Page 66 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

Little more than an hour later, the men joined the women in the drawing room. Without thinking, Valeran’s gaze searched the room filled with dark and lighter shadows to find his wife’s curvaceous figure. After several seconds, he found her standing near a wall of books. The moment he saw a tall man bending over his wife, Valeran’s jaw tightened with anger. The Prussian hadn’t wasted any time hunting Amalie down. Carefully, yet as quickly as he could, Valeran crossed the room to reach his wife’s side.

“Ansbach,” he said icily as he bobbed his head in an abrupt greeting. Valeran turned to his wife. “Are you ready to go home, Amalie?”

“If you are, Valeran,” she said. For the briefest of moments, he thought he heard a note of affection in her voice.

“Then if you’ll excuse us, Ansbach, we need to say our goodbyes to Lord and Lady Darlington.”

“But of course,” the man said politely.

Before Valeran could guide Amalie away, Ansbach lifted her hand to brush his lips over Amalie’s fingertips in a lingering caress that made Valeran’s hand ball into a fist.

“I have enjoyed our conversation immensely this evening, Lady Sommerville. You are a most charming companion. I hope to see you again, quite soon. Perhaps one morning in the park?”

Valeran stiffened. Had Amalie told the count she walked every day before the park became busy? The idea made his fist harden further as he struggled not to drop the man with one solid blow.

“Thank you, Lord Ansbach,” Amalie said quietly without confirming the man’s blatant suggesting he join her on her morning walk. His hand cupping his wife’s elbow, Valeran guided Amalie away from the Prussian nobleman. When they were several feet away, she tugged gently on his grip. “The Darlingtons are on this side of the room, Valeran.”

For the first time tonight, he realized Amalie had been guiding him around Darlington Place in a way that was so subtle no one else had noticed. Even he’d failed to realize his wife had been making a path through the guests.

The revelation had made his chest tighten with pleasure as they left Darlington Place. As the gas lamps on the street illuminated the interior of the Silver Ghost sporadically, Valeran studied his wife’s profile as she stared out the window.

“Did you enjoy yourself this evening,” he quietly asked .

“Somewhat,” she murmured.

“I know you enjoyed meeting, Sir Winston.”

“I did. He’s as arrogant as you said, but I think that’s because he’s passionate and truly believes his ideas are in the best interest of the British Empire.”

“An interesting observation,” Valeran said as he considered her words before his lips twisted wryly. “And does he exceed my level of arrogance?”

“Hmmm,” Amalie said with a hint of amusement in her voice, as if she were considering his question.

“I am not as—”

“Aye,” she laughed. “Ye are nae as arrogant as the First Lord of the Admiralty.”

“Thank you.”

“But ye are still an arrogant mon.”

The air stirred between them as she lifted her hand to rub her temple. Valeran frowned.

“You have a headache?”

“A small one, it will go away when I…” her voice trailed off, and he knew she’d been about to reference retiring for the night.

The thought of her in his bed set off a cascade of thoughts he quickly fought to push into the deep recesses of his mind. Remembering the bits and pieces of conversation he’d overheard between her and Ansbach, Valeran schooled his features into a look of curiosity.

“You seemed to find Count Ansbach intriguing as well.”

“He certainly believes he is. Intriguing, that is.” The dry irony in her voice took him by surprise, and he knew his amazement was evident the moment a small laugh escaped her.

“Dinnae look so surprised, Lord Sommerville, I ken when a mon tries tae tell me I am the most beautiful woman in the room.” Before Valeran could open his mouth to protest, she laughed. “However, he’s charming enough for one tae overlook his over-blown confidence.”

“Should I be worried about losing my crown?” he chuckled.

“Your crown? I don’t understand?”