Page 61 of Her Dark Seduction
He held out his hand, but I shook my head.
“Devil’s holy—I mean—heavens above, Lisetta, you think I would beat you? Over a bag of flour?”
“Forgive me, it was an accident.”
“I’m aware of that. Take my hand.” He reached out again, and this time I let him pull me upright.
“Are you hurt?”
Still trembling, I shook my head. He tried to draw me to him, but I pulled away.
“I am fine, Monsieur Cooper,” I said evenly, smoothing down the front of my gown.
He sighed. “I think not. You hide much behind your ladylike airs.”
Unwilling to trust him, I said nothing. Eventually he smiled.
“No matter; today is not the day to pursue it. Instead let me teach you the value of friendship.”
Flinching, I stepped back as he raised his hand, but he merely plunged it into the remaining bag of flour on the table, pulled out a fistful and threw it at me. It hit me on the chest, sending a white cloud across my face, making me splutter.
“Now you do the same.” He laughed.
Had he lost his wits? I shook my head, backing away, but he persisted.
“You must learn, dear sister, that family and friendship is worth more than a handful of flour.” He nodded toward the bag. “I insist.”
Family and friendship—something I longed for. I had begun to believe it might be possible. Not in a soulless castle where a woman’s only comfort came from her status as a lady, but here, in a peasant’s home, in an obscure little village.
I reached into the bag and scooped up a handful of flour.
“Go on.”
Closing my eyes, I threw the flour in his direction, opening them again when I heard him cough. His face was covered, and he grinned, showing large teeth, his mouth a dark, gaping hole in his white face. His blue eyes twinkled with mirth, and I could not help smiling a little. He picked up the bag and tipped it over his head to leave a pile of flour on top. which dispersed into the air when he shook his head from side to side. He gave a courtly bow.
“Sir Wilbur Whiteface at your service, my lady.”
The impulse to smile was too much, and he soon had me laughing at his antics. Jumping up and down, he clapped his hands in delight as a boy might at some childish prank. He took my hands in his, and my laughter died as his eyes met mine.
“’Tis good to hear you laugh.”
I shook my head, smiling, “I cannot remember ever laughing like that.”
“I’ll wager you cannot remember the last time you laughed at all. Do you realize how beautiful you are when you smile? Your eyes sparkle like liquid silver in the sunlight. I can see why my brother married you. He is indeed a fortunate man.”
My smile died.
“He cares not for me,” I whispered.
Jack squeezed my hands gently. “He does; or at least he will, in time. You are both welcome here, Lisetta—welcome to stay as long as you wish. It would gladden my heart to see you—both of you—settled and happy, here at Balsdean.”
“You are kind.” I dipped my head forward and brushed my lips against his knuckles.
“What are you doing with my brother?”
Vane stood in the doorway, his icy blue eyes on me. Dropping Jack’s hands, I backed away.
“Nothing of any import, husband.”
