Blood Kin by M.J. Scott

Author:M.J. Scott [M.J. Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2012-06-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

HOLLY

Turned out that putting Guy into evening clothes was both a good and a bad thing. Good that he owned them and we didn’t have to cobble something together from clothes left behind at the Dove and good, yes, that he’d thought to bring them with him. But the sight of him in immaculate tailored black-and-white was not helping me with my “let’s not tumble immediately into bed” plan.

I wasn’t the only one admiring my escort. He attracted glances left, right, and center as we walked into the foyer of the Gilt, just as he had at Justine’s earlier. I had the feeling that if I hadn’t been actually hanging on to his arm, some enterprising young thing would’ve swept him away.

Guy seemed mostly oblivious to the attention, though I wasn’t sure if that was actually the case or he was pretending to be polite. Either way I was relieved. After all, it would be hard to sell “this man is completely besotted with me” if he was ogling every other female in the vicinity.

Fortunately we secured seats in one of the boxes in the first balcony. Expensive, but the point was to be seen and the boxes were prime territory for gossip-worthy activities. We even had it all to ourselves, which was unusual. And also somewhat problematic—private boxes were traditionally used by lovers for trysts during the show.

If Guy and I were alone, people would expect us to put on some sort of display of passion to add to the spectacle.

But while the lights were up, at least we could maintain some semblance of propriety. Still, I made sure to let my gloved hand fall onto Guy’s knee once we were both seated, sending him a smile. “We’re meant to be madly in lust, remember?” I said softly. “And we’re on show.”

He was quick on the uptake; I had to give him that. He smiled at me, then leaned in and pressed a kiss to my shoulder, left bare by the dress. “Is this the sort of thing they’re expecting?” he asked, trailing his lips across to my neck.

I tried not to let my eyes cross as pleased shivers ran over my skin. “It will do for now,” I managed.

“See anyone interesting?” he said, as he continued nibbling his way up my neck.

I let my head loll back for a moment to give him better access, then forced myself to laugh and push him away, tapping his leg with my fan in admonishment. I opened my purse to find my opera glasses, hoping no one—least of all Guy—would notice my hands were trembling a little and that I fumbled the ties.

The opera glasses were the excuse I needed to move a little farther away, shifting my skirts as I pretended to seek a better angle for viewing. “Why don’t you order some champagne, darling?” I said, pitching my voice to carry to those in the next box. “We need to celebrate your freedom.” There. Let them chew on that.

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