The Devil.
The Beast of Brookhaven.
The man who had seduced her with a look and a kiss.
Even while he was chatting with other lords, and not noticing her at all, she wanted to sink below the floorboards. Granted, when that kiss had happened, she had kept her mask on while she had removed his; he would not know her, while shedidknow him.
“Bridget, dear?” Ellie asked. “Are you ill? Your face is suddenly flushed.”
Her head snapped from the Duke to her friend while battling the heat surging to her face. “Oh, yes, yes. I am just… there is quite a bit of heat in here, isn’t there?”
Ellie frowned. “It is as chilly as winter. Are you sure you are all right?”
“I am,” she reassured her friend as much as she reminded herself to ignore the lout. “I am excited about tonight. I hope I can make a more profound impact with Lord Hansen.”
“As far as I have seen, you are doing an impeccable job of it,” Ellie fluttered her fan. “Your authenticity is your biggest selling point, Bridget. Keep being your true self and he will…”
Bridget found her attention split into thirds; one mind was focused on the timing for the program, the second worried about Lord Hansen, and the last… she could not stop stealing glances at the Duke of Debauchery if she tried.
What right did he have to be so handsome and charming, sophisticated and… He wiped a thumb over his lips, swiping a rouge droplet of champagne away, and her core fluttered, as she pressed her thighs together against a sudden lick of heat.
“He’s here,” Ellie said, her voice awash with admiration. “He is so handsome! No wonder he is one of this season’s most sought-after bachelors.”
Rising to her feet, Bridget risked a peek over at the object of her attention, who was now surrounded by a bevy of debutantes. His charcoal dinner-jacket and plum waistcoat, like all his garments, fit flawlessly on his lean, muscular frame.
Lord Hansen is a solid choice, he is a sensible one, not like His Grace.
Scapegrace is more like it.
The Earl broke away from the gaggle of admirers before he headed over to her and bowed. “I apologize for making you wait,” he kissed the back of her hand. “I think you have seen that I am like a hunted man.”
“The room does take on a different air when you enter it,” she replied after a sweeping curtsey.
“I should be saying that to you,” Lord Hansen smiled as he gestured to their seats. “May we?”
“Yes, please,” she replied, then turned and said, “May I introduce Lady Eleanor Pembroke, daughter of Marquess Pearson and my dearest friend.”
“Would this happen to be the lady you were to report to the night of the masquerade?” Lord Hansen bowed. “I am delighted to meet you.”
“As am I, your lordship,” Ellie replied as a tinkling bell rang through the room. “I think the program is about to begin.”
Before the program began, Bridget spotted a few heated glares spearing her way and swallowed; clearly, no one liked this nobody newcomer possessing the Earl’s attention and time.
Notch your head up, pay them no mind, she reminded herself.He is here with you, not them.
At the hour intermission, Lord Hansen genially offered his arm and they lingered at the refreshment table. She could barely taste the rich champagne for the thunder in her ears. “I hope you have not canceled any important meetings or outings for this night.”
“Not to worry,” he said, one hand stuck in a pocket of his trousers. “I would have sent notice if I had previous plans. Your friend there, are you staying with her for the season, then? I noticed the invitation came from her estate.”
“Ah, yes, I am,” Bridget lied. “Otherwise, I would have to travel far to be here. We met in finishing school, my lord, and she was one of the few who understood my need to be around books instead of people.”
“Let me guess, you loved the Bard’s romantic tales,” Hansen teased.
“I did,” she admitted, “But I loved A Tale of a Thousand and One Night more.”
“You are a romantic,” he guessed. “You wish for a Schahriar to your Scheherazade.”
“At times,” she replied honestly, her chin notched up. “But there comes a time when practicality is more prudent than such lofty dreams. One can have their heads in the clouds but one must make sure their feet are firmly on the ground as well.”
