The Dandy and the Flirt (The Friendship Series Book 6) by Julia Donner

Author:Julia Donner [Donner, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2015-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Emily hurried down the steps. She hadn’t seen Hugh yet but had heard the distant rumble of his voice from the next floor up. Since she and the boys had gotten back quite late from their excursions, she’d sent them immediately up to their rooms for their meal. There had been no time for a nap, only for a swift change of clothes and a flying trip downstairs.

An incident at Astley’s, an awkward encounter with Langston Blake, had delayed their return and kept her on edge. Her aggravated nerves still felt abraded from the unpleasant episode. She couldn’t relieve the aftereffects with rationalizations. No matter how she told herself to put the event out of her mind, she couldn’t rid herself of the memory of Langston’s determined arrogance, the intentions he relayed in vulgar double entendre remarks, since children were present. His innuendos made it clear enough to her that he expected to resume their former relations.

Hugh met her in the passage outside the dining room, having been on his way up to escort her down. As they sat down to dine, he acted unaware of her distress, which helped to soothe her anxiety.

She pushed aside the portion of grouse, nudging it around the plate. Her stomach complained its empty state, but dismay had stolen her appetite. Why did Langston persist so? Perhaps she should never have told him that his lovemaking had left a great deal to be desired, namely, any semblance of enjoyment for her. She measured Langston’s utter mediocrity as a lover with his total obliviousness to his lack of skill. After all, there was mediocre and beyond that there was appalling.

Why had she allowed him to try a second time? A colossal mistake. She’d never been able to rid herself of the residual nausea from the memory. Why other women spoke so highly of his prowess left her boggled. A wealth of dark hair, bulging musculature and a larger than usual masculine member didn’t make up for an astounding lack of finesse. His conceit and total self-involvement in the act had her expecting him to offer payment or an expensive bauble at its completion.

“Emily?”

Her fork clattered against the plate. She jerked her attention away from the neglected grouse to Hugh’s piercing gaze. “Hhmm?”

“I asked about your appetite. You’re still not eating much. Perhaps we could have your favorites instead of mine.”

“Oh, no, but thank you. I pretty much like everything. It’s been a tiring day. I shall be as hungry as a bear come morning.”

He set down his fork and knife and continued to study her as his plate was removed for the next course. “Did Waldo and Howie exhaust you today? You didn’t return until half-past seven.”

“They had a difficult time leaving the amphitheater. I have no doubt that at this very moment they are reenacting the swordplay and riding feats in their room. Leaping from bed to bed. Jousting with imaginary lances. They had a marvelous time.”

When the footman slid a plate of poached salmon in front of her, she sighed and reached for the fork.

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