He was not going to kiss her for money. No! He wanted to kiss her, more now than ever, but he would not do it for the entertainment of others. He’d already made up his mind that he would not be doing any more wagers from that damn list. He would find some other way to pay the bank back what his brother owed against the estate, even if it took the rest of his life to do so.
“But our agreement demands that you collect on some of the wagers, Bellamy. At least collect what you are owed.”
“And this will make you feel better about your idiotic arrangement? I don’t care about my side of the arrangement and neither should you. It was my choice.”
“Bellamy,” she said as they reached the horses.
“Not a word,” he replied. He paid the lad and helped her back into her seat. He took up his place beside her and turned back towards the entrance of the park. This fine day felt dark and dim to him now. He looked over at Lisbeth and saw she was biting her lip again. He hated to upset her, but he had to stand his ground on this.
*
The Warrington ballwas always a crush. The fact that Ashton had ordered they attend made him feel even less like attending. He wondered what his friend intended to do. He would not let him interrogate Lisbeth. Tony would be more tactful than that. He had a way of knowing when people were lying. He was very observant. Perhaps he just wanted to test her, to see how honest she was. He would find her defensive but not dishonest, of that Oliver was sure.
“Now, please, be nice to Ashton’s family. I think you will find them charming.”
“It is your friend Ashton’s youngest sister who is having her coming out?” Lisbeth asked as the carriage jostled while turning into Grosvenor Square where the Duke of Warrington lived.
“Yes, Lady Marianne. Only but a babe last time I saw her. But then I’ve only seen her twice when home briefly on leave. Delightfully wicked as a child but I put that down to having four older brothers.”
“Oh, the poor child,” Lisbeth said. Four brothers!She would be the most over-protected young woman… and no doubt the most loved. She was a very lucky young lady. If only her own brother had lived long enough to have protected her. Would it have made any difference?
“Exactly. Ashton thinks she is a complete hoyden, but what did he expect? He still thinks the sun shines from her, of course.”
“I admit to being a little nervous about tonight.” She looked over at him and he smiled that crooked smile at her, the one that crinkled his eyes and made her want to jump into his lap and kiss him.
“Have no fear of Warrington or the rest of the family. They are no strangers to scandal or gossip for that matter. They will not treat you ill. Everyone is terrified of Warrington, you know.”
“Really, why?”
“He is kind of… scarily disapproving. Part of it is on account of his height. Part is the fact that he never smiles and is not approachable in the least. He does, however, always do his duty.”
“Like me? Perhaps he too is hiding a seemingly insurmountable hurt.”
“Perhaps. I never thought of him like that, but of course, knowing you I can see how it could be possible. Whatever hurt he felt, it was many, many years ago.” Oliver looked out the window as the carriage jerked to a stop. “Ah, we are here. Come.”
He got out and handed her down, kissing the top of her hand before placing her hand on his arm. She wanted to lean her head on his shoulder and sigh in contentment. The sound of music wafting down the stairs reminded her that she had yet another ball to get through, another set of strangers to impress, another night of being the Black Raven. She wanted to shed the mask of her reputation, but she had yet to prove her innocence and only Bellamy knew the real her. She would do her best to make Oliver proud tonight. He wanted her to like his friend Ashton and his family and so she would do her best to be civil no matter how they reacted to her.
A footman dressed in the Warrington livery of green and gold met them at the door. He took their hats and coats and ushered them towards the receiving line. This was the most tedious part of any ball, waiting to be greeted by the hosts. The line moved fairly fast, made easier by Oliver’s easy banter.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Three times, but who is counting?” She smiled just so he would smile back.
“I like this color on you. It brings out your eyes.” He was referring to her gown of sapphire blue.
“Thank you. It is new.”
“I can’t wait to take it off later,” he whispered in her ear, his hand on her waist.
She stifled a smile. “I would prefer you kept your hands respectful. There are others in this line you know.”
“Are there?” He looked around as if seeing the other guests for the first time. “Gad, you’re right, hundreds of them too.”
“If you say you only have eyes for me, I may just cast up my accounts.”
“Even if it were true?” This time he winked at her but did not remove his warm hand from her waist. He was impossible to chastise.
Lisbeth gasped when she got her first glimpse of the Duke of Warrington. He was tall, very tall, with dark hair that was slightly graying at the temples, and when he looked at her over the sea of heads he studied her for a few moments. His eyes were a stormy gray, hard like steel and ready to do battle if necessary. She returned his regard with an unflinching look of her own. She knew this game. The duke’s eyes narrowed a moment then gave her an infinitesimal nod of his head, that she was sure was for her alone. Oliver gave her a little push, whispering, “I told you he was frightening, didn’t I?”
