IN COLE'S OPINION, the shooting game had been a disaster. A disaster he could have avoided. He didn't know what bothered him the most, that he had lost several times to Lucas, or he had gloated so much Cole almost felt like snapping at the man. Either way, he felt wretched, and he didn't like it.
“You know if you continue frowning like this, the guest would think they are not welcomed, Sebastian said, jarring Cole away from his helpless thoughts.
Blinking, he raised his head. He hadn't been aware he had been frowning. He paused and took steady breaths, and tried to relax his face. But he wasn't successful.
“I can only imagine what you were thinking, Sebastian chuckled.
Surreptitiously, Cole's eyes drifted to where Lucas was standing, a brandy. Snifter in his hand and talking to someone.
Following Cole's line of sight, Sebastian grinned. “I thought so.”
Cole sighed. “Does he look lik
A Spot near the fire was where Emily was working furiously through a kerchief with her needle. Her husband had been gone all morning, and she hadn't the faintest idea where he could be. After the shooting at the woods, he had taken to avoiding her. Waking up even before she thought to wake. And coming to bed only when he knew she was asleep. Emily frowned, worrying her lower lips, and thought of what her next to do because this right here wasn't working. She can't have him avoiding her as if she were a plague. “Good lord,” Emily cried as she pricked her finger. In her absent-mindless, she put the offending thing into her mouth, brought it out and continued her work, making sure not to drift off.So far, all her previous plans had worked accordingly. Cole had taken her bait and giving her the most satisfying reactions. Reactions which still made her smile whenever she remembered them. Emily strived to irritate Cole, to annoy him. And if possible, to teach him a lesso
EMILY WISHED the ground would open and swallow her. She was dying of embarrassment and was half tempted to lie there on the ground and never get up again. But she made the courageous decision to stand up. Sitting on the ground, she dusted her body off dirt and leaves while trying to avert her eyes from her husband's naked torso. So far he hadn't said a word, and Emily was painfully aware of the silence which surrounded them.“Ahem.” He cleared his throat and her eyes flew to his face. His darkened perceptibly.“What the devil are you doing here, Emily?” He growled slowly.It was such a simple question, one little question that required such a simple answer, but somehow the answer got lodged in her throat. While she was still thinking of the perfect excuse to give. He extended his hand and helped her up. Instantly, Emily bent her head, pretending to dust off the dirt from her dress. Her way of avoiding his question.
SECONDS LATER, a young man arrived with a woman in tow. Emily didn't have to look twice to know who it was. 'Twas her brother Lucas. Behind her, she felt her husband stiffen. And that wasn't the only thing stiffened. She could feel the hard part of him pressing on her lower back. And because of their position and the state of their clothes. It felt as if it was on her naked back. Hot and firm, pushing at her skin. And it didn't help his hand was on her abdomen, trapped between her stomach and her thigh, which had been drawn up to her breast. Because she was sitting between his thigh. Emily felt all these things and more. Blushing, she faced forward, glad he couldn't see her face. “Why have you brought me here," the young woman with Lucas said, turning to face Lucas and Emily realized with a jolt it was Marjorie? Her mouth snapped open.Whatever happened to, 'her brother would have my head?' Did Lucas realize what he was doing?Chuckling, Lucas drew Marjorie closer. One hand resting
The sun was yet to rise in the morning, and the day was slowly turning bright when Cole stirred in his bedchamber. His eyes resting on the canopy above his bed and for a moment or two, he forgot where he was.But it took only a few moments for his eyes to adjust, and he remembered where he was and who he was sharing his bed with. With a curse, Cole sat up on the bed and glared at the woman who had turned his bedchamber to a feminine joke.Her body clad in a silk night rail was twisted and her legs were tangled with his. With everything that had happened, Cole didn't think he had the patience for a woman who didn't know how to sleep right. A woman who had been spying at him in the lake! Even though she had denied having spied at him. Cole didn't believe her. Who did she think she was deceiving?He had seen that sultry look in her eyes, and how she had been looking at him with open wide adoration. The scenario at the
IT'S BEEN EXACTLY one hour since Cole saw his worst nightmare come to life. There were more people in his home than he cared to have. As if the number of guests in Tonfield hall wasn't enough, Emily had to go and invite more.The bloody amateur actors and professionals currently acting out a play of hamlet in his music room, which had been opened up by series of folding doors to include the dining room and the drawing-room was not the sight Cole had hoped to see that evening after escaping the countless quip of his friend, he had hoped for a better day and not this.And to think everyone was enjoying themselves except him infuriated him more than he cared to admit.The space was crowded with guests seated in high-back chairs and settees. And as the population grew, and was not as big as what would be required in an original theatre house. It was easy for everyone to see the act on the makeshift stage which was basking in the
Emily looked to her husband, their object ofdiscussion,and found he was equally looking at her. Though he was trying to keep an indifferent expression Emily still saw how affected he was by her little act. It was there in the tightening of his jaw, in the muscle that throbbed there and those icy ey
Right before her eyes his hazel eyes darkened.Emily was five and twenty and didn't think she was getting any younger to let her husband wander aimlessly around as if he didn't have a wife to please at home. They had still not consummated their marriage, and the taste of what he had given her a year ago had been her anchor throughout those lonely nights at Blakewood Manor and her demise. Because he had awoken a passion she did not know what to do with. He had taught her passion and then left without satisfying her.“I don't get it.” His voice rolled out roughly. “What is it you want from me. Other women in your position would have rejoiced and well-used the money I left you. But not you, you chose to host a house party and force me here. Why? What is it you want from me.”At that question, Emily wanted nothing more than to say everything. But she had a sinking feeling he would laugh at her should she say what exactly was in her mind
At George's entrance, Cole released her, and she stumbled forward, resisting the urge to turn around and snap at him. Forcing herself to smile, Emily affected a calm demeanour and turned to her brother. “Nothing you should worry yourself for—George.”Howbeit, her brother didn't seem to hear her because he was staring over her head at Cole. They were sizing each other up in some kind of staring match that grew the tension in the room a notch high.After a while, George nodded his head and spoke gruffly. “Is that true Tonfield?”For several seconds Cole stared at George. Emily was even beginning to think he would not say a thing when his hazel eyes narrowed at him. And a look of utter irritation crossed his face. “Surely you do not expect me to answer you. You do not deserve an explanation from me. If you want one, then ask your sister for it.”That explanation did not seem to satisfy George because he tur