“So you’ve already had her, have you? And her not your slave?”
“My dear Andover, you are developing a low turn of mind. Let us enter Lady Willoughby’s and see if it can be improved by screeching sopranos and fervent harpists.”
Chapter 15
The soiree was much more to Portia’s taste than the rout, though it too was crowded. But there were seats, and in two rooms there was excellent music.
Portia would have been happy just to listen to the music, but Nerissa wanted to talk. “I do wish you would tell me what is between you and Lord Bryght. I am dying of curiosity.”
“There is nothing to tell, Nerissa. If the man has any honor at all, he will never approach me again.”
“But there, see, there must be something, or you wouldn’t say such a thing.”
Portia met the avid brown eyes. “I dislike him, that is all. Because he encouraged my brother to play.”
“If you dislike him so, you should want your revenge.”
That again. Portia wished she knew what was really in Nerissa’s mind, for she did not trust her. “I assure you, I want nothing that involves spending time with Bryght Malloren.”
Nerissa fluttered her fan. “Lud, you are fierce upon the subject. But it shall be as you wish. I think.”
At the change in Nerissa’s voice, Portia followed her cousin’s gaze and caught her breath. He was here!
“How strange,” murmured Nerissa. “It is rare enough to see Bryght at a rout, but at a soiree such as this….”
Portia deliberately turned away from the doorway. So hewasfollowing her. Stalking her like a predator. Well, he would find she was no field mouse.
She prayed he would keep his distance, but within moments he crossed to speak to them. “Lady Trelyn, Miss St. Claire. What a charming surprise. And Lord Trelyn.”
Portia realized Lord Trelyn must have come almost at a run as soon as he saw Bryght approaching his wife. Perhaps theywerelovers.
“I didn’t know you had a taste for music, Malloren,” said Lord Trelyn frostily.
“I have a taste for all things excellent. Tell me, Trelyn, what do you think of Amazons?”
Portia almost leapt out of her seat with alarm.
“Amazons?” repeated Lord Trelyn blankly. “Why nothing. What have they to do with anything?”
“Do you not find the idea of female warriors intriguing? Perhaps we should mount a battalion of them.”
“The idea is absurd.”
“It would surely dismay the enemy. What do you think, ladies?”
Nerissa laughed uneasily. “Why would we want to go to war, my lord? We have enough work here at home.”
“How true. And you, Miss St. Claire? Do you agree?”
She had to look at him. “I would not want to fight, my lord.”
His lips twitched. “Really? You surprise me.”
Portia felt her cheeks heat. “Unless the enemy was wicked,” she added with meaning. “Then I would fight to the death.”
His eyes turned serious. “Ah, but wickedness is so hard to detect, don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t think that at all. Gaming is wicked, as are brothels and fornication.”
