Page 75 of The Trouble With Dukes
“I will not ask any such thing. We will please return to the ballroom now.” Megan spun on her heel, and Rosecroft followed.
“I know this, because at some point, every young fellow must be taught a few basic facts.”
“Devlin, I will disown you.” Or burst out laughing, for he was very intent on this awkward display of protectiveness. “You could not have brought up these subjects in broad daylight, else your own blushes would be too evident.”
“A soldier learns strategy, and I got the short straw, because Valentine likely cheats and Westhaven is in the confidence of the Almighty. I was planning on setting Emmie on you, but I’m your cousin.”
The short—? “And the oldest and a former commanding officer,” Megan said. “Thrice cursed, you poor lamb. Did it ever occur to you that I have female cousins as well, and that they are also quite protective?”
Rosecroft paused beneath a lamp, his expression confirming his consternation.
Megan wanted to be inside the ballroom in time for her supper waltz with Hamish, but the moment was too precious to ignore.
“In your haste to slay all dragons, Devlin, you and your dear, henwitted brothers forgot the existence of your five sisters. That should worry you, for they are unforgettable women.”
He bowed. “As are you.”
“Well done.” Megan kissed his cheek, and indulged in the pleasure of swanning off after having had the last word with one of her male cousins. Her glee bordered on gloating, until in the gallery outside the ballroom, she caught sight of Sir Fletcher Pilkington.
And he was marching straight for her.
Chapter Seventeen
Women were not very bright, but some of them had formidable instincts.
Sir Fletcher thus knew the moment Megan Windham caught sight of him, for her posture changed, from a lady displaying her ballroom finery, toprey. She did what any trapped mouse ought to do—looked for a way out—but Sir Fletcher had chosen his moment well.
“You are welcome to stroll with me in the garden,” Sir Fletcher said, “or we can enjoy the offerings in the portrait gallery one flight up.”
“I’ve strolled my last garden with you,” Megan said, taking a step to the left.
Sir Fletcher blocked her, and because people were assembling for the supper waltz, this passage was temporarily deserted.
“I say we’ve many more moonlit gardens to enjoy together,” Sir Fletcher replied. “Come along, Megan. You and I have matters to resolve. We can either make a nasty scene right here—a lovers’ quarrel, let’s call it—or we can have a civilized chat on the terrace.”
Her frustration was some satisfaction for all the hours Sir Fletcher had spent nursing a sore head and a murderous grudge.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Megan said.
Oh, she was very much on her mettle. “Yes, you are,darling.” He kissed her cheek, leaving her two options. She could scream, or she could give him an excuse to escalate their spat.
Another desperate glance canvassed the exits. At any moment, somebody might come by, in which case Sir Fletcher would bestow another kiss on her.
“We go no farther than the terrace,” Megan said, ignoring Sir Fletcher’s proffered arm.
“My dear, you wound me. I offer my escort knowing the limitations of your sight, and having many memories of you stumbling over carpet fringes and thresholds. Why must you be so disdainful of my attempts to protect you?”
They reached the terrace, though all the other traffic was headed inside. Devlin St. Just, Earl of Rosecroft, went through the second set of doors, deep in discussion with Joseph, Earl of Keswick. They either did not see Megan or they were colluding in Sir Fletcher’s courtship.
No family wanted too many unmarried females underfoot. They were expensive, petulant, and got up to the stupidest intrigues. Witness Pammy and her impoverished captain.
“What do you want?” Megan asked, stopping at the top of the terrace steps.
“What I want is to enjoy a stroll with my intended on a pretty evening,” Sir Fletcher said. “In addition to that, I want a goodly sum of money so that my future is secure, and I would not mind the attentions of a devoted wife and a talented mistress, if you must know. Do you mind if I smoke?”
“Yes.”
“My, you are in a taking. When we’re married, in the manner of devoted husbands the world over, I will ensure that my wife’s nerves are settled.”
