“Shecan hear you both,” Frances declared. “I will take my cousin’s arm, but you don’t have to hide here, my lord, whoever you may be. Lady Delia is not duplicitous. If she says you rescued her, then I believe her. We shall return to the house as a group with no one the wiser. Besides, the card players have need of more partners for whist.”
With her no-nonsense words, the three of them started toward the house. When they came into the circle of light from the still-burning lanterns, Frances turned to see who was following them.
“The man from the carriage, isn’t it?”
“Yes, my lady. I am Lord Perish.”
“I amMrs. Richard Stallwell. My husband is not titled, but his father is the Earl of Windrom.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Stallwell.”
“And I, you. May I ask from what precisely did you save my cousin?”
Lord Perish hesitated, glancing at Delia, before answering. “I shall let the lady tell you herself if she wishes to name names.”
And then he held the door open for them to pass through.
RUPERT RARELY PLAYEDwhist, a finicky game in which one had to rely on one’s partner rather than on one’s own smarts. And betting was frowned upon. At his club, he and Hawthorne were more likely to play piquet, or if in a larger group, he would enjoy a rousing game of faro, wagering upon each hand.
Card tables had been set up and play seemed lively for a drawing room full of tired travelers. Even he had been starting to lag, ready for an early night until ...the kiss!
What had come over him, he couldn’t say. One minute he’d had the purest intentions upon noticing Crenshaw trailing Lady Delia. And the next, having routed the blackguard, Rupert simplyhadto kiss her. It might have been the shock of their first touch when she grasped his arm making him instantly and potently aware of her femininity. It might have been the silly way they were both nicknamed.
In any case, he didn’t regret what he’d done but considered himself fortunate. She could have been outraged. Worse, if the moon had been out, her cousin would have seen their embrace. Lady Delia might have bagged herself a husband had the two women taken offense at the tame, yet spectacular, kiss.
He had dodged a bucket of suds, to be sure. And to make certain neither of the cousins had a change of heart, he went to a different table when the next game started. Not too long after, a general sigh of relief greeted the light supper and early bed.
Rupert looked for his curly-haired companion, but only so he could stay well away from her as he went upstairs to the gentlemen’s quarters.
One night down and ... he yawned. Tomorrow, he would inspect the stable. Nothing in his forfeit said he had to do more than attend and be an extra male body. If he decided not to participate in every silly event, who could force him?
LADY OSBOURNE — THATwas who.
“Where are you going, Lord Perish?” she asked as he tried to slip past the breakfast salon, which was still bereft of guests since it was just after eight in the morning.
Rupert froze, wondering what he could get away with. On the one hand, he didn’t care if he ever saw any of these people again, and thus, he could be somewhat insolent.. On the other hand, he was a gentleman.
Thus, he plastered on a polite smile and turned to see her standing in the doorway, a piece of paper in hand.
“You may breakfast in here, my lord, but I fear you will be the only one. Some are having a leisurely promenade. Others are still abed. I told my staff not to prepare anything substantial until nine o’clock, although there is always tea, coffee, and chocolate.”
His ears perked up. “Then you don’t mind if I go outside? Or perhaps even take a ride?”
Lady Osbourne appeared bemused. “Mind? Of course not. This is a party, not Newgate.”
Maybe this wasn’t such a horrid gathering after all.
“As long as you have returned before we create teams for pall-mall.”
Yes, it was horrid,he decided.
“And when is that?” he asked.
She glanced at the sheet she was holding. “Haven’t you read the schedule?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Is that the schedule in your hands?”
“Yes.”
