“It was easier to just look over your shoulder during the exams, South,” Tarrington bit out. “At any rate, this is Miss Davenport. Brought to us by the lovely Lady Anabeth.” He gave Anabeth another pointed glance before nodding to Southwell.
“Drevenport,” Honora said quietly. “I am Miss Drevenport.”
Tarrington wore a smug look, his eyes on not Honora but Southwell. “Apologies.”
Southwell gave her a warm smile before taking her hand, fingers closing lightly over hers. “Miss Drevenport, it is a great pleasure.”
The sound of him vibrated down her arm before blossoming into warmth across her chest. He had pronounced her name properly without a bit of gentle correction from her. She might very well swoon.
“My lord.” She dipped again as gracefully as she could, praying the seams of this gown would hold. Anabeth and the dreadful Tarrington ceased to exist in that brief moment when Southwell held her hand. Cedar floated into her nostrils, mixed with a hint of leather and tobacco.
“But I think we know each other as well, do we not, Miss Drevenport?” Southwell’s lovely brown eyes, flecked with amber, took her in. “But not formally introduced.”
Honora nearly puddled at his feet. He released her hand gently, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes probably because she was staring up at him as if she was addled.
“Lady Trent’s charity tea,” Anabeth supplied. “I brought Miss Davenport to you because she is a great admirer of those pretty speeches you make.”
“You mean she doesn’t fall asleep as you do.”
Anabeth reddened at his chastisement. “Only once. I was sleepless the night before, and I found the description of the tent you slept in quite tedious.”
“It was a yurt,” Southwell replied, his gaze still on Honora.
“You’ve been to Tibet,” she said, barely above a whisper.
The side of his mouth tilted, and a dimple appeared in his cheek. “I have. Miss Drevenport obviously doesn’t find everything I say to be so tiresome. And I’ll warrant she knows where Tibet is, don’t you, Miss Drevenport?”
Honora wanted to giggle out loud like a nitwit.
“You”—Southwell leaned just an inch closer to her, so near she could clearly see the brush of hair along his jaw—“are the young lady who asked after crocodiles and hippos. I believe you wanted to know how many unfortunate Egyptians were feasted upon.”
“I only asked after crocodiles, my lord. I believe it was you who informed me of the danger of hippopotami, and I don’t recall using the wordfeasting.”
“I stand corrected.” Southwell’s eyes sparkled back at her; he was not bothered in the least that she’d done so. “Quite bloodthirsty, aren’t you, Miss Drevenport?”
“Miss Davenport absolutely adores the same nonsense you do, my lord,” Anabeth interjected. “She might faint with sheer pleasure if you speak of unwrapping a mummy or something equally grotesque.”
“Wonderful, we can speak of all sorts of morbid things while we dance.” Southwell held out his arm to Honora. “Shall we, Miss Drevenport? Unless, of course, you’ve promised this dance elsewhere?”
A tiny squeak escaped her lips.
Anabeth smiled sweetly as she nudged Honora. “I’m sure she hasn’t.”
“My lord, I—” Honora wasn’t prepared for dancing,especiallynot with Southwell.
“Are you thirsty, my lady?” Tarrington held out his arm to Anabeth. “Let me escort you to the refreshments. Let’s allow Southwell his dance with Miss Davenport.”
“Drevenport,” Honora whispered as Tarrington and Anabeth wandered into the crowd, thrilled to be relieved of their presence but also terrified she’d been left with the Earl of Southwell. Sweat trickled between her breasts as her underarms became increasingly damp. What if he noticed? What if—
“Miss Drevenport?” He was nodding in the direction of the other couples gathered as the musicians began to play.
Honora looked down at the large, masculine hand, fingers stretching gracefully in her direction. “Are you certain? I don’t dance well,” she blurted out.
“Absolutely. I’m an excellent dancer as it happens. I won’t allow the slightest stumble. If you step on my toes, I will pretend not to notice, especially if you relate to me why you’re so interested in the vicious nature of Nile crocodiles.”
“Not any longer. I’m now more concerned with hippos, given the information you imparted, should I ever venture to Egypt, my lord.”
“Terrifying to be sure but, as I mentioned, nearly extinct in that region. Why crocodiles, if I may ask, Miss Drevenport?” Southwell whisked her out amid the other dancers, seeming not to notice the interested gazes directed at them. “Is it morbid curiosity as Lady Anabeth implied?”
