One of the bachelor’s mommas across the table murmurs, “Mercy me!”
Embarrassed, I wipe my mouth with my napkin, then reassure everyone around me I’m all right and there’s no need to send for a doctor. I was just thinking about the woman who fell asleep in my arms last night.
It’s then, at that moment, Rainey chooses to lift her head. The guard she’s had up since lunch is lowered as she looks at me with concern. My throat burns from the bile, but Rainey looks ready to leap across the table and help in whatever way possible. That’s the most confounding thing about this woman. One minute she wants nothing more than for me to leave her presence, and in the next, she looks as though she’d do anything for me. Fight any battle for me if I ask her to. Her loyalty is unmatched, and one of the many attractive qualities about her. Because there’s more than one, and I’m discovering something alluring about her every time I spend time with her.
As I finally catch my breath, I gladly accept the water Étienne offers to me. All eyes turn in her direction, and it’s as though Rainey becomes aware of her surroundings.
Slowly, she settles back into her seat. With her beautiful fingers, she delicately drapes her napkin across her lap and focuses her attention on the bachelor next to her.
Serene and Étienne stare at us.
“Do you need more water?” the guest next to me asks.
“No, no. I’m quite all right,” I say with a friendly smile.
The only thing I need is for my life to be set to rights. Everything is displaced, and I could direct the blame at Pleas, but he’s gone. I can’t place responsibility on Rainey’s shoulders. Climbing through her window (both times) was my own choice.
I was losing my mind. Whether that culminated from lack of sleep or the nightmares of war, I didn’t know. I just knew I couldn’t stop. I felt helpless.
For the first time, I was becoming dependent on a woman. Each day, I counted on Rainey’s smiles, laughter, and our conversations.
I wondered, did Rainey even know she had me under her thumb? Did she know last night was the first time I’ve slept peacefully in months? No nightmares. No fear.
Nothing.
It was the best feeling in my life. I could easily see myself becoming devoted to that feeling. But it should’ve never happened and can’t happen again.
After a moment, conversation slowly resumes around the table. Much to my relief. As for my brother, he won’t stop staring at me suspiciously. “Is there somethin’ developin’ between you and Rainey?” Étienne asks quietly.
I keep my gaze on my plate. “If you’re askin’ if she’s less bothersome, then yes.”
“That’s not what I’m askin’.”
Finally, I look at him from the corner of my eye. “Then I don’t know what to tell you.”
“Do you care for her in the way I care for Serene?”
“You love your wife.”
Étienne gives me a meaningful look. “Precisely.”
I look my brother square in the eye. “I do not care for Rainey.” Yet the moment I say the words, I want to take them back.
For several seconds, my brother doesn’t look away. His sharp gaze is speculative, trying to find any clues I might be lying. Then he nods. “Very well. I will take your word for it.”
“Thank you, now can we change the topic of conversation?”
“Of course.” Étienne pauses. “I had my attorney examine Pleas’s will.”
Now this is a conversation I’m willing to have. Just not sitting at table with strangers around us. After looking around, I lean in and lower my voice. “What did he find?”
“It is ironclad. There is no possible way to get around the dowry. And from the ledgers I’ve been searchin’ through …” Étienne’s voice fades. He gives me a meaningful look, but I don’t say a word. I want him to finish the rest of what he’s saying. “The mistakes are erroneous and too many to count.”
“It’s been the same for me.”
Étienne solemnly nods and looks around. “This isn’t a conversation for the table. We’ll talk about this more in depth later. But have you thought it best to leave everythin’ as it is?”
“No,” I reply before my brother has a chance to finish his question.
This time, Étienne glances around the table. “Serene may have unorthodox ideas at times, but this one might be her best one yet. Look around you. Better yet, look at Rainey.”
From the corner of my eye, I do just that as Étienne continues to speak.
“Rainey is happy, and as her executor and brother’s close friend, that should make you happy. She’s been through far too much in life.”
Much of what he’s said has me nodding. I understand the words. I do. But they don’t sit well with me. “I do want her to be happy. But she’s too stubborn. Rainey … Rainey won’t be happy with these fools.”
“Let Rainey be the judge of that.”
I never have the chance to answer Étienne because Serene stands and announces it’s time to retire to the sitting room. Napkins find their way to the table, chairs are pushed back and voices are raised as everyone begins to move toward the foyer. I have no desire to stand around in the sitting room, watching the bachelors fawn for Rainey’s attention. I’m out for number one. I want the attention for myself.
My eyes stay trained on Rainey as she walks ahead of me with people surrounding her. Numerous conversations are occurring. She has a friendly smile, but she looks inundated by the attention.
When we’re all in the foyer, I weave through the bodies to expertly sidle up next to Rainey. She’s speaking to one of the bachelor’s mommas, but I know she senses me by the way her body tenses up. Once they’re done talking, I shift toward her so our shoulders are touching. Rainey freezes in place.
“Go to the east wing,” I say against her ear. “No one will be there.” Rainey briefly nods, and I slip away before anyone has a chance to notice our brief interaction.
Anticipation rushes through me as I walk down the hall, knowing that I’m leaving behind the voices and loud laughter and heavy perfume. I just want to breathe in Rainey’s scent and hear her voice. Everybody else can cease to exist.
Just as I expected, the east wing is quiet. I wait for several minutes before I hear the sound of heels clicking on marble floors. Smirking, I flatten myself against the wall and wait.
A long shadow stretches across the floor before she turns into the hall. “Livingston?” Rainey asks in a hushed whisper.
I watch her walk deeper into the hall as she searches for me. Once I’m sure that no one has followed her, I step away from the wall and press my body against hers so she’s flush against a side table, and my palms rest on the cool surface.
Her eyes widen. Once she recognizes me, her shoulders sag. “My God,” she gasps. “You scared me.”
Without a second, thought she wraps her arms around my waist and tilts her head back.
“I’ve missed you,” I say against her lips.
“You saw me this mornin’,” Rainey replies with a smile and kisses me back.
I drag my tongue across her lower lip. I love how plump and smooth it feels. And when I gently bite down on it, Rainey moans.