More Than Charming (3 page)

The girl curtsied quickly and smiled up at him. “Very well thank you, Lord Roberts,” she gushed. “Isn’t the wedding just splendid? The music is lovely and I believe I’ve never seen so many happy people in one place.”

James chuckled at the girl’s exuberance. “But what of Catherine’s wedding? Surely it was as lovely as this affair.”

Elizabeth paled and lost her smile. “Oh, you don’t know! Catherine never married.”

“What?” James asked in confusion.

“Lord Waltham eloped with Lady Joan Banister scarcely one week before the wedding.”

James turned to Paul. “Leed?”

“Elizabeth,” Paul scolded. “I’ve told you repeatedly not to speak of it.”

Elizabeth blushed. “I’m sorry, Paul.”

The Earl of Talbot shot his youngest daughter a look of vexation, at which Elizabeth lowered her eyes in acute embarrassment.

Michelle apparently took pity on the girl. “It’s all right, Elizabeth. Thankfully, Catherine didn’t hear you.”

“Oh, yes.” Elizabeth nodded vigorously, her brown curls bouncing. “Thank goodness!”

“Is this true, Leed?” James asked Paul.

“Yes,” Paul said, his voice clipped. “I apologize for not telling you last year, but I thought it best to keep the matter as quiet as possible.”

“Understandable.” James shook his head. “What Catherine must have gone through.”

Paul simply nodded.

James had always thought Catherine a sweet girl, with never a bad word to say of anyone. She giggled as freely as Elizabeth did, finding something pleasant in everything. And to think that Waltham could treat her so shabbily? Bastard. If Waltham had been there just now, he’d have happily throttled him.

He turned to Elizabeth once more. “And where is Catherine, Elizabeth?”

“Why, she was just speaking with a friend,” she answered. “She should join us momentarily, I imagine.”

James heard only half of what Elizabeth said to him, for over her shoulder he spied the most beautiful young woman he’d ever seen. Her glossy brown curls were upswept, several tendrils left free to fall about her shoulders and frame her face. She was dressed in a gown of deep blue, the color complementing her striking eyes. The cut of the gown accentuated her lovely figure; her full breasts and slender waist drew his appreciative glance. My God. Surely this beautiful creature couldn’t be Catherine Talbot!

James watched her approach, noting that she carried herself regally, her hips swaying gently. She no longer flitted about the room like her sister. He’d always thought her pretty, but the past year had matured her looks. She’d lost her girlish countenance, but it was replaced with breathtaking beauty. If Waltham’s betrayal had this effect on her, perhaps he should thank the man before he throttled him.

He glanced at Elizabeth, then back at Catherine. They were no longer twins.

Catherine came to a stop in front of him, a small smile on her face. “Lord Roberts,” she said softly, curtsying.

James blinked. Even her voice held a sultry note he’d never heard in it before.

He bowed to her. “Lady Catherine,” he said, using her formal address for the first time.

She cocked her head to the side and smiled widely, the effect startling him. The dimple in her cheek only added to her appeal.

James recovered himself and took her gloved hand in his. “You look very much the lady this evening, Catherine.”

She stared up at him for a moment, and when her pupils dilated, he felt it like a caress.

“Oh, Catherine,” Elizabeth gushed. “There you are.”

Catherine turned her head and smiled at her sister, and James released her hand with regret. Geoffrey and Becca soon joined them, and talk became quite animated. James returned his friends’ comments absently, his eyes continually settling on Catherine. What was the matter with him? She was his friend’s little sister, and he’d never thought of her in any other way. But she was a woman now. As desirable as any he’d ever known.

As they all took themselves into the supper room, he vowed to put her, and his troubling reaction to her, out of his mind.

*     *     *

Catherine returned to the ballroom after supper, with Elizabeth in tow. The younger girl was chatting about how lovely all the ladies’ dresses were, at which Catherine nodded absently. She tried to put her strange reaction to Lord Roberts out of her mind. Not likely. He looked incredible this evening. His breeches hugged his long muscular legs, his black jacket made his shoulders impossibly wide. His silver waistcoat nearly matched his incredible eyes. How could he have grown even more handsome since she’d seen him last?

When he’d taken her hand in his, she’d felt a spark shoot through her fingers and down to her toes. She’d stared into his eyes for the longest moment, seeing affection in their silver depths as she always had in the past. But had there been something else there, as well? It was something she’d never seen before. An awareness, as though he were seeing her for the first time.

She declined an offer to dance given by an awkward young gentleman and chose to sit in one of the gilded chairs lining the walls of the wide room. Michelle joined her there after Elizabeth ran off to speak to a friend.

“Catherine,” Michelle said with a smile. “That dress is
simply stunning.”

“Thank you,” Catherine said. “I daresay Paul would never have let me wear such a thing when he was escorting me to the bashes.”

“He does still tend to be a bit overprotective of his sisters.”

“Something you chide him about constantly, I’m sure,” Catherine said.

Michelle laughed. “I fear Rose will have quite a time of it when she comes out.”

“Indeed. Poor girl. But I’m sure Rose will be just as strong as her mama when it comes time for her debut.”

Michelle reached out and squeezed her hand, smiling warmly at her. “I have faith that Rose will be just as strong as her beautiful aunt, Catherine.”

Catherine’s eyes filled with tears. She was so lucky to have such a loving and supportive family through last year’s ordeal. And she was truly happy to have Michelle as her sister-in-law. She couldn’t have chosen a better bride for her only brother.

Catherine turned her gaze back to the ballroom and saw Lord Roberts step out of the supper room and approach Elizabeth, his hand outstretched. As Catherine watched, Elizabeth put her gloved hand in his. He twirled her out onto the dance floor, nodding at whatever Elizabeth said.

As they made their way across the floor, Lord Roberts spied her. His silvery eyes met hers for the briefest moment, sending a pleasurable shiver through her. She composed herself and returned her attention to Michelle.

The number ended and he escorted Elizabeth to join Catherine and Michelle. He smiled at Michelle and turned to face Catherine. “Catherine, I would be honored if you would join me for a dance.”

She stared up at him for a long moment. She’d danced with him so often in the past, and she shouldn’t have hesitated. But he evoked such strange feelings in her this evening.

With both Michelle and Elizabeth watching her, she set aside her reservations and put her gloved hand in his. “I’d love to, Lord Roberts.”

He led her out onto the floor. She matched him step for step and had never enjoyed a dance as much. It was over too soon in her opinion. He must have been of the same mind, for when the
dance ended he held on to her hand a bit longer.

He released her at last and smiled. “Why don’t we go out onto the terrace?”

Catherine, still flushed from their ease and comfort on the dance floor, nodded. “Oh, yes. That would be lovely.”

He waved at her to take the lead and followed her out the open doors. She came to a stop at the railing, staring out at the starry sky. He stepped behind her, joining her in her reverie.

They stood quietly for a long while, until Catherine finally broke the silence. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Incredible,” he answered, his voice low.

Catherine could sense him so close behind her, could feel his heat. She was certain that if she simply leaned back, her shoulders would come into contact with the hard wall of his chest. She was unable to resist the notion and gave in to her fancy, leaning back to brush against him. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her as he exhaled. She felt his breath tickling her ear and it felt so wonderful. She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, relishing the sweet comfort of the moment.

After too short a while, he dropped his arms from her. Catherine was shocked back to her senses. She straightened and gripped the railing tightly with both of her gloved hands. What was wrong with her? Her behavior was quite improper.

Lord Roberts took a step forward to stand beside her at the railing. Fortunately, his easy charm saved her and the moment. “I very much enjoyed our dance, Catherine.”

“I managed to keep off your toes.” She laughed, trying to calm her nerves.

He smiled down at her. “I did think for a while there that I had gone quite deaf.”

“Deaf?” she asked. “Why would you think that?”

“After my dance with Elizabeth, my ears were fairly ringing.”

Catherine laughed again. He smiled in response and brushed a stray curl away from her cheek. At his touch, she froze. He stared down at her, losing his smile.

“Catherine,” he whispered.

She stared up at him, her heart racing. His gaze settled on her mouth. He bent his head and brushed her lips with his. She stiffened for a moment. In the next she rubbed her lips against his and was rewarded as a delightful tingling spread from their point of contact. Suddenly, he pulled back.

Catherine opened her eyes and blinked up at him. She brought her fingers to her lips and felt them quiver. Waltham had kissed her. Proper kisses that were pleasant. But this kiss . . . It was so warm and sensual. And was that his tongue that had brushed across her lips before he pulled away?

“Forgive me, Catherine,” he said.

She said nothing to that. What could she say? That their kiss was the single most wondrous thing she’d ever experienced? He’d surely think her a wanton if she uttered such words. Instead, she simply nodded her acceptance of his apology. He gently took her hand in his and escorted her back into the ballroom.

Lord Roberts left her alone for the rest of the evening. Catherine sat beside Michelle, smiling as her sister-in-law told another story of little Rose’s escapades. Her brother, Paul, soon joined them, flanked by Geoffrey and Becca.

“Roberts is back in his element,” Geoffrey said, flicking his head in Lord Roberts’s direction. “A year rusticating in the country hasn’t changed him.”

“He certainly is charming,” Becca added. “And apparently all the ladies think so.”

Catherine tried not to notice that he danced with every girl present. Why should she? His popularity had never bothered her before. She caught a bit of what Geoffrey and Paul were saying as they lowered their voices.

“I wonder how he fared at the pubs,” Geoffrey said.

“I daresay he fared as well as he usually does,” Paul joked.

Catherine knew by their hushed tones and knowing glances that the gentlemen were discussing something quite provocative. She flushed as she pictured Lord Roberts in the arms of some faceless woman. A flash of jealousy quickly replaced her embarrassment. What was wrong with her?

She stood. “Excuse me.” The gentlemen nodded, but Michelle and Becca both blinked at her. “Headache.”

She sought out her father and, perpetuating the fictitious headache, persuaded him to take her home.

As Catherine readied herself for bed a while later, her mind was still on Lord Roberts and his wonderful kiss. From the moment their eyes had met that evening, she’d felt something she’d never felt before with him or any other gentleman. He appeared unaffected, however. His usual charming self. Surely he was far too worldly and experienced to let one dance, one brief kiss, affect him.

Too weary to puzzle it through, she climbed into her bed and fell into a fitful sleep. She met her dream lover once more, a tall man with black hair and startling silver eyes, whispering love words in her ear.

*     *     *

James was disappointed when he noticed Catherine’s absence. It was probably for the best, though. He went on as usual, making certain not to dance with any one girl more than twice lest she get the idea he was interested in a more permanent pairing.

Much later, in the solitude of his bedchamber, James stripped out of his finery and stretched out on the bed. He stared up at the ceiling, his hands behind his head, and puzzled over his reaction to Catherine. She’d grown into a beautiful woman. Had he never noticed how pure her skin was, how full her lips? It wasn’t only her beauty that captivated him now. His esteem increased after he’d learned of Waltham’s betrayal. The regal way in which she carried herself proved she could handle an unbearable situation with grace and maturity. Even her laugh, no longer a girlish giggle, now had a soft and husky note that spoke of secret pleasures.

He was sexually experienced, yet tonight he’d felt desire like never before. That it was the result of an innocent girl’s brief kiss was absurd. She was Catherine Talbot! He’d known her since she was a child, and always thought of her as a little sister, but the thoughts going through his mind at present were anything but brotherly.

He’d been stunned by their sudden closeness out on the terrace. As he’d held her for that too-brief moment, her smooth white shoulder had beckoned his touch and he’d been unable to resist bending his head closer to breathe in her sweet scent. With his lips a mere breath away from her skin, he’d caught himself. He’d had to grip the railing to keep his hands from shaking with the effort to keep from touching her.

James swore out loud. He never should have touched her. But she’d felt so right in his arms, as if she belonged there.