Lexia Tempest was the most beautiful person Gauge had ever laid eyes on, and he couldn’t fathom why Axis would look away from her—How Axis could look away from her. No one else in the room seemed able. Her response to Axis’ downcast eyes was even more astounding. Her radiant smile transformed into one of sweetness and elegance. She tipped her chin politely at her suitor before joining her father at his table in a graceful glide across the room.
Soft tendrils of her white hair kissed Lexia’s pale shoulders and brushed the golden laced back of her bodice as she made her way across the room. Only then did Gauge realize he was looking over the brim of his glasses. The light from the gas lamps lanced into his corneas, and the pain was enough to break Lexia’s spell over Gauge just in time for her to notice there was no table setting for her. Even perplexed, she looked magnificent.
It was about the same time Gauge noticed Leon staring at him from across the room. There was icy terror in Dr. Tempest’s gray eyes, and only now would Gauge think her father had cause for concern. Lexia was an eligible heiress of marrying age, and Winter’s best kept secret from Gauge.
She peered around and waved down Jan with another sweet smile. Lexia’s voice was warm and a little husky as she said, “Excuse me. Where am I seated?” She spared Axis a hopeful glance.
He finally managed to meet her eyes again across the room.
Gauge was invested in the interaction, and so was everyone else. He signaled for the musicians to continue playing, and they startled from the scene unfolding before them as if they’d only remembered why they were at the ball to begin with. At least it was amusing.
Jan said, “Come with me, Ms. Tempest,” and Gauge almost laughed at himself for how perfectly this was working out. Axis and Leon both watched closely as the fair maiden followed the butler across the room to the only table with an empty seat.
Valve leaned in to murmur, “Excuse me, Count, but I believe a deserving important guest has usurped my position here. Enjoy your evening. I plan to immensely.” Old man Flicker coughed into his handkerchief as he went back to his table leaving Gauge alone with Lexia.
She looked surprised, and he couldn’t help but notice how it affected her with the neckline of her bodice being so low. Every shallow breath she took was tantalizing.
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Gauge felt the men of Lexia’s life boring holes into the back of his head, but this was the Founding Season. The festival of Gauge’s accomplishments. Nothing would deter him from enjoying himself.
When he took a step toward Lexia, she stiffened, a response Gauge ignored to pull her chair back for her. He said, “Ms. Tempest, I’m afraid your invitation and RSVP came too late to squeeze you into another table arrangement. But perhaps you won’t mind joining me for dinner.”
Lexia glanced over Gauge’s shoulder toward her father before saying, “You honor me, Count Snow. Of course I will join you.” She sat down, accepting the scenario with class and grace.
Gauge tried to resist getting close to her ear as he leaned down to scoot her forward and said, “Splendid. I hope you find the meal to your liking,” before taking his seat across the table. “Would you care for some wine? Or champagne? There’s much to celebrate.”
Lexia bit her lip.
While Gauge understood she was considering her words, the gesture drew attention to the deep burgundy of her supple mouth. The deep red was the same shade as Axis’ hair.
As Axis glared at them from across the tables, Gauge sympathized with the younger man. Lexia was easily the most beautiful person in the room, certainly the most exotic in all of Winter, and losing her to Axis’ phobia of public engagements would be a hard loss from which to recover. But that didn’t mean Gauge wasn’t entertained with the daggers shooting his way.
Lexia said, “I heard your announcement about the new city. You must be very proud of your engineers who worked so hard to expand your dominion.”
Interesting.
Gauge resented the purple filter of his spectacles because he’d give anything to see how her coloring changed with the last word of her remark. “Your choice of words intrigues me, Ms. Tempest. Would you care to elaborate on why you consider this ‘my dominion’ rather than an advancement for all of Winter?”
When she bit her lip this time, Gauge wanted to lean across the table, thoroughly curious as to her next statement. She was clearly putting forth a great deal of effort to weigh her words carefully.
“All of Winter is yours, Count. Every advancement is made under your watchful eye, and there won’t be a soul in this new city who isn’t indebted to your genius. As are we all.”
Was Gauge detecting disdain from the young woman? He laced his gloved hands against his mouth and stared at Lexia.
Despite the weight of his gaze, the brave and eloquent young woman didn’t squirm under his scrutiny. Lexia only stared at him with her black eyes open and full of honesty. Her opinion of him was low, and this stimulated Gauge. So few people were ever honest with him, Axis being the rare exception. But Gauge imagined if the younger man were seated at this table right now, even his jaw would’ve dropped onto his plate.
Lexia was rare, indeed.