Edward closed his eyes and relished the oblivion as he was carried into another universe. A universe he craved above all else. It had a strong hold on him, and he did not know how to extinguish the craving.
***
Upon entering the morning room the next day, Thomas headed straight to the sideboard and helped himself to coddled eggs, ham, fruit, and cheese. He sat down at the table, and a servant poured him coffee. He sat back and savored the hot brew. As he sipped from the ridiculously small china cup, his eyes took in an elegant and lovely Emma dressed in a blue morning dress.
Damn it all. He wanted her above all else.
Emma was a well-bred lady, not some whore to be tussled with in a brothel. Yet his pulse spiked, sending blood into his manhood until it ached uncomfortably, pushing against the front of his breeches. And what made it worse, so disgustingly worse, was that Sebastian openly looked at Emma the same way he did. Perhaps the brothers could keep each other company in hell.
Later that morning, Thomas worked in his study. He tried to ignore all the commotion going on in the front hall but finally gave up and went to investigate. Floral arrangement upon arrangement graced the front hall. Clearly every hothouse in London had been emptied. Thomas tried not to breathe too deeply. Though the aroma was enjoyable on most occasions, today he found the cloying sweetness irritated his brain, causing a nagging headache and tightness in his chest.
The silver tray on the hall table overflowed with cards from gentlemen planning to call that afternoon for tea. He would give anything to have an excuse to leave for the day and not come back until late, very late in the evening.
***
That afternoon Thomas entertained an endless array of gentlemen callers in the blue receiving room. Amazing what money did to make people forget the scandal his father had caused before his death. The Duke of Yarmouth, along with several older gentlemen, graced his home, as well as some young gentlemen who looked to be right out of the schoolroom.
Thomas wondered how his mother, Bella, Amelia, and Emma could sit, drink tea, and chat endlessly with constant smiles on their faces. When Giles announced Captain Rycroft, Amelia’s face lit up. Amelia blushed and flirted with the captain, sending Mr. Timothy Crawford out the door with a dejected expression on his young face.
The duke’s dear sister, Isabella, seemed mildly annoyed by several prospective suitors who attended to her. Oh, she was polite and gracious, as her upbringing warranted, but her brother recognized the bored, edgy look in her eyes. It made him wonder about the mysterious man who had stolen Bella’s heart. Where was he? No doubt giving his favors elsewhere. Bloody hell, when had he become such a pessimist?
He did not have to wait long regarding Bella’s mystery gentleman. Lord Norwich was announced. Damn, had he not spoken plainly enough when he told Myles he would not consider him as a suitor for Emma?
Then, right before his eyes, Bella came alive. Her lips broke into a brilliant smile and her eyes sparkled. She gave all her attention to his friend.
At one point Myles looked his way, silently pleading for a way out. Thomas almost felt sorry for him. But it was the adoring love animating Bella that unsettled him more.
“Excuse me, ladies… Gentlemen, I beg your leave.” He turned to Myles and, brooking no argument, asked, “May I have a word with you, Lord Norwich?”
Once behind the closed door of his study Myles sank into a chair and sighed. “Thank you,” he said, obviously relieved to be removed from Bella’s attention.
Thomas, his muscles coiled tightly, ready to spring, sat behind his desk and contemplated what to say to his friend. He decided not to mince words. “What is going on between you and my sister?” He barked the words out louder than he planned.
Myles winced.
Good.
“Nothing, believe me when I say this.” Myles’s long fingers combed through his hair in frustration. “I waltzed with her last evening, once.” He paused, inhaled, and exhaled loudly. “I never noticed… I swear to you, I never noticed.”
Thomas’s stomach constricted. “What did you never notice?”
Myles jumped up and paced the room. “Your sister, much to my regret, is in love with me––or at the very least, she believes herself in love with me.”
“How did this happen?” Thomas needed to know. Yes. He’d seen the love for his friend plain as day on Bella’s face.
“You think I wanted this to happen?” Myles turned and stared at Thomas with anguished eyes. “I’m not worthy of her love. For God’s sake, I have no heart to give. I could no more marry her than I could marry Emma. They deserve someone who will love them without reserve.” He groaned out, “Damn Sophie. For stealing my heart, stomping on it and having the audacity not to give it back.”