Part 2 (1/2)
Thalia walked slowly along, studying the auction items. She'd already located the kitten trinket box and had known immediately that it was the one that used to be hers. She hugged the knowledge to herself, hoping that when she left the auction today, the box would once more be safely in her possession. She had just the right spot for it too, inside her grandmother's gla.s.s-fronted rosewood cabinet that she kept in her upstairs sitting room.
Of course there were other antiques and collectibles that she would have loved to bid on as well, including a splendid landscape painting of the Dover cliffs with a seascape so realistic she could almost smell salt in the air. But the opening price was far too dear and she stalwartly refused to give in to the temptation to spend more than she could afford. A painting here, a bejeweled pin, a vase or a silk fan there, and she soon wouldn't have the money to pay the tea seller for her favorite Ceylon black or for a new supply of paper and ink from the stationer. The little keepsake was more than indulgence enough.
She was admiring a set of ornate silver chargers that she would once have thought nothing of buying when she sensed someone watching her. She turned her head and looked straight into a pair of vivid green eyes rimmed in gold.
Beautiful, unforgettable eyes.
Lord Leopold Byron sauntered toward her, a faint smile on his attractive mouth.
She cursed inwardly. It was too late to pretend that she hadn't seen him and walk away. Drawing a breath, she prepared herself for the encounter.
”Lady Thalia.” He stopped and made her an elegant bow. ”How do you do?”
”Lord Leopold,” she said, her words calm and cool.
His smile didn't waver in the slightest over her lack of enthusiasm. ”What happy luck to find you here.”
”Really?” She arched a brow. ”I was thinking just the opposite.”
Rather than take exception, he casually ran the catalogue through his free hand as his smile widened. ”The auction looks to be a fine one. Mr. Christie should be pleased by the turnout.”
Lord Leopold was right. The salesroom was filled with patrons with more wandering in all the time. It threatened to be what was known in the vernacular as a sad crush.
”A great number of bidders generally makes for a lively time,” she observed, ”although I might wish for fewer folk so the prices don't go impossibly high.”
”Yes, big crowds tend to be bad for a bidder's pocketbook. And on what have you come to bid today, Lady Thalia?”
The question was innocuous enough, but the warm cadence of his voice moved through her with a strange power, as if they were sharing a secret. Something private, even intimate. And as she had already told him, there was never going to be anything intimate between the two of them.
”That is for me to know, Lord Leopold, and me alone. Now, if you'll excuse me.”
She turned to move away.
”Are you headed in the direction of the main salesroom?” he asked. ”If so, allow me to escort you.”
Her brows creased. ”Thank you, but no. There are still a few minutes left before the bidding begins and I have not yet looked at all the goods up for sale. Please do go on without me.”
But he made no effort to move.
”As a gentleman,” he said, ”it would be remiss of me to leave you on your own. Unless you are here with a friend? Is someone joining you?”
He gave her an expectant look, clearly interested in her answer.
Her frown deepened and she wondered whether she should lie. But as soon as she took a seat, he would know the truth, so what was the point?
”No, I am attending the sale unaccompanied, except for my maid, of course,” she said. ”But I am quite familiar with the interior of this auction house and have no need of escort. Pray absolve yourself of any sense of obligation.”
She turned then and walked on, hoping he would take the none-too-subtle hint and be on his way.
But of course he did not, strolling along a few steps behind her.
She stopped and pretended an interest in a black-lacquered Chinese vase that had to be one of the most hideous pieces she'd ever seen.
He stopped too.
Steadfastly, she refused to look at him, an exasperated breath escaping her lips.
”Ugly, isn't it?”
She nearly looked around, but caught herself at the last second.
”That vase is absolutely monstrous,” he continued, when she didn't respond. ”Makes you wonder what Christie was thinking not just chucking it straight into the nearest rubbish bin.”
Her lips twitched, but she forced herself not to smile.
”Maybe he's hoping some of the bidders will be blind. That way the winner won't mind purchasing something so repellent it would give a sewer rat the shudders.”
”It's dreadful but not that dreadful,” she said, unable to silence the remark.
Lord Leopold met her gaze and raised a single golden brow.
A laugh escaped her mouth. ”You're right, it is atrocious. But useful. A bouquet of roses would brighten it considerably.”
”It would probably make the petals wilt.”
Before she could stop herself, she laughed again.
He smiled, his teeth white and straight, his eyes twinkling in a way that made him even handsomer than he already was. ”I presume it's safe to say neither of us will be bidding on that particular piece?”
She nodded. ”Yes, quite safe.”
”The auction will be starting soon. Again, may I escort you to the salesroom so we can find seats?” He offered his arm.
”My maid is saving one for me.”
”Then shall I escort you to your maid?”
She hesitated, wondering how she had found herself in the position where refusing him would seem churlish. But letting him show her to her seat didn't mean she had to continue their a.s.sociation. Quite the contrary, since they would part soon enough.
”If you wish, Lord Leopold.”
”I do.”
She laid her hand on his coat sleeve, the walnut brown superfine wool smooth and soft beneath her fingertips, his arm firm with muscle.
Slowly, they began to walk.
”Lady Thalia, I hope you will allow me to apologize for my behavior on the occasion of our last meeting.”