Sweet Torture (Fated for Love) (2 page)

“I did not force myself upon her
, Livie. Did you even see us kiss? Both of us participated to equal satisfaction.”

“Ugh
.” Olivia made a disgusted face at her brother. “I wanted you to apologize, Devon, not anger her more. You should have seen her run through here. It was as if she were escaping bedlam. How could you do that?”

“You wouldn’t understand
, Olivia, it just… happened.” He turned away from her and stared out through the French doors.

Olivia came to stand before him. “Do you love her?”

“Heaven above, Livie, you don’t fall in love with one kiss.” Devon rolled his eyes.

“I know that
, you weasel. You can fall in love with someone over many things—their laughter, smile, charm, intelligence, kindness. I was just wondering if maybe you had a tender for her before this moment, or if you’re just a careless rogue.” The last was said with scorn.

“Color me
careless rogue
.” He replied.

“Then shame on you
, Devon Garrett Brentton. I will no longer defend your actions.” She turned to leave the room.

“
Livie, I’m sorry.” He called after her.

“You
certainly will be,” She called back.

*~~~

The next evening, Lydia and Olivia stood watching a country dance in the overcrowded, overheated Dolltram ballroom. Lydia fanned herself while Olivia sipped watered lemonade in an attempt to prevent herself from fainting.

“We must go outside
. I need air,” Olivia panted.

“It is just as crowded
, and it will take us a full hour to get to the terrace doors.” Lydia watched as the dancers parted, and came together in rhythm. The poor souls looked fit to expire, and while it was true that most of the guests were not dancing, an optimistic few graced the floor.

“Then I want to leave
. Where is your mother?”

Lady Covvington had agreed to chaperone Olivia tonight so her mother could tend to her father who suffered a
benign cold, but acted as if he were dying of the plague.

“It would be very impolite to leave this early
, Olivia.” Lydia stated

“I think it would be very impolite if I collapsed and died on Lady Dolltrams floor. Which do you think she would prefer?”

“Don’t be so dramatic; it’s a trifle warm, at most.” Lydia sighed. Even she didn’t believe her own words.

“Said the ice queen.”

Olivia and Lydia turned in unison, finding Devon standing behind them.

“
Devon!” Olivia gasped. “That is abominably rude.”

Lydia held silent
. She was in total shock at facing him again. She had talked herself into complete denial over the enjoyment of that kiss just the night before, and now seeing him here tonight, she knew she was an utter fool. She could never look at Devon Brentton again without the memory of his lips on hers forever being at the forefront of her mind. She needed to pull it together, and be able to remain herself in front of others. No one could know she was affected by him. It would ruin her reputation forever.

“It’s
all right, Olivia. I have grown accustomed to your brother's crass behavior, believe it or not.” Her tone was ice cold even to her own ears. She mentally applauded herself.

“I couldn’t resist given the conversation I overheard. I apologize
, of course, it was only meant in jest.”

“Eavesdroppi
ng. Another one of your
charms,
I dare say,.” Lydia continued.

Devon smiled. “As much as it pains me to do so
, I come to be of service to you. There is a private terrace off the conservatory if you are in need of some cool air. I would gladly escort you there.”

“That sounds lovely!” Olivia cried in relief.

Lydia frowned. “I don’t think Lady Dolltram would approve of guests wandering about her house.”

“Normally
, I would agree with you, dearest, but at this moment, I am sweating through my dress. Are you coming or not?”

“Not.” Lydia could feel her
brow glistening but surely, this putrid ballroom was better than going anywhere with that rogue Olivia called a brother.

“Please
, Lydia, twill be no fun without you. I would never forgive myself if I returned to find nothing but a puddle on the floor.” Olivia begged.

Lydia looked from Devon to Olivia and then back to Devon. He smiled.
At once, she felt feverish and to her horror, she could feel a bead of perspiration form and roll from the hollow of her neck to disappear between the valley of her breasts. That blasted man watched the whole journey with avid attention, and when he looked up and met her eyes again, his had widened and darkened to a deep hunter green.

“
Oh all right, lead the way.” Lydia desperately needed cool air now.

Devon led them to a side door a few feet away along the wall
as he held it open for them before following them through. It was dark, and blessedly cooler, on the other side of the door. Moonlight streamed in illuminating exotic fruit trees, fragrant flowers, and thick fanning palms. The trickle of a fountain could be heard but not seen, and among the scent of tropical blooms was the musk of a cigar.

“This way
, if you please.” Devon led them down a narrow path to a set of doors standing open to reveal the dark silhouette of a man smoking a cheroot.

Lydia halted
as she pulled Olivia to a stop. “There is someone out there!” She whispered frantically. Olivia wriggled out of her grasp and raced past Devon.

“I know that smell anywhere!” Olivia shrieked and launched herself at the shadow man.

Said man turned and caught her with a playful twirl. Devon remained with Lydia in the shadows of the conservatory and chuckled.

“Who is that?” Lydia was puzzled.

“Surely, you have met Captain Colton? He is away much of the season, but has attended many of my family’s informal gatherings, which you have also attended,” Devon replied.

“Oh
, yes, the name is familiar. She should not be so familiar with him, what if someone sees?” Lydia stepped forward as Olivia did a spin in front of Colton, and he remarked how much she had grown up.

“Oh
, Lydia, you remember Colton, don’t you?” Olivia was breathless with joy.

“How nice to see you again
, Captain.” Lydia smiled politely.

Colton bowed and smiled
broadly. “It is my pleasure, Lady Lydia. I get the feeling you did not know I would be out here?”

“It is a pleasant surprise
, I assure you captain, but no, I was not aware.” Lydia pierced Devon with a glare.

“My apologies
, once again. He asked for female companionship, and there you were; two beautiful wilting flowers in need of rescuing and cool air,” Devon stated charmingly.

Captain Colton coughed
, and Lydia’s cheeks burned red. Olivia missed the exchange and drew Colton’s attention to the radiant moon.

Lydia stepped closer to Devon.
“Somehow, I doubt that Olivia and I were the
companionship
the Captain was seeking.”

“
I could have left you disintegrating in the ballroom. Instead, I chose to rescue you. Colton can find distraction later. Olivia is like the kid sister he never had and is rarely in town to visit. He has known her longer than you have. If you wish to distract me, please do so.” He smiled that slow smile that addled wits.

Lydia stepped away from him for self-preservation. She was not ready to engage in that kind of banter with him
, not yet. “Captain Colton, have you been anywhere exciting lately?” Needing to regain her composure, she decided to ignore him. Instead, she drew Captain Colton into banal conversation while Olivia listened intently and Devon stood silently beside her. She tried to gauge his mood. She was puzzled when he folded his arms over his chest—but at his height, his face was out of view. He looked impossibly large when he folded his arms like that. Lydia was dying to see his expression. Was he annoyed? Did he care that she was giving her attention to Captain Colton, and not to him?

Captain Colton’s gaze kept darting from her to Devon
, and his expression grew puzzled. Lydia couldn’t take the anticipation any longer, so she glanced at Devon. He wore a completely relaxed expression with a carefree smile.

She was alone in her torture
, apparently.

“
Devon has stated that you have known Olivia for quite some time, is that true?” Lydia changed the subject while moving closer to Captain Colton. Men loved to compete, and if Devon could flirt shamelessly with her for entertainment, she could do the same with another gentleman and watch Devon squirm.

“That is quite true
,” Colton replied.

“I have known Colton for as long as I can remember. Colton’s family seat is not far from ours
, and they just somehow found each other one day. Is that not right, Devon?” Olivia turned to her brother.

“When I was about the age of ten
, I was riding my old horse, Bacas, when I came across a rider-less horse with a single boot dangling from one of the stirrups. Curious as boys are I took his reins and backtracked from the direction he had come. Low and behold, I came across a scrawny looking lad limping across the heath missing a boot.”

“Scrawny
, eh?” Colton quipped. “As I remember it, I was two stones heavier and a few inches taller.”

“If you were ten years of age then Olivia
was just a babe.” Lydia smiled. “How adorable you must have been.” Lydia tweaked one of Olivia’s curls.

“Not so. She tossed her accounts
, quite a bit.”

“Devon!” Olivia glared daggers at him. All laughed
good-naturedly except for Olivia who swatted at her brother.

Lydia moved out of
harms way next to Captain Colton. “Have they always been like this?”

“Always
,” He replied. He watched them fondly as brother and sister quibbled lovingly.

Lydia watched him and noticed how his gaze subtly returned to Olivia
repeatedly. Knowing men as she did, she wouldn’t test Olivia’s virtue against Captain Colton’s
brotherly
affection. Devon was blind if he couldn’t see it.

The siblings stopped fighting
, and once Devon’s attention returned to Lydia, she turned towards Captain Colton and placed her hand on his arm. It was an utterly scandalous move in Lydia’s mind, but she would never best Devon in a fair fight. If he were armed with kisses, she would need to advance her weaponry, as well.

“Captain Colton
, would you kindly escort me back to my mother? There is a chill in the air, and we must be getting back to the ballroom.” Lydia looked to Olivia, and her gut clenched. Olivia was staring at her hand on the Captains arm as if it were a venomous snake. Clearly, Olivia harbored feelings for Captain Colton. Lydia pulled her hand away.

“My
, how the tides have turned. Never did I think I would live to see the day when I would correct the great Lydia Covvington on proper etiquette. Colton, do the honors and escort Olivia, and I shall educate Lydia.”

Blessed be the darkness for it hides blushes. Lydia was
certain she was as red as a ruby. Olivia exuberantly took Colton’s proffered arm as they went into the conservatory. Devon smirked as Lydia grudgingly accepted his arm and they followed, but Devon halted when they reached the darker shadows of the interior.

“Do not be offended if I gloat
, but it is to be expected.” Devon turned to face her.

Lydia watched the retreating forms of the Captain and Olivia fade into the darkness. “We should not leave th
em alone,” Lydia said.

“Don’t worry about them.” Devon touched her chin with his index finger.

“I don’t believe your Captain friend is as immune to your sister’s charms as you think. In fact, I think they both—.”

Devon’s lips fell upon hers silencing her words. All at
once, Lydia was enveloped in his arms and completely under his spell. Thought flew from her head like bats from a cave, and her body curled into the warmth of his body. He ran his hands along her shoulders caressing where her silk ball gown gave way to skin, and sliding his fingers underneath. Lydia instantly had visions of him undressing her and she shivered.

Devon pulled away and stared down into her
eyes.

“I thought we had agreed not to do this
,” Lydia whispered as her heart thudded painfully, and she fought against the urge to lean against him. What was happening to her?

“I don’t want you to forget me. I didn’t like seeing you touch another man
, and I have the sneaking suspicion that you should be mine.”

Lydia
took a deep shaky breath. “How can you say that?”

“I don’t know. I don’t understand any of this yet
, but I don’t want to fight it. I want to explore it.”