Page 31 of The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes
She vibrated with the effort to keep her terror and fury invisible.
“IsSimon here this evening?” Lord Montford asked impatiently as he turned to Kieran.
“Places such as this are not to my elder brother’s more sober tastes,” Kieran replied dryly.
“I’d hoped to ask him his opinion on a matter of business, but you’re correct. He’s not the sort to frequent these locales. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Lord Montford sketched a bow at Kieran, nodded at Celeste, and then was gone.
“Prig,” Kieran muttered. “Are you well?”
Celeste hadn’t realized that she’d sagged against him until that moment, leaning into his side and using his strong form to stay on her feet. “The heat of the room has gone to my head.”
“And the fact that you knew him and were paralyzed with terror that he’d identify you.” Despite his wry words, his arm came up to support her. “Take comfort, he’d no idea who you were.”
“For now.” She straightened, appreciating that he didn’t continue to hold her when she could stand on her own. “Much as I’d like tonight to continue, it’s wiser to leave before we encounter him again.”
“Excessively starched,” Kieran said, glancing at Lord Montford, who talked with an older man at the entrance to the refreshment chamber.
It was with some relief that she accompanied him to the foyer. She kept glancing nervously over hershoulder as a footman brought Kieran his coat and her cloak. As he slid his arms into the sleeves, he said, “How did you find your first foray into disreputable London?”
“My heart’s still pounding. And,” she realized with surprise, “not all from fear.” She accepted her cloak from the servant.
“You did splendidly.” His smile was wide and gleaming, a scoundrel’s smile that made her pulse spike. “More courage than a lioness.”
She didn’t want to savor his praise, yet it was as warm and luxurious as being wrapped in velvet. “I worried everyone could tell how nervous I was.”
“Perhaps at first,” he allowed, “and it’s to be expected. But you rallied and devoured the night like it was a feast.”
They stepped out into the street, and, much as she wanted to remain in the sublime chaos of the gaming hell, she had to be strategic. Retreating before Lord Montford possibly recognized her meant that she’d have another opportunity to venture out into the night. With Kieran.
Her thrumming pulse sped even faster.
Yet she had to keep her head, and something he’d said earlier snagged in her memory. “You didn’t say that Finn was here.”
“He didn’t see us, so it didn’t warrant mentioning.”
“Please don’t filter that kind of intelligence from me,” she replied, annoyed. “I get enough of that from everyone else. ‘Don’t trouble yourself over unpleasant business matters.’” She made a face.
“I’ll not hide anything from you in the future.”
As he hailed a cab, she glanced at him surreptitiously. Throughout the night, he’d shown her remarkable consideration. No one, not even her own family, had ever truly heard her. Yet this handsome rogue had done so, and it had been all the more delightful because it had been so unexpected, like taking a bite of meringue and instead of it dissolving on her tongue, she was nourished and sated.
A cab pulled up to the curb, and Kieran handed her in. She’d neglected to put her gloves on again, so the brush of his fingers against hers sent a shiver through her body.
This cab was a bit more commodious than the last. Their knees didn’t knock against each other, even as he sprawled with the kind of long-limbed insouciance only men could enjoy.
“Much as I dislike employing strategy,” he said, rocking with the motion of the vehicle, “we’ll need to consider it for the next step. My perceived reformation is in your capable hands.”
She glanced down at her hands folded in her lap and the image of them wrapped around his bare biceps leapt unbidden into her mind. Shaking her head to knock the picture from her thoughts, she said decisively, “I’ve selected a venue that’s known for its prestige but is open to the public. There’s someone attending this event that I shall introduce you to. If everything goes well, and you suitably play the role of a respectable gentleman—”
“Emphasis onplay the role,” he noted wryly.
“You did sayperceivedrather thanactualreformation.”
His laugh was full and rich, covering her in its roughsilk. She shivered at the sensation even as her laughter joined his.
“Pray, continue with our strategy, General,” he chuckled.
“The person I intend you to meet is hosting an exclusive gathering, and it is my hope to gain you an invitation to this gathering. If you make an appearancethere,with me at your side, Society will consider you honorable.”
