Page 24 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
‘Then I pray you will play it now and delight us all.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
By the time the party broke up Flora was exhausted. The Viscount displayed a barely concealed hostility towards Matt Talacre, although no one else seemed aware of it. Quentin lost no opportunity to disparage his guest with subtle hints, to which Matt responded with an unshakeable good humour that only irritated his host even more.
Carriages were called and the business of leave-taking began.
‘You have had an uncomfortable evening, sir,’ murmured Flora, holding out her hand to Matt.
‘It was not all unpleasant.’ He smiled down at her and she read understanding in his dark eyes, before he bowed over her hand.
‘Until we meet again, Miss Warenne.’
The words, uttered in his deep, smooth voice, caused a little frisson of pleasure to run through Flora. A glance across the room showed her that the Viscountwas glaring at them and she could not prevent a blush rising to her cheeks.
She mumbled something inarticulate and quickly withdrew her fingers, trying hard to look unconcerned. Was Quentin jealous? Perhaps he had cause, she thought, her eyes following Matt as he moved off to take his leave of her aunt. The man had a most disturbing effect upon her.
‘Oh, by the bye, Mr Farnleigh.’ The Viscount’s raised voice caught her attention. ‘I should like to call upon you in the morning, if I may?’
He walked across and took Flora’s hands. She kept her eyes lowered, wondering why his touch did not rouse the same excitement, the same delicious ache deep in her body, that Matt’s had done.
‘I think we should set a date for the wedding,’ said the Viscount. ‘Do you not think so, my dear?’
Flora’s head jerked up. Everyone had fallen silent, waiting for her answer. Quentin was smiling down at her and she adopted a teasing tone to cover her sudden awkwardness.
‘And not before time, Quentin. We have delayed everything for a full year now.’
‘I know it, my love, and beg your pardon.’ He lifted her fingers to his lips. ‘I mean to rectify that as soon as possible.’
Brittle as glass, Flora desperately wanted to snatch her hand away, but she dared not. Everyone was watchingand the stillness around them was oppressive, menacing. Finally, her uncle’s voice finally broke the silence.
‘Aye, my lord, by all means call tomorrow. I am at home all day.’
The atmosphere changed. Everyone was chattering, Uncle Farnleigh was beaming and shaking the Viscount’s hand, declaring he was very ready to discuss the arrangements. Only Flora was silent and troubled.
Why did she not feel unalloyed happiness at Quentin’s announcement? The betrothal had elevated her from being a mere spinster within Whilton society, but perhaps that was the problem. Her position as the Viscount’s fiancée, prolonged an extra year by the demise of the Viscount’s godfather, had become too comfortable. Perhaps she was apprehensive of change.
Yes, that was it, she decided. Quentin had been absent from Whilton a great deal this past year and they needed to spend more time together. She would ask Aunt Farnleigh to take her to London to buy her wedding clothes. Since the Viscount had such a deal of business there it would provide an opportunity for her to become reacquainted with her fiancé—he might be busy during the day, but in the evenings they could attend balls and parties together, or visit the theatre.
‘Well, my love, our coach is at the door, are you ready to leave?’
Aunt Farnleigh’s touch on her arm brought Floraback to the present. The Condicotes had already departed and Mrs Gask announced she would see them off before she retired. Flora accompanied her aunt and uncle out of the room, but as she reached the door she glanced back, her eyes instinctively seeking Matt Talacre. He had moved to the window and was standing with his back to the room, staring out into the darkness.
* * *
Matt heard the whisper of skirts as Flora left the room with the Farnleighs, the click of the door shutting behind them and then the Viscount’s voice.
‘So, it is only you and I now, Mr Talacre.’
Matt turned. ‘Yes. It is time that I, too, took my leave.’
‘Will you not take another glass of brandy with me first?’ The Viscount was all smiles, but they did not reach his eyes.
‘Thank you, but no. I intend to make an early start in the morning.’
‘But we have not yet had time to talk together.’
‘I think we understand one another well enough,’ replied Matt, tired of these games. ‘I shall instruct my lawyers to contact you.’
