“Yes . . .” With his mouth. With his tongue. With a kiss of exchange that had lasted mere seconds but felt like it had set a fire aflame inside her. “Is that so inconceivable?”
He scowled but didn’t press the matter. “Stay away from Mandeville. He’s not the sort of man whose attention you want to draw.”
“What sort of man is he?” Elowyn asked curiously. Her brother ought to know more than the rumor mill since he was a fellow male. When the furrow between her brother’s brows deepened, she added hastily, “I have no intention of getting embroiled in his affairs. I’m simply curious.”
Zachary sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “Just know he’s a soulless man, Elowyn. He wouldn’t do anything if there wasn’t anything to gain.”
“Yet he required aid,” Elowyn murmured. Thoughtfully. “Of sorts.”
Zachary shook his head, scoffing. “He is not a man that requires help, Elowyn, that is why I’m concerned.” His eyes narrowed. “I’m presuming he nearly fell into a marriage trap, correct?”
At her shock, he nodded. “I see I’m right.”
How had he guessed? “Does it happen often? Marriage traps?”
“Often enough.”
Interesting. “Has it ever happened to you?”
“No, thank Christ,” Zachary muttered. “But there are ladies who’d do whatever it takes to get what they want. Be waryof Mandeville. He is not easy to deal with. Also, he’s not a man that could ever be trapped. If you inadvertently helped him, it wasn’t to escape marriage.”
Elowyn’s brows furrowed.
If not that then what?
Not your problem, Elowyn.
Right. She had more pressing things to concern herself with. Her plans for the season. She could never have imagined the crooked wrench that felled her first kiss. Could she simply pretend it didn’t happen and do another first kiss? Her lips tingled again. No, she could not. What’s done was done. No use dwelling on the matter. She still had a slew of first settings. Now she could simply tick drawing room kiss off her list and proceed to a midnight garden tryst kiss.
Elowyn nodded, satisfied.
Next: Her first dance. And this time, nothing would stop her.
***
Julien didn’t acknowledge whoever entered his study. He remained sprawled in his chair, head lolled back, bottle of brandy clutched in his hand. His cravat, wrenched free hours ago, lay draped over his face blocking out the light.
A strong wave of tobacco reached him.
Wrath.
Julien sensed the man coming to stop before him.
“What’s wrong with you?” the deep voice of his friend asked moments later.
Julien sighed. “Everything.”
A moment of silence passed. “What did you do?”
“Everything I shouldn’t have.”
“Is that so?” Another beat of silence. “I don’t believe it’s as bad aseverythingyou could have done.”
“Believe it.”
“Hmm. You offended Lady Elowyn, didn’t you? You offended her, now she’s going to help Lady Gabrielle, and you’re doomed to never get your revenge on Silkin.”
“No.” And he’d get his damn revenge.
