Devil in Her Dreams (12 page)

He stopped before them. She smiled sweetly at him.

“
Marston, are you enjoying your day shopping with your sisters?” Trent asked.

“
I always enjoy spending time with them,” Devlin bit back before he turned to Louisa. “Might I have a word with you, alone, Miss Whitton?”

She glanced up a Trent then back to Devlin. “I am sorry, that would be rude since Mr. Trent did ask me to accompany him to the park.”

Devlin clenched his teeth and drew a deep breath in through his nostrils. “Perhaps later.”

“
Of course,” Louisa offered. “I am sure I will see you at the Bentley ball this evening.”

“
Very good.” Devlin nodded, turned his back, and walked away. Something had to be done. He knew Louisa thought she needed to marry before Christmas, and apparently she was wasting no time in moving on from him to Trent.

Had his kisses meant nothing? Was he the only one who felt a deep-rooted connection between them?

Well, he would be damned if he would let Jordan Trent have her.

“
Oh dear,” Louisa muttered after Marston stalked off.

“
I think we will forego the ices today.” Jordan chuckled

Louisa glanced up at Jordan. He had suggested Gunter’s to be their final destination before they returned to their respective homes and prepared for the ball this evening.

“
I value my hide, and as Marston has already sent me to hell in his mind, I feel the need to be cautious before I actually feel the pain he wishes to inflict.”

“
He did seem rather upset.”

Jordan laughed. “Rather upset? That man is beside himself with anger at me.”

“
I really didn’t expect him to react so strongly.” When Jordan had been suggested this outing last night at the ball after Eleanor explained the plan, Louisa was actually surprised. She didn’t think he would actually go along, yet he’d appeared this afternoon with Madeline and had escorted them shopping and then to the park. She certainly never dreamed Marston would have such a strong reaction to Jordan being in her company.

Jordan chuckled again. “He is in love. What do you expect?”

“
Love?” Louisa watched Marston return to the carriage, lean against it, cross his arms over his chest, and glare at Jordan. “He has never mentioned love.”

“
He may not even realize it himself.” Jordan led her along a path, well within sight of Marston, but kept a respectable distance.

“
Is that possible?”

“
For a man like Marston, yes. All he knows is that he wants you, that it doesn’t fit in with his plans, and that he doesn’t know how to keep anyone else from getting you.”

“
That is love?”

“
Trust me, he is in love.”

Warmth filled her. If only Marston would say the words then she would beg her grandfather to wait and not force her to marry anyone else. But without knowing for certain, how could she convince Grandfather otherwise?

They turned at the end of the walk and began to stroll back the way they had come. Marston was still leaning against his carriage. His frown only deepened when Jordan nodded to him. Oh dear.

Devlin entered the Bentley ballroom with Calista on his arm. Miranda and Penny followed. He paused from his vantage point and scanned the crowd. He’d intentionally arrived early instead of fashionably late. From what he could see, Louisa had not yet arrived.

He led his sisters to the side of the room which would allow for a clear view of the entrance so that even after the room became crowded, he would know the minute she stepped inside even if he didn’t hear the announcement.

The seconds ticked by, then minutes until he had been there over an hour. Certainly she would come. Her sister was married to Lord Bentley’s brother. Why would she be so late?

“
Might I be excused?”

He glanced over at Penny.

She leaned in and whispered. “I need to visit the retiring room.”

If Penny was somewhere else, he could not focus on waiting for Louisa. “Can’t it wait?”

“
Not really.” She frowned and bit her upper lip.

“
I will go with her,” Miranda announced with a heavy sigh.

“
As will I,” Calista added.

“
Just make sure the three of you stay together, and try not to be gone as long as you were last night.”

Miranda rolled her eyes before following her sisters from the room.

When Devlin lost sight of them, he returned his focus to the entrance.

“
Bloody hell,” he muttered under his breath. Louisa stood at the entrance, her hand resting on Trent’s arm. Why hadn’t she come with her father? Devlin would have been happy to include Louisa in his party if she needed an escort. The carriage may have been a little cramped, but he would have made do. Anything was better than seeing her on that rakehell’s arm.

The two paused to the side of the stairs, and Louisa handed Trent her dance card. He had better not be claiming another waltz.

Devlin glanced back at the door his sisters disappeared through. They had not returned, not that he expected them to this soon. He strode across the floor until he was at Louisa’s side. Stopping, he bowed and took her hand, placing a kiss on her exposed wrist.

“
Really, Marston, such a display in public,” Trent murmured. “Are you trying to ruin the lady?”

Devlin shot him a murderous look before smiling at Louisa. “Might I see your dance card?”

She softly smiled and held it out to him.

Devlin glanced through to find the dance he wished. All dances were available with the exception of the two Trent had already claimed. Both were waltzes, and one happened to be the supper dance. “Are you making a claim, Trent? Two waltzes?”

Trent hitched a brow. “Someone should,” he muttered.

Heat crept up Devlin’s neck, and his pulse increased with anger.

He reviewed the card once again and penciled his own name in at the last waltz of the evening. Even if he couldn’t keep her from dancing twice with Trent, Devlin would be the last one to hold her.

Devlin handed her card back to her. “I look forward to our waltz, Miss Whitton.”

A slight blush rose to her cheeks. “Thank you.” She turned her focus to Trent. “If you will excuse me, I would like to speak with Madeline.”

Devlin watched the gentle sway of her backside as she navigated the crowed, her blond curls bouncing against her slender neck. What he wouldn’t give to let lose all of those pins and run his fingers through the silken gold.

When she could no longer be seen, Devlin looked at Trent, who was still watching the direction Louisa had gone, an appreciative smile on his face. Devlin wished to bloody that scoundrel’s nose, and would if they weren’t standing in the middle of a ballroom.

“
Do you intend to offer for her?” Devlin found himself asking. What objection could he offer if Trent did, and would she accept Trent’s proposal? The thought of her with Trent made him ill. Not that Trent was a bad choice as far as husbands went, but Devlin was certain he would feel this way if he lost Louisa to anyone.

He could not lose her.

Trent took his time in speaking and when he did, it wasn’t an answer. “Come with me.”

Devlin narrowed his eyes. What was he about? Perhaps a private discussion was in order, and perhaps Trent would survive, though Devlin wasn’t so certain at the moment. “Very well.”

He followed Trent through a short corridor that led to a back hallway. They turned left and entered what must be Bentley’s library. Trent strode across the room and poured two glasses of brandy. He handed one to Devlin then leaned against his brother’s desk.

“
My intentions depend entirely on yours.”

“
What the hell does that mean?”

“
If you do not offer for her, I will.”

Devlin gripped the glass. It was what he feared.

“
I do intend to offer for her,” Devlin stated evenly.

“
When?” Trent chuckled. “As I understand it, you won’t consider taking a wife until your sisters are wed, and it doesn’t appear that will happen anytime in the near future, unless there are courtships I am unaware of.”

“
I must see to my sisters first,” Devlin stated evenly.

“
Then you will lose Louisa to me.”

How dare he call her by her Christian name? Devlin took a deep breath. He would not make an issue of it at the moment. There were more important matters, such as Trent’s intention to marry Louisa. “She may not have you.”

A confident grin spread across Trent’s face and he chuckled. “She will.” He took a drink of the dark liquid. “Her choice will be either to marry me or settle with whomever her grandfather decides.”

“
He would really force her to marry at Christmas?” Devlin hadn’t truly believed it would come to that. Was Danby so controlling of his family?

“
Yes, of that I have no doubt.”

Dread filled him. If he did not marry Louisa before then, she would be lost to him.

“
Perhaps I can speak with him, explain.”

Trent barked out laughter. “Clearly you have not met His Grace.” He downed the rest of the liquid and set the glass on his brother’s desk. “I can promise you this. If you do not ask for her hand, I will. Unfortunately she has a preference for you and since I can’t have the lady I truly want, we will be a fitting match.” He grinned. “I will make sure of it.”

Devlin clenched his fists.

Trent turned on his heel and marched from the room. Devlin tossed back the drink once again longing for his former profession. It was certainly easier to outwit the French than navigate society with three sisters and hold onto the lady he wanted until he was free to marry her.

Devlin made his way back to the ballroom to look for his sisters. They were standing on the other side speaking with Louisa. A smile pulled at his lips, and he walked in their direction. Before he reached them, however, the orchestra began their next song and Trent appeared out of nowhere to escort Louisa to the dance floor for his first waltz.

Once again the headache began at the base of his skull. Why was he plagued with headaches all of a sudden? He couldn’t remember having one before, unless he had overindulged the night before. It was Louisa who was doing this to him, or perhaps his sisters. Or maybe a combination. A man should not have to concern himself with more than one lady at a time.

Trent whisked Louisa down the floor and back, pulling her close to his body, bending and whispering something that made her laugh. She was radiant tonight, and it appeared Trent made her happy. Should he just let her go? Let her be with a man who could take care of her now?

No! She was his, and nobody else was going to marry her but him. Devlin marched to the waiter not far away and grabbed the wineglass from his tray, downed it, and then took another. This was going to be a long, miserable night. At least until he had the chance to dance with Louisa.

Louisa took a deep breath as she stepped outside onto the terrace. It was nice to be alone for a moment, away from the crowds, the noises, the overabundance of perfume and body odor. The rest of the guests had just finished dining and would be filling the ballroom once again, but she had to leave, just for a few moments of silence.

Maybe she wasn’t cut out for society. Maybe she should settle in as a vicar’s wife as everyone thought she should. She certainly had more than enough excitement these last few weeks and could do with a less strenuous schedule.

There was really only one thing she wanted, and he wasn’t available for the taking.

Her emotions were in a complete turmoil. Jordan had flirted outrageously with her all evening and if she didn’t know better, she would think he truly wished to court her. It was absurd, of course. The man was simply going along with the plan set in motion. But should she risk this? Each time she glanced in Marston’s direction he was glowering at Jordan, barely paying attention to her. Had they gone too far? Was he angry with her? Had he realized what they were about and no longer want her?

What was she going to do?

Louisa’s stomach tightened. What if they had miscalculated and she had lost Marston already?