CHAPTER 10
Langsdene cursed himself for removing his coat, though Winsome was very sweet about helping him don the garment again. He helped her with her hat, making sure she looked as lovely as she had when she had met him this morning. As usual, his conversation with her amused him and encouraged him to misbehave. While he tried, not very hard, to keep on the conventional path, she delighted in leading him astray. The slight loosening of her hair could be put down to riding. When he delivered her back to her parent’s house, he doubted anyone would see a thing amiss.
As he watched her ride into the lane that led to the mews, his body ached with a new craving. Lying with her beneath him on the couch did not sate him. Although he realized he couldn’t fully make love to her, these short sessions in libraries only served to keep him on edge. In a way, her licentious behavior mystified him. If she had thought to compromise him, she could have done so at almost any time. However, she appeared not be interested in marriage.
His damned insecurity about her had begun to haunt him. He seemed to have her full attention but as soon as he became serious, she diverted him yet again. He could certainly meet her at various functions. As an eligible earl, even if he hadn’t received an invitation, and he usually had, he wouldn’t be asked to leave. This way, he could continue to live in her pocket, but he had hopes of marriage. And the sooner, the better. Had he been even half certain she would accept him, he would have asked to speak to her father this morning.
The real fear of her refusing him was ever present. She had a loving family, her independence, and appeared to enjoy a comfortable allowance. Everyone adored her. She could have taken her pick any time during the past ten years. Apparently, she was content to stay single. Also apparent was the fact that thus far she had allowed no man to go farther than he. Would he care if she had? He would need to be a damned hypocrite if he did, after being, he presumed, the first to dally with her.
When he entered the Terrington’s crowded ballroom he wondered how he would find her, but he spotted a graceful female in a rose colored domino who could only be Rose. Sir Ian was easily recognized. Beside him, the lady in a gold cape and mask was bound to be Winsome, who never minded standing out from the crowd, be she looking dowdy or smart. Tonight she had taken the smart guise. He moved through the crowds and landed on her left side as a gallant in a dark blue cape took her hand for a waltz. “Good evening,” he said to Rose, watching Winsome glance back at him as she walked back onto the floor with the other chap.
“Good evening, John. You are being most sociable of late.”
“I had no idea what I was missing.”
“I’m sure you kept yourself busy managing your estates.”
“I did, Rose, yes.”
“In between gambling with your friends, and choosing superlative mistresses.”
“What do you know of my mistresses?” He frowned at her.
She blinked. “First hand, nothing, but you have to admit that the newspaper made much of your, um, recreational activities.”
“I’m sure you are aware that even the most faithful of husbands also had, and I mean past tense, mistresses.”
“And yours is also past tense?”
“Mine has been past tense for some time. As you know. You have been presenting aspirants to my title for the past few months.”
“You haven’t glanced twice at any of ‘em. I despair, John. Such a waste of a very fine man.”
“Do you think I would make some willing damsel a good husband?”
“I can’t imagine why not. If you unbent a little, you might see someone in front of your very nose.”
He smiled at her reference to Winsome. If her hint was sincere, then she had no idea he already fallen for her friend. “Perhaps I will ask for your advice. At whom do you think I should be looking?”
“A woman of intelligence with a marvelous sense of humor. She would relieve you of your seriousness in a trice and put a smile on that handsome face of yours.”
“Winsome?” He tried to sound surprised.
“Is she not deliciously entertaining?”
“She certainly entertains me. I’ll wait here until she returns and try to book her for the cotillion.”
“Not a cotillion, John. She will be laughing with everyone but you. Wait for a waltz and then you will have her full attention. One thing I can say for you is that you waltz divinely.”
“Thank you, Rose. I’ll take your advice.” And so that he looked as if he hadn’t given Winsome a thought, he asked a new debutante onto the floor for the interminable cotillion. As soon as he had Winsome in his arms, he spirited her off to the library, where she fitted comfortably against him. Momentarily, her cloud soft hair pressed against his cheek before he turned her head and covered her mouth with his.
He didn’t lock the door. He kissed her again and made another assignation to ride with her the next day.