Odessa stared back at him. She’d seen him only recently. “But when we spoke outside the apothecary—didn’t I mention I would be in attendance tonight?”
The expanse of his forehead rippled. “The apothecary?”
Captain Phillips didn’t recall speaking to her on Bond Street. Nor remembered she’d be in attendance tonight. It was highly likely the dashing Captain Phillips hadn’t given Odessa a second thought since stealing a kiss so long ago. While she—a burn of embarrassment filled her.
Odessa smiled back at him, waving a hand. “I must apologize, I was thinking of something else. Are you enjoying London?”
“Definitely.” His gaze ran discreetly over her bosom. “I find I am enjoying myself immensely at the moment. Would you care to dance?” Phillips glanced up.
Odessa’s lashes brushed her cheeks, hiding her annoyance at the good captain. The mild flirtation would have to do, she supposed. Phillips was busy. He had duties while in London. Their meeting on Bond Street had been brief and hurried. The interest in his eyes told Odessa that Phillips was happy to see her.
She opened her mouth to accept—
“There you are.” A silky rumble, aristocratic accent slipping just slightly into that of a former pig farmer from Northumberland, came from behind her. “I don’t mean to interrupt.”
Odessa froze. In seconds, she was reduced to a young child caught stealing the last biscuit from the tea tray.
Oh. No. No. No.
Emerson had lied to her about departing for his country estate; instead, he’d laid a trap for her. Hewassmarter than the previous Lord Emerson.
Placing a hand on her chest, Odessa found she didn’t have to fake the absolute shock of seeing him beside her, slightly wild and wind-blown in his dark-colored evening clothes. Emerson looked a bit more savage than usual.
The flutter from her traitorous heart was difficult to miss.
Emerson pierced Captain Phillips with an assessing look, as if sizing up the captain for a good brawl, which under the current circumstances, Odessa thought likely. Lime and clean linen caught in her nose, along with an undercurrent of cheroot. Emerson loomed inches away, big and warm, so terribly male. A delicious ache took up residence between her thighs.
“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.” Emerson’s smile was polite. Far too pleasant.
Captain Phillips straightened to his full height, which was significantly less than Emerson’s. “Captain Phillips, 11thHussars.”
“Emerson. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain. Did Miss Whitehall give you the good news? She’s to be a countess. Mine, in fact.”
Well, that was blatantly impolite. And rather possessive.
“My lord.” Captain Phillips dropped Odessa’s hand. “Congratulations to you both.” The annoyance in his tone was difficult to miss and all of it directed at Odessa. “Miss Whitehall hadn’t informed me.”
“I—hadn’t yet had the opportunity.” Warmth seared her cheeks. She was mortified both at embarrassing Captain Phillips and that Emerson had caught her. There would be no going back to onions and tar. Her carefully laid plans, one in which she potentially compromised herself tonight with Phillips and traveled the world as an officer’s wife, were rapidly crumbling.
“Captain Phillips has just asked for a dance.” Possibly, if she could explain the situation to Phillips, he might understand. “Emerson isn’t—
“Much of a dancer,” Emerson interrupted. “And Miss Whitehall is often forced to find another gentleman to twirl her about.” He allowed a chagrined smile to catch at his lips as if embarrassed by the admission. “But on rare occasions, like tonight, I am determined to make the effort. For Miss Whitehall.” He gave her an adoring look. “My brother was in the 16thLancers, Captain Phillips. Not the same as the Hussars. You might have encountered him, though. Major Sinclair.”
Captain Phillips paled. The lines of his mouth hardened. “MalcolmSinclair?”
Clearly, Phillipshadheard of Emerson’s brother and did not recall him with fondness. The affable smile disappeared.
“The very same.” Emerson inclined his head.
“I made the acquaintance of Major Sinclair once. He is—quite proficient in his duties.”
What a vague, slightly ominous comment to make about an earl’s brother. Odessa’s curiosity was immediately piqued about Malcolm, which wouldn’t do at all because Emerson and his stupid family needed to becomelessinteresting to her. She leaned away from her unwanted earl and Emerson firmly gripped her elbow.
“I envy my brother’s finesse.” Emerson’s voice took on a slight edge. “I’m much better with my fists than a pistol. A pleasure, Captain Phillips. Enjoy your evening.”
Captain Phillips bowed, barely casting another glance at Odessa. “Lord Emerson. Miss Whitehall.”
Odessa was summarily dragged in the direction of the dance floor, the fingers around her elbow tightening, allowing her no opportunity for escape. She was surprised at his behavior towards Captain Phillips. If she hadn’t known better, Odessa would have assumed Emerson to be jealous.
