“They make it remarkably easy,” said Juliet. “You simply write your name on a card and splash out the blunt.”
Amelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes toward the ceiling. “I know how raffles work, Juliet, but, really, do any of us need a stone bust?”
Delilah shrugged. “You’re only young once, so may as well immortalize it in stone.”
“I thought I was no longer young.”
“Well, you’ve been old since the day you were born—”
“That’ll be quite enough.”
“Oh, I almost forgot,” said Delilah. “Did you meet the old, decrepit duke?”
Oh.This subject. “Um, yes.”
“Is he a complete lech?”
“Possibly.”
Likely.
Delilah craned her head to better scan the room. “Well, where is he?”
It didn’t take long for Amelia to find him engaged in conversation with no fewer than eight ladies. A strange feeling tingled through her. The same uncomfortable one from earlier.
“There.”
Delilah and Juliet followed the jut of her chin. Juliet’s eyebrows shot upwards, and Delilah’s jaw fell to the floor. “Thatis our old, decrepit duke?”
“Um, yes.”
“Oh, my,” exhaled Juliet.
Again, leave it to Juliet to sum up a situation perfectly.
Delilah lifted another two coupes of prosecco off a passing tray and again tried to hand one to Amelia. She gave her head a decided shake. Delilah shrugged and began alternating sips between the two coupes. Juliet giggled. Which was all the encouragement Delilah needed. Perfect peas in a pod, those two. One in need of an adoring audience; the other only too happy to provide it.
Ding-ding-ding.The sound of metal tapping crystal, calling the gathered’s attention to a low stage set before the large bow window overlooking the back garden. The raffle began, which meant this interminable night was—blessedly—nearing its end.
Juliet won two items—a length of Brussels lace and an enameled snuffbox—and Delilah won one—a silver brush and mirror set. Thankfully, someone else got the puppy. With only a single item remaining Amelia began encouraging Delilah and Juliet toward the door.
Then it happened.
Her name was called.
People began staring at her, as if they expected something. Delilah gave a quick jerk of her head in the direction of the bow window.
Finally, it hit Amelia. She’d won the night’s grand prize, and she was to accept it before all.
Oh, she didn’t like that one bit.
The sharp point of Juliet’s elbow nudged between her ribs to get her moving. The Contessa di Mapelli waited with a patient, regal smile on her face. But it was the person standing beside the Contessa who claimed all Amelia’s attention.Him—the ox…the Duke of Ripon.
Dread clawed its way through her. Why was he regarding her with that expression on his face? As if he were experiencing the same foreboding as she?
Once Amelia finally reached the low stage, the contessa said, “Lady Amelia Windermere, our grand prize winner. Thank you to all who generously donated of your pounds tonight, I look forward to receiving notes from each and every one of you.”And if you don’t pay up, her smile seemed to say,I know where you sleep.
An awkward smile on her face, hands clenched at her sides, Amelia cut the duke a quick glance. Why was he staring at her like that?
