Page 44 of Passion Painted in a Lady's Heart
Rosalind glanced at Sebastian, smiling at him. He smiled back at her, and to her surprise, she felt the touch of his hand against her leg. The table was covered in a large white cloth, its edges hanging down to the floor, and his touch was concealed from sight, even as its sensation caused a shiver to run through her. Rosalind felt the blush rise in her cheeks, and she glanced down at the menu, distracted, even as Elizabeth asked her what she would have.
“I…oh, jasmine, and…elderflower,” she said, still feeling the gentles caress of Sebastian’s hand against her leg.
“How delicious. I’m going to have orange and lemon, I think,” Elizabeth said, setting down her menu as a waiter came to take their order.
Rosalind glanced at Sebastian, his touch now firmer against her leg, and she smiled, not knowing how to respond, even as she found the sensation to be pleasurable. Moving her foot, she found his. At least, she hoped it was his.
“And two of the strawberry fancies with the spun sugar for the ladies,” John was saying, concluding their order.
The waiter hurried off towards the counter, and John smiled, oblivious to the goings on beneath the table, as Rosalind’s foot became entwined with Sebastian’s.
“Did you see the horse paintings, Rosalind? John was saying they reminded him of Sebastian’s horse, Pegasus,” Elizabeth said.
Rosalind could hardly concentrate, her heart beating fast at the earl’s touch, but she forced a smile and shook her head.
“No, I didn’t get a chance to see them, unfortunately,” she replied.
“Yes, just like Pegasus,” John said, glancing at Sebastian, who nodded.
“Ah…yes. Dear Pegasus…his racing days are nearly over, I fear,” Sebastian replied, as now he edged his hand a little further up Rosalind’s thigh.
“Horses… yes, I don’t know much about horses,” Rosalind said, sitting up stiffly, and having to raise her handkerchief to her mouth to prevent herself gasping at the touch of Sebastian’s hand beneath the table.
“I’m sure Sebastian can teach you a great deal,” John said, and Rosalind nodded.
“Yes. I’m sure he can,” Rosalind replied, as Sebastian’s hand was now so far moved along her thigh as to be almost scandalous.
But at that moment, he withdrew, straightening up, as Lady Helena Bonham approached. Rosalind recognized her from the powder room at Lady Clarissa’s ball.
“Sebastian, how nice to see you?” she exclaimed, as Sebastian and John rose to their feet respectfully.
She was with another woman Rosalind recognized as a friend of her mother’s. She glanced at Rosalind, smiling and nodding.
“Lady Helena, were you at Somerset House for the exhibition this morning?” Sebastian asked, taking his seat again.
Lady Helena nodded.
“I was, yes, though I’m not much of an art lover. I wanted to buy a few pieces for a townhouse in Bath I’ve just purchased,” she said, smiling at Rosalind, who was thinking back to the conversation she had overheard between Lady Helena and Sebastian’s stepmother.
In the powder room, she had been keen to know the details of Sebastian’s apparent illness and had almost delighted in speculating as to his descent into madness. Rosalind did not like her. She had no evidence of Lady Helena’s intention other than to garner gossip.
“And did you find anything?” John asked.
“A few pieces, yes. It’s so difficult furnishing an empty house. But I want it ready for next season. They say Bath has quite the alternative draw to London. It’s where everyone’s going,” she said, glancing again at Rosalind with a smile.
“I’ve never been there before,” Rosalind replied, and Lady Helena laughed.
“I’m sure you will. Doesn’t the Duke of Northridge have an estate near there?” she asked.
Rosalind drew a sharp intake of breath at these calculated words, but she was not about to give Lady Helena the satisfaction of having caught her out.
“Yes, he does, I believe. But I prefer London. There’s so much more happening here than in the provinces. Though I suppose a quieter pace of life suits one in older age,” she replied, raising her eyebrows, as Lady Helena sniffed indignantly.
“Yes…well…perhaps it does. Anyway, I’m surprised to see you here, Sebastian. Your stepmother tells me you haven’t been well lately. I’m so very sorry to hear it,” she said.
Sebastian looked uncomfortable, and Rosalind felt indignant on his behalf. What right did Lady Helena have to embarrass him in such a way?
“I’m quite all right, thank you,” Sebastian replied, but he looked terribly embarrassed and humiliated by her words.
