“Shall we get this over with, then?”
“Definethis.”
“Our arrangement.”
It was, in fact, what he wanted more than anything.
Then they could get on with the matter of the rest of their lives together.
He nodded and said, “Do you have a plan for how?—”
Without warning, she planted her feet in the center of the dancing floor, bringing them to a sudden standstill and stopping the rest of the question in his mouth. Events moved so fast he had no opportunity to grasp the intent of her plan when she lifted her right hand off his shoulder and, with unaccountable fury in her eyes, delivered a decisive, walloping slap to his left cheek.
The moment and ballroom were shocked into silence, as she tore the white silk glove from her left hand, jerked the ruby engagement ring off her finger, and flung it at his chest. He only just caught it when her voice rang out, clear and indignant, “Enjoy the rest of your life without me, Lord Devil.”
Then she whirled in a swish of silken skirts and fled the ballroom, a chorus of shocked gasps and titters at her back.
As plans went, it was effective.
In the newly scandalized eyes of society, Lord Devil and Lady Beatrix St. Vincent were finished.
Now, they could begin a real future—as Dev and Bea.
Yet…a feeling niggled within him.
A bad feeling.
That slap and the fury in her eyes… In combination, they felt like more than a bit of theater performed for the sake of society.
The slap… She’d really put her back into it.
The fury in her eyes… It had been real.
This plan… It had been a mistake.
He’d thought to wait a short while before following her. Allow enough time to pass where he could receive commiseration from the other males, who were already sending him condoling shakes of the head.
But, no, that would be a mistake, too.
He must catch her—now.
He’d taken not three steps when a hand closed around his upper arm. Annoyance shot through him as he glanced over his shoulder.Imogen, mouth curled into a satisfied smile.
The bad feeling curdled into a solid mass in his stomach.
He’d gotten everything wrong tonight, hadn’t he?
He should’ve broken things off with Imogen today. Except… In reality, there was nothing tobreak off. He and Imogen weren’t actually together—or in any way connected.
Not anymore.
Not in years.
How had he missed that fact for so long?
“May I help you, Lady Bridgewater?” he said, cold and indifferent—and not for the benefit of others.
“Don’t you think it’s time you told me something?” No missing that self-pleased light in her eyes.
