“Is that a wager you really wish to make?” Lucien asked, unable to hide a smile.
“Very well. I hate being here more than I hate soggy, two-day-old oat porridge.”
Marianne gave a sudden grin that made him chuckle.
He waved his hand. “Is that all? I hate being here more than being trapped outside upon my horse in the middle of a thunderstorm with lightning crashing down left and right.”
Marianne sucked in air and pulled her lips backwards, grimacing. “That is intense hatred. However, I hate being here more than I hate being caught by Sister Bernadette while sleeping during lauds. And that might not say much to you, but it was a dreadful fate. One was likely to be sent to the chapel to pray upon one’s knees.”
“Goodness, that is severe indeed. Very well. I shall concede this round. You hate being here more than I do. Now we shall have to find something to make all this more bearable, shall we not? How about a glass of sherry?”
They went together into the refreshment room where all manner of bottles were lined up on the sideboard. Several glasses stoodin front with drinks already poured. Lucien chose a sherry, but as Marianne was about to take it, he pulled it back. “You have had sherry before, have you not? Only I would not want a repeat of what happened before.”
Marianne took it from him and took a gulp. “I have drunk ale all my life, thank you very much.”
“Very good,” he said. “Well, you cannot blame me for being cautious. We would not want a glass to shatter upon this marvelous marble floor.”
“That would be a tragedy,” she said with a chuckle. It was easy talking to her suddenly. Perhaps it was because all around them people were staring and whispering—at least that’s how it felt to him. It forced the two of them into a sort of confederacy of two. The two of them against the ton.
“Well, well,” a familiar voice came. “If it isn’t Lord and Lady Wexford.” He turned and wanted to groan.
“Gideon. How good to see you,” he said, lying through his teeth.
“And you,” Gideon said, bowing before both him and then Marianne. “Lady Wexford looks rather smashing.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. “Are you in company?”
“I am afraid I am alone. But I always like to make myself available for any unattached lady who wishes to dance. Or evenladies whose partners are unwilling. If I recall correctly, you never enjoyed dancing, Lucien.”
Lucien started to reply, but Marianne spoke up first. “Why? I enjoy it a great deal.”
“Is that so?” Gideon said. “I had in mind to ask you to dance with me if your husband did not mind?”
Lucien clenched his teeth. He didn’t know why, but Gideon made his temper rise.
“Oh, I do intend to dance,” Marianne said archly. “But I intend to dance with my husband.” She slid her hand underneath Lucien’s arm. He looked down at her, and she smiled. “And I think they have just called for the waltz. Shall we?”
“We shall,” he replied, and the two of them walked past Gideon into the ballroom.
“I love the way you were ready to bring a peal over his head,” she said.
“It was not obvious?” he asked.
“Very much so.”
“I do not know why, but he has always vexed me. Perhaps it is because he and I stand in competition when it comes to our friendship with Rhys.”
“I know that Charlotte and Evelyn are both very fond of Gideon, but I must admit I have never been. There’s something about him. He enjoys the attention a little too much.”
“You are right,” he said enthusiastically. “That is it. Indeed, that is precisely it. He always likes to be the center of all attention. I find it tiresome.”
“Something else we can agree on,” Marianne said as they lined up to dance the waltz. “I must confess, over the last few weeks, I have forgotten that the reason we came to this agreement is that there was so much we see eye to eye on. Such as our dislike for functions such as this.”
“Indeed.” Lucien nodded his agreement. “And I will say that I am pleased we have made the arrangement we have, even though it has been difficult at times, and even though I, in my desire to help you unlearn some of your stiffness, made things more complicated.”
“We both have, but I am glad that we are in agreement now,” Marianne said, just as the music started. Lucien led her out onto the dance floor.
“I will remind you about my inability to dance,” she said.
