The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(154)

"Ah, but you are forgetting there will not be enough ladies," Elizabeth said.



"We can invite all the Lynches," Thomas suggested. "I'm sure since it's not a public assembly, there will be no harm in the younger ones coming as well."



"But they're Catholic," Fitzsimmons said with a note of horror in his tone.



"So? They're still ladies, and we all still like to dance. You had no objection to Sean Lynch and his two sisters last night, did you?"



"Er, no," he said, seeing himself cornered and not wishing to appear more rude.



"Good," Elizabeth said coolly. "I shall send out the invitations first thing in the morning."



"I shall help with the numbers and the list," Parks offered before Fitzsimmons could put himself forward. "Only you and I shall know who is really who."



Elizabeth looked up and met Will's eye.



He gazed at her for a moment. "Can I help?"



"Yes, indeed. I am also told you play and sing very well indeed. Please, if you would be so kind?"



They returned to the drawing room arm, and arm, but she was sorry to see him trapped in the corner so far away from her as he went to do her bidding, and was followed by Miss Amelia, who had a voice like a corncrake.



But his performance at the pianoforte was a revelation, with his skill and magnificent baritone voice.



Stewart and Parks flashed her a smile as if to say, "I told you so."



As soon as she finished with the list and the numbers she had been working on with Parks for the ball, she rose to join him.



Will immediately got up from the stool before she could sit down next to him, and almost climbed over the instrument in his haste to get away.



She blinked in surprise. "But I thought we might-"



"I have prevailed upon your guests long enough with my toneless croaking," Will said.



She grinned, until she realized he was in earnest. "No, no! Not at all!" she protested sincerely.



"It is kind of you. But if we're to be up early for riding, I'd better be going."



"Yes, there will be much to organize for the picnic too," Stewart said, taking his wife's arm.



She smiled at her husband and came over to say goodnight to Elizabeth.



"And you have your invitations to send out. Thank you so much for another lovely evening." She gave a surprised Elizabeth a quick embrace.



Stewart kissed her hand and gave her a warm, almost fatherly smile.



It would have looked odd if Will had not taken a more gracious leave of her, so he came out from the opposite side of the piano, and bowed over her gloved hand.



Their gazes mingled for a moment. She saw something spark and ignite for a brief second in his rare blue eyes, before he blinked and it was gone.



"Good night, Lady Elizabeth. Until tomorrow."



"Good night, Mr. Joyce. A bien tot."



Parks came up to kiss her hand effusively, and vanished with Will, leaving only Mitchell and Monroe. They asked to escort the Fitzsimmons sisters home.



Since Fitzsimmons lingering would have looked excessively odd, he was forced to say goodbye as well, and had to content himself with one warm pressure of the hand, and no especial words of regard, since Thomas and Charlotte were flanking Elizabeth on either side like library lions.



"I shall see you in the morning, Fitzsimmons."



"Yes, Your Grace. Thank you. Good night."



After they had left, Elizabeth hurriedly wrote out the invitations with Charlotte's help.



A short time later, she said good night and was alone in her room once more. She undressed and got into bed. But sleep was a long time in coming as she replayed the few precious minutes in the cave over and over again in her mind.



It had been real. She was sure of it. Why then had those heated feelings been so elusive, despite all of the good-looking men she had been surrounded by?



Perhaps he was none of them? Or it really was Fitzsimmons? Why then did he now leave her so cold?



Whoever it was, he had to be out there…





Will tossed and turned, dreaming of Elizabeth over and over again. Damn him for a fool. She had desired him so much, he should have just given in to his raw need and suffered the consequences and questions after the fact.



But that would have been unfair to her. He simply couldn't have ravished her in a cave. He wanted every blessed inch of her. Body, soul, and her whole heart. He needed her to be sure of him. He wanted nothing to mar their happiness together, not as it had with his former wife.



Then he sighed. He had had too much honesty with her. With Elizabeth he could never have enough…



No, he was a fool to think she could ever give more than a passing though to, let alone fall in love with, a shadowy man she had met in a cave. A man forced to live in the shadows for as long as he had to follow his orders, or pay the price. He thumped the pillows, and sighed.