the dining hall.
She strolled about the room, taking it all in. She was staring at a painting of spaniels when the door behind her opened. Her heart plummeted when she saw that it was Thomas; she wasn’t in the mood for idle conversation at the moment. There had been a time when she’d thought him so handsome. Time had a way of altering one’s view, though. Now his light brown hair had thinned and grayed at the temples. He had a crease in his brow that made him look as if he constantly frowned. Years of being married to her sister had weighed heavily on him.
“Thomas,” she said with a slight curtsy.
“Ah, the blushing bride.” His eyes, still brown, but a shade lighter than Sullivan’s, swept over her frame. “Matilda, you look lovely.” He had come to stand before her and grabbed her hand in his before she could respond. He leaned over and pressed his mouth to her bare flesh. “So sweet.”
“Thank you.” Her new gown was quite pretty and flattered her figure nicely. The pale green shimmered as she moved, and her neck and ears were adorned with matching jade jewelry.
“Tell me, how is wedded bliss?” he asked.
“Blissful,” she said, then glanced behind him to the room at large. It was empty save the two of them. “Where is my sister?”
His jaw clenched briefly before he answered. “We came separately. She wasn’t ready when I told her I’d be leaving. I suspect she’ll arrive eventually. She’s not one to let an opportunity slip past her.”
“Opportunity?” Tilly asked.
“For people to fawn over her. For her to flirt with other men.” His shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. His expression was one of pure defeat.
It was not a huge surprise. Melanie and Thomas hadn’t gotten along in years. Initially, their marriage had seemed a happy one, or at least an amicable one. Now they barely spoke and when they did, it was to bicker at each other. And though Tilly had never confirmed it, she felt certain neither of them had taken their vows to heart and had each spent time in other people’s beds. That was none of her concern.
He shook his head. “I do hope you’ll save a dance for me tonight.” His gaze dropped briefly to her breasts.
Tilly’s cheeks heated. Was he flirting with her?
“Will you do that for me?” he asked, placing his hand at her elbow.
“Kindly remove your hands from my wife,” Sullivan said from the doorway, his tone dark and menacing. “I believe you have your own wife.”
“Mine is not as sweet as yours.” Thomas winked at her, then walked over to Sullivan, leaving Matilda in the middle of the room alone.
…
Sullivan glared at his brother as the slightly younger man made his way over to him. The ball hadn’t even officially begun and already it had been a long damn night. Especially when he’d entered the parlor and found Thomas’s hands on Tilly. Sullivan tightened his fists at his side.
“What I want to know is why you haven’t yet consummated your marriage.” Thomas’s voice was low as he whispered to Sullivan. “What’s the matter, big brother, can’t get your poker hot enough?”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sullivan said.
Thomas shrugged. “Perhaps, but let me simply say that if you won’t pluck that flower, I certainly will. Let me know if you need my assistance.”
“You’re a bastard,” Sullivan spat. “Eventually, everyone else will see the truth of who you are.”
A deep chuckle rumbled from Thomas’s throat. “That’s doubtful.”
“I want to know what you’ve been doing—or rather not been doing—at our seaside village. I spoke with David Cummings yesterday.”
Thomas cocked one brow. “Oh, have you decided to take on your duties as viscount? Let me know if you need any advice.”
It was that moment that Melanie swept into the room. Her golden hair up in a complicated coiffure of curls with the occasional jewel shimmering about. She wore a bold and daring red dress, one that perfectly molded to her feminine curves. It didn’t take a detective to figure out she’d gone all out to upstage her sister at Tilly’s own wedding ball. Sullivan turned away from Melanie and let Thomas deal with her. He was married to the shrew.
For the first time, Sullivan let his eyes take in Tilly’s form as she stood off to the side. How often had she done that very thing when her sister entered a room? Likely all of her life. Melanie craved constant attention and affirmation.