“Touche,” Edwin raised his hands in defense.
“Show me to the sandwiches, Ed.”
Edwin escorted him, his mirth still resonating. Abigail joined them and looked between them as if dealing with petulant children.
“This is our annual ball, kids,” she chastised both of them. “Act accordingly.”
Edwin took his wife’s hand and kissed it softly. Leo could see how his friend looked at his wife with a heated look.
“This is your annual ball, kids,” Leo couldn’t resist teasing them.
He was ready to gorge on the sandwiches when he saw the Jenkins family enter. More accurately, he saw Prim enter. He guessed the rest. Looking at her from afar, he was reminded that she was the diamond of the season when she debuted. Funny that he hadn’t noticed how her hair caught the light, making it look golden. And she looked good in the cobalt dress.
She looked around at the tastefully decorated ballroom with a look of fascinated discovery, like he watched her do at the Opera. When his mind went to the Opera, he ground his jaw. He felt a wave of irritation come over him.
The memory of how his mother approached Prim the moment she entered the Opera, and his half-brother joining her, made anger rise inside his chest like a volcano. Their intentions were clear, Leo could see that even from across the room.
And then… at the box. When she turned in those shadows, her look fiery, her chest rising and falling, her perfume filling the air. Restraint seemed to be vexing him. It was as if Leo was trying muscles he hadn’t used in his lifetime.
He straightened his jacket and made his way to the Jenkins family. All eyes were on him as he walked tall and confident among the ton. Prim didn’t seem to realize that he was there at all, didn’t look for him, and still took the place in with a wide smile. Then she saw him.
Her face turned sullen as if she was reminded of a troublesome duty. His pawn seemed to have forgotten that she was also attending as a piece on his board.
And it vexed him. Her defiance, her sharp tongue and her inability to follow basic instructions. Leo thought he would deal with a quiet girl, grateful for his protection. She was anything but. He had to finish this nasty business so that he and Miss Jenkis would go on their merry way.
“Miss Jenkins,” he bowed slightly before her.
“Your Grace,” she curtsied.
“It is a great pleasure to see you,” Leo said with practiced veneer.
“The pleasure is all ours,” the Viscountess interrupted with frivolous enthusiasm.
Leo bowed at her and greeted the Viscount. Then his eyes found the twins. They were both looking at him as if he were a cruel savage that would wreak havoc somewhere between the refreshments and the canapes. He smiled, amused at the idea.
“Stop scaring my sisters,” Prim hissed, only for him to hear.
“They seemed thoroughly warned about me.”
“It is standard procedure for all debutants. A brochure is distributed.”
Leo laughed and was ready to ask her for a dance when she saw her look change. Prim watched as her mother and father, who had linked their arms, turned their backs and left. They had already started mingling when Leo glanced back at Prim.
She seemed to stew in her own disbelief, her eyes falling in despair on her sisters. Her parents really just abandoned their three unwed daughters to fend for themselves amidst the wolves of the ton.
His presence and his claim over Prim shielded her from rejection. No one would dare put their names on Prim’s dancing card. But for her sisters to fail to secure at least a few names would be utter humiliation.
“Primrose!” Abigail approached with a wide smile, loud enough for the whole ton to witness.
“Abigail,” Prim responded.
The familiarity and lack of decorum between the two women caught him off guard. As did everyone around them. Themessage was elegantly sent. The Duchess of Blackwell personally welcomed Prim, with whom they were on a first-name basis.
“Miss Jenkins,” Edwin followed his wife with a smile.
“Primrose, this is my husband, Edwin.”
Prim curtsied with grace. Everyone was openly watching the exchange.
