she thinking? She knew this marriage wasn’t going to be happy. She needed to remember that although it wouldn’t be perfect, at least she wasn’t marrying Augusta’s obstinate nephew.
As Ellie took another sip of her soup, she moved her gaze around the table…and stopped on the man who was watching her. Although Lord Calvin was eating, he still had his eyes on her. The speculative expression on his face made her cautious. Could he be trying to see if she was truly happy without Adam? Then again, she didn’t know why he cared. She gave him a polite smile before lowering her attention back to her bowl.
Soon, several conversations grew around the table. She didn’t know which one to be part of. She sat by her father, and he discussed politics with his friends. Vincent entered into a conversation with the gentlemen sitting nearest to him about horse racing. Neither conversation roused her interest. However, watching Vincent was quite entertaining.
Stars sparkled in his eyes as he talked about horses, and his whole expression grew bright with excitement. His voice lifted, but it wasn’t loud. Instead, the energy he displayed on the topic soothed her. She loved horses, too, and it was thrilling to know they had at least one thing in common.
The meal passed quickly, and soon the women were moving into the drawing room to work on their embroidery while the men stayed in the dining room to smoke cigars and drink port. Ellie wasn’t in the mood to embroider. She was very uncomfortable being in the same room with Lady Livingston. Vincent’s mistress sat much closer to her than before, and because of the glares the woman threw her way, her chest tightened and made it harder to breathe.
Finally, she could take no more. Ellie leaned closer to her stepmother and whispered, “It’s quite stuffy in here. I’m going to step outside to get some fresh air.”
Augusta’s curious eyes met Ellie’s. “Make certain you take one of Lady Berkley’s maids.”
“I will.”
The room was abuzz with gossip, and Ellie prayed nobody would really notice her leaving, especially Lady Livingston. On soft feet, she stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind her. She glanced around the spacious hall, but no servants were about. That was all right. She would go no farther than the front porch, so she didn’t need a chaperone.
She hurried outside. The night’s cool breeze blew against her moist skin. Smiling, she closed her eyes and lifted her face toward the moonlight streaming upon the porch. No longer did she feel suffocated. The refreshing air around her calmed her slightly.
There were still a few more hours before they would return home. Lady Berkley had entertainment planned for her guests, and Ellie hoped she would be able to make it through the evening.
“You are absolutely breathtaking.”
Vincent’s voice startled her, and she jumped. Snapping her eyes open and focusing on the man beside her, she placed a hand to her chest, feeling her wild heartbeat beneath her palm. “Wh-what are you doing out here? You are supposed to be inside with the other men.”
He stepped closer, leaned against one of the many thick white columns on the porch, and folded his arms. “I should ask you the same. Weren’t you enjoying yourself with the other women?”
Vincent’s teasing expression made her smile. She liked the way one side of his mouth lifted higher than the other, and the way his eyes were partially squinted.
“I’m certain you know the answer to that, my lord.”
“Indeed I do.” He shrugged. “I was bored with cigars and port, and I needed some fresh air.”
Inhaling deeply, she nodded and walked to the edge of the porch. “It’s a very lovely evening to enjoy the crispness of the air.”
“I agree—however, I believe the woman I’m with is much lovelier than the cool night’s breeze.”
Her cheeks warmed, and she couldn’t stop from gazing into his warm eyes. “You are full of compliments tonight. It makes me curious as to why.”
