“Lord Emberry,” he scoffed. “That looby!”
Purity rose to her feet, and Foxford swiftly followed.
“Show him in, Mr. Dunley.”
“You cannot be serious!” Foxford said, sounding bothered. “Is that even allowed? Having a visitor enter while another is still here.”
Purity hid her smile at his outrage by looking down at the card again.
“It is allowed, my lord. It is also the moment at which you should politely take your leave.”
“What? But we haven’t finished!”
“I cannot tutor you in all facets in a single day.” Before she could say more, Lord Emberry entered.
Purity would swear he was taken aback by the presence of the Fox. She wished there was a way to tell her handsome caller thatthe man already in her drawing room was no rival. She and Lord Emberry had enjoyed a delightful dance, and thus, she’d agreed to his request to visit.
Welcoming him warmly, she stretched out her hand to him, hearing Foxford make a sound of exasperation.
Stepping forward, Lord Emberry disregarded him, took her proffered hand, and bowed over it.
“I hope I have not interrupted anything,” he said.
“You are,” Foxford said rudely.
“Most definitely not,” Purity insisted. “Lord Foxford was about to leave.” She turned a severe glance toward him.
Luckily, he realized fighting now would be not only useless but dreadfully rude as well. For he nodded, looking resigned.
“Saw you in the papers again, old chap. Morning edition ofThe Times,” Lord Emberry spoke up. “Quite the prattle about you and Lady Julia Jameson.”
Purity caught her breath. She recalled the name. Foxford had said she was a lusty beast between the sheets!
“The devil!” he swore.
The improprieties were piling up. First, Lord Emberry should not have brought up any hint of an issue in mixed company, certainly not to embarrass her guest. And now Foxford’s language was deteriorating.
What next?Was one of the men going to drop their trousers and start singing “Hasten back from the Crusades”?
As hostess, she had to get this under control.
“Lord Emberry, I would appreciate your not repeating gossip in my presence.”
“My sincere apologies, my lady. I was merely surprised to see Foxford directly after having read about him with my midday meal and cup of coffee.”
“Maybe you should have poured the cup of coffee over your head and warmed up your brains,” Foxford quipped. “They seem to be frozen solid and therefore unusable.”
“I say,” Lord Emberry began.
“Do you?” Foxford responded, taking a step in his direction.
“Gentlemen, please.” Purity wondered how it had got so quickly out of control. “This has devolved into an unpleasant scene. I must ask you both to vacate my home.”
“I swear the paper printed a lie,” Foxford vowed. “Utter rubbish. I never even danced with her.”
“It is not my concern,” Purity said, although she hoped he was telling the truth. She didn’t like to think of him cheapening himself.
Doing everything wrong, he took her hand before she could offer it. Lingering over her knuckles, he feathered them with his warm breath before he kissed her skin, opening his mouth ever so slightly.
