Free Strictly Forbidden by Shayla Black Page A

glared at James, looking as if she were angry enough to tremble. Gavin
     winced, knowing better than to expect family harmony at dinner tonight.
    Then he noticed his aunt’s unraveling seam loosened even more. The tear was now noticeable
     to anyone who might see her back. The debacle would be humorous…if it wouldn’t embarrass
     Aunt Caroline to the point of tears and start tongues wagging in Bramley Village.
    “James, perhaps it might be best if you and Miss Melbourne took a stroll in the gallery,”
     Aunt Caroline suggested.
    Kira had been dismissed. Aunt Caroline had refused to stand by her son’s choice of
     a wife. The exclusion could not have been clearer. The scene had just gone from ugly
     to uglier.
    Gavin saw Kira raise her head proudly. But for a moment, her pink mouth trembled.
    “Your mother is right, Mr. Howland,” she said quietly. “These old friends have plenty
     to discuss without us.”
    Her gracious concession surprised Gavin. He wished she’d never entered the room. Hell,
     he wished she had never entered his life, particularly as James’s fiancée. He did
     not want her in the family, always a scandal, always a temptation just within reach…
    But he hated to see Mrs. Baycliffe disparage Kira even more efficiently than Aunt
     Caroline. Indeed, the contemptible woman had maligned Kira casually, as if it were
     her right. It angered him. No, that wasn’t true, exactly. Gavin scowled. Actually,
     Mrs. Baycliffe’s treatment of Kira distressed him for some unfathomable reason. Perhaps
     it was something about Miss Melbourne herself. Maybe he’d momentarily fallen prey
     to her seeming innocence. While it was likely practiced, the artlessness in her manner
     made such treatment seem more than unfair.
    Panic lit James’ gaze, rooting him in place, imploring Gavin to do something. His
     mind racing, Gavin contemplated ways in which he might smooth this horrible situation
     over.
    But Miss Melbourne’s gaze upon him seemed to distract him with thoughts of laying
     his mouth over hers…
    Before he could say anything , Aunt Caroline clasped her hands at her chest, grip tense. With her rounded shoulders,
     the seam at her back nearly gave way. If she turned around, everyone would see her
     whalebone corset.
    Damn! How to keep the bloody embarrassing tear from Mrs. Baycliffe’s view? His gaze
     scrambled around the room, looking for something—a blanket, a length of fabric, even
     the latest newspaper with which to cover the length of exposed underthings and spare
     his aunt’s sensibility. Nothing appeared.
    “Mrs. Howland.” Kira stepped toward her suddenly, drawing the silken shawl from her
     shoulders. “You look positively chilled. Let me warm you with my wrap.”
    Aunt Caroline looked at Kira with all the incredulity of a woman who’d heard a drunk
     pronounce himself the second coming of Christ. “See here, young lady—“
    “Thank you for your concern, Miss Melbourne.” Gavin stepped forward and took the shawl
     from Kira. As he draped it over his aunt’s narrow shoulders, he said, “Indeed, you
     look quite pale. Are you sure you’re well?”
    The meaningful look he sent her convinced her to close her gaping mouth. “Perhaps
     I’m not feeling just the thing today.”
    “It’s the sun through this window, I vow.” Mrs. Baycliffe rose with a superior sniff,
     as if she had solved the mystery.
    “You may be right,” Gavin returned. And a donkey may win the next race at Ascot.
    “Indeed. Well, I must be off.” Harriet held her reticule and made her way to Gavin’s
     side. “Will you be a dear boy and show me out? I’m certain Honoria would be most disappointed
     not to say her farewells to you.”
    Gavin felt certain that Honoria cared far less about the matter than her mother, but
     if it would aid Aunt Caroline, he would see to her exit with a smile.
    “My pleasure.”
    As they reached the parlor door, Gavin looked back to find James examining the tear
     in her