Page 82 of A Rake's Redemption
“Supposedly the Midnight Marauder has struck again.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “The debutantes are all in a twitter.”
Alex laughed. “I think all the girls wish the man would kiss them. They’d probably like some excitement in their lives.”
His gaze drifted to Inis, and she felt herself blush. The past week had certainly beenexcitingfor her, although she had a few more words to describe their bed play. Something in her expression must have given away her thoughts, because Alex’s eyes darkened.
“Ah,” Caroline said as there was a commotion at the ballroom entranceway. “The Prince has arrived.”
The duke and Amelia greeted the Royal at the door and then were practically flattened by the onslaught of theton, all of whom wanted to be next to speak to him.
“Do you wish to join the crush and meet our next monarch?” Alex asked.
“Nae,” Inis said quickly, and then remembered that making sure the Prince actuallysawher was part of Alex’s original plan. Once it was disclosed, in a day or two, that a mere commoner had attended a duke’s ball and been passed off as a lady, Alex had wanted the Prince to recall who that woman had been. Since the Prince had never visited her uncle in Ireland, he would not know who she really was, so she’d agreed to it. She sighed. “We might as well get this done.”
Alex gave her a contemplative look. “Do you want to change your mind?”
Inis shook her head. “I agreed to do this.”
He offered his arm. “It will not take long.”
As the Prince was escorted into the ballroom, the ladies swarmed after him like so many buzzing bees. His arrival had been well timed, at least as far as Inis was concerned, since it saved her from being subjugated to an endless stream of questions from the gossip seekers. A special seat had been reserved for the Regent on a small dais placed across the room from where the musicians played. Alex and Caroline took their place in line with Inis to meet the Prince.
Alex introduced her to the people standing closest to them while they waited, but he and Caroline both kept the curious from asking too many questions.
At last, it was their turn. The duke, standing next to the Prince’s chair, gave Alex a cold look and then lifted his chin and looked down his thin nose at Inis. Alex grinned at his brother, which made George sniff, and then made the introductions quickly. When the Prince asked Caroline to repeat her name, Alex took the opportunity to whisk Inis away.
“That was not so bad, was it?” he asked when they were out of earshot.
“It went better than I expected,” Inis replied, “but I wonder why the Prince detained Caroline.”
Alex shrugged. “Probably to make some comment about her father. He serves the Court.”
Caroline did not look especially pleased when she joined them.
“What is wrong?” Inis asked.
“The Prince Regent said one of his entourage wanted to be introduced to me later.” She frowned and looked at Alex. “You know what that means.”
“It might not mean what you think it does,” Alex answered.
Inis looked from one to the other. “What are ye talking about?”
Caroline’s frown deepened. “My father has been talking about wanting to marry me off to one of the Prince’s set. I want no part of it.”
Her friend’s plight aroused instant sympathy in Inis. She had escaped Ireland so she wouldn’t have to marry Silas Desmond. “Ye should be able to choose your own husband, nae have one foisted on ye.”
“I wish it were so simple,” Caroline said.
“Well, ye can run away with me to America,” Inis said, ignoring the look Alex gave her. He’d tried to broach the subject of setting her up in a house with expenses paid more than once in the past week, but she was adamant she would not accept. More and more, though, with each night that passed in Alex’s bed, she found her resolve weakening. Which was just one more reason to leave quickly.
“Do not tempt me,” Caroline said darkly.
The conversation was cut off as the musicians struck up a reel and the people who were still not waiting to speak to the Prince quickly formed two lines for the dance. Although Inis would have preferred to stay on the sidelines, she knew that dancing was something else Alex wanted her to demonstrate this evening. She had to act every inch the lady and be convincing.
She lost sight of Alex and Caroline as the steps began and couples changed partners. When the music changed to a quadrille, she found herself with an English partner who looked vaguely familiar, but the dance began before he could do more than bow.
After another set, Inis decided she’d had enough. She excused herself, saying she needed to retire to the ladies’ resting room. As she headed toward the hallway, she saw Jeannette going in the same direction. She changed course and searched the crowded room for Alex. He was near the door to the hallway. She started toward him and then stopped, remembering that Amelia had gone there just minutes ago. She really didn’t want to run into the woman again.
And then, as Inis watched, she saw Alex pause, look around furtively, and step through the doorway into the hall.
