Page 10 of Her Temporary Duke (Rakes and Roses #2)
The Dowager Countess raised an eyebrow, and there was an exchange of looks among the other ladies.
Seth had stood to follow Tewkesbury and the other men out of the room for a cigar.
Amelia glanced up at him, frowning and clearly confused by the reaction of the other ladies.
Seth had heard of the game and knew it to be popular among commoners.
He himself had played a version of it in the gaming hells for money.
I doubt the Dowager Countess of Tewkesbury has heard of it or would be seen dead playing a game for the common folk in her own drawing room.
“Or… perhaps not. I should not dictate the game while a guest in someone else’s house,” Amelia said, flustered.
“I’m afraid I am not a great one for card games,” Baroness Eastwick announced, “I think I will take the air while the sun is out. One never knows how much sunshine one is likely to get in London. With your permission of course,” she bowed to the Dowager Countess who inclined her head.
“I am intrigued about this game you find so much fun, Lady Nightingale. Would you instruct us on the rules, and perhaps we can try a few hands,” the Dowager Countess said with elaborate politeness.
Seth turned away, feeling like a cad.
I am not abandoning her. I have no reason to be loyal to her, and I do not want her to like me. My freedom and title are at stake. Whatever has gotten into the little socialite, I will leave her to resolve it.
He left the room and looked around to find the other men, not knowing where Tewkesbury’s study was.
He tried a door across the hall and found a sitting room.
Beyond it was a set of double doors, and the smell of cigar smoke seemed to be coming from that direction.
A husky female voice called to him softly as he began to cross the room towards those doors.
“Your Grace? Or may I still call you Seth?”
The Baroness Eastwick stepped into the sitting room and closed the door softly behind her. She stood momentarily, watching Seth from beneath her eyelashes, positioning herself so that her cleavage was prominent and unavoidable to Seth’s gaze.
“You may call me whatever you wish. I do not quite care,” Seth replied coolly.
“Your betrothed is currently instructing the ladies on how to play a game I believe is popular among farmers. Whatever have you done to Lady Nightingale to make her so… common ?” Baroness Eastwick chuckled.
“I have done nothing.”
“Oh, for shame. You must be losing your touch.”
She advanced towards him, walking gracefully with a swaying gait that emphasized her hips.
Ordinarily, an attractive woman such as she, offering a great deal for little effort, would have attracted Seth’s interest. But his mind kept returning to Amelia.
He wanted to go back into the sitting room and help her.
Baroness Eastwick was standing before him now, looking up at him coquettishly.
“I should be furious with you. You took advantage of me and then got engaged to another woman. Fortunately, I know how little such betrothals mean to you…”
“I take my betrothals seriously,” Seth said quite half-truthfully.
“Indeed, you do; that is why they end so abruptly,” Baroness Eastwick smirked, “I have spoken to Lady Catherine, and she told me how beastly you were to her. I wanted to laugh. It sounded simply delicious to me.”
“That says much about you,” he countered.
The Baroness giggled, putting a hand to his chest.
“How I have missed your irreverence. There is simply no other like you. Will Lady Nightingale go the same way as your other betrothals, Seth?”
“With all my heart, I hope not,” he replied.
“Your heart ? Ah, but that is not where your driving impulses originate. Let her go the same way as the others and enjoy yourself doing what you are best at, I say.”
Her smile was positively lascivious. She bit her lower lip, eyes smoldering and chest heaving.
Seth considered her beauty undoubtedly alluring and sensual.
But now it felt forced, as though it only existed at all because of the lengths she went to with cosmetics, clothing, and jewelry.
He thought about how she would look without these accouterments and then thought of Amelia.
She needed no accessories, wore no jewelry, and didn’t reveal her body with a plunging neckline. Nor did she throw herself at him. And all of those things now drew him to her. That had never been the case before. Baroness Eastwick raised herself on tiptoes, lifting her lips towards his for a kiss.
But this is who I am. Who I want to be. Not trapped and shackled to one woman. Free. Utterly free. I do not want these feelings for Amelia. I do not want to be intrigued or interested in her. I wish nothing but sport and pleasure!
In defiance of his own feelings, he hovered precariously, staring at the Baroness’ puckered lips. From behind him came the sound of a door opening.
“Ah, there you are, Your Grace, I thought I heard voices… oh my, excuse me.” Tewkesbury’s voice began brightly enough and tailed off into an embarrassed cough.
Seth pushed Baroness Eastwick to arm’s length, stepping back from her.
“Excuse me, my lady,” he said formally, “I fear you have mistaken me for another.”
Seth was prepared for an outburst of temper at being rejected. He knew she would be embarrassed at being discovered. He did not expect the small, secretive smile.
“Not at all, Your Grace. I hope to see you again soon.”
She glanced over his shoulder.
“Your Lordship. Please excuse me, I must return home. I thank you for an excellent tea.”
Tewkesbury bowed deeply. “Thank you for coming,” he said awkwardly.
Baroness Eastwick swept from the room with head held high. After she had gone, Tewkesbury slapped Seth on the shoulder, startling him. Suddenly, the young man seemed very companionable, almost as though they were equals.
“Do not worry, Your Grace. Your secret is safe with me.”