Page 47 of Drowned in the Pleasure of a Devilish Baron
Sarah studied him, trying to figure out what exactly about him made her react so strongly. His very nearness to her made her want to back up, and, indeed, she noticed that her chair was almost pushed back from the table.
Something in his face.
Lord Ashton had the high, rounded cheeks of a child, but their very roundness and the expressions he made brought to mind a very spoiled child, one who was very used to always getting his way. Though he had spent many years in sunny Italy, his skin was so pale it was nearly translucent. But it was not just that.
It’s also his… neatness.
The gentleman was groomed to the point of ridiculousness. She took in his hair, slicked with something so that not one strand stood out of place. When he wrapped his long fingers around his glass, she noted the clean nails, and perfect length and cut of his sleeves. The very perfection of him brought to mind his polar opposite—her Felix.
Felix was a man who worked out in the sun, a man unafraid, even as a member of theton,of getting his hands dirty. Yes, he cleaned up very well indeed and at events looked every bit the gentleman, but if one were to take his hands, one would feel calluses and a raw strength that could build, could protect.
And that brought her back to what was likely the truth of it all. Likely, she did not feel disgust toward this man because he was neat, or because he had long fingers, or even because he had taken a look at the bosom her mother had so carefully ensured would be on display. No, she was sure that the reason she had taken an immediate disliking to Lord Ashton was for one simple reason—Felix.
Thoughts of Felix sent a surge of painful longing through her, and she knew she would have to keep him far from her mind if she were to make it through this evening. She forced herself to focus on the Earl.
“Italy is quite the country, though it has nothing on Mother England, of course,” he was saying to John, who was looking rapt with attention. “If you are interested in travel, just say the word. I would be very happy to send someone in my stead to check on the business, allowing me to remain at home.” His eyes snagged on Sarah across the table. “Keeping me in the company of the lovely ladies England has to offer.”
Sarah, knowing what was expected of her from her many forced readings of James Fordyce, blushed and looked down at her plate. Even with her head down, she could feel her mother’s approving eyes on her.
“Lord Ashton, tell us more about your family business. You deal in wine?”
“Quite right, Lady Marlow.” He took a pull from his wine glass. “My family was among the first to recognize the high caliber of wine being made by the Italians. For generations, we have traveled to the vineyards in Italy, to cultivate our own class of grapes, and bring the best of it back here to England. You may know that there are vintages of our family wines being served to the king himself!”
At the foot of the table, Sarah saw her brother’s eyes ignite with fervor at this.
“To be sure!” John said, waving a hand to their butler who moved to the table with a bottle of wine and began to pour. “We have prepared an excellent vintage of your family’s for this evening for just that reason. Your wines are beyond comparison.”
Sarah did her best to stifle her reaction to this slight to Leonard’s wine, bottles that John had happily purchased in a steep discount as a family friend ever since Leonard and Juliet had been married.
Across from her, Lord Ashton pulled a face. “Actually, as I have spent my life surrounded by the family wines, I find myself overburdened by the taste. If you have it, I would much prefer a whiskey to any wine.”
John looked crestfallen, but quickly waved the wine away for their guest and himself as well and requested a bottle of whiskey be brought instead.
In front of her, Sarah’s glass had already been filled with the wine. She lifted the glass and took a small sip. Upon replacing her glass, she noticed Lord Ashton watching her closely.
“Well?” he asked with great interest. “How do you find my family’s money maker?”
The comment was a bit crass, but she did not react, feeling her mother’s eyes weighing heavily on her. “Quite good,” she said politely.
This was where she should inquire further about his family, wine, or life in general, but she sat still and quiet.
My participation in this dinner will be limited to the bare minimum. They can make me be polite, but they cannot force me to be a sparkling dinner conversation.
Lord Ashton’s smile grew at her silence. He turned to John, “Your sister is a lady of few words.”
“Apologies, My Lord, she’s just a bit shy,” John said, but the look he sent Sarah’s way was furious—a warning.
“No apology necessary, I’m sure,” and when Lord Ashton turned to Sarah, the smile on his face was predatory. “I have always appreciated a challenge.”
Even without looking at them, Sarah could feel the looks of relief and triumph on the other two faces at the table.
“Perhaps the two of us could take a turn in the garden after dinner, Miss Marlow? If you are so inclined?”
“Why, of course you shall!” Lady Marlow said. “With a chaperone, of course.”
“Of course,” he said, his eyes still fastened to Sarah.
It was a relief when John turned the conversation once more to business, drawing Lord Ashton’s attention away from her.
