“You are usually playing against a man,” Hector offered, struggling to keep up with Zane’s longer stride.
“Are you suggesting ladies don’t play fair, Uncle?”
“Certainly not. Though some do make that claim. I’m suggesting if it’s a widow you want to marry, look more closely at Mrs. Pinewiffle. She’s not as lovely as Mrs. Feld, but she’s younger and I think she’ll be more accommodating to your marriage proposal. She appears healthy enough to give you as many sons as you want.”
“I’ll keep that suggestion in mind,” Zane said as Sylvester appeared at his other side.
“If you were trying to keep the gossip going about you and Mrs. Feld, congratulations,” he said. “That was an excellent way to do it. Most of us couldn’t hear all of what was said, but we could see well enough to know she was giving you a dressing down you won’t soon forget.”
And a fiery, delicious one it was, Zane thought and then chuckled. He didn’t want to forget it. He wanted to relish it. All her outrage did was heat his blood more for her.
“Uncles,” Zane said and stopped walking to look at them. “You’re both acting as if this is the first time a lady has declined to dance with me.”
“It probably is,” Sylvester offered without a hint of a smile. “Perhaps if you sent her flowers instead of wagers, she’d be more affable.”
A server walked by and Zane stopped him. Grabbing two glasses of champagne for his uncles and then one for himself, he said, “No more lectures or suggestions. This is a ball. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
And Zane did. For at least another hour he danced, talked, and laughed among the other guests. As didMrs. Feld. But he soon found himself drinking yet another glass of champagne and contemplating a second request for a dance with her.
“Lord Blacknight.”
Zane didn’t recognize the voice, but he did the man when he turned to see the well-respected Earl of Lyonwood behind him. Lyon was the husband of one of Mrs. Feld’s best friends. Zane didn’t know the tall, broad-shouldered man standing beside Lyon, but it was a safe bet he was the husband of Mrs. Feld’s other good friend.
He didn’t think Mrs. Feld had said a word about him to the men standing before him. However, she’d probably talked to their wives at length after he’d seen them at her house a few days ago. Andtheyhad probably talked totheirhusbands. He appreciated the men’s show of force in approaching him and didn’t mind. As long as all they were doing was letting him know they were around in case Mrs. Feld needed them.
A breath of a smile lifted the corner of Zane’s mouth. They must have noticed him watching Mrs. Feld and assumed, rightly so, he was contemplating asking her to danceone more timebefore the evening ended.
“Lord Lyonwood,” Zane said, dipping his chin in proper greeting. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“Welcome back to London, even though the circumstances for your return weren’t what you would have wanted.”
“That’s true,” Zane said honestly, and looked at the man standing beside Lyon.
“May I present Mr. Garrett Stockton?” Lyon asked.
May I presentwas a fraction of the manners and protocol of Society life Zane would prefer to ignore. He’d much rather have someone say the more informalhave you metand not be so damned proper. But Lord Lyonwood had always known how to be a gentleman.
Though he’d never met Stockton, Zane had heard about him and had a great deal of respect for the man, who had been known as an adventurer. He shook off the trappings of gentlemanly life for a time and traveled the seas to distant lands. Zane admired that kind of courage and free-thinking. He wouldn’t mind talking to him about his adventures over a glass of brandy.
“Yes, Mr. Stockton,” Zane offered with a nod. “I don’t think our paths have ever crossed, but I’ve heard of you and the success of your company. I trust all is well.”
“I’ve had good winds and fair seas as the old sea dogs like to say.”
“No doubt. I’ve never sailed the distances you have, Mr. Stockton, but I might want to do that one day. I’ve heard you’ve been to the East.”
“Singapore. It’s a long voyage and not for anyone who wasn’t sure he could spend a lot of time on the close quarters of a ship.”
“Understood. I have no doubt it’s a fascinating country and worth the length of the journey for those who can endure it.”
“I’d be happy to talk more with you about it anytime, and it’s Garrett, if you would prefer.”
Zane nodded, appreciating Garrett’s friendly manner. The more protocols he could dispense with, the better. Courtesy to your fellow man didn’t have to be as rigid as Society made it.
“Do you expect to be in London for all of the Season?” Lyon asked.
“That’s my plan,” Zane answered.
“Good. As you have probably heard, I have a card club that meets at my house once a week. We’re short a player this year. I wanted to invite you to join us if you have an interest.”
