A Little Bit Sinful(36)

She’d gone through scenarios in her mind again and again, trying to figure out how to ask him about what he’d meant.

Not with you.

There was nothing really to say. He didn’t want her, had obviously been kissing her before that to, what, entertain himself? She didn’t know. Ultimately she had decided that perhaps it was best to not mention the night in her bedchamber. Yet, she couldn’t make herself walk away from him. And seeing him dote on Betsy made that even more difficult.

Clarissa came up behind Justin and whispered, “Ask to take me on a walk.” Before he could turn around to face her, she walked off and met Aunt Maureen and Ella where they stood by the potted ferns. They were discussing the weather.

“It has been unusually warm for this time of year,” Ella said.

Justin walked up casually and smiled, greeting each of them. “Lady Clarissa, may I escort you on a walk?”

She gave him a smile. “Indeed. Thank you for asking.”

“I shall have her back in a few moments,” he added for Maureen’s sake. He took her arm and they walked out onto the balcony.

The night was chilly, but not so cold she’d require her cloak, but she was thankful this particular ball gown had sleeves that went to her elbows and her gloves covered the rest of her arms. His warmth surrounded her too, and she wanted to lean into him, but knew better of it.

They went to sit on a bench. The balcony was well lit and they were close enough to the opened French doors from the ballroom that they could still hear the music. Why not me, she wanted to ask, but didn’t, afraid of what his answer might be.

“I know what you’re doing,” she said instead.

“I beg your pardon?”

“With Betsy, you are trying to stir up trouble by appearing to court a lady.” She hoped she was right and that it wasn’t that he found Betsy Riverton irresistible. Not that she should care what he thought of other women, but certainly there were better choices out there. She couldn’t imagine cheerful Betsy being the recipient of one of his heated gazes or even still, one of his passionate kisses. Her face warmed.

He chuckled and she worried for a moment that he had read her thoughts. “Is that what I’m doing?”

“Of course, I am no fool.”

“You know I could never marry a woman from proper society,” he said.

His words sliced through her. She knew it was the truth, knew she could never marry him, yet hearing him admit it still bothered her. “No, of course not, you’re merely trying to raise some eyebrows.”

“Now, why would I want to stir up trouble?”

Good heavens but he looked so very dashing this evening. Every time the breeze blew by, she’d catch a whiff of his soap and shaving lotion. Things were going well between them. It had always been easy to be around Justin, there was no reason to think that one night would alter that. “Because you want to make them nervous. You want to worry them.”

He leaned over to her, nudged her a little with his body, then sat back straighter. “You believe me to be that transparent? Think you have it all figured out.”

She swallowed hard. “No, of course not,” she said hurriedly. “I only meant that I can certainly understand such a motive. People can be unkind.” And she meant that. If this town had treated her as poorly as they had him, she would want to turn them up on their ear.

“Indeed. So then if I were courting some woman to cause trouble, as you say, then you would approve of such actions?”

“Of the practice in general, yes, but I know Betsy and unfortunately you have selected the wrong girl.”

“I have?” He smiled at her, his eyes dropping to her lips. “I suppose you have another suggestion?”

Her heartbeat sped. Maybe he did still want her, despite what he’d said in her bedchamber. “I do. The way I see it, if you court any of these women, they will fall for you, be utterly seduced and entranced by your wicked good looks, and ultimately you will break their hearts.”

“Tragic,” he said.

“Precisely. None of them know you well enough to resist falling for you.”

“Because of my wicked good looks.”

She tried not to smile with him, but failed. “I am being quite serious.”

“My apologies, please continue.” He gave her a slight bow.

“What you should be doing is courting me.” She looked up at him.

Both of his eyebrows rose, then a smiled settled on his lips. “I’ll give you this, Chrissy, you never cease to surprise me. I did not see that coming.”