A Marriage Of Inconvenience Chapter 2

CHAPTER II

Lavenia slowly approached the head of the stairs. She gazed down at Gerald, who wasn’t looking up at her, but glaring at his pocket watch that he held in his hand. She had a few moments to reflect on him.

Gerald was a handsome man, tall with a shock of black curly hair, with a few strands that always fell over his forehead. She knew his eyes were a brilliant blue, his nose straight, and his mouth had a sensual full lower lip. He was well built – taut body, muscular from all the horseback riding he did daily, making a point of exercising the many horses he had in his extensive stable, along with his grooms. Breeding Arabian horses was his passion, Lavinia thought with a sigh.

Tonight he was dressed elegantly for the ball, wearing tight black leather leggings that outlined his muscular calves and thighs, a scarlet velvet jacket with gold braiding at the shoulders, and gold buttons. He wore long Hessian black boots, a white brocade waistcoat and an Ascot tie.

She noticed he was tapping his foot impatiently. Turning towards her he started to call out “LAVINIA, FOR GOD’S SAKE HURRY…” the words died in his throat as he caught sight of her.

Very slowly, Lavinia descended the long staircase, taking her time, her gloved hand sliding casually over the banister, her glorious blue dress flowing seamlessly behind her. Equally casually, she tossed her head, making her long hair flow like gossamer silk around her head.

Gerald’s mouth fell open in a most satisfying manner. He gulped and seemed to have a problem breathing. Inwardly, Lavinia smiled with satisfaction at the totally awed and stunned expression on his face.

“Is there a problem, Gerald? Are you alright?” she asked sweetly, knowing full well that whatever Gerald was at that precise moment, “alright” wasn’t it.

Raising his hand to his mouth, he coughed delicately. “Erm… yes… I’m fine… perfectly fine…” He coughed some more.

“You’re looking exceptionally… fine tonight my dear,” he stuttered, completely confounded and at a loss for words.

“Yes, well I decided it was time for a change,” she said looking intently into his eyes. “A complete change.”

Something in her eyes stirred anxiety in Gerald’s chest… then he dismissed it.

“And a very nice change it is too, if I may say so.”

“Yes, you may say so,” she replied demurely. “Shall we be off to the Ball?”

“Of course… of course…” he held out his arm to escort her down the front steps to their waiting carriage. She ignored it, picked up her skirts and went down the stairs unaided.

Gerald’s unease recurred. He sensed she was up to something, but he wasn’t at all sure what. He instinctively felt it wasn’t good…