Page 28 of Taming Ivy
The flash of former friendship was brief.
Sebastian looked away in a haze of anger, Nick’s words slowly registering. “...the moment one turns his back, a fresh victim slips into the vacant spot.”'
His eyes searched for the spot where he left Ivy. She was not there.
“So damn vague of you, Landon,” Viscount Longleigh chuckled. “I thought you avoided the debutante set like the damned plague they are. Will you share details?”
“Come now, Longleigh. There are ladies present.” Nicholas tipped the chin of the quiet brunette, earning her sultry smile. The flame-haired baroness silently fumed as attention was lavished on someone else. “In a private setting, I might divulge such information. As it is, we are all aware an affair is one thing, claiming a woman as your own is quite another. Rest assured, if I were ever inclined to stake a public assertion of sole possession, on the countess or any woman, she would not find herself left alone to fend off those who are, shall we say, a bit overzealous. Careless and loose my affections might be, a man would certainly face my wrath if caught trespassing upon my claim.”
Sebastian stalked away, gritting his teeth as a roar of laughter accompanied Nick’s next words, “But then again, our lovely countess probably objects to being staked and claimed. One must be extraordinarily careful, considering her reputation.”
Beyond the last of the pillars, he found her. Relief flooded him, fighting for space with a tide of jealousy.
Ivy’s back pressed against one of the last marble columns in the hall. Bleeding into the dark edges beyond the gas-lit brightness of the lobby, it was a perfect spot for lovers to steal a hasty kiss or two. Viscount Basford held her arm, the angle making it difficult to determine her reaction. Neither heard Sebastian’s approach.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Brandon’s tone was peevish.
“Oh yes! The performance is quite incredible, don’t you think?”
Brandon seemed poised to give her a rough shake. “You know that’s not what I mean, Ivy.Him.Are you enjoying yourself with him?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Ivy’s head tilted. “Ravenswood and I have many things in common. I enjoy his company very much.”
“You have but one thing incommon…” The viscount bit out.
Sebastian scowled. The damned fool had one thousand pounds riding at Brookes he would be the one to tame Ivy Kinley. Basford’s hold was tenuous at best; the countess was slipping through his grasp as quickly as his recklessly wagered money.
“Be very careful, Ivy.” Brandon’s head dipped toward hers. “You have no idea what Ravenswood is about, although I confess a particular admiration for his methods. He ought to be ripping you to pieces for that business with his cousin. It’s quite brilliant how he’s managed to disguise his intentions thus far. Devious, actually. I’ve no wish to see you hurt.”
“Basford,” Ivy warned in a sharp voice, “you’ve no right to speak of Lord-”
“I’d much rather ripyouto pieces,” Sebastian interrupted.
The viscount dropped Ivy’s arm as if forged of hot iron. Smoothing his cravat, he quickly recovering his bearings. “I only repeat the same observation others have made, Ravenswood.” His shoulders lifted in a shrug, his gaze narrowing as Sebastian approached. “Am I in danger simply for extending greetings to Lady Kinley?”
“Not in present company.” Sebastian’s eyes gleamed with the yearning to exterminate Basford, on the spot. How inconvenient for the man to caution Ivy of his intentions. Were he not holding two goblets of champagne, he might actually punch the other man in the mouth.
But this called for a different tact, one excluding a brawl at the elegant opera house. With slow deliberateness, Sebastian remarked, “I imagine my behavior at the Sheffield Ball seemed odd, but I was in a peculiar mood that evening. In atonement for my dreadful conduct, I’ve placed myself in Ivy’s service and shall accompany her to any social event she desires.”
A smile of unapologetic blandness met Brandon’s glare. Knowing the use of Ivy’s given name would needle the viscount to the point of distraction, Sebastian’s lashes dropped as he finished smoothly, “Of course, I should hate to be a nuisance, hounding her, if my devotion was not…wanted.” The pointed pause left no doubt as to his opinion of the Pack.
“You would be bored to tears if you attendedallsocial functions with me, Ravenswood.” Ivy stepped between the two men circling one another with the bristling dislike of rival roosters. “Thank you for the champagne.”
Handing over one goblet, Sebastian’s gaze flickered around the lobby. Their darkened corner of the lobby was drawing quite the crowd. Nicholas stood at its back edge, grinning.
“You have no idea the number of gentlemen who favor our sweet countess,” Brandon said tightly. “Lady Kinley is very dear to all of us. I’m afraid there may be no room for others in our midst.”
“And I’m afraid I don’t care, Basford.” Sebastian’s lips stretched with a lethal smile. “In fact, I’m certain of it.”
Brandon’s expression grew fierce with increased abhorrence, Sebastian’s with aloof detachment. The cold silence turned uncomfortable, especially when Sebastian began examining his meticulously groomed fingernails. A flare of bright red infused the viscount’s features at the blatant dismissal.
A flickering of lights accompanied the faint sounds of the orchestra tuning their instruments. Ivy exhaled in relief at the signal for patrons to resume their seats, thinking the veiled trading of insults could cease. “Please excuse us, Lord Basford. I should terribly hate to miss a moment of tonight’s performance.”
Nearly stomping his foot in frustration, the viscount had no choice but to kiss Ivy’s offered hand and bow to his newly confirmed rival.
Unable to let the matter go without a warning, Sebastian propelled the countess forward with a firm hand to her lower back so she could not overhear. His advice was an icy growl. “I’m a selfish man, Basford. It would be wise to keep your distance.”
Sebastian did not caress Ivy upon returning to their balcony seats. They watched the remaining acts of the opera in silence, and other than assisting her in donning her cloak and lightly holding her elbow as she stepped up into the coach, he did not touch her. A tightly coiled air wound between them during the return to Kinley House until Ivy turned to him, her confusion apparent.
