“You don’t believe me?”he said, his tone almost angry.
He couldn’t stand the idea that she didn’t believe him.
“I know I am not the most beautiful woman in this room.”
“I see no other women in this room, Scarlett.I only see you.And all I can think of is how I might find a collection of minutes alone with you.So that I can convince you so thoroughly of that fact that you forget any other man exists.”
“Malcolm,” she said, his name a plea and a hope on her lips.
“I know, darling.I will find a way.”
In truth, he had no idea how they would.Parkhorne was filled with people, and everyone was watching.
But tonight, he would do anything to have her to himself.
Right now, though, all he had was this waltz, so he held her closer than proper.
It was all he could do at the moment, and for the moment, it had to be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
After their waltz,Malcolm felt so heated that he couldn’t bear another dance.
And he couldn’t march Scarlett out of the ballroom, either, and take her into the nearest closet as he would prefer.
Which left taking her to get a refreshment.
This plan ended up being more pleasant than he had expected.He had imagined standing next to Scarlett in an infernal riot of lust, unable to form sentences because all his blood was in his cock.
And, yes, he meant that literally, as he was currently sporting a rather stiff one.
Luckily, however, they found a private corner where he could actually hear what she was saying.
They could see the dancers, and he watched as her gaze fell upon Severn, who seemed to have gotten over the worst of his foul humor and was now dancing with Miss Wallington.
“Ah, good, he isn’t moping any longer,” Malcolm said with a chuckle.“My brothers all seem to be rather volatile these days.Well, except George, of course.But he has always had an unusually excellent temperament.”
“What do you mean?About Severn?”she said, alarm evident in her voice.
“Oh, Severn was in a pet earlier this evening.Anyone could see it.”
“Do you know why?”
“Not the slightest idea.Frankly, I don’t try to fathom Severn’s moods.He has become so urbane that none of us can puzzle him out—other than Beatrice, of course.She will be glad to see that he’s dancing with Miss Wallington.”
“Why is that?”
“I think she hopes they might take a fancy to each other,” Malcolm said, happy to let Scarlett into this harmless piece of matchmaking on his sister’s part.“I believe she thinks their natures may suit.And it would certainly be an advantageous match for Severn, in regard to fortune.”
“Do you believe he cares for her?”
He shrugged.He wasn’t sure why Scarlett was curious about Severn’s feelings for Miss Wallington, although the two did certainly make a handsome pair on the floor.
“I don’t presume to know.”
“I have never understood Miss Wallington setting her cap at George.And now I wonder if Severn explains it,” she said contemplatively, and then she went a bit pale.“Not to disparage George,” she said quickly.“He is a fine match.”
He laughed.He liked that she was a little more plainspoken than she should be.He found that it just suited him.At that thought, an uncomfortable ache set in at his breastbone.Dear God, he was in danger.
