is all mine,” he answered with a slight smile. Almost immediately, his traitorous attention drifted to Katherine.
She looked away and silently blew out a breath, then adjusted her stance. An enigmatic smile spread across her lips. But the twisting of her fingers betrayed her anxiousness.
Like her, Christian felt every nerve on edge. It wasn’t akin to the awareness he always experienced when a battle loomed before him, but something more primitive—more primeval. It was more like a surge of desire.
He shook his head slightly at such a reaction. Perhaps he and Katherine were a little out of practice at attending social events. It was certainly true on his part. He leaned toward her. “Are you nervous?” he whispered.
“A little.”
“Me too.” He glanced at Benjamin, but the effort offered little help. The man was completely besotted by his own wife and looked as if he were about to throw her over his shoulder and cart her upstairs for a long bout of lovemaking.
Katherine dipped a slight but perfect curtsey before him. “Your Grace, I’m delighted to see you here.”
“Lady Meriwether,” he answered. “The same for me.” He took her hand and bowed. “You look lovely this evening,” he said softly, then cleared his throat.
Completely unaware of Christian’s disquiet, Benjamin and Helen were in a discussion over the seating arrangements for dinner. But Katherine tilted her head and regarded him. The woman was too discerning for his tastes, but Christian held her gaze.
“Are you not observing the formal dressing constraints of a widow’s mourning?” Immediately, he regretted asking such an asinine question.
Her eyes widened before she laughed softly. The sweet sound did nothing to calm his senses. If anything, it whipped his discomfort into the stratosphere. The woman before him was Meriwether’s wife. He shouldn’t be attracted to her.
“Your Grace.” She leaned forward slightly, the movement giving him an excellent view of her bodice. She arched that infuriating perfect eyebrow in challenge. “How you honor your brother is an inspiration to us all.” Then as if she knew his inner turmoil, she smiled.
Christian leaned forward, matching her movement until there was barely six inches between them. “An excellent play, my lady.” He delivered a charming smile. Keeping his voice low, he continued, “I’ll accept my due, my just desserts, for such a question.”
The enchanting minx teased him with no hesitation. It felt wonderful. Perhaps she had an answer for him about his proposal. He prayed that it was a yes. Otherwise, he didn’t know where to turn for help.
But they shouldn’t talk business tonight. Not with this crowd of distinguished gentlemen. He should spend his time getting to know his fellow peers better, so he could garner their support for his new endeavor.
That meant he should treat Katherine as he’d treat any other lady of quality.
He’d ignore her all night.
Like that was going to happen.
“Do you know many of the guests?” he asked.
“No, but I look forward to meeting them.” Then, she did the unthinkable and wrapped her arm around his as Benjamin and Helen led them into the salon to meet the other guests. “Honestly, I’m hoping we’ll sit together at dinner. I have so much I want to discuss with you.”
As soon as they entered the intimate room, several of his old friends approached. Soon a snifter of brandy was in his hand. Christian held it but didn’t imbibe. Tonight, for some reason, the smell reminded him of France, and he couldn’t stomach even a sip.
Throughout the various conversations he was engaged in, he found his gaze skating the room, seeking out Katherine. She was a vision in that dress. The bodice was cut in such a way that it accentuated her perfect skin, while the flow of the garment enhanced her lissome form. She and Helen were the only ladies present in a room of five men. The rest of the gentlemen in attendance seemed to swarm about Katherine. None of them were married.
He forced himself to look away and took a deep breath. Such a casual study was to be expected. He’d been trained in the army to take note of situations and scrutinize people. Look at the stance of their bodies and watch their behavior, particularly on the battlefield.
Christian fisted his hands. He’d never been trained to make observations about flirting, however.
Though the men present seemed to be upstanding members of society, in his opinion, they were vultures ready to offer all sorts of comfort to a grieving widow.
What was the matter with him tonight? Katherine had