Wildfire Kiss (Sir Edward 1)
***
“Nick?”
He turned to the sound of a familiar woman’s seductive voice and found Julia’s dark blues warm with her greeting. He smiled, but he was not pleased to see her.
“Oh, Nick, I had heard you were in London and have been hoping I would see you.” She placed both her white satin–gloved hands on his chest and lifted her tall and elegant body onto her toes, whereupon she placed a lingering kiss
upon his lips. “Oh Nick …”
“Julia,” he said quietly as memories flooded his mind. She was, he thought, as ever, stunningly beautiful. “It is Julia Hartly now, isn’t it?”
“Still smarting from that, are you?” she retorted with a musical laugh that grated on his nerves. She linked her arm through his. “Well, let us see if we can make it all better, shall we …” She led him towards the garden doors.
Oddly enough, he found himself irritated with her flippant manner. He shouldn’t be—he knew what she was about now—but, damnation, he was. He damn well did not want to go anywhere with her. How could she think he would after their volatile history? “It might be a bit cold for you outside, my dear,” Nick said as politely as he could muster as he gave her bare shoulders a sweeping look.
“You shall keep me warm then, for outdoors is where we certainly must go.” She gave him a long, lingering look. “I have so missed you, darling.”
“Julia … you haven’t missed me. You have been too busy to miss anyone or anything. Tell me what it is that you want,” he returned on a bored note.
“Now, now, don’t take a pet. Come with me … and we’ll talk …” she said with a short laugh. “You cannot still be angry with me? I did you a favor after all. You and I would never have suited.”
“Agreed,” he answered, and rather than create a scene, for he could see she wasn’t about to give up easily, he allowed her to lead him out the doors. He looked back as he stepped outside and noted that the Lady Babs was dancing with his cousin. He realized by the way she hurriedly looked away that she had seen him going into the garden with Julia. Frowning, he turned back to the woman he had once fancied. “Indeed then, as long as we understand one another, lead on, my dear.”
Her soft laughter was light and indicated her satisfaction, and that, instead of exciting him to passion as she had intended, irritated him further.
***
On the dance floor, during the machinations of a country dance that made conversation difficult, Babs witnessed the duke’s encounter with the beauty. She stared with curiosity and a twinge of jealousy. What is wrong with you? She asked herself, What is it to you if a rogue of flirts goes about flirting? It has naught to do with you!
When next she came together with Charles, she took his hand and dragged him off the floor with him objecting mildly at her back.
“I need something to drink, sir …” she told him.
“Ah then,” he said, looking about and finding a servant with a tray of glasses filled with champagne. He snatched up two glasses and gave her one. “Your wish …”
She laughed and got right to the point. “Who was that beautiful, tall blonde in the stunning gown—the one who went into the garden with the duke?”
He eyed her and grimaced. “Why?”
“Because her gown was exquisite … and I am curious,” Lady Babs fibbed, which made her bite her bottom lip.
He eyed her doubtfully and said, “That would be Julia Hartly.”
“They are probably … old friends?” Babs pursued.
“I would call them many things—but never friends.”
“Oh?” she said, hoping he would tell her more.
“Nearly became engaged, you know, but that is another story, a long one.”
“I am not running off anywhere, Chuck.” She smiled sweetly and encouragingly, hoping he would tell her more.
“Curious little pet, aren’t you?” He looked at her. “Why so interested? And don’t tell me because of her gown.”
“Because I am curious. You know me.”
“Yes, yes, I do. Leave it be. It isn’t my story to tell.”