Page 262 of Ashen Torment

Richard nods immediately. “There are subjects that one does not discuss in public, even in jest.”

Isobel thins her lips. Her gaze turns sharp as she settles it upon me. “Especially when it concerns such falsehoods.” Then, without taking her eyes off me, she adds: “Is that not so, Lord Dorian?”

He grants her no answer, he simply lets his hand slide higher, along the inside of my thigh.

My breath hitches for an instant. I rise from the chair without haste, feeling his gaze pin me in place.

Richard inclines his head slightly. “Are you leaving already?”

I stare at the gloves in my hands, pulling them on one by one.

“Yes. As I mentioned to you, Richard, I have business to attend to.”

He nods while his eyes search for something.

“With Lord Vasiliev Ashford,” I add, and I watch Dorian’s pupil dilate ever so slightly.

I step past the table, my coat is offered to me by the waiter.

“I wish you a pleasant continuation. It has been an illuminating afternoon.”

I cross the threshold, and instantly the sound of footsteps behind me confirms I am not alone.

Outside, the cold air bites on my face.

Dorian appears immediately at my back.

“Do you have business... with me?”

“Choose.”

He stops before me, his gaze intense, his jaw set.

“What?”

“My carriage or yours.”

He looks confused.

“Shall I choose?” I raise my voice.

My patience is shattering.

I turn and head for my carriage. I do not even wait for Benjamin to open the door, I climb in with a surge of momentum, leaving it swinging open. He arrives at a run, the wind mussing his hair as he catches the door to hold it steady.

“Get in.”

He obeys without argument, but his posture remains taut, scrutinizing me in silence.

I shout to the coachman, “To Ashford Manor!”

Dorian intervenes at once. “To Mekhovaya House!”

Clenching my jaw, I turn toward him.

“Why? Is someone waiting for you at Ashford Manor?”

“Mekhovaya House is closer.”