Page 27 of The Paid Companion

A reluctant spark of genuine interest gleamed in his eyes. “Where the devil did St. Merryn find you, Miss Lodge?”

She flashed him her most polished smile. “As you are acquainted with my fiancé, you are no doubt aware that he possesses an extremely logical mind. He naturally applied his talents for analysis and sound reasoning to the task of finding a suitable bride.”

“Logic and reason, eh?” Hathersage was fascinated now. “And where did those skills direct him to go in search of such a paragon?”

“Why, to an agency that specializes in supplying paid companions to the most exclusive sort, of course.”

Hathersage chuckled, evidently having decided to go along with the jest. “Ah, yes, he did indeed vow to do just that.”

“It is a sensible approach. When one comes right down to the nub of the matter, husbands and wives are, in essence, companions, are they not?”

“Hadn’t considered the institution of marriage in that light before this moment, but I will concede that you have a point.”

“Only consider the brilliance of St. Merryn’s tactics, sir. At the agency he was provided with an extensive selection of well-educated ladies who all possessed the most excellent references and reputations above reproach. Rather than being obliged to dance with all of them and endure a series of potentially dull conversations, he was, instead, able to conduct detailed interviews.”

“Interviews.” Hathersage grinned. “How very clever.”

“The beauty of the process is that it works both ways. The candidates for the position he offered were, in turn, able to question him as well. They were thus saved the necessity of having to amuse and entertain any number of elderly gentlemen who know nothing of Byron’s latest works and who are only looking for an attractive heiress who will provide them with an heir.”

Hathersage brought her to a halt in the middle of the dance floor. For a terrible moment Elenora thought she had miscalculated badly and had initiated a complete disaster.

Then Hathersage threw back his head and laughed uproariously.

Every head in the room turned. Every eye was riveted.

By the time Hathersage returned Elenora to Bennett and Margaret, the line of gentlemen waiting to request a dance extended from the potted palms all the way to the entrance to the card room.

“Consider the favor repaid in full,” Bennett told Hathersage.

“On the contrary,” Hathersage said, still chuckling. “This has been the most entertaining evening I have had in a long time.”

12

Arthur braced both hands on the balcony railing and searched the crowded ballroom for Elenora. It was after midnight, and he was not in a good mood. He had just concluded another night of inquiries that had yielded few results. Granted, he had discovered more information concerning one of the mysterious snuffboxes that he sought, but so many other questions remained unanswered. He had the inexplicable sensation that time was running out quickly.

It took him a few minutes to spot Elenora. When he did catch a glimpse of her gleaming dark hair on the far side of the ballroom, he finally realized why it had been so difficult to find her: She was surrounded by a sea of males, all of whom appeared to be vying eagerly for her attention.

She was chatting in an extremely familiar manner with a circle of gentlemen she could not possibly have met before tonight. Not only that but her high-waisted, emerald-colored gown was cut far too low, revealing too much of her soft bosom and gently molded shoulders. She glowed like some exotic jewel, one he was certain that every man in the vicinity coveted.

Where were Bennett and Margaret? he wondered. They were supposed to be keeping an eye on the situation.

As he watched, one of the gentlemen near Elenora bowed over her gloved fingers and escorted her out onto the dance floor. Whatever she was saying to her companion must have been vastly amusing, Arthur decided grimly. The man was grinning like a fool.

His evening had been deteriorating for the past few hours, he thought. The sight of his phony fiancée enjoying herself on the dance floor with a complete stranger was the last straw. Matters were clearly out of control down there in the ballroom.

He shoved himself away from the railing and started toward the stairs.

“Allow me to congratulate you on your charming fiancée, St. Merryn,” a familiar voice drawled behind him.

He paused and looked back at the tall man coming toward him along the balcony. “Hathersage.”

“I had the great pleasure of dancing with Miss Lodge earlier this evening. A most unusual lady.” Hathersage stopped and glanced down at the dancers. He chuckled. “Indeed, I am giving serious consideration to employing your strategy in my own search for a wife.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why, I am referring to your brilliant notion of interviewing candidates for the position at an agency that specializes in supplying paid companions, of course.”

Arthur’s blood ran cold. Had Elenora told Hathersage the whole truth about the deception? Surely not.

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