Page 69 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
She saw his immediate concern. “Did something happen?”
“I still cannot seem to ease her from this shyness. Around you and old friends and even other ladies, she does well, but with men…she seems tongue-tied. I’ve taught her things of interest to men, and it’s begun to help. And then Lord Keane, who was seated next to her at dinner, made it a point to sit beside her when the men came to the drawing room.”
Simon straightened in his chair. “Keane?”
“Well, you said you didn’t mind him.”
“But not chasing after my sister!”
“He asked her for a dance at the ball this coming Saturday night, and she didn’t refuse him. She later said she wished I were nearby so she could signal.”
“Damn. Well, I’ll just have to attend to protect her.”
Louisa’s mouth dropped open. “You’ll attend? Your grandmother will be so thrilled.”
“Georgie needs me.”
She promised herself that she would help him realize that an evening with friends could still be enjoyable.
“I should let you sleep,” he said.
At the reluctance in his voice, she wondered what these nights meant to him. To her, they were a way to be with him, to understand him, to pretend that they could be friends when beneath all their words lurked a passionate intensity that colored everything between them. The more she was with him, the more she regretted that there could not be more.
She followed him to the door, and when he stopped suddenly, she ran into his back. He turned, catching her arm, focusing on her in that Simon way that never failed to thrill her. And for a moment, she was on the verge of asking him to stay. The stranger she was becoming frightened her.
His hand slid up her arm, barely touching, until he could cup her face in one hand. Her heart beat loudly when he leaned down and kissed her cheek. At the last moment, she almost turned her face so their lips would meet as if by accident.
They hovered there for a silent moment, their mouths close, their breathing loud.
Then Simon straightened. “Good night,” he whispered.
When the door closed behind him, Louisa put her face against its cool surface and prayed for strength. Giving in to her desires would only lead to worse loneliness for herself when she had to leave him. Because he was not courting her, and she knew he did not want to marry.
And she wouldn’t let herself imagine being a wife to him.
ChapterFifteen
On the night of the ball, Simon and Leo waited in the drawing room for the ladies. Simon tossed back a drink, and by his brother’s silence, knew he was being watched.
“What?” Simon finally asked. “Does my coat look all right? It’s been a while since I wore it, and it feels tight in the shoulders. Manvil insists it’s because I’ve been rowing—”
When Leo started to laugh, Simon stopping rambling and put his hands on his hips.
“Look at you,” Leo said, “as nervous as a girl fresh from the schoolroom.”
“Not very flattering.”
“Sorry. You don’t need to be nervous. Just the fact that you’re attending has the family beyond excitement. If I wasn’t so secure about my place, I’d be jealous at all the attention you’re receiving.”
“Believe me, I don’t appreciate the attention. Luckily, I won’t know when I’m being stared at.”
That wasn’t true. He could feel people staring—or was he imagining it? After all, they were bound to be curious, since he’d been holed up here for months.
“Tell me what I look like,” he suddenly said.
Leo sighed loudly. “Manvil did an excellent job.”
“No, I mean—”
