Defied explanation.
Changed everything.
Shook me to my core.
Any of those would have been acceptable responses.
Instead, Miss Eugenia Winter said, “It was passable, I suppose.”
And the battle lines were most distinctly drawn.
Chapter Four
The afternoon followingthe kisses she had shared with the Earl of Hertford, Eugie had decided upon her next target. She had forced herself to realize Lord Hertford was an unrepentant fortune hunter, regardless of the way his kisses had seemed to alter her world, just the same as all the other gentlemen in attendance, men who were either desperate for a bride or a fortune.
For some of them, it was both.
Either way, her devotion to her sisters was complete. She would do what she must to make certain none of them would find themselves being taken advantage of by a scoundrel who thought nothing of their true hearts.
Her brother Dev was fair and just, but they had all tried disabusing him of the notion they must wed, and he had remained convinced he had gathered the best of the best for this house party, all the better to find them husbands.
Sometimes, Eugie knew, her brother could not see how wrong he was. Sometimes, arguing with the stubborn but beloved man was not worth the effort. And so, she would step into the protective role in a way he could not.
Lord Ashley Rawdon had been eying her sister Pru as if she were a dessert course and he could not decide if he wanted to consume her in small bites or eat her all at once. Dreadful fellow, with a reputation that preceded him as one of the worst scoundrels in all London. Indeed, her brother Dev would have never sanctioned his invitation were it not for his brother, the Duke of Coventry, who was also in attendance.
The handsome duke was awkward and quiet.
His equally gorgeous brother did all the talking for him.
“And now for a game of charades,” Lady Emilia announced to the assemblage, who had gathered in the drawing room, awaiting the next round of entertainments she had prepared for them.
Her sister-in-law was doing a tremendous job of amusing the guests assembled. Indeed, Eugie could not find fault with the parlor games she had arranged. It was to her credit that such a massive assembly could be easily shepherded from one diversion to the next.
But charades was one of Eugie’s least favorite games. So much guessing. So many people who were lackluster at mimicry. So much time wasted. Fortunately for her, Lord Ashley appeared to be making his way to the doorway of the drawing room, all the better to secure his exit.
He had the right idea, even if she did not trust him one whit when it came to Pru. Or any of her other sisters, for that matter. Slowly, Eugie worked her way through the crowd, maneuvering herself to the door. She had been making a habit of escape recently. And it never failed to surprise her just how easy it was.
Casting her gaze about to make certain no one was watching her, she slipped through the door. Charades could go to the devil for all she cared. What did concern her was her sisters and their hearts. Lord Ashley was a scoundrel of the first order, she was certain of it. All she had to do was find him…
Down the hall she went, but Lord Ashley’s legs were longer than hers. And he was quicker. He was disappearing around the bend in the hall by the time she was following him.
“Miss Winter.”
A voice stopped her.
A familiar voice.
Warmth unfurled, settling in her core. She spun about, and there he stood. The Earl of Hertford.
She could do nothing more than stare at him, wondering what he wanted. Why he was so handsome. Why she could not kiss him again.
But then she realized she was standing about like a ninny, gawking at him in silence. How odd she must appear. How awkward. Once more, they were beyond the bounds of propriety, standing alone in the hall. The drawing room was not far from them, filled with revelers. At any moment, one of them could exit the chamber, walk into the hall, and find the two of them alone.
She should go.
Follow Lord Ashley. Make certain he was not the heartless fortune hunter she suspected he was. Kiss him.
But the thought of kissing the rakish Lord Ashley, in spite of his undeniable good looks, only left her feeling hollow and cold inside. Perhaps she could attempt to kiss him another day, she told herself. There was no reason to begin her plan today.
