She patted his arm. “Let me relay a little tidbit I learned from her fiancé, Lord Adam Haddington.”
“Adam?” The surprise rushing through him lifted his voice. “You knew Adam?”
“I knew him quite nicely, in fact.” She winked.
“While he was engaged to Miss Middleton?” Vincent would never believe Adam could have cheated in any way on Ellie.
“No. Once they were engaged, he stopped coming around. However, while he courted her, he told me a few things about the duke’s daughter.”
It really was none of Vincent’s business, so why was he so curious? “Like what, exactly?”
Candace released a deep, throaty laugh. “Adam said she had two personalities. He never knew from day to day what kind of woman she was going to be.”
Vincent scowled. He could hardly believe that. “I’m shocked, my lady, especially since Adam was a good friend of mine, and he spoke highly of Miss Middleton.”
“To you he did, but he never did love her. He was only marrying her for her dowry.”
Another pang shot through Vincent’s chest. That couldn’t be right, could it? His irritation emerged, and he wished his friend was still alive so that Vincent could throttle him. How could Adam be so cold-hearted? And how could Adam have lied to Vincent, his so-called best friend?
He licked his dry lips. “As you know, men marrying for ladies’ dowries isn’t that uncommon.”
“You are exactly right. That’s why Lord Livingston married me.” Candace rubbed the palm of her hand down Vincent’s chest. “Which brings me to another topic.”
Now what did she want? “Which is?”
“Vincent, have we not always been honest with each other?”
Most of the time…“Of course.”
“Then let’s not stop now. I came here tonight hoping to find you.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Why would you do something like that?”
“Because I have a very delicious proposal to offer you.”
Delicious?Apparently, she wanted to be his mistress again. Either that or she’d learned how to cook and wanted to make him some tasty meal. But he really didn’t believethat. “I cannot wait to hear what it is.”
“Shall I drop by your manor tonight after the ball so we can discuss it?”
He hesitated in answering, only because his sisters didn’t need to see Lady Livingston coming to see him in the dead of night. “Actually, no. I shall come to your townhouse.”
She laughed seductively. “I’m not at my townhouse. I’m in my country estate. You’ve been there, remember?”
“How could I forget?” he said convincingly. As he searched his memory, he struggled to find the one where he had been with her at the estate.
“I had an All Hallows’ Eve party there.” She arched an eyebrow. “Now do you remember?”
Inwardly, he sighed. He recalled the day vividly. Many people were invited to her party, yet she had singled him out to be her next conquest. “Of course I remember.”
Smiling, she reached up and patted his cheek gently. “I shall see you later, then.”
“Yes, you shall,” he said softly, hoping nobody around them could hear.
She lowered her eyelids and batted her eyelashes at him as she waved her fan. The heavily perfumed aroma that always clung to her went with her as she left. Although he already knew his answer to herproposal, curiosity got the better of him, and he wondered if there was more to her offer. And, by chance, did it have anything to do with his being an earl now?
It wasn’t hard to notice how differently people treated him now that he was an earl. He’d brought his sisters here in hopes that each could catch some man’s eyes, and it surprised him when both sisters had filled up their dance cards. But it also worried him. Men would expect some kind of dowry, which Vincent could not provide, yet. With any luck, Dominic’s suggestions would pay off soon. Dominic had found the best speculations and had earned quite a bit of money himself.
Vincent relaxed against the wall and searched for Ellie on the dance floor. She wasn’t there. Feeling a little panicked, he straightened and glanced over the crowd to find her. She was gone, but her parents were still here.
