“Goodness,” she said under her breath, taking a step closer to Lord Kilcairn.
He looked as unperturbed as ever. “Impressive, aren’t they?” he murmured. “Don’t worry—in a word-tangle with you, none of them would come out alive.”
Alexandra looked up at him, surprised. “Was that a word of comfort, Lord Kilcairn?”
His sensuous lips twitched. “You caught me at a weak moment.”
“I hadn’t realized such a thing existed.”
Hehadheard the rumors, or he wouldn’t have bothered with any kind words. Of course, he was practically the only noble in London with a reputation worse than her own.
“Yes, I surprised myself.”
“Be careful, my lord,” she continued. “I’ll think you’re getting soft.”
A devilish light touched his eyes. “Not where you’re concerned.”
Before she could reply to that, a tall, blond gentleman approached from one of the side rooms. He offered his hand to Kilcairn, but his gaze danced between her and Rose, as though he couldn’t decide upon which to concentrate his attentions.
“Robert,” the earl drawled, shaking his hand, “you dragged yourself away from your mother for the evening.”
“Actually, I brought her with me,” the younger man returned. “As I mentioned previously, she finds life much more exciting here than in Lincolnshire.”
Kilcairn’s eyes narrowed, and he gestured at the females surrounding him. “Robert, my aunt Fiona Delacroix, her daughter Rose, and their companion, Miss Gallant. Ladies, Robert, Lord Belton.”
“My lord,” Alexandra said, curtsying. Rose and Fiona followed suit.
So this was Kilcairn’s friend—the only she’d heard him claim since her arrival. The viscount looked to be in his mid-twenties, five or six years younger than the earl, and a notch or two shorter. Though his brown eyes and smiling mouth were less compelling and fascinating than the lean planes of Kilcairn’s face, she concocted that he was quite handsome.
From the looks the two men garnered from the other ladies present tonight, she wasn’t the only one to view them with admiring eyes. For a moment she wondered how many of them would have refused if Lucien had offered them what he’d offered her. And then she had to wonder how many of them had already accepted and been discarded.
“Ladies,” the viscount returned amiably, nodding. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Lucien often speaks of his fondness for his cousin and aunt.”
“Indeed, Lord Kilcairn has never been one to conceal his true feelings,” Alexandra said softly. She’d probably hit on his one positive trait—he didn’t lie. Kilcairn’s gaze lingered on her, but she pretended not to notice.
“I’m so pleased to meet you,” Rose gushed, blushing prettily. “With so many important, daunting personages in attendance tonight, it is quite a relief to meet a friendly one.”
“Thank you, Miss Delacroix. Might I return the compliment?”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Lucien leaned closer to Alexandra. “Did you teach her that?”
“All except the ‘personages’ part,” she whispered back. “That was a nice addition. She sounded quite good, don’t you think?”
“I’ll reserve judgment until she’s spoken more than a paragraph,” the earl murmured back, his low voice in her ear making her shiver. “And even then, my compliments go to you.”
“Will you be dancing this evening?” Lord Belton continued.
“Mais oui, all but the waltz.”
Ah, success. Alexandra smiled as drawing room French proved its usefulness once again.
“Of course. Will you stand up for the first dance with me?”
Rose, her blush deepening, curtsied again. “I would be pleased, my lord.”
The viscount took her hand and placed it on his arm. “With your cousin’s permission, I should like to introduce you to some of my acquaintances.”
