“I thought you might want company.” She stretched out behind me, propping her elbow on the arm of the couch. She dipped her head close to mine. “Keep those special hands of yours to yourself,” she reminded me.
“I will,” I promised, knowing that her coming to me about Laurelin was atypical of her. She preferred that I remain unseeing to her future and to her thoughts. Sometimes that was impossible, though, even without touching her. I just didn’t let her know when that accidentally happened. “You know I don’t need the company, right?”
“Oh, but you most definitely do.” Her hand curved around my hip and squeezed gently as she flicked her gaze toward Claude. “The longer you’re alone, the more interesting you become to those around you.”
My jaw clenched. “You should be enjoying yourself.”
“I am.”
“Sure.” I shivered as the edges of her hair fell over my arm. “You must be thrilled to be lying behind me.”
“I am.”
“Naomi— ”
“Come now, you know I like to play with you.” She slid her hand down my hip as I rolled my eyes. Her nails slipped over the slit in the gown, skating over the bare skin of my thigh. “You know damn well my motives aren’t purely altruistic.”
I did know her actions weren’t solely out of the goodness of her heart. Naomi liked to play, when it was only her doing the touching and caressing. And because she knew that, no matter what, I wouldn’t forget what she asked of me and touch her, she had complete control. A part of her got off on that.
A part of me did too.
But I still couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty and . . . I glanced at Grady. And like a weight around the necks of those I cared for.
“I’m annoyed, though.”
I returned my attention to her, offering my glass of wine. “With what?”
“That Grady is here,” she said, taking the glass and finishing it off before placing it on the small end table by the couch. “Which means unless I want to see him pass out from the horror of seeing you come, I won’t get to really play.”
A strangled laugh left me. “He absolutely would pass out.”
“He’s such a bore.” Her chin dipped and she pressed a kiss to the curve of my shoulder.
“He’s really not.” My gaze swept over the chamber— over those talking, drinking, and eating, and those who were using their hands and mouths for other things. “I would be equally horrified to see him in the throes of lust.”
“I know. I’m just being petty because I must behave myself.” Pouting, she ran her fingers back over my stomach. “But in case you are curious about what he’s like in the throes of lust, all you need to do is ask me— ”
“Please stop.” My nose wrinkled. “Because I really don’t want to ever know what that looks like.”
“You both are as boring as Laurelin.” Naomi’s laugh faded.
My heart ached. “How is your sister?”
“A little better.”
I could tell her the truth about what lay in store for Laurelin past the fever, but I didn’t want Naomi’s relief at Laurelin’s improvement to be taken from her. And I was also selfish. I didn’t want to be the one to take that relief from her. “I’m sorry. I don’t know if I said that before, but I’m sorry for what she’s going through— what you’re going through.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded, staying silent while Naomi likely quieted those thoughts and emotions surrounding her sister. My gaze swept over the chamber, landing on Claude. Allyson was still in his lap, those around him continued to laugh and chat, but he was silent, his expression pinched as he stared at something only he could see.
“I think something’s going on with him,” Naomi said quietly, having followed my gaze. “Claude.”
“Really?” When she nodded, I asked, “Why do you think something’s going on?”
Her nails scraped over the thin material of the bodice, causing my back to arch. “I’m not sure.” She lowered her head, resting her chin on my shoulder. “But he’s been acting off— nervous and morose one moment and then overly joyful— and he’s been drinking a lot more of late.”
“That I’ve noticed.” I thought of his question this early afternoon. “You heard about what happened in the city last night?”
“Yes. Terrible news.” She shuddered. “But he’s been acting differently for weeks.”