Improperly Wed (Aristocratic Grooms 3)

satiny barrier of her dress.

The music began, and they started gliding in circles around the dance floor, keeping time with the other couples.

Colin’s eyes stayed on Belinda’s as the world receded around them and they were swept away by the notes of “Waves of the Danube.”

Her eyes were more amber than green. They reflected her emotion in a way that she probably wouldn’t be happy about but that was fascinating and useful for a gambler at heart like him.

Right now, her eyes were telling him that she was affected by their nearness although she was trying hard not to let it show.

He could feel her body heat under his hand at the small of her back. Her lips were slightly parted and carried a lustrous red shimmer that called to him.

The look of her lips just saved him from being entranced by the ruby practically tucked in her bodice. If it was gauche to gaze hungrily at one’s wife, then staring at her cleavage was beyond the pale.

“If you keep regarding me that way, we may go up in flames,” she said sharply.

“You’re the one wearing red.”

“Yes, it was clever of you to lend me jewels that are magnificent as well as a flashing fire alarm right over my cleavage.”

He choked back a laugh. “Someone needs to put a warning sign on you.”

“More like a stamp of ownership—”

He inclined his head and didn’t deny it—so she had understood his intentions with his gift.

“—As well as a clever excuse for you to stare at my breasts.”

He looked down just to annoy her. They still hadn’t broken a step of the dance, and she kept a smile fixed firmly on her face.

“It is a stunning ruby,” he murmured, “surrounded as it is by diamonds and the pillow of your creamy breasts. I was imagining the same when I chose the necklace and the tiara from among the jewelry in the family safe. The earrings, however, I picked out myself this week at Garrard.”

She shot him a look of liquid fire that nevertheless said she didn’t know how to react. Should she be angry with him for his sexual banter, thank him for his gift or give in to the attraction that was undeniable between them?

The dance came to an end at that moment. He reluctantly loosened his hold on her, and stepped back.

“Walk with me in the garden.”

She looked at him in surprise. “What? It’s cold outside.”

“Hawk has a greenhouse. It’s where the head gardener works his magic for the estate grounds.”

“I hardly think—”

“We’re supposed to convince people tonight that we’ve decided to make a real go of our marriage.”

It was a weak excuse. Still, she could not have missed the curious looks they’d received throughout the day. She sighed.

“You know you want a breather. It’s become a terrible crush in here.” Particularly for them—a couple who was one of the interesting sideshows of the evening.

She contemplated him for a second, and then a look of resignation crossed her face. “Fine. I’ll make a dignified exit with you.”

They walked through the ballroom and out the French doors to a terrace warmed by heated lamps. From there, it was a short stroll to the greenhouse.

They discovered that Hawk’s heated sanctuary had drawn other curious guests. They had come to admire some of the estate’s more exotic plants and small blooms.

He and Belinda wandered along, stopping occasionally for her to appreciate a particular plant species—and for him to pretend to.

The greenhouse door opened and closed a couple of times until Colin glanced around to discover that he and Belinda were alone except for another couple at the other end of the glass building. He could barely hear their voices.