Page 18 of A Duke for Adela
Ambrose snorted. “I thought you said you did not know anything?”
Wycke shrugged. “I don’t. However, having been through the agony of falling in love, I know what your glum look signifies.”
“I am not in love with the girl. I only met her yesterday. In that short time, she has managed to knock me flat on my back, almost cause a riot in my exhibition hall, and thoroughly insult me.”
“Well, at least you cannot call her dull. Did you deserve to be insulted?”
“No, I was kindness itself.” However, he shifted uncomfortably because there was the slightest bit of truth in his using her as a diversion.
But it was harmless.
He was not taking her on as his mistress, although she certainly had the pleasing body and good looks for it. He was not looking to Adela for that sort of diversion.
Not that he would rule it out completely.
In truth, she had a spectacular body. However, she took great pains to hide it under those hideous, bluestocking gowns she chose to wear.
Her wardrobe was bound to improve now that Phoebe and Eloise had taken her into the fold. The gown Adela had worn last night fit her to perfection, and she looked soft as a kitten in the one she had worn this afternoon when home to visitors, a little raspberry confection that made him want to pop her right into his mouth.
Well, he could not repeat what he wanted to do to the girl with his mouth.
Wycke laughed as he accepted his brandy from the steward and nodded in thanks before returning his attention to Ambrose. “Kindness itself, you say? Then I am sure you were not in the least at fault. What wallflower who is terrified of dancing would mind being dragged onto the dance floor with the likes of you? It isn’t as though anyone would notice her.”
“Wycke, stop kicking my arse. Did your wife instruct you to scold me as well as pry information out of me?”
“No, they all expect Lady Withnall will haul you over the burning embers when she sees you later tonight. Will you be at the Granville’s supper party?”
“Yes, it is expected of me. I accepted the invitation and cannot back out now. I suppose Lady Withnall and Miss Swift will be there, too?”
Wycke nodded. “Honey and I will not, unfortunately. We are going to the theater tonight, although I think the show you are going to put on will be far more entertaining.”
“Gad, stop. I am not going to do anything foolish.”
Wycke set aside his brandy. “I hope you do. I knew the moment I met Honey that I would make a monumental fool of myself if this is what it took to win her heart.”
Ambrose sighed. “You needn’t concern yourself. No hearts are involved here. Right, I had better be on my way if I am to get to Granville’s on time. I have never made a fool of myself over any female and am not about to start now with the likes of Miss Adela Swift.”
Blessed saints.
One would think he had known Adela all of his life and been pining over her for years, the way everyone was talking about her.
He was no fool.
No one fell in love in the span of a day.
If he was eager to see her again, it was only because they had parted on bad terms. Perhaps hehadbeen amusing himself at her expense, but what was so unpardonable about claiming her for a harmless dance? What about all the good things he was doing for her? First and foremost, getting her research papers back from that Runyon character. He would attend to it tomorrow, for he hadn’t had the chance to look into it today.
Lord and Lady Granville’s residence was a lovely townhouse in Belgravia not far from his own elegant home. Most of their guests had arrived and were already in the parlor waiting for the dinner bell to sound by the time he strode in.
Eighty people were shoulder to shoulder, everyone chattering until the moment he appeared at the threshold.
As usual, all talk came to a halt when he strolled in.
Could he never slip in unnoticed anywhere?
He marched in wearing his usual stoic facade.
The toadies immediately surrounded him, as did this year’s crop of diamonds and their eager mothers. One young beauty introduced to him as Lady Felicity Rose was particularly persistent.
