Last night returned to her in a blur. She’d lost her place at the Five Graces, leaving her plan in shambles. Then she’d gambled away her one chance to salvage the loss. All because of one man.
Lord Archer.
The man in whose bed she’d slept.
Well, nothisbed, but close enough.
All the light, frothy elegance surrounding her washis.
She needed to leg it out of here.
She dressed quickly, ran an ivory comb through her hair, and snatched up her travel bag. The door opened on silent hinges, and she poked her head out, checking that no one was about. Corridor empty, she slipped across black-and-white checkered marble. When she reached the head of the staircase, again she glanced about to make sure she was alone, then she rapidly descended the stairs, the wide double front door now in her sights. All she had to do was cross the twenty-foot width of the receiving hall, and she would be through the door with nary a look back.
Perhaps it was rude to leave without thanking Lord Archer for his hospitality, but she couldn’t see any other way. She couldn’t afford to be involved with someone like him—someone who would only complicate her life further.
She had enough complications—like figuring out another way to secure her family’s lost savings.
Of a sudden, the front door swung open and in strode a large and quite handsome man with a head of reddish gold hair and bright blue eyes. The half-smile that was already on his face widened. “You are Miss Hart,” he said with a small bow.
That bow said all she needed to know about him.Another lord.Heaven help her. These lords kept blocking her way at every turn.
“I am,” she said, irritated and pettish. “Are we acquainted?”
“I watched you sing last night at the Five Graces.So, I reckon we could say ’tis I who is acquainted with you, but you don’t know me from Adam. Lord Kilmuir,” he finished with another bow.
Valentina nodded and said, “Nice to make your acquaintance, milord.”
It wasn’t, but her manners hadn’t entirely abandoned her.
“Are you looking for the morning room?”
“Actually, I’m looking for the front door.”
He blinked, then laughed. He thought she was being funny. He held out his arm and said, “Come with me.”
Valentina saw she had no choice. As he guided her through the house, she noticed that every room in this mansion contained large windows that allowed light to pour in, creating a bright, airy house—an inviting house. Just the sort of house that seemed perfect for a man like Lord Archer.
Annoying thought, that one.
Lord Kilmuir led her into a room that overlooked a garden in full June blossom. In front of the bow window sat Lord Archer at a round table with two other ladies, all bathed in golden light. One of the women looked very similar to Lord Archer with her platinum curls that just brushed her shoulders and blue eyes that held no small amount of mischief. She must be a sister. The other woman looked very similar to the others, but her hair was raven black and her eyes green and quietly observant. A more gorgeous trio of people Valentina had never beheld—almost too gorgeous to behold directly.
Upon Valentina and Lord Kilmuir’s entrance, Lord Archer shot to his feet and began making introductions. “Miss Hart, may I introduce you to my sister Lady Delilah and our cousin Miss Windermere?”
A tight smile formed about Valentina’s mouth. “Delighted to make your acquaintance.”
The ladies’ heads tipped subtly to the side as they took her in. Valentina shifted on her feet, suddenly too aware of how she and her presence here must appear. A right hoyden, sleeping in strange men’shouses. That was what they were surely thinking of her. Oh, she needed to vacate this house.
“You won’t meet our other sister, Lady Amelia, today,” said Lord Archer, resuming his seat.
“I believe it’s more correct to call her the Duchess of Ripon,” said Miss Windermere.
“She ran off with a duke last year,” explained Lord Archer.
“Then insisted on marrying him,” said Lady Delilah.
“And living with him,” added Miss Windermere.
Lord Archer spread his hands wide in apology. “Hence her absence from midday tea.”
