Trust Me by Natasha Blackthorne

Author:Natasha Blackthorne
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Hearts Aflame Press
Published: 2014-03-18T16:00:00+00:00

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Anne sat beside Jon, enduring the mediocre music. Really, couldn’t Saxby do any better than this? She fanned her face and the whole time sensed the angry tension coming off Jon in waves.

When the intermission came, Jon turned an icy blue stare on her. “I think you could use a cup of lemonade.”

He stood then offered her his arm and escorted her to the sideboards where refreshments had been laid out.

“I’d prefer something stronger than lemonade.”

Jon glanced down at her for a moment. “No doubt.” He turned to a servant. “One lemonade and—” He glanced over the selections available. “A cup of tea, black.”

She raised her brows.

“My lady pointed out that I have been drunk for the better part of twenty-four hours.”

His comment left her nonplussed.

“Well, it seems rather ungentlemanly behaviour for a husband, doesn’t it?” he asked. He studied her intently. After the servant handed them their drinks and left, Jon leant close. “Do you want to go home now?”

She glanced at him over the top of her cup. “Why do you ask that?”

“Because you look… I don’t know, pale, a little lost. You weren’t feeling well earlier.”

“We need to make good showing.”

He frowned. “Yes, we do, however, I don’t want you to be miserable.”

She’d had her fill of sickly sweet lemonade. She handed him the cup. “I shall be fine.”

He turned away to place their cups on the sideboard.

She would have loved to go home. But, suddenly, she was uneasy at the prospect of an evening alone with her new husband. She had no wish to speak further on the topic of revolts and social change.

She looked up to see Sebastian approaching. His dark blue cutaway jacket made him look taller, and his hair burned like gold fire in the candelabra light. His serious face split into a huge grin. “Lady Ruel.”

Pleasure and warmth suffused her. “Your Grace.”

Sebastian looked over her head and his expression sobered a bit. “Good evening, Ruel.”

“Good evening, Saxby.”

“I hope you don’t plan to monopolize your countess this evening.”

“I should never do anything so unfashionable.” Jon’s voice was polite and cool. Almost the voice of a stranger. As Sebastian led her away, she didn’t glance back. She couldn’t bear to see Jon’s expression. Nor did she want to betray her relief at having a moment away from him.

A lump lodged in her throat. This evening had started out so differently. Now, everything seemed to be moving so fast. She didn’t understand what was happening.

Make a good showing.

Yes, that was what she must do. Goodness, she’d been so overset that she’d forgotten. She smiled up into Sebastian’s face. Her lips trembled.

His eyes darkened, their pupils enlarging.

She caught her breath. She knew that look but she must be mistaken. He wouldn’t, couldn’t possibly ever hope for…

No, don’t think. Just get through this. Make a good showing.

She tilted her head to one side, imploringly. “What do you think about all this business with St. Peter’s Field and the riots?”

His expression froze and he blinked.

It obviously wasn’t the remark he’d expected to hear.

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