‘So, where will you go?’ he questioned sardonically, ‘After your planned ravishinghas taken place? We are, of course, assuming your preferred candidate does not actually do anything too unsavoury - whilst compromising you sufficiently naturally.’
Patience stared at him nonplussed. Why the deuce was he still here? When she’d slipped away from Nicholas, leaving the Duke discussing the price of wheat with an acquaintance, she’d simply sought some solitude. It had never occurred to her that the most handsome man in the room might do the same.
But the longer they remained alone together, the greater the chance that someone would come along. Indeed, it could well be one of her brothers in law, and she shuddered at the thought of what they’d do if either of them found her alone with Guildford.
‘My lord, please, you cannot be found here,’ she implored, taking another step forward.
‘So, you are indeed expecting someone else,’ the Marquess quizzed, suddenly filled with unexpected concern for her welfare.
‘No, I … no, I am not,’ she answered in frustration. ‘If you must know, I was simply seeking a little solitude. Yes, I am to be … compromised. But not now, notimmediatelyat this very moment.’ She almost stamped her foot in vexation.
‘Unless, of course, we are discovered. In which case, my lord, you will swiftly find yourself marching down the aisle with a complete stranger, because as I’ve already indicated, you of all people will most certainly be recognised by whoever discovers us.’
She gestured frantically to the still empty corridor beyond the glass doors. For some ridiculous reason, Max felt almost insulted that she was so against the idea of being compromised by him. Indeed, he got as far as actually opening his mouth to protest. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? Shaking his head, he fought the urge to laugh at the absurdity.
‘In that case madam,’ he drawled, ‘I will bid you good evening. May I suggest that if you are not quite ready to be ruined just yet, you should return to the ballroom sooner rather than later lest somebody even more unsuitable than me happens to come upon you.’
With a bow, he turned to open the door before pausing suddenly and looking back over his shoulder.
‘Please accept my apologies if this is an impertinent question, but by any chance does your name happen to be Patience?’
Chapter Seven
On returning to the ballroom a mere five minutes later, Patience remained silent while Grace rang a fine peal over her head. ‘Nicholas and Adam have been looking everywhere for you,’ she scolded before abruptly enveloping Patience in a tight embrace.
‘I was so worried about you,’ she breathed.
‘You had no need,’ responded Patience, entirely bewildered at her sister’s concern. ‘I am well able to look after myself, as you know.’
‘But you have no experience in a situation such as this,’ declared Temperance. ‘Anything could have happened.Anything.’
Patience thought back to the beautiful, stark features of the Marquess. Unexpectedly, she wondered what it would be like to be ravished by such a man. Instinctively, she knew he would not take her by force. Indeed, she very much suspected he wouldn’t have to.
Zounds, where had that come from? Shocked at her own thoughts, Patience blinked and stepped out of her sister’s embrace. ‘As you can see, I am perfectly well, so there is no cause for alarm,’ she reasoned pragmatically. ‘Though I must confess to being exceedingly tired.’
‘You are right. Now would be a good time to request the carriage before the crush to leave begins.’
A few minutes later, Patience watched with trepidation as Nicholas and Adam slowly made their way back. Once they got close enough for her to see their faces however, she was relieved to note that neither appeared too incensed. Indeed, she was fortunate the only remark made by the Earl was a dry comment that on the occasion of her next ball, perhaps they should consider bringing along Freddy’s lead.
‘Or some reins,’ added the Duke with a quirk of his eyebrows.
Patience looked at them both sheepishly before offering an awkward apology. Since neither man was unacquainted with their sister-in-law’s fondness for disappearing at inopportune moments, the only response she received in return were two sets of raised eyebrows.
Half an hour later, they were back in the carriage, and Patience gave a heartfelt sigh.
‘So,’ Temperance enthused, ‘what did you think of your first ball Patience?’ On seeing her sister’s weary, pale face, she added more quietly, ‘I profess to feeling akin to a fish out of water during my debut. Indeed, I hated it.’
Patience looked over at her sister. It was difficult to imagine Tempy feeling anything other than self-assured. Aside from the occasions she lost her admittedly volatile temper.
Temperance patted her hand reassuringly. ‘Please don’t fret darling. We will continue your dance lessons, so you will be able to take to the floor on the next occasion. You will feel entirely differently when a handsome gentleman is whirling you around the floor.’
Patience gave a weak smile, too tired to reiterate that despite her many weeks of lessons, she still had two left feet and any attempt at whirling could well result in one or more of her fellow dancers sporting serious head injuries.
‘I suspect your sister is fatigued,’ murmured the Duke before his wife could put in her two pennies worth, earning him a grateful look from Patience.
‘In truth, I am worn out,’ she responded, pointedly closing her eyes and determinedly keeping them shut until they pulled up outside their residence. There was no point in continuing the debate with her sisters. With any luck, she would soon be on her way back to Blackmore so would have no opportunity to either make a complete cake of herself or cause any unfortunate injuries on the dance floor.
∞∞∞
