A few select golden curls spilled from the top of Miss Faulkner’s head to caress her cheeks while the rest of her tresses were carefully twisted and arranged at her nape. A shimmer of pink adorned her eyelids, accentuating the youthful prettiness she conveyed with her choice of gown.
It was as he’d instructed, yet his imaginings, he now acknowledged, did little justice to reality. Indeed, she was a vision wrapped in snowy white muslin, the bodice pleated with Grecian effect before being cinched at the waist by a wide satin ribbon while the skirts draped over her crinoline in soft diaphanous folds. To top it all off, a pair of puff sleeves beginning immediately beneath the curve of each shoulder served to highlight their graceful perfection.
Much like his own attire, the dress was well suited to a countryside picnic during the hot summer months. The need to reach out and grab her was hard to ignore. He stood stock still, not the least bit sorry he’d asked her to wear a white dress for this evening’s excursion. On the contrary, his eyes appreciated the feast she was serving, though it did make other parts of him hungry for more.
Clearing his throat, he finally managed to get his tongue working. “You look extraordinarily lovely this evening.”
His voice sounded gruff to his own ears. He wondered if she noticed.
“As do you, Mr. Donahue.”
The unexpected compliment accompanied by a playful smile made him laugh, dispelling the sexual tension that gripped him as soon as she’d opened the door. Being with her was so easy. There wasn’t the same sort of strain or forced attempt at making conversation he often experienced while keeping company with others.
Certainly, there was the underlying want he harbored for her, but beyond that, there was a newfound friendship. He’d felt it to some extent when they’d played billiards, though it had become more prevalent during their outing to Hyde Park. Whatever happened between them later, he knew he’d always cherish the moments he’d been allowed to spend in her company.
It was nearly impossible for Calista to keep her eyes off Mr. Donahue – to not be caught drooling over him like a ridiculous ninny. Surely her inclination to stare at the snug fit of his jacket across his broad chest and the way his trousers wrapped tightly across his muscular thighs proved a complete lack of sophistication on her part.
A wave of self-consciousness caught her, compelling her to glance around as he led her farther inside the pleasure park. Occasionally, he’d dip his head in greeting to various ladies and gentlemen of his acquaintance, and Calista started to realize she wasn’t the only woman who took note of Mr. Donahue’s dashing appearance. Several pairs of eyelashes fluttered while lips quirked with blatant interest – too obvious some might say when considering none of the ladies lacked male companions.
One woman even had the audacity to glance over her shoulder as she passed, allowing her regard to linger on Mr. Donahue’s backside, the intensity in her eagle-eyed gaze suggesting she tried to puzzle her way past the coat that hindered her view. Calista swung her gaze back to Mr. Donahue’s profile. If he was even remotely aware of all the attention he was receiving, he gave no indication. Instead, his eyes were fixed upon the horizon, like a ship cutting through an unwelcome series of troublesome waves.
“I thought we’d start with a plate of sweetmeats,” he said once they’d claimed a table in an available supper box. “It’s a specialty, so while it’s not exactly food, you ought to try it while your appetite’s still intact.”
“I—”
“My dear Mr. Donahue,” a woman’s voice interrupted. Calista turned and was instantly struck mute by the beauty of the lady who’d approached them. It was like seeing Helen of Troy in the flesh, complete with a perfect complexion, harmonious features, lustrous hair in shades of gleaming copper, and a curvaceous body Calista was certain would make any virile man’s mouth water. She was accompanied by a handsome gentleman whose hair was of a slightly darker shade. “It’s been an age. You remember my brother?”
“Indeed,” Mr. Donahue said as he stood, his voice a touch dry and his overall expression much like the severe one he’d worn when Calista had met him for the first time. He gestured toward her. “May I present Miss Jane Smith. Miss Smith, allow me the honor of introducing you to Lady Katherine and her brother, Viscount Grafton.”
Calista nearly gulped, but managed a smile instead. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Ah,” Lady Katherine said. “An American. How positively charming.”
The way she spoke convinced Calista the compliment was meant as an insult. She stiffened her spine and glanced at Mr. Donahue to gauge his reaction. He did not look the least bit amused or pleased by the prospect of having their outing interrupted.
“I say,” Grafton murmured, surprising Calista when he suddenly pulled up a chair and sat, so close to her their knees bumped together. Lady Katherine sat as well so Mr. Donahue returned to his seat. “I’m shocked to have never seen you before. Wherever have you been hiding?”
“In New York,” Calista deadpanned, not liking the way the man leaned in while speaking. There was an unnerving gleam in his eyes, of a predatory nature.
Mr. Donahue snorted in a manner suggestive of a choked back laugh while Grafton responded with a placid smile. “Of course.”
“How long will you be staying?” Lady Katherine inquired in a silky voice draped in hints of venom. Clearly she was intent on snagging a certain hotelier and wanted Calista gone.
She prepared to respond, but then the sweetmeats arrived, distracting her long enough for Mr. Donahue to say, “Indefinitely.”
Calista’s mouth dropped open while Grafton edged closer.
“How delightful,” the viscount murmured. He lowered his gaze to the edge of Calista’s bodice. “We’ll have plenty of time to become properly acquainted then.”
“Actually,” Mr. Donahue began, only to be cut off by Lady Katherine who swiftly said, “You ought to take my brother up on his offer, Miss Smith. Having a viscount as your friend will only improve your prospects.”
Calista glared at the woman. Did she think her a fool who’d be easily led astray on account of a title? Some brainless simpleton who couldn’t see past the pretty façades these two wore to the conniving nature beneath? Lady Katherine clearly wanted to sink her claws into Mr. Donahue while her brother ran off with Calista’s virtue. They might be nobility and above her in station, but they were reprehensible people.
“Thank you,” Calista informed the woman with a tight smile. “But my prospects are perfectly fine since I am already engaged to be married.”
Steven instinctively stiffened. On one hand, he applauded Miss Faulkner’s valiant display of backbone while on the other hand loathing Mr. Thorkilson’s intrusion on their evening. It was as unwanted as Lady Katherine’s and her brother’s.
Lord, how he wanted to tell the pair to bugger off so he could have the lady of his dreams to himself. He did not for one second appreciate Grafton’s interest in her, nor did he welcome the simpering smiles and doe-eyed looks his sister was sending his way.
“To whom?” Lady Katherine inquired while serving Miss Faulkner a look intended to cut his delightful companion to ribbons. She popped a sweetmeat into her mouth.
“To—”
“Me,” Steven said, cutting Miss Faulkner off and saving them both from these people’s unwanted interest while he still had the chance.