“I will not decide that you are a better person because you smile and giggle at me, Lady Reyn. You are shallow and selfish. You care for nothing but your social standing and shopping.”
The words stung, but Reyn wouldn’t let Velario see that he had hurt her. She grinned, an expression she could call up on command no matter what she was truly feeling. “And don’t forget, I’m also a terrific dancer.”
Velario blinked. “I’ll grant you that one. But I still stand by everything I said.”
Reyn let her smile fade and glared. “If I’m such a terrible person, why did you seek me out?”
“You’re the one who dragged me—literally—onto the dance floor.”
“Because you cornered me the instant I reentered the ballroom. You were lying in wait. To what purpose? To insult me?”
“To warn you. I won’t take it well if you drag Selona down to your depths, Lady Reyn.”
“If you think Selona would be easily influenced, that just proves what a horrible judge of character you are.” The dance ended. Reyn lowered her arms and stepped back. “Maybe you should consider that you have misjudged me, too.”
She turned and walked deeper into the room. Lord Velario’s opinion didn’t matter. He was only one man, and even if she feared there was a kernel of truth in his accusations, they were hardly the complete picture of who Reyn was as a person.
When another gentleman asked her to dance, Reyn agreed without even noticing whose arm she was accepting. The night had not turned out to be the fun escape she had craved.
