For a moment, I forget why she’s here, and then I remember. I asked Georgina to be my dinner companion. I invited her as a distraction and hoped that later, she’d come home with me. If I could be aroused by a mere touch from Rainey and tempted to almost kiss her, perhaps I was cured from my lack of sexual activity. Maybe if I finally slept with a woman, any woman, I wouldn’t be seeing Rainey in the way I have. And everything can go back to normal.
Georgina and I have had dinner before, but tonight, I’ve hardly spoken two words to her. That’s because our table is at the perfect place, angled in such a way where I can watch Rainey with Duncan and hidden from sight where Rainey won’t notice. Although I swear there was more than once were Rainey abruptly looked over her shoulder. Almost as though she could sense my stare. I would shrink lower in my seat and wait until she faced forward.
I knew I couldn’t stay here all night. Besides, their food just arrived, and there’s nothing captivating in watching Étienne devour his food as though it’s his last meal.
I told Rainey I’d stop disrupting her dates, and with her, I always keep my word. In all honesty, I can’t fully get to the bottom of my actions for coming tonight. I want to keep an eye out for Rainey, but with Étienne and Serene overlooking tonight, I can’t justify my actions.
I don’t want her to see me or even know I was here.
There’s no reason in sitting here, attempting to absolve myself for being here. All that matters is Rainey doesn’t catch sight of me as I make my quick exit.
I finish off the last of my drink and give Rainey and her date a final glance before I look at my own. “We can leave.”
I still have the opportunity to spend the evening with a beautiful woman, and I won’t let any more time go to waste.
***
“Did you hear me?”
I look down at Georgina’s fingers crawling up my stomach. She gives me a look that’s meant to be seductive but merely translates as desperate.
As I try to think of what I last heard her speaking about, the clock on the fireplace mantel loudly ticks. How long have we been sitting here? Because I swear it’s been hours, and if it wasn’t for the drink in my hand my body would be far more stiff from sitting here. By now, I expected the two of us to be in my room, but my mind continues to stray. Have Rainey and Duncan left the restaurant? They must have. It’s far too late. But they appeared to be having an enjoyable night, so does that mean Rainey will want to see him again? After all the bachelors were chosen, I discovered Duncan was an acquaintance of Étienne’s. My brother said Duncan hailed from a prestigious family. Graduated from Columbia University in 1904. Started out as an office boy for his family’s small but prosperous business, Blue Stone Industries. I’m half convinced Étienne likes him because he knows Duncan will be good conversation for himself. A fellow businessman to discuss the economy and strategies with...what is not to love?
What I want to know is, if Duncan’s so wonderful, why hasn’t anyone proclaimed him as their own?
He sounds like another bachelor on the never-ending list that isn’t good enough and has suspect motives.
I take another drink to stop the constant barrage of questions running through my head. Between me and my date, we have drank far too much. Yet I have a strange suspicion that nothing will be powerful enough to withstand Rainey.
“Livingston?” my date drawls. “Did you hear me?”
Lazily, I smile at her. “My apologies, darlin’. Can you repeat yourself?”
Georgina places her drink on the table before focusing on me. “I said we must never go this long without seein’ each other.”
“I agree, but I’ve been busy.”
She mock pouts. Rainey would never pout. She would much rather throw herself in front of a car than pout and appear featherbrained. “With what?”
I lift a shoulder and take a drink. With the number of drinks I’m consuming tonight, it’s going to take three able-bodied men to help me up to my room. But I don’t need my room. I can sleep anywhere. The floors, filthy trenches, in the back of a Liberty Truck. It only took me the ravages of war to learn that sleeping comfortably in the silence with clean sheets, is a luxury most fail to appreciate.
“Livingston!” Georgina whines, but there is a glimmer of frustration in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I lean in close and smile. “I’m merely prolongin’ this evenin’ so you won’t leave.”
In reply, she giggles, leans back into me, and all is forgiven.
“The word about town is you’re with the Pleasonton girl.” Georgina taps her index finger against the corner of her mouth. “What’s her name?”
Resting my head against the settee, I look at Georgina from the corner of my eye. “You know her name is Rainey.”
Instinctively, my hand tightens around my glass. I don’t know what Georgina has to say, but it’s impossible for me not to become defensive on Rainey’s behalf.
Georgina scoffs and glances at her nails. “I certainly do not. We didn’t precisely run in the same social circle. When I was intent on makin’ my debut, she was teachin’ the rest of the debutantes curse words.”
I’d never heard that story, but it sounded so remarkably Rainey I can’t help but chuckle. Georgina raises both brows, so I focus on our conversation.
“Is it true?” she asks.
“Is what true?”
“That Rainey is in search of a husband?” Georgina whispers excitedly.
As much as I loathed this entire bachelor fiasco, there wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to discuss this with Georgina. She was here to keep my mind off Rainey, not on her.
“A husband? Is that what the gossipmongers are sayin’?” I say, feigning indifference.
“Not just the gossipmongers, but everyone.”
Upon hearing that, my heart picks up. I don’t believe Rainey would take issue with all of Charleston discussing her bachelor scenario. In fact, I was the one to tell her about men placing bets on her bachelors. The people who needed to be informed were. The truth was bound to be unveiled. Far more shocking liaisons have occurred throughout the years. But what could possibly be shocking for the people of Charleston is the Pleasonton’s financial struggles. That would upset Rainey more than anything.
“Is this how you want to spend our time? Talkin’ about hearsay?”
Georgina’s lips curve into a smile, and when she leans forward, it’s deliberate so I can look down her dress.
I’d be a fool not to take what she’s offering.
At last.
But as she tilts her head to the side, and her lips almost touch mine, I smell her perfume. It’s not overpowering. Nevertheless, the scent makes me pause. It’s a sweet scent that’s distinctly artificial. Rainey’s scent is nothing of the sort. She always manages to smell like fresh flowers. Even her hair smells like it.
Quit thinking about Rainey!
Closing the distance between Georgina and me, I kiss her. My mouth moves, and my head angles to the side, but not once does my heart rate pick up. Frustration starts to build so I move my tongue against hers. I need to give this time. Georgina molds herself against me and enthusiastically kisses me back.