Simply Insatiable by Kate Pearce

Author:Kate Pearce [Pearce, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-09-14T17:00:00+00:00

Robert took the note and headed up the wide staircase, ignoring the occasional look of surprise or deliberate sneers at his somber attire from the invited guests. He had to help didn’t he?

He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know Captain Gray when there was obviously an emergency.

He spotted the captain almost as soon as he entered the ballroom and hastened to his side.

“Captain Gray.”

His lover—his ex-lover—turned around slowly as if bracing himself against the sound of Robert’s voice.

“Yes?” For the first time, there was no hint of warmth in David’s face, no indication that they were anything more than master and servant. Robert concealed his immediate pang of hurt. He’d told David to leave him alone, had begged him to, in fact, so why should he hate it?

Robert bowed. “I apologize for interrupting, Captain, but I was asked to deliver an urgent message to you.” He handed over the sealed note and stepped back.

“Thank you.” There was no inflection in David’s voice as he turned back into the circle of his acquaintances, leaving Robert standing alone. God, it stung to have to walk away, to not have the privilege of asking what was wrong, of offering his help.

Robert made his way back down the stairs and took up his previous position by the marble pillar. At least Lord Minshom hadn’t seen his humiliation—that was one thing to be grateful for. He glanced up at the entrance to the ballroom and saw Captain Gray descending the stairs with great speed. He couldn’t help stepping into the light and into his path.

“Are you all right, Captain?”

David looked at him and swallowed hard. “Apparently my father has suffered another stroke. I’ve been ordered to attend his bedside. He is not expected to live.”

Robert touched his arm. “I’m sorry. Can I do anything to help?”

Briefly, David’s hand sought his and squeezed hard. “No, I thank you. Just pray for him.”

“I will do that, sir.” Robert hesitated. “Are you sure you do not need me to accompany you? You seem a little shaken.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine.” David’s smile was fleeting but meant the world to Robert. ” Good night.”

Robert watched him leave and fiercely contemplated his choices. If he’d been brave enough, he would have the right to comfort Captain Gray, to hold him in his arms and tell him that everything was in God’s hands. But he didn’t have that right, did he? He’d squandered it with his obsession with Minshom.

God, he wanted to follow David more than he wanted to breathe. He took a step toward the door and then another.

“Robert?”

He made the mistake of looking back, saw Lady Minshom coming down the stairs and reluctantly faced her.

“My lady?”

She swallowed hard. “I want to go home. Can you take me?”

What on earth had happened to shake her considerable composure? He should’ve known there would be trouble when he’d realized exactly whose ball Minshom had decided to attend.

He bowed.

“Of course, my lady. Just let me fetch your cloak.”

Minshom strolled down the staircase and spied his wife and Robert in the doorway.

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