More use than Edward. At twenty-seven, he was a certified bore, pompous and prideful. Amelia seized the moment to draw the girls' attention; Amanda shifted to keep edward's gaze from his sisters.
"I can't see… oh."
A familiar blankness infused Edward's features. Following his gaze, Amanda was unsurprised to see his older brother Lucien Ashford, Viscount Calverton, step from the crowd, his customary taunting, oddly crooked smile lifting his long lips,
"There you are."
Amanda knew Luc was perfectly aware of Amelia and herself, yet his hooded gaze was all for his sisters. They blossomed-unfurled like buds in the sun-under its impact. Rakishly elegant, he bowed, then raised them from their answering curtsies, twirling first Emily, then Anne, his razor-sharp gaze taking stock of their new dresses, approval writ large in his face.
"I suspect you'll do very well, mes enfants, so I'd better get in quick. I'll dance the first dance with you"-he solemnly inclined his dark head to Emily-"and the second dance with you." He smiled at Anne.
Both girls were delighted; their glowing expression transformed them from pretty to bewitching. Amanda bit back the caustic observation that Luc would now have to remain in a ballroom for at least two dances, something he rarely did. The fact he'd committed to do so contrasted strongly with Edward's contribution to his sisters' success.
Although the brothers were similar in height and build, Luc was blessed with a frankly sensual beauty, and the character and aptitude to match. That fact had for years place the brothers at odds, forming the touchstone of Edward's frequent carping over his older brother's rakehell ways.
Glancing at Edward, Amanda noted the ill-concealed sullenness in his eyes as they rested on Luc. There was anger there, too, as if Edward resented the affection that flowed so easily Luc's way. Amanda suppressed a humph; there was an easy solution if only Edward would take a page from Luc's book. Luc could be supercilious and odiously patronizing and he had a fiendishly sharp tongue, but he never pontificated, sermonized or lectured-Edward's favorite pastimes. Moreover, Luc also possessed a genuine kindliness any female worthy of the name recognized, appreciated and responded to.
Amanda watched as Amelia joined forces with Luc, bantering, bolstering the younger girls' confidence. Her twin was a good foil for Luc's dark, Byronic beauty. Her gaze lingered on his profile. It was familiar; she'd known Luc for years… she blinked, glanced at Edward, also presently presenting her with his profile. Both were exceedingly like one even more familiar.
She swung her gaze back to Luc. Are you related to Dexter? She only just bit back the words. The certain response had she been fool enough to utter them flashed across her brain; Luc would slowly turn, an intense, unnervingly acute look in his eye, and softly ask, How do you know Dexter?
She couldn't ask, but now she thought of it, she'd heard of a connection between the Ashfords and the Fulbridges. She studied Luc afresh, then looked again at Edward; compared to Luc, he cut a less visually compelling figure. Luc was a fraction more lean, more rangy, and had black hair and dark blue eyes. Brown haired, hazel eyed, Edward more closely resembled Dexter, yet with his disdainful, pompous hauteur and that underlying sullenness, he seemed somehow less than-less than either Dexter or Luc. In features and form, they'd all been struck from the same mold, but in Edward's case, something had gone awry and flaws had crept in, rendering him less attractive, physically and otherwise.
"And now, my dears, I must leave you." Luc's voice cut across her thoughts. "Nevertheless, at the first screech, I'll be back."
He tugged one of Emily's ringlets, bent a fond smile on
Anne, then bowed to Amelia, and with an inclination of his head extended the courtesy to Amanda. Then he straightened and looked at his brother. "Edward, if I might have a word…" With a crooking of one long finger, Luc strolled away, forcing Edward to stalk after him.
Leaving his sisters in peace. Amanda inwardly nodded approvingly, and saw her approbation mirrored in Amelia's eyes. She looked around. "Now…"
Five minutes later, she viewed the circle of admirers she and Amelia had gathered about Emily and Anne. Most gratifying. In its own way, satisfying. She caught Amelia's eye. "I'm going to look for Reggie. If I'm not here when you leave, will you tell Mama?"
Smiling, Amelia nodded; her gaze was more somber. 'Take care."
Amanda smiled reassuringly. "I always do."
She slipped into the crowd. The first dance could not be far off. Reggie would be somewhere in the room; her mother had been expecting to meet his here, and Reggie would attend in her train given they'd made no other arrangements.
She hadn't made any because she hadn't been sure. Not over what she wanted; that was engraved on her heart. Her uncertainty stemmed from something more nebulous. Something about that kiss in the moonlight-perhaps the ease with which Dexter had drawn her into the heat, made her yearn for more. Or was it simply some lingering missish reaction? Whatever, caution had unexpectedly reared its head. A wary sort of caution she'd never felt before-a playing-with-fire, tempting-a-wild-beast-unwisely sort of edginess, purely instinctive.
But wariness, edginess and caution could not stand against that other emotion born in the moonlight.
Impatience.
It was an itch under her skin, a need insisting on fulfillment as its only cure. Every time she recalled the sensations she'd felt while locked in Dexter's arms, feeling his strength surrounding her, his lips on hers, his tongue-
"Well, my dear Miss Cynster-well met, indeed!"
She blinked twice before she managed to focus on the gentleman bowing before her. Hiding her frown behind a weak smile, she bobbed a curtsy and gave him her hand. "Mr. Lytton-Smythe."
Blond, brown eyed, Percival Lytton-Symthe clasped her fingers and smiled his usual superior smile. "Lady Carmichael assured me you'd be attending tonight. I had wondered whether I could be bothered with such gadding thus early in the Season, but the thought of you drifting alone through the crowd, starved of suitable companionship, stiffened my spine. So here I am, come once more to lend you my arm."
He offered it with a flourish.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Knowing there would be no easy escape, she laid her hand on the proffered sleeve. "I've just left some friends."
"Indeed, indeed."
He didn't believe her. Amanda gritted her teeth, a frequent reaction in Percival's presence. She scanned the crowd. Percival was a half-head taller but good manners forbade her asking him to find Reggie so she could escape him.
Good manners, let alone wisdom, did not raise their heads when Percival, considering her gown with a growing frown, cleared his throat. "Ahem! Miss Cynster-I fear I must comment, given the understanding between us, that your gown strikes me as somewhat… well, fast."
Understanding? Fast?
Amanda halted. Taking her hand from Percival's sleeve, she faced him. There was nothing wrong with her apricot silk gown with its heart-shaped neckline and tiny sleeves. Percival had been dropping hints ever since he'd stumbled on her during the last Season that he considered they would make a good match. From his perspective, maybe; not from hers. "Mr. Lytton-Smythe, I fear I must comment on your presumption. There is no understanding between us, no connection whatsoever that would excuse your making such unflattering and inaccurate statements regarding my appearance." She looked down her nose at him, grabbed the opportunity he'd presented with both hands. "I am insulted, and would appreciate it if you refrained from approaching me in future."
With a glacial nod, she swept around-
He grabbed her hand. "No, no, my dear. Forgive my foolishness, cowhanded as I am. I seek nothing more than your approbation. Indeed-"
He went on and on until she feared she'd scream. She tried to tug her fingers free, but he wouldn't let go; there was nothing she could do but let him pour out his apologies. Grovel for her forgiveness.
Disgusted, she let him get on with it. Goodness only knew how she was going to disabuse his mind of the err
oneous assumption now clearly fixed in it. She'd tried to ignore him in the hope he'd realize but the sensitivity required to recognize a subtle dismissal was clearly beyond him.
Which left the unsubtle, but she hadn't reached that stage yet.
A violin screeched; Percival paused. She seized the moment. "Very well. You may stand up with me in the cotillion."
The smug smile that creased his face made her want to scream again-the fool thought her irritation had been feigned! Perilously close to real fury, she blocked off all thought of him and concentrated on her real objective. Reggie. He loved to dance; if he was here, he'd take to the floor.
She scanned the dancers as the sets formed. Two sets away, Luc led Emily, proud as punch and totally at ease, into formation. And in the set beyond that, Reggie was partnering a large young lady, one Muriel Brownley.
Amanda grinned. As the music commenced, she looked at Percival; his expression stated he thought she was grinning at him. Erasing all bar the most distant hauteur from her face and eyes, she gave her attention to the dance.
The instant the last chord sounded, she bobbed a quick curtsy. "I fear you must excuse me-there's someone I must catch."
She left Percival standing staring after her. If her mother had witnessed such unladylike behavior, she'd have been called to account; luckily, her mother, her aunt and Lady Osbaldestone were at the other end of the room.
She reached Reggie and his partner before they quit the floor. She exchanged the usual greetings, noting the possessive hold Miss Brownley kept on Reggie's sleeve, and the trapped-rabbit expression in his eyes.
Miss Brownley was a relative newcomer to the ton, no match for her. Amanda chatted brightly, engaging both Reggie and Miss Brownley in an animated discussion of upcoming events.
Miss Brownley didn't notice the time passing.
Not until the violins started up and she realized she couldn't dance the next dance with Reggie. Two dances in a row would cause comment. Having established herself as an old family friend, Amanda suggested Reggie partner her in the dance. Reluctantly, Miss Brownley agreed, and let him go.
"Thank heavens! Thought I was going to be stuck for the rest of the night. Latched on to me the instant I set foot in the ballroom. Mama waltzed off with her mother-and there I was. Snared!"
"Yes, well-" Her arm through Reggie's, Amanda hurried him down the line of dancers. "Let's make sure we fetch up by the door at the end." She bustled them into the position experience told her would achieve that aim.
Reggie stared at her. "Why?" The possibility he might have jumped from the frying pan into the fire was clearly rising in his mind.
"I want to visit Lady Hennessy's."
"Again?"
The dance commenced and they parted momentarily; when they came together, she hissed, "Given what I've just rescued you from, I would have thought you'd be grateful, and only too ready to play least-in-sight."
She let Reggie ponder that for two movements, then added, "She'll find you again if you don't."
Which was true. When they next met, Reggie nodded grimly. "You're right-Lady Hennessy's it is. Much safer, all things considered."
They slipped out immediately the dance ended without encountering Miss Brownley or any other likely to impede their escape. They did, however, encounter another escapee; while waiting in the hall for Amanda's cloak to be unearthed and a hackney to be summoned, they were joined by Luc
Ashford. Sauntering down the stairs, he nodded to Reggie; his gaze sharpened as he considered Amanda. "And where are you off to?"
Amanda smiled innocently, ruthlessly quashing a nearly overwhelming urge to tell him it was none of his business. This was Luc; any such response would have the worst possible effect-he'd become more intent, more determined to learn all. He was a rake with four sisters; she knew his type well. "We're off to the Farthingales'."
Reggie had, as usual, adopted his vaguest expression and left the answers to her; now he nodded. "Cavendish Square."
Luc looked at him. Just looked.
"And where are you off to?" Amanda asked. She didn't care what Luc suspected-he'd never suspect the truth-but she saw no reason to stand by and let him bolster Reggie's resistance to her schemes.
Luc didn't immediately turn her way, but when he did, his dark blue gaze was acute. "I plan to spend the rest of the evening in"-his long lashes veiled his eyes as he straightened a cuff-"rather more private surrounds."
A footman approached. "Your carriage is waiting, my lord."
"Thank you." Luc turned to the door, glancing again at Amanda. "Can I offer you two a lift?"
Amanda smiled sweetly. "I doubt Cavendish Square is on your way."
Luc held her gaze, then nodded. "As you say." With a nod to Reggie, he strolled to the door.
Leaving Reggie looking uncomfortable; Amanda looped her arm in his and chatted to distract him.
She managed well enough; by the time they were admitted to Lady Hennessy's, Reggie's usual amenable temper was restored. After greeting their hostess, Amanda pressed his arm. "I want to check who's here. Why don't you fetch some champagne?"
"Right-o."
Five minutes later, she'd verified that Dexter was not gracing any of her ladyship's rooms-at least, not the public ones. She didn't want to think that he might be gracing one of the private rooms. Determinedly, she envisioned him at Mellors, or one of the other exclusive hells.
Hiding in the shadows. Out of her reach.
Damn him-he was clearly not going to make his conquest easy.
She found Reggie loitering by a well-stocked table. Munching on a pastry, he handed her a glass of champagne. She took one sip, then set the glass aside. "There's no one here I want to meet. We may as well go home."
"Home?" Reggie stared. "But we've only just arrived."
"Without the right company, any place is boring. And I've just remembered I have an appointment tomorrow morning at six o'clock."
"Six? No one has appointments that early, not even with modistes."
"I do." She tugged at his sleeve. "Come on. I need to get home." In time to send a footman with a note to Fulbridge House.
Looking over the table, Reggie sighed. "Dashed fine salmon patties."
She let him take another, then dragged him away.
Chapter 5
When she saw the dark figure atop the pawing roan waiting under the tree the next morning, Amanda knew a moment of abject relief. That much, at least, she could count on. Trotting up, she smiled sunnily. "Good morning."
It was damp, cold and grey, a light drizzle turning all about them fuzzy, indistinct. His expression impassive, Dexter inclined his head and turned his horse toward the distant track.
She'd half-expected a grunt. Falling in beside him, she set the mare pacing alongside the roan.
How to prod him into arranging for the rest of her adventures? Into spending more time with her, alone.
She glanced at him, waited to catch his eye.
He didn't look her way. He rode straight to the start of the tan, then, with barely a glance at her, sprang the roan.
Jaw setting, she went with him. That he was determined to be difficult could not have been clearer. Through the thunder and rush of the ride, it occurred to her that he knew perfectly well what she wanted to ask.
It irked her that she felt too wary to demand openly, as she would with any other man. Dexter was hard enough, untamed enough, simply to refuse. And then where would she be? Dealing with him was like a game of snakes and ladders-one foot wrong and she'd be back at the start.
The end of the track neared; they slowed, then turned aside onto the turf. He drew rein and halted; she did the same. They were both breathing hard, the exhilaration of the ride still streaking through their veins. She lifted her head, looked into his face. Fell into his moss-agatey eyes.
Green, gold flecked, they held her gaze; in the cool of the morning, she again felt the heat, the rush of sweet warmth she'd experienced in his arms. The fire still burned, embers
now, perhaps, but the heat and the promise of flame were still there.
Still exerted their tug, a powerful fascination that made her want to go to him, to plunge into the heart of the fire, bathe in the flames.
Give herself up to them and burn.
She blinked, refocused. What he had read in her face she had no idea, but he looked away over the park.
"You said you wished to attend a party at Vauxhall, one hosted by someone your parents don't know. I plan to host a private party at the Gardens two nights from now. Will you be able to attend?"
She forced herself to wait, to pretend to consider before inclining her head. "Yes." He was untamed, ruthless, difficult to manage; she was determined to snare him.
His gaze returned to her face; she met it, cool challenge in her eyes.
"Very well. My carriage will be waiting as before, at nine o'clock at the comer." He hesitated, then added, "Wear a cloak with a hood."
As before, the black carriage was waiting; as before, his hand reached for hers and he helped her in. Amanda suppressed a shiver of anticipation as the carriage rumbled off, wending south through the streets to the river and Vauxhall Gardens.
He traveled in silence; she could feel his gaze on her face, on her figure, concealed by her long velvet cloak, the hood up to cover her hair. She'd spent hours deciding what to wear beneath the cloak-whether to dazzle or entice. She'd settled on enticement; he was too experienced to dazzle.
The horses' hooves clopped hollowly as they turned onto the bridge. Ahead, the lights of the pleasure gardens bobbed through the trees, their reflections dancing on the water.
"How many others are in your party?" A question that had intrigued her ever since his invitation.
She glanced his way. Shrouded in shadows, he studied her, then said, "You'll see in a few moments."
She doubted she'd misjudged him. Nevertheless, the knowledge that she'd placed herself and her reputation in his hands set an edge to nerves already taut, further heightened senses set alive simply by his nearness.
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