Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

“I’m enjoying my evening, Mr. Randall.”

He drew her closer; still respectable, but near enough to make her heart skip a beat. “You didn’t smile so brightly for your other swains.”

She frowned. “I don’t have swains.”

“Would you prefer it if I said suitors?”

Blythe glanced about her nervously. “You’ve come to the wrong conclusion. Regardless of my attire this evening, I’m not interested in marrying again. I love my husband.”

Tobias laughed bitterly. “I am well aware of that. The late Lord Venables must have been quite a man. However, it appears that every gentleman you’ve spoken to tonight considers himself in the running to win you. One way or the other.”

That didn’t sound so good. “What do you mean by one way or the other?”

“Honorably or dishonorably.”

Blythe blanched. A bitter taste filled her mouth. “How much did you wager on having me?”

“Nothing. It isn’t a fair bet.”

She scowled at his answer. He sounded sure of himself. “Do you think you’ve already won?”

The dance came to an end and they stopped. Tobias raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I’m sure, given the exalted gentlemen after you, that I’d lose.” He smiled suddenly. “But that isn’t the whole reason. I might have been polished till I shine as bright as a new penny, but we both know what kind of man lies beneath the finery. Shall we go in to supper, my lady? You appear done in.”

Eighteen

Tobias had not lied when he’d told Blythe he’d lose any wager made about getting her into bed. As the evening progressed, he’d observed the fellows Blythe danced with. Most were landed peers, wealthy and influential. She’d be a fool to fall into his bed if she had a chance to snare one of them for a husband.

However, Blythe’s mention of her abiding love for her husband had soothed him somewhat. The dashing, late Lord Venables was much admired and talked of and Blythe loved him still. Any man worthy of her hand had to convince her to set that love aside and start afresh.

That man wouldn’t be him.

He held her ch

air as she sat and then fetched a plate of supper and a cup of tea. When he returned to the table, Blythe pounced on him. “What happened in the carriage?”

His heart, previously slow and steady in its beating, lurched. Damn her for bringing his anxiety up now. He shook his head.

Blythe leaned forward. “Tell me now, quickly,” she whispered. Her foot touched his and tapped against the leather of his boot under the table.

“I learned the hard way to dislike carriages,” he managed to growl out.

“But why?” Her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh. Oh dear. I’m so sorry for bringing it up again tonight. I never thought.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. Her foot pressed harder against his boot. Mercy and Leopold joined them, giving Tobias the chance to escape. He stood. “I find I’m not hungry after all, Lady Venables. Do you forgive me if I abandon you? I need some air.”

He didn’t wait for her answer. He had to get as far away from the memories as he could. He threaded his way through the crowd and reached the relative safety of the terrace. A few people had gathered at the head of the staircase leading to the gardens, but they were far enough away not to bother him. He leaned his hip against the balustrade and folded his arms across his chest.

He should not have deserted Blythe like that, but she should not have asked for the cause of his panic when she did. He’d just started to forget the unpleasant beginning of his evening.

He raked his fingers through his hair, striving to think of something better. Blythe. Damned if he could forget the sweet taste of her lips. He wanted more and he couldn’t have more. She was destined for someone else.

Frustrated by his fixation on her, he reentered the ballroom by the side door and a woman standing on the edge of the crowd caught his eye. Smooth auburn hair, smoky-dark bedroom eyes. She fluttered her fan restlessly, inviting him for more than just conversation. She wasn’t anything like Blythe and he was sorely tempted by her.

He circled the room, picked up a glass of punch from a footman and approached the woman. Her lips lifted in a merry smile, but then she turned her back on him and left the ballroom at a leisurely pace. Tobias followed, curious about her antics. Proper women did not encourage improper attention so brazenly unless they were eager for a lover. Leopold had supplied all the necessary warnings for his first foray into society. He knew what he was getting into and was sure to like it.

He stepped into a dimly lit chamber and spied another door open to the terrace. Moonlight cast a woman’s shadow on the parquetry floor and he moved toward her eagerly. He blinked as he stepped through the doorway, but she’d vanished into thin air as if she had never been.

He turned in a slow circle, and then groaned as three shadows appeared out of the gloom. Lord Archibald and two tall gentlemen glared menacingly at him. He’d not been introduced to the other two.