Page 92 of Lord of Temptation
“Trust me, Princess, I spent a good deal of my life not having what I wanted. If I’m in a position to take, I take. Besides it’s only a dance. He can have the next and it won’t cost him a ha’penny.”
She watched as Jameson escorted Lady Hermione off the dais. So her brother had bid on her. She wondered for what amount. Certainly not the exorbitant amount of a thousand pounds. “I thought you understood that my purpose in this Season was to secure a husband.”
“Which is the reason that I’ve stayed away, but I missed you, dammit.”
She could have sworn she heard longing in his voice, longing that would mirror hers if she said the same words. She had missed him as well. Dreadfully. But admitting it would serve no purpose except to prolong an inevitable separation. “I wasn’t aware you were invited.”
“My brother and his wife were. I tagged along. Are there rules that say I shouldn’t have?”
Chetwyn was no doubt wishing at this moment that he had been precise with his invitation. She was grateful that in the end he had delivered it. Otherwise he might be under the impression that she had invited Tristan.
“I thought perhaps you’d left England.”
“Not yet.” He grinned. “Obviously.”
“What are you doing here, Tristan?”
“I told you. I missed you. I wanted to dance with you.”
“Did you have to draw so much attention?”
“I’ll leave if it’s what you want, and he can have the damned dance.”
“The home can use the thousand pounds.”
“I’ll still pay it. I honor my debts. Tell me to go and I will.”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep cleansing breath. Then she opened them to find him watching her. His gaze dropped to her lips before lifting back to her eyes. She saw the yearning there and it matched a similar longing in her. Whatever was wrong with her? “I suppose I should be flattered that you would pay so much for a single waltz with me.”
“Most women would be, I should think. But then I learned very quickly that you are not most women.”
“People are watching us.”
“Perhaps because the music is starting.” He extended his arm. “Do I escort you onto the dance floor or to Chetwyn?”
“To Chetwyn.”
She saw the flash of irritation before he wiped all emotion from his face. “As you wish.”
She placed her hand on his arm and he turned away from the dance area to the corner where Chetwyn was talking with his mother. He was going to do it. Deliver her to another man.
“The dance floor, damn you,” she whispered.
When they were moving among the other couples, he said, “Tell me that you missed me as well.”
She shouldn’t, but she did. “Dreadfully.”
He grinned, even as his eyes promised she’d not be lonely later tonight.
“Don’t look so smug. It only reinforces how difficult a relationship with you is.”
“Doesn’t it make it worthwhile when we’re together?”
She laughed lightly. “Oh, you are arrogant.”
“Only if I claim what I can’t deliver. What do you see in him?”
“Who? Chetwyn?”
