Bobbi Smith - Captive Pride

“You’d think the man would have better taste.” Margaret’s caustic comment brought a delighted peal of laughter from Caroline. “After all, every rumor I heard about him emphasized what a popular figure he was on the London social scene. With his vast experience, I can’t understand what he could possibly find appealing in Eve.”

“I know what Eve saw in him,” Caroline pointed out with a wide smile, her gaze on CC.

“Ummm,” Margaret agreed as she took a sip of tea. “He’s unbelievably handsome, and titled on top of it all. I found him simply devastating.”

Though she wanted to deny her feeling, CC found herself growing increasingly jealous as she listened to their conversation. She hadn’t wanted to think about Noah and Eve, but now there was no avoiding it, and she was miserable. She realized Lord Kincade had been the center of attention last night. It seemed that everyone had been watching him, and she wondered if they had been aware of her time with him in the garden. Certainly they had been alone in the darkness far longer than was truly acceptable.

“Didn’t you, CC?” Caroline asked, her question cutting into CC’s thoughts.

CC tried to keep her expression bland as she faced her friend. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I mean, darling, I saw you go outside with his brother Matthew, and then he followed shortly thereafter.” Dying to know more, Caroline dropped all effort at pretense. “Matthew returned, but the two of you didn’t…at least not right away.”

“CC!” Margaret was avidly intrigued by this new tidbit of information and she set her cup aside, leaning forward to hear more. “Do you mean to tell me that you spent some time alone with that devilishly good-looking man?”

CC managed a small shrug. “Yes, but there isn’t that much to tell. I had gone outside for a breath of fresh air, and he joined me on the terrace.” She tried to sound unaffected. “He was very courteous.” A LIE. “And we talked for a while.” NOT ENTIRELY A LIE. “And then we came back inside.” SEPARATELY. “He is a business acquaintance of my father, you know.” AND A TURNCOAT DOUBLE-DEALER.

“What a disappointment that something didn’t develop between you,” Margaret grumbled good-naturedly. “You’re so much more attractive than Eve, and you have so much more to offer a man.”

CC breathed a deep sigh of relief that she’d managed the awkward situation so well. CC knew that if she could convince her friends of her disinterest in the man, she could convince anybody.

“Well, I thank you for the compliments, Margaret, but Lord Kincade is really not my type.” CC wanted to scream the last in denial.

“And John is?” Caroline was quick to ask. “I noticed you spent a lot of time together last night. Are you becoming more serious about him? He is a wonderful young man.”

“John is very dear to me.” She kept her reply deliberately vague. “But surely you both must know by now that I have absolutely no intention of marrying anyone, any time soon.”

“Of course.” They sighed, disheartened that they hadn’t learned any exciting news from CC.

“More tea?” CC offered.

“We’d love to stay on and visit some more, dear, but we do have to be going. We’re meeting Marianna for luncheon. Would you like to join us?”

“I appreciate the invitation, but I’m still a little tired from last night. I think I’ll just stay home today and rest.” She accompanied them to the front door, carefully disguising her relief that they were finally going. Caroline and Margaret were her good friends, but they were very discerning, and it wasn’t always easy to keep one’s feelings from them. She was glad that she had managed to this time, for it wouldn’t do for anyone to suspect that something had happened with Noah last night.

“Maybe next time.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” CC assured them. “Tell Marianna I said hello.”

“We will.”

When they had gone, CC made her way back to the quiet of the parlor and closed the double doors behind her. CC moved slowly across the room to stare out the wide, heavily draped window that overlooked the gardens. She could see the summerhouse in the distance, and her heart lurched agonizingly as she remembered all that had passed there.

Shaking herself mentally, she knew she had to get a grip on herself. Caroline and Margaret’s idle chatter had hurt more than she cared to admit, and she wanted nothing more than to put all thoughts of Noah Kincade and Eve Woodham from her. What did it matter if he, after having had his way with her, went home with Eve? Why should she care if he’d bedded her, too? Kincade meant nothing to her. What had happened between them had been an accident that would not be repeated. As Margaret had said, he was a rake and a womanizer, and last night he’d certainly lived up to his reputation.

A shiver of disgust wracked her as she thought of Eve wrapped in Noah’s arms, sharing his passion and being totally possessed by his hard, driving body. The vision was devastating to CC even as it angered her. Kincade might be a nobleman, but there was absolutely nothing noble about him.

Gilbert answered Noah’s knock at the front door. “Lord Kincade, come in!” he greeted enthusiastically, ushering him inside. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Demorest was called away for an unexpected meeting this morning, but he told me to be certain that you were made comfortable if you arrived before his return. He was positive that he would be here by the noon hour, and it’s almost that now,” the butler quickly explained as he guided him toward the parlor. “Would you care for a drink while you wait?”

“No, thank you. I’ll be fine,” Noah declined.

“Please make yourself at home here in the parlor,” Gilbert told him as he opened one of the parlor doors to admit Noah to the room. He thought it odd that the doors were closed but dismissed it as unimportant, for he knew that Miss CC’s company had left a short time before.

“I shall. Thank you.” Noah strode easily into the seemingly empty room.

“Yes, sir.” The butler withdrew, closing the door after him as he went.

At the sound of someone opening the door, CC had turned from her tormented vigil by the window to stare aghast as Noah came striding into the room. For a brief instant CC was frozen into immobility by the sight of him, but the moment soon passed, and she found herself totally, irrationally infuriated. Kincade! In her home! How dare he? She couldn’t prevent herself from venting her outrage.

“You!” she hissed venomously as she glared at him. “What are you doing here! I thought I told you to stay away from me!”

Noah was caught off guard by her presence, and the atmosphere in the room was suddenly charged as their gazes met. At the sight of her, a flicker of an unidentified emotion flared in his eyes, but Noah was quick to mask his feelings. Though his senses came alive at her very nearness, and the wildfire of desire that had possessed him the night before threatened to rekindle, Noah kept his expression cool as he fought against his disturbing reaction to her.

“Why, CC…what a pleasant surprise,” he drawled, his lips curving into a mocking smile. “How nice to see you again.”

“Get out of my home!” CC stalked across the room toward him, her hands resting belligerently on her hips.

Noah ignored her obvious upset and sat down on the sofa with an easy male grace. “I’m afraid that’s not quite possible, my dear.”

“Why, you! I’ll call Gilbert and have him throw you out!” she declared, his arrogant, commanding attitude pushing her past control.

In a huff, CC started toward the doors to get the butler. She had to get away from him. He was so very attractive, and her reaction to him was so strong. Why, just the sight of him and the sound of his voice had set her pulse racing.