from the embarrassment of having to reply.
93
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
[Back to Table of Contents]
94
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
Chapter 10
This awkward sense of discomfort remained with Justin throughout the performance so that he barely listened to the Boccherini quintet or the wind serenade being offered for the first time to London audiences. In fact, he was still mulling the entire scene over in his mind as he hurried from the theater to Suzette's charming house in Kensington. Far too experienced a woman of the world to complain at her lover's delay, the dancer welcomed him with as much evidence of delight as if she had not received his note earlier that day warning her of his change in plans.
"I do apologize, sweetheart, but Reginald is making such a cake of himself that he must be watched. How any relative of mine could be so wet behind the ears, I cannot fathom, but then, he is Alfred's son." It was a relief to relax in Suzette's delightful sitting room before the fire while she took his coat and handed him a glass of port, smiling sympathetically at him.
Taking her cue from Justin's abstracted air, she sat quietly and patiently while he turned over in his mind the variety of thoughts and impressions of the evening. It was not Reginald's situation that was bothering her visitor, Suzette thought to herself. St. Clair was far too different from the rest of his family and far too bored by them to become truly embroiled in their concerns, no matter how much they might try to thrust them upon him.
95
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
It was the woman Suzette had seen at the theater, who had such a patent distaste for Reginald's uncle, who was behind this preoccupation, Suzette was sure of it. But Justin's face held a slightly different expression now. Before, when he had alluded to his nephew's situation, there had been annoyance and disgust. Now there was another look in his eyes, one which the dancer could not quite place. Was it uncertainty or confusion? Suzette could not imagine the selfconfident Justin thrown by anyone or anything, but he apparently was now.
Justin swirled the port in the glass, sipping it slowly as he stared into the fire. Then, suddenly remembering where he was, he shook his head smiling apologetically at his hostess.
"I beg your pardon, I am not being very good company am I?"
Suzette smiled in return. It was impossible to be annoyed with someone who was as aware of his companions as Justin was. In all her experience of men, she had never encountered a one who had given the least thought to her feelings. "You are obviously concerned by the circumstances, and I am a most willing listener should you care to discuss what is troubling you."
He leaned forward to plant a lingering kiss on the inviting mouth. "And why should I waste my breath talking when there are so many things I wish to do with my lips besides make words," he murmured planting a trail of kisses down her neck to her shoulder and following the décolletage of her gown. She shivered with anticipation and gave herself up to the increasing insistence of his caresses as he slid the sleeve 96
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
off her shoulder and ran his hand gently over the smooth white skin underneath.
"Aaah," she sighed, arching herself toward him and forgetting entirely that she had again failed to get him to confide in her.
Justin too forgot about the entire scene at the concert as he gave himself up to the passion of the moment, immersing himself in the wealth of sensations that swept over them both as he gathered her in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
Later, much later as he rode home in the early morning, his thoughts again returned to Lady Diana and the picture of her that Lady Walden had painted.
Perhaps he was mistaken, and friendship was all that she wanted from Reginald. Surely not. Who could possibly refrain from yawning with boredom after more than a few
93
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
[Back to Table of Contents]
94
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
Chapter 10
This awkward sense of discomfort remained with Justin throughout the performance so that he barely listened to the Boccherini quintet or the wind serenade being offered for the first time to London audiences. In fact, he was still mulling the entire scene over in his mind as he hurried from the theater to Suzette's charming house in Kensington. Far too experienced a woman of the world to complain at her lover's delay, the dancer welcomed him with as much evidence of delight as if she had not received his note earlier that day warning her of his change in plans.
"I do apologize, sweetheart, but Reginald is making such a cake of himself that he must be watched. How any relative of mine could be so wet behind the ears, I cannot fathom, but then, he is Alfred's son." It was a relief to relax in Suzette's delightful sitting room before the fire while she took his coat and handed him a glass of port, smiling sympathetically at him.
Taking her cue from Justin's abstracted air, she sat quietly and patiently while he turned over in his mind the variety of thoughts and impressions of the evening. It was not Reginald's situation that was bothering her visitor, Suzette thought to herself. St. Clair was far too different from the rest of his family and far too bored by them to become truly embroiled in their concerns, no matter how much they might try to thrust them upon him.
95
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
It was the woman Suzette had seen at the theater, who had such a patent distaste for Reginald's uncle, who was behind this preoccupation, Suzette was sure of it. But Justin's face held a slightly different expression now. Before, when he had alluded to his nephew's situation, there had been annoyance and disgust. Now there was another look in his eyes, one which the dancer could not quite place. Was it uncertainty or confusion? Suzette could not imagine the selfconfident Justin thrown by anyone or anything, but he apparently was now.
Justin swirled the port in the glass, sipping it slowly as he stared into the fire. Then, suddenly remembering where he was, he shook his head smiling apologetically at his hostess.
"I beg your pardon, I am not being very good company am I?"
Suzette smiled in return. It was impossible to be annoyed with someone who was as aware of his companions as Justin was. In all her experience of men, she had never encountered a one who had given the least thought to her feelings. "You are obviously concerned by the circumstances, and I am a most willing listener should you care to discuss what is troubling you."
He leaned forward to plant a lingering kiss on the inviting mouth. "And why should I waste my breath talking when there are so many things I wish to do with my lips besides make words," he murmured planting a trail of kisses down her neck to her shoulder and following the décolletage of her gown. She shivered with anticipation and gave herself up to the increasing insistence of his caresses as he slid the sleeve 96
The Willful Widow
by Evelyn Richardson
off her shoulder and ran his hand gently over the smooth white skin underneath.
"Aaah," she sighed, arching herself toward him and forgetting entirely that she had again failed to get him to confide in her.
Justin too forgot about the entire scene at the concert as he gave himself up to the passion of the moment, immersing himself in the wealth of sensations that swept over them both as he gathered her in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
Later, much later as he rode home in the early morning, his thoughts again returned to Lady Diana and the picture of her that Lady Walden had painted.
Perhaps he was mistaken, and friendship was all that she wanted from Reginald. Surely not. Who could possibly refrain from yawning with boredom after more than a few
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