Enticing Temptation

Chapter 8

            “I’m delighted we made the decision to stay one more night,” Cat whispered to Myles as they stood in line to await their introductions to the Marquess of Sanderick, Viceroy of India, and a long time friend of her family’s. Cat was looking forward to seeing him again and introducing Myles to the Marquess.

            Yesterday an invitation arrived at the hotel addressed the Earl and Countess of Twynforde to attend the ball given in the Viceroy’s honor upon his visit to Trivandrum and Cat couldn’t wait to dance for the first time with her husband.

            “You just wanted an excuse to wear that striking gown,” Myles teased her.

            Catherine was dressed in a pale lavender gown with her amethyst jewels Myles had sent for yesterday after the invitation arrived, the gown cut very low to reveal a good portion of her bosom. She was already turning many male heads and they hadn’t even entered the ballroom yet.

            “No I wanted an excuse to dance with my husband,” she replied with a large smile. “You know we have never danced together, Myles.”

            Myles leaned down toward her his lips close to her ear. “I thought that is what we did last night,” he whispered sending warm heat through Cat’s body when she thought of how she dressed last night in just scarves and Ghungroos bells.

            She giggled then whacked his arm with her fan. “I danced for you not with you,” she replied to him a beautiful smile on her lips which made his breath catch.

            “I was hoping for a repeat performance tonight,” Myles said taking her hand and kissing her wrist. “If I didn’t bruise your ribs last night, love.” Myles knew she was still in some pain from them but the bruising was now turning to a greenish yellow color.

            “If you’re good I will,” Cat replied as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

            “Lady Catherine, I’m surprised to see you here. What are you doing in India?” Cat turned around to find one of her old suitors standing next to her.

            “Lord Randall,” Cat replied. “I could say the same about you.” She watched as Lord Randall scanned Myles over from head to toe.

            “I’m here on family business,” he replied. “I don’t believe I’m met your escort before.”

            “My escort is my husband,” Cat told him and watched the look of surprise come to Lord Randall’s face. “We are on our wedding trip. Myles, this is Mathew Ebblewhite, Viscount Randall. Lord Randall, I have the pleasure of introducing my husband, Myles Cameron, Earl of Twynforde.”

            “My congratulations to you both. The news of your nuptials hasn't traveled this far yet,” Viscount Randall told them.

            Myles wanted to laugh at how the other man totally failed at covering the surprised look on his face upon hearing Catherine was married. “Thank you,” Myles replied instead. “I am a very fortunate man to have Catherine for my wife.”

            “So where have you two traveled on your trip?” Randall asked them.

            “Myles is captain and owner of The Graceful Lady,” Cat informed Lord Randall. “We have been to France, through the Suez Canal and now here. We ran into a storm several nights ago which did some damage to our ship and we came here for repairs. I’ve been enjoying, the beautiful sights and the shopping that India has to offer.”