Green Eyed Monster (1)

I sat out the next dance claiming to have a headache and watched the dancers twirl around the floor elegantly. My heart clenched when I saw Max holding Constance Strauss around the waist leading her in a reel. Anger boiled deep inside me, I wanted to pull out that girl's hair.

"My dear sister," Willa squealed looking particularly excited. "I have wonderful news!"

"What would that be?" I said smiling weakly.

"Robert has asked me to marry him," Willa screeched.

I gave my sister a hug. "I am so happy for you!"

"I can't believe he even asked Grandmama if she would approve of our match and she said yes," Willa beamed.

I wanted to be happy for Willa but I felt this sadness that pulled at my heart. Why did my relationship with Max have to be so complicated?

"I wish you so much happiness, sister," I said wholeheartedly. I squeezed her hands and listened to her talk about being the Baroness of Wimbley, all I could truly focus on was Max leading another woman in dance.

Miss Strauss looked at Max like he could walk on water, he didn't look upset and it bothered me.

"What are you staring at like you want to set it on fire?" Willa asked concerned.

"Constance Strauss," I bristled with my teeth clenched tightly together. "Max's equivalent to Lord Radcliffe."

Willa stared at the couple dancing and sighed. "Well, she looks way too happy."

"That's what I'm saying," I spat out. "I want her gone."

"I don't think I have ever seen you so upset about a man before," Willa said with a bewildered look on her face.

"Max is mine," I fumed. "I hope Constance has an apoplectic fit."

"Aurelia!" Willa admonished. "That is not something to wish on someone."

I rolled my eyes, I felt like I was boiling on the inside and had to get away from the sight of Max with another woman.

I looked over at him one last time before getting up from the chaise and he locked eyes with me. I could see the surprise on his face quickly changed to sadness. I knew he wanted to dance with me and not that strumpet. Max gave me a small smile and Constance looked over at me as well after looking at Max's face smiling not at her.

She threw daggers at me with her eyes and tried to pull herself closer to Max, but he kept her at arm's length the best he could. He looked pained and annoyed with Miss Strauss and I couldn't handle much more.

I stood up abruptly when Constance kissed Max's cheek at the close of the dance Max's face contorted into anger and he pushed her away from him. I started to stalk toward Constance but Willa grabbed my arm.

"Don't you dare cause a scene," Willa hissed at me.

"That whore needs to keep her lips off of Max."

"Aurelia!" Willa exclaimed wide-eyed.

"Ugh, I can't be in here anymore," I huffed. "Will you walk in the gardens with me?"

Willa never letting go of my arm, led me out to the Baron's gardens.

When we made it outside the cool night air felt like a balm against my boiling anger. There were torches lit that made the flowers and shrubs glow in the darkness. I tried to take deep breaths but they just came out as uneven sobs. Willa led me to a bench away from the entrance to the house and held me while I cried.

"Aurelia?" Max called out in the darkness. "Are you out here?"

My heart skipped a beat. "I'm here, Max!" I called back.

Max appeared before Willa and me, he looked pained seeing my puffy eyes and red cheeks.

"Come here," he said softly as he gathered me in his arms.

"She kissed you," I cried out. Max rubbed my back in soothing circles as I blubbered.

"If I hadn't been looking at you it wouldn't have been just the cheek," he groaned. "She was trying to get a rise out of you."

"It's a good thing Willa was next to me," I growled. "She stopped me from reacting."

Max chuckled and continued to rub my back. "Now you know how it feels for me to watch you with Radcliffe or Browning."

"Absolutely terrible and soul-wrenching?" I mumbled into Max's chest.

"Exactly," he smirked. "It is quite attractive to see you so jealous, however."

I blushed and pushed Max away from me. "You are mine and that is that," I said simply.

His eyes darkened with satisfaction. "As you are mine, yes?"

"I am yours, Max," I crooned.

He kissed my forehead when my sister cleared her throat. "Aurie and I shall take our leave from the garden first," Willa declared. "We wouldn't want you seen together without a proper chaperone."

Max nodded and squeezed my hands once before Willa and I left first.

"You are walking a thin line, miss," Willa said with a knowing look.

"It's going to be one bloody long month," I mumbled as we made our way back into the ballroom.

We went to the refreshment table to get champagne and noticed Ben talking to a lovely young woman rather flirtatiously at the end of it.

Willa and I looked at each other and smiled. Ben had always been so focused on making sure my sister and I were safe and well cared for that he never pursued serious courtships before let alone flirt with other girls.

Ben noticed us staring at him and a slight pink blush crept up his neck. He excused himself from his friend and walked over to us.

"Why are you both staring at me like that?" He asked embarrassedly.

"I don't think I have ever seen you flirt like that since our parents passed away," Willa beamed. "Who's the lucky lady?"

"Miss Veronica Feldsman, the daughter of the Earl of Minderly."

My eyes widened. "Are you going to start courting her?"

"I already have been, quietly," Ben smirked mischievously.

Willa and I gasped in unison. "Why wouldn't you tell us!"

"You two would scare her off," he chuckled. "I was going to tell you when it got more serious."

I nodded and felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Max was standing there with a grin on his face. My heart skipped a beat at his handsome face lit up so happily.

"May I have the next dance, milady?" He asked with a tender look in his eyes, he held out his hand and waited for me to take it.

I looked to Ben who waved us off and I grabbed Max's hand. He whisked me off to the dance floor and a passionate waltz began to play.

"I couldn't wait to have you in my arms again," Max purred in my ear. "Constance kept stepping on my toes."

My heart clenched slightly hearing Max use her first name so casually. My eyes narrowed at him and he looked surprised.