Page 3 of A Widow's Perfect Rogue
A calculating gleam flashed in the widow’s eyes that made him concerned for Frankie’s well-being. He glanced at Frankie and noted her cheeks had reddened at the widow’s implied insinuation. And then Frankie did something that left him a little in awe.
“My dearLadyDeville,” Frankie said, gracefully standing with a bearing as regal as a queen’s. “Lord Latham and I were just about to return to the ballroom. Therefore, if you’d like to enjoy the swing you are most welcome to do so, and partake of thefresh air,”she offered in a dignified tone, smoothing her skirts. “The air smells so sweetly of roses. I am certain you will find it most gratifying.”
“Oh, bravo! Miss Wickersham.” The dowager thumped her cane in obvious approval. “Endora, you shall have the swing all to yourself now and leave these two young people to rejoin the dancing.”
“Indeed, a ride on the swing would be lovely with a strong young man behind me,” the redhead baited.
Thomas’ mouth compressed into a hard line. “I do not doubt if you ask about the ballroom, someone will volunteer to push you.”
The dowager snorted. “If you want to sit in the swing, I’d be happy to give you a big push.”
A few people standing nearby snickered at the insult.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Lady Deville said in a stilted voice. “It’s becoming a tad chilly out here.” And with an offended huff, she swished her way past them down the garden path leading back to the ballroom.
Thomas caught a whiff of her cloying perfume as she pushed past, reminding him of the first ball of the Season. When they were ushered into dinner, she’d slid next to him and flirted shamelessly the entire time. According to rumors, Lady Deville had just come out of mourning and was on the hunt for husband number two. Then, at one point, Thomas had spotted her pass a coin to the footman who’d been serving them, realizing that Lady Deville had bribed the servant to move her place card next to his, forcing him to sit next to her and leaving him to suffer her brazen flirting and nauseating perfume throughout the entire dinner.
“Your Grace, thank you for your assistance,” he said politely, bowing to the dowager. “Please allow me to escort both you and Miss Wickersham back to the ballroom.
The dowager duchess smiled and accepted his proffered arm.
On his other side, Frankie’s light touch caused a jolt of heat to travel up his arm, igniting a physical reaction he was doing his best to tamp down.
When they were back in the ballroom, the dowager turned to Frankie. “Young lady, be careful of the widow,” she said in a serious tone. “She is a viper and has a reputation for causing harm to anyone who gets in her way. She doesn’t like losing anything or anyone she sets her sights on.”
“Frankie has nothing to worry about on that front,” Thomas said.
“Just be careful, both of you,” the dowager repeated with a thump of her cane. “Now, off with you both.”
Thomas led Frankie back out onto the dance floor, but from the corner of his eye, he spied Lady Deville watching the dancers like a hawk as she downed a glass of champagne—probably scouting her next conquest, he surmised. The widow was sorely misguided if she thought she could get between him and Frankie.
When the dance ended, Thomas accepted two glasses of champagne from a passing footman as they made their way around the room to look for Frankie’s aunt and uncle.
“Do you think she will mention finding us outside?” Frankie asked.
“The dowager?”
She nodded.
“I have little experience with the lady, but she doesn’t strike me as a malicious woman. And she was most supportive of us in the garden.”
“Yes, she was, but I worry that Lady Deville might have other notions.” Frankie bit her lip, and a worried expression flickered in her eyes.
Thomas gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Do not concern yourself with the widow. She is a meddlesome woman, yes, but you dealt with her beautifully.” He smiled down at her and saw the smile return to her eyes. “I’ll come back for you before the hour and we’ll take another turn about the room,” he whispered. They finished their champagne and set their empty glasses on another tray.
“I’d like that,” she said.
Thomas left Frankie with her aunt and uncle in a quiet corner and strolled toward his friends.
“My lord, I have a message for you,” a footman said, striding up to him. “They asked me to make sure you received this immediately.” The footman handed a sealed piece of vellum to Thomas and turned to leave.
“Wait,” Thomas said, skimming the note. “I need to reply at once. Where might I find paper and ink?”
“Right this way, my lord,” the footman said, leading him to a sitting room where he showed him a small desk. Withdrawing a key, the footman opened a locked drawer and took out vellum, ink, and sealing wax. “I will return in a moment to allow you privacy,” the footman said.
“That won’t be necessary. Please wait,” Thomas said. Quickly, he composed a message.
My dearest Frankie,
