Page 70 of The Lady’s Great Escape

Chapter Twenty-Four

Celia liked Lord Rathmore very much. He was quite entertaining. Perhaps not as funny as Kit, but she couldn’t expect as much from anyone. So far, she and Rathmore had spent most of their dinner ignoring the other people around them while flirting with each other.

He was attractive, fair like Kit, but without as many different shades of blond. His eyes were dark and kind, and not once had they settled on her mark.

However, his gaze hadn’t settled on her décolletage either, so she couldn’t be sure he was interested in a physical encounter.

He enjoyed music and visiting the theatre as many men did. He had one older sister and had become a marquess at the age of fifteen after his father died.

“I understand your brother is a marquess as well, though I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”

She paused to study his features in order to determine if he was bringing up Gray to be snide. She didn’t see any evidence he was judging her based on her brother’s reputation.

“He is a marquess, though it might be a bit of an overstatement to call it a pleasure to know my brother.” She laughed. While she didn’t want Lord Rathmore to disparage her brother, she was permitted to do so, having known him all his life. “He doesn’t attend any society events. He’s quite the rake.”

“I see. Well then nothing I do will shock you.” His brows lifted in a knowing way and Celia’s skin went hot. He was flirting with her again.

“I would say not,” she responded with a coy grin.

Despite their exchange over dinner, he simply kissed her hand and bid her goodnight when it was over.

“I look forward to seeing you again,” he added before walking away.

“As do I,” she said more to herself.

The initial disappointment slipped away as relief flooded in. As much as she wanted to move on with her plan to take a man to bed, and as much as Lord Rathmore seemed a likely partner, she wasn’t quite ready to proceed.

Perhaps it was nerves. This was a big step. True, she was no longer a virgin, but she only knew one man’s touch. She couldn’t be certain they all liked the same things. What if she and Lord Rathmore did not match up as well as she did with Kit?

When she’d made love with Kit it felt as if they had become one in a way she’d never expected. She didn’t need to speak of what she wanted. She only need think it and somehow, he knew as if he’d heard her thoughts.

Of course, there were the times when he’d asked her to tell him specifically what she’d wanted and even encouraged her to use dirty words to describe it.

The memory made her cheeks heat. Surely, she couldn’t use such vocabulary with Lord Rathmore. He would most likely be scandalized and toss her from his bed.

Before she made her way out of the house, she was stopped by a man she had never met. He was older than she by probably ten years or so, and offered her a kind smile.

“Lady Hamlin, if I might have a word?”

She returned his smile. “It seems you know who I am, though I’m sure we’ve not been introduced.”

“Yes, pardon my poor manners. I am Lord Seville.”

Celia cast about for some recognition and found none. Fortunately, she did not have to wait long for the man to get to the reason he had stopped her.

“I am an acquaintance of Lord Hamlin.”

For a moment, Celia thought of Arthur, but then realized this man was referring to Edward. She stood a bit straighter, anticipating a threat.

“Edward owes me quite a bit of blunt. While it’s not polite to speak of such things with a lady, he tells me you are the reason he’s not yet paid his debts. I’ve come directly to you on his behalf to see them settled.”

The nerve of Edward to make it seem as if she was delinquent in paying his debts.

“I am sorry you have been misinformed, Lord Seville. I am not the reason his debts have not been paid. You see, he is responsible for settling his own debts. I will not see to use my own funds to pay another’s debt, just as you would not be expected to pay the debts of one of your distant family members.”

“I would if I had obtained funds that rightfully belonged to another.”

“Again, I have not obtained funds that rightfully belong to Edward, despite what he might think. If you will excuse me, this conversation grows tedious and my carriage will be arriving.”