“What on earth are you talking about?” she’d asked, arranging her features into one of confusion.
“Don’t play coy!” James had fumed at how closely her reputation had been ruined, and he would have had to marry her or be deemed the worst scapegrace and hell hound in London. “You specifically asked me to show you the library.”
“How could I know Lady Sullivan was going to pick this moment to come in?”
He had almost cracked his teeth for clenching his jaw so tightly.
“How do you know it was Lady Sullivan when I had you covered?”
“I ... I ...,” she’d stammered, her cheeks growing redder as she tried to come up with a lie. “By her voice, of course.”
“Lady Sullivan said not a word untilaftershe closed the door. It could have been anyone. Admit it. You knew our hostess was coming in here and wanted us to be foundin flagrante delicto.”
With her face set stubbornly, Miss Talbot had marched past him, her scheme to trap him thwarted. Only later did he learn from Lady Sullivan — whom he’d actually had a short affair with two years earlierbeforeshe’d married — that a poetry reading had been scheduled for the library. Solely the female guests had been invited, while the men were to play billiards. Arriving late, James had missed the announcement, but Miss Talbot knew of it.
Fortunately, Lady Sullivan thought she was doing him and his lover a favor by covering for them. Any other female, a vindictive lover or an appalled hostess, could have sent him into the parson’s noose that night.
James had sent Lady Sullivan and her husband a barrel of wine in gratitude.
Now, here was the minx casually referring to her despicable scheme. He might have been flattered she’d chosen him if over a cigar at the end of the evening, he hadn’t heard from another chap about agumptious and brazen hoydenwho’d asked him to show her the library that very night. Smarter than James, the other man had turned her down in favor of billiards and the safety of the herd.
Blast her!
James decided to ignore her pretty eyes and soft lips, or at least try to. “I am sure Prinny will offer a grand tour as the evening progresses.”
He bowed, realizing he had to get away from her then or risk giving in to the unmistakable attraction between them.
Then he recalled Leilton just as a dandified buck approached, obviously seeking the next dance.
“Hold a minute,” James said to the man, taking her a few steps away for he would not be accused of gossiping, no matter how true and with what good intentions he did so.
Miss Talbot stared up at him with undisguised curiosity.
“You were speaking with Lord Leilton earlier,” he said, and she nodded. “In case you are unaware, he is considered to be rather a dastardly damber.”
Her eyes widened, but she said nothing, so James continued.
“Reputedly, he leaves a trail of bachelor by-blows if you take my meaning.”
She opened her mouth and released a small “oh” of sound.
“Yes, I understand and thank you for the information.” Then she glanced away and back at him. “However, it is not my concern as I am already engaged.”
“Yes, of course.” He looked past her. “I believe your next dance partner grows restless.”
She nodded, sent him a smile, and turned away.
Damn him if her mere smile didn’t set desire coursing through his blood again. If he wasn’t careful,hewould be the dastardly damber.
To stave off such inappropriate and ill-advised longing, he found himself a cockish wench who had come to Brighton to service the noblemen with no strings attached, although she might empty his purse by morning.
When the dance ended, and he’d all but decided to meet up with the game chit later and take her back to his rented home, James decided it was time to offer a formal greeting to Prinny. The prince had barely left his prime position by the windows, always a drink in hand, musicians close by, candles showing him at his flickering best, and one of the frowsy females still on either side of him.
To his amazement, as James traversed the room, Miss Talbot, bold as a bull, got there ahead of him.Oddsbodkins!
James watched as Miss Talbot curtsied low, offering the Prince Regent a fulsome view of the shadowy valley between her exquisite breasts. Outrageously, she introduced herself, as she had no escort nor chaperone, nor anyone close to the prince to stand up for her. If James had got there a moment ahead, he would have performed the introduction, instead, he was hanging behind her as if in line for bread.
Moreover, he couldn’t help but listen as she and Prinny immediately engaged in a discourse of utter whipped syllabub — frothy and silly and without substance. They made each other laugh, and then Prince George actually gestured for her to stand beside him, pushing one of the blowsabellas out of the way.
