Page 50 of The Duke and Lady Scandal
Allie doubted Jo’s mother would allow her that much autonomy or that Lady Wellingdon had given up on matchmaking her eldest daughter with an eligible nobleman.
Indeed, as they made their way back to the drawing room, Allie heard distinctly masculine voices.
“Who did she invite this time?” Allie watched her friend’s face for a reaction.
“Lord Echolston.” Jo swallowed hard after pronouncing his name. Allie sensed that she quite fancied the handsome young viscount but had yet to admit it.
“He seems kind and always wants to talk with you about books,” Allie said encouragingly, and Jo returned a mysterious smile.
From the drawing room, the low timbre of one male voice stood out from the rest. Allie jerked to a stop, and an electric ripple of awareness chased across her skin.
Jo clutched her hand. “Oh heavens, I thoughtit a possibility, but I swear I didn’t know for certain.” She cast a fretful glance at the drawing room threshold. “It seems they’ve brought Inspector Drake.”
Jo’s eyes widened as Allie picked up her flounced skirt an inch and strode into the drawing room.
He’d been on her mind since she’d parted from him the night before. Since the moment when she’d touched her lips to his and been kissed so extraordinarily for the first time in her life.
He was lifting a glass to his mouth when he saw her.
Allie knew the exact moment because his body jolted the way hers had when she heard his voice. Everything around the edges of her vision blurred, but the sight of him remained clear.
She took two steps forward. He took one. Then he turned a glance toward the young woman and white-haired man beside him.
Miss Haverstock and her father, Allie presumed. In physical appearance, Sir Felix looked exactly as she expected—tall, regal, with snow-white hair and a manicured mustache—but the man’s demeanor, even from across the room, telegraphed displeasure. His brow pinched in a frown, and he grumbled something to his daughter, who wore the same serious look as her father.
“Oh, there you are.” Lady Wellingdon waved from her spot on the settee. “Lord Echolston has been looking for you, Josephine.”
“Go ahead,” Allie urged her.
“But I must introduce you to the Haverstocks.”
“Your father will, I’m sure.” Lord Wellingdon had just entered the drawing room and immediately drew the attention of Inspector Drake and the Haverstocks.
As soon as Allie approached the group, Lord Wellingdon greeted her.
“Ah, Miss Prince. You may find this conversation interesting.”
They all watched her as she approached, but Allie’s gaze kept returning to Benedict Drake.
He looked extraordinary in an ebony tailcoat and white tie. And if she didn’t keenly recall every moment they’d spent together, she might not notice the signs of the beating he’d taken in Southwark. Only a slight mark near his eye remained as evidence. Unless there were bruises underneath his clothes.
Considering him without his clothes made her throat dry, and then he was close enough to touch, and she barely resisted reaching for him.
“So glad you’re here, Miss Prince,” Lord Wellingdon said, welcoming her warmly. “Have you met Sir Felix, Miss Haverstock, and Mr. Drake?”
She shot a questioning glance at the inspector.
“Miss Prince and I have met,” he said immediately, which drew a mildly surprised look from Sir Felix.
“Go on, Haverstock,” Lord Wellingdon urged. “Miss Prince will be interested. She’s Octavius Prince’s daughter, after all.”
“Heavens. Is she indeed? A lady with knowledge of history, then.” Sir Felix lifted a monocleas if Allie required further inspection. “What do you know of Egyptian history, Miss Prince?”
“Not a great deal, I’m afraid. I’ve learned a few hieroglyphics and know enough to recommend items in my family’s shop.” Alexandra replied more thoroughly than the chief deserved, considering his sneer as he inspected her.
When she glanced Drake’s way, he offered her a reassuring nod.
“As I was saying.” Haverstock directed his words to Lord Wellingdon, all but ignoring Allie’s reply. “We’ve been invited to a soiree where a mummy is to be unwrapped.” He side-eyed Allie, as if unwilling to give her his full attention. “I believe your father brought specimens over from Egypt for just that purpose.”
