Page 69 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

She accepted a small glass of sherry from one of the footmen and joined Lady Montford who was conversing with Lord and Lady Skeffington.

“Ah, Suzanna, don’t you look charming tonight. The blue in that gown brings out the lovely shade of your eyes.” Lord Skeffington smiled and bowed to her as she approached them.

“Yes, you do look wonderful tonight, dear.” Cousin Eunice absolutely glowed with happiness. She was always a rather optimistic sort, b

ut tonight she looked exceptionally sanguine.

“Thank you, my lord, cousin.” Suzanna turned to Lady Skeffington. “Good evening, my lady.”

They chatted for a while, and Cousin Eunice seemed to pay a great deal of attention to the door. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when a footman announced that dinner was served. They all assembled into an informal line and proceeded to the dining room.

While the footmen poured wine, Suzanna chatted with her dinner partner to her left. Mr. Baxter was an elderly gentleman, well versed in various subjects, which always placed him at the top of most hostesses’ lists. She appreciated how he treated her like she had a brain in her head, not as if she were a young lady who could converse about only ribbons, slippers, and balls.

As she raised her glass to take a sip of wine, her attention was gained by a man entering the room. She glanced in the direction of the latecomer. Her heart thudded, and her jaw dropped in a most unladylike manner. All the blood drained from her head, leaving her lightheaded, with dots dancing in her eyes, as Giles bent to Lady Montford. “I am sorry to be late, my lady. Please excuse me.”

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Templeton.”

Suzanna continued to gape as a footman led Giles to a chair only three seats down from her, next to Lady Florentina, who was to the left of Mr. Baxter. Whatever was he doing here? She’d heard nothing from him for weeks, and suddenly he turns up at a dinner, at her house. Suzanna glared at Lady Montford, who regarded her with wide, innocent eyes.

She quelled the urge to dump her glass of wine over the blackguard’s head. Well, she certainly was not going to pay him any mind. He had deserted her without a word, and now he’d reappeared, smiling like some addlepated fool. She huffed to herself. No, no, no. Not at all.

Casting a brilliant smile at Mr. Baxter, she said, “Tell me more about the book you are reading, Mr. Baxter.”

He’d already waxed on about the book, but she would do anything to keep the sound of Giles’s voice from her ears.

She leaned back as a footman placed a bowl of clear broth in front of her. Just as she picked up her spoon, Giles leaned forward and said, “Good evening, Miss Blake.”

Suzanna sucked in a deep breath as the spoon entered her mouth. She cursed Giles as she coughed, trying not to splatter the soup all over herself and the table.

“Are you well, Miss Blake?” Giles stared at her with concern.

Of course I am not well, you ninnyhammer, can’t you see I am choking? ’Tis your fault!

She ignored him and took a sip of water. That seemed to help.

“Excuse me for startling you, Miss Blake.” Giles once again leaned over Lady Florentina and Mr. Baxter.

She gritted her teeth. “Oh, Mr. Templeton. I’m sorry, I didn’t even see you there. You must forgive me.” She then turned her attention to Mr. Baxter. “Your book, sir?”

“Er, yes.” He placed his spoon alongside his place and continued to reiterate everything he’d already said.

“Pardon me, Mr. Baxter.” Giles spoke past Lady Florentina.

Mr. Baxter stopped speaking and turned to Giles. “Yes, Mr. Templeton?”

“Do you mind terribly if we switch seats? I haven’t seen Miss Blake in some time, and I would like to renew our acquaintance.”

Mr. Baxter made to move, when Suzanna clamped her hand on his arm, apparently quite enthusiastically, since he winced. “No need to change seats, Mr. Baxter. There is nothing I need to renew with Mr. Templeton.” She glared at Giles, who smirked.

Her dinner partner looked back and forth between her and Giles, then settled back into his seat once more and lowered his voice. “I assure you, it is no trouble, Miss Blake, if I change seats with Mr. Templeton.”

“That is not necessary, Mr. Baxter.” She raised her voice a bit, not too loud, but enough to reach Giles. “I am sorry he was rude enough to ask.”

Lady Florentina smiled brightly at Suzanna. “Miss Blake, I can change seats with you, if you would like.”

“No!” She cringed when several people turned in her direction. Blast the man, he was causing her to make a cake of herself. She took a deep breath. “Thank you so much for your kindness, my lady, but that is not necessary.” Practically growling out the last few words, she darted what she’d hoped was a killing glance at Giles, who had the audacity to grin at her.

She shifted in her seat and turned to Lord Beaumont on her other side. “How are you enjoying the Season, my lord?”