Zane held his surprise in check. All esteemed gamesters and common gamblers alike had heard about Lord Lyonwood’s distinguished card club. Most of them would pay heavily for a chance to play with any of the members. Lyon’s father, the Marquis of Marksworth, was one of them and greatly respected not only in Society but all of London too. Being invited to join the earl’s group would certainly make his uncles happy. They’d much rather see him playing cards in a home with titled gentlemen than the rowdy gaming hells near Bond Street. Zane was comfortable playing anywhere. So, hell yes, he welcomed this invitation. This news, and the fact he was pursuing Mrs. Feld, should go a long way in settling down the family a bit more.
“We usually start at half past two on Thursdays,” Lyon continued calmly, showing no sign of being affronted when Zane didn’t immediately answer. “We keep it friendly but lively enough to appreciate the afternoon.”
“I’ve heard a few stories,” Zane answered, wondering if Lyon had issued the invitation for the sole purpose of keeping an eye on him since he was pursuing Mrs. Feld. Zane was all right with that too. He would have done the same if their roles were reversed.
Lyon quirked his head and studied Zane. “So have I. Not all of them are true.”
Zane smiled. “I didn’t think they were.”
“Can I count on you to join us?”
“I can manage that. Good of you to ask.”
From the corner of his eye, Zane saw Mrs. Feld walking toward the entrance. He didn’t know if she was leaving, but didn’t want to take the chance. He wanted to talk to her again. “Gentlemen, if you’ll both excuse me. I was about to ask someone to dance.”
His pursuit of the widow might have been started only to help settle his family’s jitters about the kind of earl he’dbe. That changed fast after meeting with her earlier in the week. There was real desire for her in his quest. He hadn’t expected to get caught up with her so quickly, but she had filled his thoughts with an eager excitement he couldn’t remember ever feeling before. Obtaining the attention of a lady he was interested in had never been a problem. Mrs. Feld had already proven she would not dutifully fall in line as so many others had.
The ton loved drama and gossip more than anything, and Zane was about to give it to them in spades. He’d never been known for his self-restraint, and there was no reason to curb what came naturally to him tonight.
After having set his glass on a table, he caught up beside Mrs. Feld. She didn’t slow her step or look over at him, but there was no doubt she stiffened when she realized he was walking with her.
“I heard the call for a dance,” he said casually.
“Did you?” she said coolly.
“Would you join me for this one?”
Brina stopped and faced him. Her big, beautiful eyes narrowed, and a tiny wrinkle formed in her forehead. “I can’t believe you’re asking again.”
Obviously, time and the champagne he’d seen her sip hadn’t smoothed her ruffled feathers. He didn’t think she’d expected him to ask a second time. Most men wouldn’t if turned down once in an evening, but that was another one of those accepted rules Zane had never followed.
Everything about Mrs. Feld intrigued him. When he looked at her, there was an aura about her that had nothing to do with her beauty, sophistication, or her past experiences. But it was there, and it drew him. She didn’t cower from his nearness but casually looked around the room, as if hoping no one was watching her converse with him. But of course, everyone had directedtheir attention to the two of them, even if most pretended not to.
He remained relaxed as he took a slow, small step closer to her. “Did you really expect I wouldn’t?”
“Yes.” Her eyes narrowed more. “You should never ask a lady to dance twice in the same evening. Especially if she turns you down the first time.”
“I’m not like most men, Mrs. Feld.”
“So I have found out. The hard way.”
He gave her a twitch of a smile, not minding that her temper hadn’t cooled. He was finding she stirred him like no other, no matter her temperament. “Why would any man give up trying to get something he wanted after only one attempt?”
She seemed to ponder on that before saying, “I’m not saying in all things, but it’s the proper thing to do in this instance.”
“And because that is the way of it,” she continued. “You aren’t supposed to break the rules and certainly not in front of the elite of Society. Probably most everyone in the ballroom is staring at us right now. I think that must be what you really wanted.”
He gave her a half smile. “Didn’t it cross your mind they were looking our way because you are beautiful?”
“What?” She blinked in horror for a second. Her cheeks flushed to a tempting shade of pink and her expression softened. “No, no, of course not. I would never think anything of the kind.”
“It’s true,” he said softly, letting his gaze sweep slowly down her face and back to her eyes. He knew he was vexing her, but he wasn’t trying to. Only stating the truth. “Everyone looks at you whether or not you are standing near the entrance with me or seated with the ladies. You’re beautiful, kind, and quite simply, Mrs. Feld, you fascinate them.”
“Stop it.” She lowered her lashes for only a second and then looked around the room again. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I won’t hear any more of it. Every lady here tonight is beautiful.”
“I stand corrected. What I should have said is that you fascinate me. And you are the only lady in the room who does.”
“Oh, you are an impossible man to talk to,” she said, looking back at him again.
