Page 56 of Wickedly Yours
Arabella murmured a low greeting followed by a pleasant smile.
“Come, Lady Malden.” Lady Galspred took her arm. “Let me introduce you to some of my other guests.”
Arabella allowed herself to be led away, dark eyes narrowed as she spared Rowan a backward glance, promising retribution.
Behave. Rowan mouthed to her. He would sleep with one eye open tonight, though seeing Arabella in that dress, he doubted he would sleep much.
“You’ve allied yourself with a very powerful family, though I wouldn’t have thought it necessary as your cousin is already wed to the Duke. Tell me, are the rumors true?” Galspred’s eyebrows wiggled. “Witchcraft and black magic?”
“Not in the least.” Rowan took a glass of wine from a passing servant, frowning slightly at his friend’s remark. This was the type of stupid innuendo Arabella had been tolerating her whole life. The remark annoyed Rowan.
“I’d heard rumors of Lady Arabella, of course. I was given to understand she was unpleasant and generally dressed like an elderly matron. I’m glad to find my information to be untrue, at least on one part.” He stroked his beard. “I’m sure the enormity of her dowry would more than make up for a shrewish nature.”
“She isn’t a shrew.” Rowan’s gaze followed Arabella as she floated along behind Lady Galspred. The sable mass of her hair was caught up in a loose knot at the back to allow several curls to tumble seductively about her shoulders. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room and the most intelligent. Even though she was across the room from him, Rowan still felt tethered to her, her every movement drawing him along in her wake.
And she’s mine.
Male eyes turned in appreciation as Arabella moved across the ballroom. If she was aware of the looks she garnered, she showed no sign. Several ladies, eyes widening at Arabella’s appearance, snapped open their fans to confer behind them.
He caught the mulish tilt of Arabella’s chin and knew shehadnoticed the women likely gossiping about her. Looking over his glass, Rowan caught a flash of ash blonde hair.
Lady Gwendolyn.
Seeing Rowan across the room she fluttered her fan and eyelashes to gain his attention.
He nodded politely but did not approach her. He assumed her parents to be somewhere in the ballroom and instantly regretted coming this evening. Lord White’s badgering to forgive his debts had grown more insistent, especially now that Rowan had married Arabella.
Lady Galspred was making introductions to a small group clustered in one corner. A young man, tall and lean with red gold hair leaned over Lady Galspred’s hand, looking in appreciation at Arabella, awaiting an introduction.
“Mr. Longstreet.” Galspred caught Rowan’s glance. “He’s related to someone with a title but for the life of me, I can’t remember just now. Winnie will know.”
Longstreet was buzzing around Arabella like a very determined bee. He was smiling over her hand and must have said something amusing for his wife laughed.
Jealously slammed into Rowan.Hewas the only one to make his wife laugh. He had the sudden urge to tear young Longstreet limb from limb.
“Malden? Are you well?”
“Why do you ask?” Rowan bit out, his eyes never leaving the lecherous Longstreet. He grabbed another glass of wine from a passing servant.
“You appear a bit hostile just now towards young Longstreet. Don’t worry; he’s harmless. His heart belongs to some squire’s daughter, I believe. Can’t marry her as he’s poor as a church mouse. Fancies himself an artist.”
“Then why is he hovering about my wife?” Rowan spat out before he could think.
“Probably wishes to paint her, Malden.” Galspred gave him an odd look and lowered his voice. “The story you and she were secretly courting and rode to Scotland on a wave of passion, changed your minds and decided to wed properly is ridiculous. You’re meticulous in your plans. Once you’ve set on something you see it through, rarely altering your path. I doubt you would have done something so impetuous.”
Rowan stayed silent, too busy watching Longstreet hovering about Arabella to be concerned with Galspred’s assumptions.
“We were all shocked of course, that you didn’t offer for Lady Gwendolyn. Lord White—”
“Was incorrect. I never had any intention of wedding his daughter.”
Galspred nodded. “So it would seem. Most of London believes you wanted the alliance with Dunbar and your wife’s enormous dowry. The betting book at White’s is ten to one Dunbar tripled her settlement to ensure your agreement. A veritable king’s ransom.”
“Careful, Galspred.” Rowan sipped his wine as the anger slowly spooled inside of him. “Besides, you shouldn’t be betting on anything.” Galspred’s lavish lifestyle had nearly driven him to bankruptcy. Rowan had lent his friend a substantial amount of money to keep the debt collectors from the door so Winnie could continue to throw frivolous events such as these.
A surprised look crossed Galspred’s face at Rowan’s anger. “I meant no disrespect.” His eyes widened. “Good Lord. Youwantedto marry her. Youwerecourting her.”
“Shut up, Galspred.” Rowan walked away from whatever else his friend was unwise enough to say. What he’d just admitted to Galspred was something Rowan hadn’t even admitted to himself.
