Page 49 of Captivating the Countess
The key turned in the lock of its own accord.
Bellscarcely noticed as the brass key fell out of her lock. She had the most intense, most intelligent man in her life holding her as if she were his world. Her head spun from his kisses. And the rest of her... wanted. She wanted so very much...
She sighed in gratitude when Rain cupped her breasts. Her bodice buttoned all the way up the front, but she wore only a small corset with this old-fashioned working gown. She could feel his palms rubbing at her nipples, and desire coursed through her. Would it be so dreadful if she allowed him to...
A knock rapped at the door.
“I don’t want to stop,” he murmured huskily. “Can’t we make them go away?”
She ran her fingers over the sandpaper of his cheek, drinking in his closeness, his hot breath, the proximity of his mouth to hers, but even as she longed to cling, she stepped back and pushed at his chest. “I may not have the stupidity to agree to a séance at another time. And your grandmother may bring the house crashing down around us if we don’t try.”
In the light of the lamps she’d left burning, she could see Rainford’s angular jaw tighten. He had so many pressures to bear—she longed to help ease them.
But accepting his responsibility, he gave a curt nod and turned up the sconces while she hunted for the key. The lady was making it obvious whatshewanted, but one goal conflicted with the other if the nag wanted a séance.
Fortunately, the ghost didn’t stop Bell from unlocking the door and letting in Rain’s sisters. They didn’t seem to find it odd that Rain was here first or that the door was locked. They entered, chattering, and scattered about the room to admire the furnishings and rearrange the chairs.
Bell admired their assurance. This was their family home. They had no reason to lack confidence. Rain’s poor ex-fiancée never had a chance unless she developed a backbone overnight.
Rain moved a heavy game table before the fire and helped arrange the chairs around it. He threw more coals on the grate and pulled out a chair for Bell while his sisters claimed their places. She could smell his shaving lotion and the male scent that was all his own. When he casually brushed her shoulder, she almost melted. She was worse than an animal in heat.
“May I just observe?” He didn’t find a place for himself.
“Rainford, no,” Estelle protested. “I’m sure the ghost wants all of us.”
“I think it would be best if Rainford stays out of this for now.” Bell firmly overrode his sisters.
She needed distance from the marquess. She still tingled in unseemly places after that kiss. The last time that had happened, the haunt had attempted to enter her. Besides, she felt safer if he could intervene as needed.
The sisters grumbled but took their places.
Bell didn’t even look at Rainford as he settled in a wing chair out of her view. She concentrated on her table companions. “I have no notion of what to do. You’ll have to direct me.”
“We usually focus on an object, like a crystal.” Alicia placed a pretty piece of quartz in the table center. Other than appearing a trifle disheveled, she seemed none the worse for her encounter with the canvas.
“You are feeling quite strong enough to do this, Alicia?” Bell asked in concern. “Would you prefer we wait for another night?”
“You’re the one who would delay.” Victoria centered the crystal to her tastes. “Alicia has a head like a rock.”
The other married sisters nodded agreement.
Alicia simply shrugged. “It is obvious our resident ghost wishes our undivided attention. My play accomplished that. So let’s be done with this and see what she wants.”
The sisters took each other’s hands. Alicia took Bell’s left and Victoria took her right, leaving the two mothers carrying children to sit across from her. Bell was terrified she would harm them in some way, but she didn’t have enough knowledge to argue. She had studied journals on ghosts, but none had recommended séances as a means of communication.
That Rain allowed this to continue spoke of his desperation to help his father.
So Bell had to do it. She squeezed the hands holding hers. “What next?”
“First, we try concentrating on the crystal. Once we’re all sufficiently mesmerized, I’ll ask the spirit to speak. I suppose you must empty your head of thoughts.” Alicia took over explanations.
Mesmerized? Rather than question, Bell simply stared at the pretty crystal. It gleamed softly in the distant lamplight. They’d deliberately positioned the table so no chandelier loomed over them. She didn’t think crystals would fly or could hurt much, if they did.
Not thinkingwas difficult. Perhaps that was why the spirit encouraged her to kiss Rainford. That made her mindless swiftly enough.
Alicia began humming under her breath. She hummed about as well as she sang, which was to say, not well. Bell smiled to herself. Alicia was a genuinely kind and creative soul who wanted so much to be helpful. Bell was fine with letting her control the séance.
She didn’t hear any ghosts. Not that she ever did, until they’d invaded her head. How did she empty her head?
