Part 27 (1/2)

”I say, Lester! This is dashed unfair.” Mr Amberly all but pouted.

Others muttered in similar vein.

Harry merely lifted a supercilious brow, his now- hooded glance s.h.i.+fting to rest on Lucinda's face.

”As I recall, my dear, you owe me a waltz. I've come to claim it.”

”Indeed, sir.” Savouring the sound of his deep drawl, Lucinda gave up her fight and smiled her delight.

”I.

always pay my debts. My first waltz in the capital is yours. ”

Harry's lips twitched but he stilled them. With an elegant gesture he claimed her hand and settled it on his sleeve.

Lucinda slanted a quick, triumphant glance at Em, but her mentor was hidden by her court.

”Gentlemen.”

With a sunny smile and a nod for her disappointed cavaliers, who were shooting disgruntled glances at her unexpected partner, she allowed him to lead her to the floor.

Harry held his tongue until they reached the dance floor but as soon as he had whirled them into the swirling throng, he looked down and trapped Lucinda's blue gaze.

”I.

realise, Mrs Babbacombe, that your experience does not extend to the vagaries of the ton. I fear I should warn you that many of the gentlemen presently intent on your smiles should be treated with extreme caution. ”

More concerned with adequately following his a.s.sured lead than with her redundant court, Lucinda frowned.

”That's obvious.”

Harry's brows slowly rose.

Lucinda's frown grew distracted.

”I'm rather more than seven, you know. As far as I can see, there's no reason I shouldn't enjoy myself in their company--I'm hardly so green as to be taken in by their charms.”

At that, Harry snorted. For a full minute, he considered the possibility of scaring her with a more explicit warning then mentally shook his head. She wasn't, he realised, recalling Jake Blount and the Green Goose, easily scared.

But he could hardly countenance her court.

Glancing down at her face, he saw she' was still frowning, but in an abstracted way.

”What's wrong?”

She started--and cast an irritated glance up at him. ”Well?”

”If you must know,” Lucinda said.

”I'm not terribly experienced at waltzing. Charles didn't, of course. I've had lessons--but it's rather different on a crowded floor.”