Page 24 of Only a Lyon Will Do
She missed having Cassandra with her since moving back in with her parents after their reconciliation. In the days since Patience left Cassandra’s townhouse for the last time, she had come to feel the loss of no longer seeing her friend on a daily basis. Cassie had promised her that they would see each other again soon and that Cassie’s time to reenter Society was coming. She just needed to ensure that Patience was also settled with the man chosen for her. The fact that all three men were friends seemed to say much and Patience wondered who the widow had in store for Cassandra.
Patience had a difficult time convincing her father to allow her to attend the Hampton affair until he learned that she wouldbe accompanied by two married women. He seemed to still be having a difficult time of seeing her as an adult and not the young maiden she had been when she first left his house. But he was coming around and seemed happy that she was once again with her family where she belonged. She was grateful they had been able to overcome their differences.
Still… being summoned to the Lyon’s Den later this evening puzzled her. She had followed all of Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s instructions so Patience couldn’t think why the Widow of Whitehall needed to see her.
“Rowley,” Lord Saxton said raising his hand to greet his friend. “Good of you to finally show up.”
Patience turned to see Asher walking through the front door and her heart soared seeing him looking resplendent in his evening attire. Not that he was ever dressed inappropriately but there was always just something about the man that caused her head to spin in delight. She was about to step forward when a young lady came up to Asher and took his arm.
“Lord Rowley,” she purred loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, “you look very dapper this evening.”
Asher gave a pained glance toward Patience who waited calmly for the scene to unfold. She wasn’t the jealous type and this young miss wasn’t going to cause her to lose her composure now.
“Lady Maribel… a pleasure to see you this evening,” Asher began looking toward the ballroom as another young woman came forward. “And Lady Juliet… good evening.”
Josephine rolled her eyes as Gyles took her arm and began ushering his wife into the ballroom. Patience leaned over to whisper in Moriah’s ear.
“What am I missing?” Patience asked quietly as she watched Asher conduct himself as a gentleman with polite conversationwith the two women, despite the stiff expression on his face that made his lack of enjoyment in the conversation quite clear.
“Last Season, Lady Juliet was attempting to get Lord Wickes to marry her so you can imagine why Josephine wouldn’t want to be around her,” Moriah said looking up to her husband who gave her a strained smile.
“And Lady Maribel?” Patience inquired of the other woman.
“As you can tell from the grip she has on Lord Rowley’s arm, she set her hook in him and had no plans to let go. But watch… he’s already disengaged her hand and obviously has no intention of pursuing a relationship with her,” Moriah finally answered.
“I still worry if his feelings for me are lasting,” Patience said in concern. “We’re still getting to know one another. While I must admit he has been most attentive, I fear what will happen when the early excitement of our romance has worn off.”
Moriah gave a light laugh. “Patience, darling… anyone with eyes in their head can see for themselves how much Lord Rowley adores you. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me.”
Patience continued to watch the scene unfolding in front of her. When Asher stepped aside with Lady Maribel, Patience was certain Asher was making it clear that he wasn’t interested in the lady. She had a moment of sadness fill her heart for the woman when Patience saw her chin quiver and tears fill her eyes before she stormed off with Lady Juliet. Asher immediately came over to Patience and offered her his arm.
He looked down upon her and gave her what appeared an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry you had to witness that but it’s been a long time coming.”
“Being told you don’t hold an affection for her had to be hard for her to hear,” Patience said quietly. “Of course, I’m assuming that’s what was said between you.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Wickes had been warning me if I didn’t cut the girl off soon, I’d find myself compromisedin the garden and have to marry the chit.” He ran a finger through the neckline of his shirt before continuing. “I had no intention of ever marrying her but she assumed much and attempted to increase our familiarity at every ball we happened to be at.”
Patience squeezed his arm and he put his hands over hers briefly before they continued into the ballroom. “I can understand why she would be upset and hope you said your piece gently.”
“As gently as possible. She was about to cause a scene before her friend Lady Juliet stepped forward and they excused themselves.”
“Are there other women here who will be vying for your attention tonight, Hades?” she teased softly already knowing his answer.
When he turned his hazel eyes to her, there was so much love shining in them Patience began to wonder how she ever doubted his feelings for her. “There is only one woman who holds all my admiration—tonight or any night for the rest of our days together, Persephone. That one pomegranate reaffirmed we shall be as one for more years than I can count.”
“I look forward to the years ahead, my lord.”
“Let’s get through the evening and later our meetings with Mrs. Dove-Lyon,” Asher suggested before he reached for the dance card dangling at her wrist. “I had best claim my dances before I find myself without the opportunity to spend part of my evening skipping with you to a lively tune.”
“We couldn’t let that happen, now could we?” she said as he filled in two places on her card. She would prefer that she spend all her time dancing with Asher alone but she supposed if, or when, they married she could do so. She turned her eyes up to stare into his handsome face and could only think about hiskisses. She must have conveyed her longing for him because he quickly switched direction and pulled her down a hallway.
The first room they came to was a library and he quickly scanned the room to see that it was empty. Once he was assured that they were alone, he pulled her into his arms, then bent forward and kissed her lips. She sighed and wound her arms around his waist.
“Asher…” she whispered softly. “How did you know I needed your kiss?”
“Your look told me more than you might have thought, my dear,” Asher murmured into her ear. He began nibbling his way down her neck and she moaned in pleasure.
“We should return to the ballroom before we’re caught here,” Patience warned him.
