Part 17 (2/2)
She was becoming Silly Lucinda in truth. No wonder Maria was looking at her strangely.
”I believe he's pa.s.sed muster,” Maria said.
”Of course he has. I only wondered because of his odd background.”
”If odd backgrounds barred people from Almack's, it would be very thin of company. Ah, there he is.”
Lucy turned and saw him entering with a couple who must be his brother-in-law and sister, for the resemblance to the lady was marked. Her foolish heart performed a few completely impossible acrobatics, and a few more when he came straight to her, bringing his companions.
He made the introductions and Lucy sensed that she was being discreetly inspected. What had he told his family? She should have added secrecy to their agreement.
”You are an example of n.o.ble forbearance, Lord Amleigh,” she said. ”Everyone admires your gracious surrender of an earldom.”
He was dark haired and gray eyed, and the word ”steady” came to mind.
”It was a tussle,” Amleigh said drily, ”but in the end matters were arranged as they should be. May I lead you out for the first dance, Miss Potter?”
”Alas, my lord, I'm promised.” She sent Wyvern a look.
”Indeed,” Wyvern said. ”You are mine.”
He was all danger and mystery, but Lucy was no longer sane. Almack's was magical at last, and she would enjoy her first dance in happy antic.i.p.ation of a kiss.
How?
Where?
When?
In the end it was quite easy. After their dance he strolled with her down a corridor toward the refreshment rooms, where there were very few people at that moment.
She went straight on the attack. ”You have been very neglectful of your duties.”
”Clearly we should inform one another of our plans. I didn't expect you to be a devotee of gloomy poetry.”
”I think you should have been more ingenious.”
”And I that you should have made yourself available to be served.”
”I was at the poetry.”
”And I was at the d.u.c.h.ess of Morbury's, which was much more amusing.”
”I'm not paying you to be amused.”
”Thus far, you're not paying me at all, despite being the proud possessor of thirty thousand pounds.”
She fixed him with a look. ”It's more than that, in fact. Good investments.”
”Your father is a clever man.”
”I'll have you know that I manage my money for myself.”
He stopped to stare. ”Do you, by gad?”
”For all your fanciful imagination, you seem to have difficulty in accepting unusual truths. I'm my father's daughter, remember, trained by him, but also with many of his abilities and talents. Do not be deceived by my appearance.”
”Believe me, I haven't been since our first meeting.”
His tone annoyed her. ”But you disapprove of my having a brain and expertise? Or perhaps cling to the hope that you're mistaken?”
”Most men are afraid of clever women.”
”That's absurd,” she said. ”Men rule the world.”
”Beth Arden says that's because we daren't allow women any scope for their powers. We cage the lion.”
”Lioness,” she corrected. ”You mean the Marchioness of Arden?”
”She's a follower of Mary Wollstonecraft. Rights of Woman and all that. I don't know if she believes women should be able to speak in Parliament, but she definitely wants women to be able to vote.”
”And why not? Especially women of property.”
”It would be the beginning of the end. Men would lose dominion over the earth.”
”Nonsense.” But it came out breathily, for he'd detoured into a small anteroom.
He drew her behind the door, where they couldn't be seen by anyone pa.s.sing and raised an expectant brow.
”Someone could come in,” she said, suddenly nervous.
”Adds a little spice. But even if someone did, a simple kiss, lips on lips, would be naughty, not scandalous. Of course, if you wish to make more of it . . .”
”Seeking to taunt me into compromising myself? Perhaps you do want to marry my money after all.”
”Perhaps I enjoy the spice of danger.”
Alas, so do I.
She raised her gloved hand and drew his head down, going on tiptoe so she could press her lips to his. More than a peck this time, but not much more.
So tempting to linger, but she was not so foolish as that.
She settled back to earth and fussed with her gown, hoping to conceal how devastating that meager kiss had been. Not only on her. When she looked up there was fire behind his eyes.
She unfurled her fan and waved it, but turned so as to cool him. ”Spicy enough?”
<script>