Page 20 of Tempting Her Viscount

She turned to escape and nearly ran into a woman who had come up behind her.

“Lady Hamlin, I’m sorry to startle you. I’m Lady Winthrop.”

Celia didn’t recognize the name and stepped back in case the meek-looking woman turned out to be a viper.

“Before I married, I had been Miss Denton. There was discussion of my marrying your brother for a short time, but that didn’t come to fruition.”

“Ah, yes. Because my father…” How did one explain in polite company that one’s father was a scoundrel? Miss Denton had been the heiress her father had planned to force Gray into marrying for her money.

“Quite,” Lady Winthrop said and shook her head. “At any rate, I married another and was quite happy until he died last year. This is my first ball since coming out of mourning. I must admit, I am thinking of running from the room.”

Celia smiled. “I was just about to do that myself.”

“Perhaps we can shore each other up and get through it together,” the lady suggested.

“Yes. That would be lovely.”

Celia was relieved beyond belief to have someone to stroll the ballroom with. Lady Winthrop, Katherine, confided the reason she’d attended when they’d reached the other side of the room.

“I wish to marry again. I found it to be a pleasant thing to have a husband. While ours was not blessed with children, I enjoyed the stability and safety of having a man take care of me.”

Celia wondered if she might have felt the same if her marriage had been different. As it were, Celia’s plans for the future were so far from Katherine’s as to be the direct opposite.

But she did know a man who wished to marry and would benefit from his wife having a fortune as well.

Celia opened her mouth to suggest an introduction between Katherine and Kit, but found herself unable to force the words from her mouth.

Celia had no intention of marrying. In fact, she was at the ball solely to find a lover, yet the idea of Kit marrying another did not sit well. She was clearly the worst of friends to not want two people who wanted the same things to meet.

Perhaps, she assured herself, she would feel differently once she knew Katherine better and could be certain she was a proper match for Kit. Yes. That was surely the cause of her hesitation.

Before she could think on her behavior too deeply, a man stepped up offering a smile.

“Dear sister, might you introduce me to your friend?” the man inquired. He gave her a devilish smile and Celia felt her heartbeat pick up for a different reason than earlier.

“Of course. Lord Timmons, may I introduce Lady Hamlin?”

“Lady Hamlin?” His smile went wider. “Might I request the honor of a dance this evening?”

“Yes,” Celia answered and held out her otherwise empty dance card. If things went well, she may get something other than a mere dance from the man. Celia watched as he strode off, taking in his powerful physique. He was no Lord Desire, but he had broad shoulders and dark hair she found appealing.

“You should know, he’s not my brother. Rather he was my husband’s brother. He now holds the title and is looking for a wife to fill his nursery. Though he’s a rogue through and through.” Katherine tutted and shook her head. “He needs to marry a strong woman who will make a good husband of him.”

Or perhaps a merry widow who would allow him to continue in his roguish ways…

While pleased she had stayed and had even met a man who could possibly become a lover, she spent the rest of the evening looking for a tall, blond man with a husky voice that had made her melt.