A venomous glintstill lit her eyes, her full pink lips twisted still in themalevolent grin. Unease slid down his spine, but he ignored anymisgivings. “Do we have a deal?”
Focus turning tohim, the vindictiveness in her expression disappeared. “Yes, LordStephen. We do.”
“Excellent. We should formulate a plan—”
“Ishall formulate a plan. I shall inform you of itonce it is complete. It shouldn’t take more than…threedays.”
He cared not whoproduced the plan, only that one was. Holding out his hand, hesaid, “It is settled.”
She stared athis offered appendage. Finally, with a sigh, she tookit.
Gloves, bothhers and his, prevented them from sealing this deal skin to skin.The fingers that slid into his hand were slender, and he wished hecould feel her flesh, the caress of her palm against his, thewarmth of her skin. Grey eyes locked with his, framed by darklashes. His breath locked in his chest, the room about them fadingas he fell into her gaze.
He didn’t knowhow long they stood there.
Abruptly, thestrains of a waltz swirled through the room. Clearing her throat,she pulled her hand from his, her tongue darting to wet her lips.“We should return to the dancing.”
Her mouth wasluscious, her lips deep pink and full. He wondered if they tastedsweet, if they were as soft and plump as they looked.
He shookhimself. “Yes,” he said, his voice cracking.
She took his armand they slipped back into the hall. No one had noted theirabsence, the dance floor still crowded, those not dancingchattering, gossiping and laughing. They took a turn around theroom, Lady Seraphina’s fingers digging into his forearm to directhim in one direction or another. He didn’t care much one way oranother where they went, so he allowed herimperiousness.
“Tell me true, do I have something on my face?”
At the arbitraryquestion, his brows rose. Glancing at her, he said, “No.Why?”
“That girl stares at me.”
Following herdirection, his gaze lit on a dark-haired girl with rich brown skin.Her face lit with a smile when she saw their attention. “Who isshe?”
Brows knitted,Lady Seraphina dug her fingers again into his arm. Following herprompt, he turned them to the right. “A Miss Edirisinghe fromCeylon. Several times I have caught her gaze.”
“Perhaps you should talk to her. Ask her what it is that drawsher attention.”
Shocked eyesswung to him. “Why on earth should I do that?” she said, her toneaghast.
“Soyou may discover what she wants.” It seemed obvious tohim.
“Oh.Oh my.” She cocked her head. “You are a bit simple, aren’tyou?”
Perhaps he was,but asking the girl was the most direct method to discover whatfascinated her so. “Ask her, or don’t. It is yourchoice.”
Stopping stockstill, she stared at him. He had no notion why. Finally, a smileplayed about her lips. “You surprise me, Lord Stephen. I amsurprised.”
“Bywhat?”
“Most men would insist they know best and direct me to followtheir demand.”
Not knowing howto reply, he shrugged.
“AsI said, I am surprised.” Lifting her hand from his arm, she said“In three days, then?”
As what hewanted to discuss with her was over, he had no concern her wordswere a dismissal. Taking her hand and bowing low, he murmured. “Inthree days.” He allowed his lips to brush ever-so-slightly over hergloved knuckles.
The slightestintake of breath. Reclaiming her hand, she curtsied and then sweptinto the crowd. Staring after her, he allowed a smile. It seemed hecould also affect her.
Three days. Wasit strange he was looking forward to it?
