Page 44 of Intolerable
Evie smiled at her. “Good. I believe it’s time for your hide and seek.” Her blue eyes glowed with anticipation.
Cassandra reconsidered her plan to get Wexford alone. What was the point? She would find an opportunity to ask him about his rule, because shewascurious. But that was all she could allow. She had to go back to thinking of him as her brother’s friend.
Perhaps the answer had been in front of her all along. Instead of kissing him again, she ought to kiss Glastonbury. Yes, that would surely eradicate Wexford from her mind.
It was too bad the viscount wasn’t present.
Chapter 11
The moment Ruark stepped back into the parlor, his starved gaze fell on Cassandra. She looked stunning this evening, the ivory gown draping her form to perfection. Her dark hair was elegantly and intricately styled with a fetching pearl comb. The more he looked at her hair, the more he longed to unpin every strand and unravel each curl. He would bury his face in the mass, the silken locks caressing him.
Hell and the devil.He could not sport an erection in the middle of her birthday party.
And he’d done such a good job of staying away from her this evening. The only time he’d spoken directly to her, not including the irritating conversation with her father, had been when she’d returned to the parlor with the gift from her brothers. She’d shown everyone the beautiful miniature.
Ruark had been taken aback by the incredibly thoughtful gift. He could see how much it meant to her, but he hadn’t been able to say what he’d wanted, that he hoped it eased the ache in her heart. It was probably for the best that he could not. They’d shared too many charmed and heated moments, and he wasn’t sure how many more he could endure without surrendering to his rampant desire.
Lucien went to the center of the room. “Time for hide and seek, as requested by Cassandra. Since it’s her birthday, we must do as she says.”
Cassandra laughed and rose from the settee where she was sitting with Evie. Curtseying, she asked if there were any volunteers to be the finder.
Evie stood. “I’ll do it. How long shall I wait to search?”
“I should think three minutes by the clock,” Constantine suggested, gesturing toward the mantel where a small, ornate clock sat in the center. “Ground and first floors only, please, and do refrain from entering our private quarters. The door is closed.”
“That includes you and Lady Aldington,” Lucien said with a grin and a wink.
Ruark couldn’t help but chuckle. It was odd to see him and Constantine behaving in such a…brotherly fashion. It was also rather nice. Ruark adored his sisters, but sometimes he thought it might be nice to have a brother. That was likely why he cherished his close friendships with Lucien, MacNair, and Deane.
“Everyone ready?” Evie asked.
“You’ll need to close your eyes,” MacNair said. “That way you can’t see which way we go.”
Fiona nodded. “Yes and turn toward the hearth.”
Evie pivoted and, back to everyone, presumably closed her eyes. “Ready now?” After several people responded in the affirmative, she called, “Go!”
Ruark considered going into Aldington’s study, but that would likely be the first place she’d look. Still, no one else had gone in there… Hell, he was wasting time.
Dashing into the dining room, he glanced around. The edge of a pale blue skirt was visible beneath the table. He walked closer and whispered, “You may want to get farther under the table Lady Overton.”
The skirt disappeared. Smiling, he went into the anteroom then pivoted toward the stair hall. There were likely more places to hide upstairs.
Ruark moved swiftly but quietly toward the stairs. Cassandra was just opening a door worked into the wood paneling beneath the stairs. He hurried across the carpet that thankfully swallowed the sound of his steps and caught up to her before she stepped inside wherever she was going.
“Tell me where to hide,” he whispered.
She jumped and turned to face him. “Wexford!” Her voice was low, barely audible, but the urgency in her sherry-colored eyes was unmistakable.
“Presumably, you’re familiar with your brother’s house. Tell me where to hide, please.”
“I can’t help you.”
“Where are you hiding?” He looked past her toward the open door that he never would have known was there if she hadn’t opened it.
“This is a…cupboard.”
And just like that, the lust he’d tried to keep at bay roared through him.
