Lady Rises by Renee Bernard

Author:Renee Bernard
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The gold dress was one of her favorites because of the way it shimmered in the candlelight. Its daring cut was more suited to a grand ball than a quiet country dinner but she didn’t care. She wanted to feel her power, to draw on that well of confidence within her like a shield. She felt more vulnerable than she had in a long time but also more alive. As Phillip sat across from her, her body was still tingling from their lovemaking, Serena prayed that he couldn’t read her.

“Did you have a good ride, cousin?” Delilah asked him innocently.

“What?” Phillip stiffened in his seat, his cheeks reddening before he realized his mistake. “Oh, yes…I went out for a ride. It was very brisk.”

“Good exercise, I’m sure,” James added as he helped himself to a fish fillet from the platter that Mr. Clayborne held out for him. “Wish I’d gotten out to join you. God, I am confined like a monk!”

Delilah’s eyes dropped to her plate and Serena did her best to intervene. “The demands of your business kept you indoors, did they? How taxing! I always imagine it is hard for men to be restricted so! Your energies must demand action, do they not?”

She’d meant to aim the barb at James but it was Phillip’s smoldering look that nearly robbed her of speech. God, this is like juggling on a tightrope!

“It is unnatural for a man to be trapped with a room full of ledgers!” James sighed, then glanced at Phillip. “Not that I might not have accepted an invitation to slip away if one had been extended to me.”

Phillip smiled. “The ride wasn’t planned. Perhaps next time I leave the house for exercise, I’ll include you, James.”

“Tomorrow, then!” James announced. “The weather promises to be fine and I am not going to be left behind, sir!”

“Very well,” Phillip conceded smoothly. “Though if you pout like a four year old, I may be tempted to slip out the back door to avoid you, cousin.”

James laughed. “As if you would dare!”

“There is very little I will not dare,” Phillip countered, his gaze shifting to Serena in her gold gown. “Would the ladies care to join us?”

Serena shook her head. “We will leave you to it. I shall keep my dear Mrs. Osborne company tomorrow. I have neglected her too much recently.”

Delilah smiled. “You are very kind.”

“She is very kind. Why is she not married?” James asked without preamble.

“James!” Delilah gasped.

“What? Lady Wellcott is your dear friend and can we not ask a simple question without you huffing and puffing like a hysteric over there, wife!” James tapped his glass for more wine and looked at Serena. “You are too young to play the matron, Lady Wellcott. Don’t you think?”

She took a sip of her own wine before she replied. “I am not married because I do not wish to be.”

James’ brow furrowed in confusion. “What woman doesn’t wish to be married?”

“This woman.” Serena wasn’t in the mood to give the man any quarter.

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