Cole’s eyes narrowed. “Did you ever consider that young James might be the rock?”
“James Dinsmore is a rattlebrain, too busy playing hazard and betting on the horses to cause anyone but his family trouble.”
“Word is that he’s mightily disappointed he won’t be having your money to pay his gambling debts.”
Their conversation was cut short as Elizabeth and Jamesdrew near, Elizabeth laughing, a light flush spreading across her face.
“James was telling me the most shocking story,” she said smiling mischievously at her escort.
“A tale that no doubt would hold little interest for your brother and Lord Davenport.” James interjected a bit hastily, Rafe thought.
“Quite so, I’m sure,” Rafe said coolly.
James flushed darkly and after exchanging a few obligatory pleasantries, hurriedly made his excuses.
“Well, that was rather rude,” Elizabeth said as soon as he was out of earshot.
“There’s something about that young man I don’t care for,” Rafe responded, his eyes still fixed on the powdered blond head as it wove through the crowd to join a cluster of dandies near the door.
Elizabeth frowned, a stubborn look on her face that bore a remarkable likeness to her brother’s. “So Lady Anne’s a paragon and James is the devil?” she inquired.
“A very keen observation, Lizzie,” Cole said flashing her a smile.
Rafe frowned, aware he was caught in a trap of his own making. “It’s different,” he muttered searching for a way out. “The man sets the tone for a relationship.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said slowly, “a lady is uplifted or dragged down by the man’s moral stance?”
“Something like that.”
She pressed her lips together and gave him a thoughtful look. “And that’s how it happens that Mademoiselle de La Brou has been dragged into a scandalously brief betrothal with you?”
Cole gave a bark of laughter. “If you only knew...”
Rafe shot him a searing glance, and Cole closed his mouth on the rest of the sentence, his dark eyes dancing. “Look, Lizzie,” he began instead, “Rafe and I are just a bitconcerned about James’s intentions. Are you developing atendressefor the fellow?”
Elizabeth threw him a fond but exasperated look. “Lud, no! He’s just good fun. But then I suppose at your age,” she batted her fan, “you’ve both forgotten what that is.”
Cole sighed and pulled a long face. “That’s us, my girl, the souls of staid propriety.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I appreciate your and my brother’s concerns, but I can take care of myself, you know, I’m not a child.”
“If you were, I could safely send you back to the nursery,” Rafe grumbled.
“Are you sure you wish to marry my brother?” Elizabeth asked Alix, who had appeared just then with Phoebe.
Alix linked her arm through Rafe’s. “I’m afraid only he will suit.”
Elizabeth eyed Alix’s elegant gray and lavender patterned gown and shook her head in dismay. “And your taste seems so refined otherwise.”
“Incorrigible brat,” Rafe growled.
Cole nodded sagely. “The considered response of older brothers everywhere.”
As Ginny slidthe pale pink satin wedding dress over her head and began fastening up the back, Alix realized with a sense of wonder that she was not in the least nervous. Standing in front of the long mirror in her dressing room, smoothing down her three-quarter-length net sleeves, it struck her that all she felt was a sense of impatience. She’d spent so much time over the past few weeks pulling apart her feelings for Rafe and worrying about his feelings for her. That confusion was behind her now, she thought as Ginny arranged the floor-length veil over her hair. She knew without a doubt that she loved Rafe and that heloved her, and that she was more than ready to spend the rest of her life with him.
“Lordy, mademoiselle, if you don’t look just like a fairy princess,” Ginny breathed in admiration.
Alix smiled, touching the sweep of lace at the bodice of her dress, then smoothing the satin underskirt. She felt a bit like a fairy princess. “Well, Ginny,” she said, “I think it’s time to go downstairs and show off your handiwork.”
