“Are they having a dinner party?” She scrunched her cute nose at him.
He cast her a rogue smile. “They are now, whether they like it or not.”
Chapter 12
Agood night’s sleep cures almost anything. At least, that was what Javenia had heard. Unfortunately, it did not cure embarrassment. She should have known Algenon would choose the absolute worst time to question her about her forward behavior under the table. And, of course, it had been right when she’d questioned her actions the most.
Unlike when the incident first happened, when she’d been plagued by nightmares, sleep had thankfully chased away the demons from her past, leaving her with a clearer mind.
Her list had worked… at least number five had.
Number one had been a dismal failure. She was terrible at flirting, so she’d crossed it off completely. Besides, she preferred verbal sparring.
She pulled out the blue paper, now worn from weeks of use, and placed it on her dressing table to put a tiny star next to number five. She shifted on the pale blue padded bench, late morning sunlight pouring in through her open curtains. At least today promised to be warmer than yesterday.
Lightly, she tapped the pencil against the paper as she pondered number five’s success.
Touching Algenon in a way he’d not expected had definitely gained his attention. Contact itself was nothing new between them, which was why she’d had to do something out of the ordinary to make him stop and think. A hand on his sleeve or a shared dance was not enough. So she’d opted for something blatantly intimate.
If it had been anyone else, she could not have stomached the close contact, but Algenon had always made her feel safe and secure. However, what she’d meant to be a slight brush on his knee had become a full assault on his thigh when her slippery skirts had caused her to grab his leg firmly to keep from falling out of her chair.
Not knowing exactly what to do next, she’d kept it there, frozen. How she had given any intelligent answers to the man on her right she had no idea, but just as they’d finished their conversation something slipped under her fingers, giving her the excuse she needed to extricate her hand.
She’d never felt such relief, but also disappointment. Had Algenon enjoyed the contact as much as she had?
Since he’d not broached the subject of her hand during dinner, she’d hoped he wouldn’t. While she’d meant to touch him, she’d not meant to do so in such a scandalous manner. How high had her hand been?
Her face burned with the recollection.
Algenon, however, had appeared as cool and collected as when they’d first sat down to dinner. He’d even engaged her in a lighthearted discussion about the future, and she’d loved every minute of it. Then he’d caught her staring at his lips, and her mortification had been complete.
Did he ever think of the time they’d kissed? She did. For over a decade, she’d relived that one moment over and over again. Lastnight, it had crossed her mind to recreate their experiment, but on a more personal level? Luckily, sense had won out when she locked eyes with her father’s disapproving gaze.
She sighed and adjusted her list. Both good and bad had come of last night’s experiment, which meant number five would definitely stay. It had gotten Algenon’s attention and hopefully made him ponder his feelings more intently. She also added a star to new gowns. Hers had certainly garnered more admiration from him than she’d ever witnessed. The memory of his gaze roaming her figure had her using her list to fan herself.
Yes, new gowns had definitely worked.
Clearing her throat, she rose and stuffed the list back in her pocket. Perhaps her desire for his happiness was not as selfless as she originally thought, but was it all that bad? Algenon would certainly be happiest with her.
Not that she could prove such a theory. Though she could certainly make him happier than Miss Weston.
She sucked in her bottom lip and nibbled on it. Miss Weston had arrived yesterday, along with most of London’s elite, which meant Lord Roberts would be pushing his son in her direction the moment he could rise from his bed. Perhaps she should convince her mother to change their schedule and attend the opera and Lady Jersey’s card party.
Two raps sounded on the door before Cindy burst in without permission.
“You will never guess who has invited us to the opera, Vee.”
Javenia swallowed her reprimand. “Who?”
“The Duke of Bedford.”
She had hoped it was Algenon. A silly hope considering the feud between their fathers, but she supposed any attendance at the opera was better than none at all. At least they’d be able to see each other during intermission.
“This evening?” she asked.
Cindy flopped down on her bed. “No silly, a sennight from now. No one gives an invitation on such short notice.”
Javenia’s shoulders sagged.
