She glanced at him again. “Did you ask me to dance to apologize? If not, I think you should take me back to my cousins. You and I have nothing—”
“The truth isn’t always pleasant. But what I told your sister-in-law wasn’t for your ears, and I might have been exaggerating a bit to make a point. Didn’t expect you to be eavesdropping.”
Color rose in her cheeks again, due to anger this time. That was supposed to be an apology? No, it was nothing of the sort.
Stiffly she said, “So that was your roundabout way of telling her you weren’t up for the job?”
He raised a dark brow. “Prevaricate instead of tossing out a simple no? Hell no, that’s not my style.”
Her eyes narrowed on him suspiciously. “You don’t still think you’ve been hired to play Cupid for me, do you?”
“You don’t think I might want to help someone as desperate as you out of the goodness of my heart?”
She snorted over such a failed attempt at being amusing. “After what you said? No, I do not! Besides, I don’t think you have a heart.”
“I notice you didn’t deny that you’re desperate.”
She gasped and took her hand from his, turning to leave. He actually grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him, tightening his grip on her hand and waist. She couldn’t believe it! What if someone saw that! Good Lord, she’d known she’d end up making a scene if she got near this exasperating man again!
“Let go of me!” she insisted.
“We’re not done—dancing. So your temper is yet another problem?”
“I don’t have a temper—unless I’m around arrogant brutes like you!”
“You don’t deal well with criticism, do you? No matter how well-intentioned?”
“Well-intentioned insults, now I’ve heard everything,” she said scathingly.
“Nothing was said to insult you, you’re just too touchy to admit you’ve been going about this all wrong—unless you don’t actually want to get married for some reason? That would certainly explain your resistance to good advice.”
She clamped her mouth shut. She glared at him. She was close to screaming in exasperation. He was going to be the ruin of her if he didn’t shut up!
“I didn’t think so,” he said with a nod. “So I’m going to help you despite yourself. Let’s call it a good deed.”
“Oh, I see, taking your god of love nickname a little too seriously, are you?” she said, sarcasm dripping from her every word. “You actually think you’re capable of producing miracles?”
He actually laughed. “That was the exaggeration. So which is it to be? Lord Goswick and riding lessons, or we find out who you’re compatible with and go from there?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him, We aren’t finding out anything together, but his mention of Kendall made her say indignantly, “I can win Kendall Goswick without anyone’s help, thank you very much.”
He shook his head. “That’s too bad. It actually looked like you fancied him, but I must have been mistaken.”
“I did. I do.” But then her brows snapped together. “Stop it. I have dozens of other things to recommend me—”
“Won’t matter a jot once he finds out you don’t like horses.”
“I love horses. Love to see them race. Love to have fast ones hitched to my carriage. Who wouldn’t love something that useful?”
“You know I was talking about riding. I know Goswick very well. He doesn’t have parents to nag him about getting married. He doesn’t give a fig about socializing, so don’t look for him to show up at these affairs. You’re probably the first lady he’s shown the least bit of interest in since he came of age.”
That was thrilling to hear and erased her anger for the moment. “Did he say something about me?”
“Yes, actually. He said he looked forward to riding with you. But when that doesn’t happen, you’ll never hear from him again.”
“Nonsense. Love transcends requirements.”
Devin chuckled. “Are we back to talking about gods?”
“You know what I meant,” she huffed.
“Yes, of course, you think love can surmount all obstacles. In some rare cases it might. But you won’t even get to that point with Goswick. He’s not going to have a chance to fall in love with you if you never see him again. And as soon as he finds out you’re afraid to get on a horse, I guarantee you’ll never see him again.”
Chapter Fifteen
WITH THE DANCE FINALLY over, Amanda would have rushed away from Devin, but he still wasn’t letting go of her. He hooked her arm through his and walked her back to her cousins. Very well, another few moments and she’d never have to talk to him again.
But as if their conversation hadn’t ended, he said in an aside to her before he let her go, “Isn’t there some unwritten rule that the offspring of dukes have to be courageous?”
How ridiculous! But he walked away before she could tell him so. And it only took her a moment to realize he’d just called her a coward! She couldn’t let that remark go unchallenged! But when she tried to see where he’d gone, she finally spotted him back on the dance floor, with Blythe Pace this time.
Blasted man. How dare he challenge her to get back on a horse? And, of course, the only way she could prove him wrong was to actually get back on one. But she’d tried that when she went home with her father! Did she really? No, actually, old Herbert had just helped her to give up by not giving her any encouragement at all.
She chewed at her lower lip. Despite Ophelia’s telling her horse riding would be a prerequisite for a match with Kendall Goswick, she’d still been hopeful about furthering her acquaintance with him. But now Devin was telling her the same thing, and her hope just evaporated. Despondency was sneaking back up on her. She’d really enjoyed having two prospects for the Season—and where the deuce was the other one? She still hadn’t even clapped eyes on Robert Brigston.
“Is something wrong?” Rebecca asked her in a whisper so Rupert wouldn’t hear.
“No, why?”
“You were frowning.”
Amanda sighed. “I have so many, too many really, choices of men to pick from. It’s just becoming a bit difficult to sort them all out.”
“Is it really?”
Amanda laughed. Rebecca had been her best friend when they were children and knew her too well.
“It’s that the one I favor the most is an avid horseman. Phelia doesn’t think he’ll court me if he finds out I don’t ride.”
“You still don’t? I know you refused to try after that fall put in you bed for a whole summer, but I thought by now—”
“I drive my own carriage instead. I never thought I would actually need to ride a horse. Now I do, and I will, but, what if I can’t?”
Rebecca laughed. “Gumption and doubts in the same breath, only you could pull that off with such flair. If you want my advice, don’t put the cart before the horse. Find a good teacher and give it a try first, before you fret over—”
“There you are, gel,” Mabel Collicott said to Amanda. “What the deuce were you doing, dancing with that horse breeder? Stick to your own kind, a nice chap like Farrell Exter—”
Considering Mabel had just barged in on her conversation, Amanda had no trouble interrupting, “Excuse me, ladies, but I only have a few minutes left on this break to get some refreshment before the next dance. I’ll be right back, Becca.”
Amanda hurried away, not sure what about that old dame annoyed her. But really, Amanda already knew Farrell, considered him somewhat a friend, but for a matchmaker to recommend to her a second son with no prospects? The woman had to be going batty in her advanced years.
On the long walk to the refreshments table at the other side of the room, Amanda skirted the back of the crowd so she wouldn’t get stopped by anyone she knew. She was still stopped. Actually, her dance card was pulled right off her wrist!
She swung about to upbraid the fellow for not simply asking her to wait. The words never came out. The y
oung man was of average height, had blond hair, blue eyes, and was handsome! This had to be Robert Brigston, Viscount Altone. And here he was, signing her card and grinning while he did so.
When he looked her in the eye as he handed the little booklet back to her, the grin left his face. He actually looked surprised as his eyes moved over her face, then briefly lower. “My, oh, my. I’ll admit you looked pretty from afar, but seeing you close up bowls me over. You’re a raving beauty, ain’t you?”
She didn’t know what to say to that. Compliments before introductions? She’d at least like to know for sure who was complimenting her before she responded with more than a blush.
But he wasn’t finished! “I wasn’t going to marry, no need to yet, but now that I’ve met you, I must. Do say yes.”
She simply couldn’t help the giggle that produced, though she quickly cut it off. How outrageous he was! But she didn’t really mind silliness of that sort a’tall. Grinning, she replied, “I’ll say nothing of the sort. And you haven’t introduced yourself to me yet.”
He laughed, a little too loudly, drawing attention their way. “You so dazzle me, my manners flew right out the door. Robert Brigston, your servant, your slave—I’ll take whatever I can get. And you must be the incomparable Amanda Locke?”
She was mindful she shouldn’t be talking to him without her chaperones close by, at least not until they danced. She hoped he’d signed more than one line in her card. She definitely wanted to find out more about him! But for the moment, she needed to end this first encounter or steer it toward greater propriety.
She nodded. “I was getting some refreshment before rejoining my cousins. Perhaps you’d like to come by and meet them?”
“I’ll pass on that opportunity, lovely lady. Relatives are so boring. Until our dance?”
He kissed her hand! And not the polite barely touching of lips to skin, either, but a firm kiss. Then he just strolled off, leaving her surprised and quite disappointed that he hadn’t wanted to extend their encounter by walking her back to her cousins.
But, at least, now she had a dance with Lord Robert to look forward to tonight. That nipped that bit of despondency in the bud and filled her with a bubbly excitement as she returned to Rebecca and Rue, completely forgetting about the refreshment she’d gone for.
During her next six dances, she couldn’t concentrate on her partners at all! She noticed now where Lord Robert was, dancing with other debutantes. And each time their eyes met, he’d wink at her, giving her the urge to giggle again. This was so exciting! So this was what she’d been missing her first two Seasons, actually being attracted to a man. And this year, there was not just one but two men! Would she actually have a hard time deciding which one she liked better? What a wonderful thought! But that was if she accepted Devin’s dare . . .
Then Robert whispered by her ear, “Finally, I get to touch you.”
She drew in her breath sharply. No one had ever said anything that risqué to her before. She swung about. He was grinning at her as he took her hand to lead her onto the dance floor. He wasn’t supposed to be touching her hand yet, not until they were actually on the dance floor. Perhaps he’d missed that lesson in etiquette.
When Robert turned to draw her into position for the dance, he actually pulled her hand behind him so she got much too close to him. Her breasts even touched his chest! But he quickly corrected the “accident,” stepping back to begin the dance in the proper position. Had he done that deliberately? Surely not.
A few twirls into the dance, he bent his head forward to say in a husky tone, “You smell divine.”
She blinked. That was definitely not a proper compliment. But he was young. Perhaps he didn’t know any better.
“I think you must have been tardy in attending some of your etiquette classes,” she scolded lightly.
He laughed. “It’s just you, sweet Amanda. You quite make me forget m’self.”
His words thrilled her and brought forth a pretty blush. But she made an effort to steer the conversation to acceptable subjects—and find out more about him. “I’ve heard this is your first time to London. Are you just back from the Continent? Or—too busy at home to venture forth?”
She’d almost said just out of the schoolroom! Goodness, he rattled her so much she wasn’t thinking straight. That would have embarrassed both of them. She really hoped he wasn’t eighteen. He didn’t look it. He could have been hiding himself at one of the universities young lords favored for higher learning.
“Dying of curiosity about me, are you?”
Of course she was, but she certainly wasn’t going to admit it. “University then?”
He laughed at her evasion. “Does it matter where I’ve been? All that matters is I’m here now—with you.”
There was that bubbly feeling again. Where had these exciting men been two years ago? She supposed it was all right if he wanted to remain mysterious for now. Someone would ferret out more information about him and get it on the gossip mill. That was inevitable.
A few moments later he said, “This dance will end soon. I must tell you, I already can’t wait until we meet again.”
She smiled. “I’m sure we will. It’s more’n likely you will receive the same invitations as I.”
“I was thinking of something less social.”
He wanted to court her! “I’m staying with my aunt Julie St. John while in town.” She gave him the address on Arlington Street. “You are welcome to call.”
He made a sound of impatience. “I don’t want to get to know your relatives, dear girl, I want to get to know you better.”
She frowned, not understanding. “Privacy before an engagement is simply not allowed, and what, pray tell, did you have in mind?”
“You’re going to make me steal a kiss right here on the floor, aren’t you?”
She gasped and drew back from him.
He chuckled. “Does no one ever tease you? A walk in the park would be nice. Bring your maid along as a chaperone, of course.”
Chapter Sixteen
DEVIN KNEW THAT DARING Amanda to tackle riding lessons had been a long shot. A man would accept the challenge, a woman would find numerous excuses to decline it. Obviously Lady Ophelia hadn’t talked the girl around to letting him help her with riding lessons or finding her other candidates for marriage. She didn’t even know he’d agreed to do Ophelia this favor after all. Apparently, it was going to have to be other candidates for the girl.
What had started out as a lark for Devin was definitely beginning to feel like a bloody job—well, at least in Amanda’s case. The trouble was, she had too many admirers. He supposed he ought to simply ask her which ones she favored, aside from Goswick, to narrow down that list, but he didn’t think she’d tell him. Still crackling with ire over what she’d overheard him saying to her sister-in-law, it was a wonder she’d even danced with him, much less talked to him tonight. If he didn’t feel the thrill of a challenge now, he’d send a note round to Ophelia that Amanda really was a lost cause and let it go at that.
That was still a possibility. Two Seasons wasted, the third under way. Was she too particular? Looking for something specific in a man that she hadn’t yet found? It could simply be a matter of titles, her father having such a lofty one. Good God, she wasn’t looking for another duke, was she?
A ball was absolutely not the place to further his investigation of Amanda’s flock of beaus, nor which gentlemen might fit well with Blythe. Two-thirds of the former Devin had already met and spoken with, but Amanda had danced with quite a few young men tonight that he was seeing for the first time. Finding those chaps off the dance floor while Blythe was on it, which was the only time she wasn’t at his side, was proving quite difficult.
He gave it another shot and checked the refreshment table, but only a few couples were standing near it. He glanced out in the hall. Empty. He headed for the balcony. It was too cold for the doors to be kept wide-open, but he’d seen people stepping out there to briefly cool off f
rom their exertions on the dance floor. Well, bloody hell, the balcony was empty, too. Was everyone dancing but him?
“I have a feeling you’re waiting for me.”
Devin swung around to find Jacinda Brown sauntering toward him. He’d seen her across the room earlier but hadn’t approached her. The girl was much too forward for his tastes. He didn’t mind a dalliance now and then, but he drew the line at pursuing married women and innocents. If he’d learned anything from his acquaintance with Hilary, it was that innocents read more into simple friendship than he could offer.
“Actually, I’d hoped for a moment alone,” he replied.
She didn’t take the hint and stopped much too close to him. “I’ve been trying to get my mum to hire Cupid to help me this Season.” She gave him a sultry look.
When she went straight for what she wanted? Devin felt like laughing. “You’re probably the very last chit here who would need help.”
She blushed prettily, taking that as a compliment. “But I don’t want to wait until the end of the Season to find my man. Besides, it would be fun to work with you. Don’t you think so?”
He was trying not to hurt her feelings with his bluntness, but he had no time for silly flirtations like this. “What I do isn’t fun. Now if you’ll excu—”
“I’m cold!” She even shivered.
“Then go back inside.”
“But you could warm me. Just for a moment.”
She actually wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body close to his. He was surprised enough by her audacity that he didn’t react as quickly as he should have. Which was why Mabel Collicott looked scandalized when she took that moment to close the balcony doors against the draft and saw them standing there in what appeared to be a lovers’ embrace.
But before the old dame could voice her errant conclusions, Devin called out, “Miss Collicott, what perfect timing!” He dragged Jacinda to Mabel’s side. “Jacinda confessed she’s looking to hire a matchmaker for the Season. I was about to recommend you for the job when she took a chill. I’ll leave her in your good hands.”
Let Love Find You Page 10