Page 29 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
On her part, Anna merely ignored it, for she did not come here for another antagonization. If things became unbearable, she would simply feign a headache, bid them both farewell, and return home. The thought comforted her.
“Well, now there is only one guest still missing.” Lady Pentor clapped her hands as she took a seat back onto the armchair. Anna could see that tea was already served for the two of them, meaning that obviously, Lady Genevieve had arrived much sooner than it was expected of her.
“One more?” Anna echoed. She wondered if Lady Pentor was truly oblivious to the underlying tension in the room.
“Why yes, my dear,” Lady Pentor replied with amusement. “A young gentleman will be joining us. You see, he is new to the city, and I have taken it upon myself to introduce him to some of the best people thetonhas to offer.”
Anna almost frowned at those words. If Lady Genevieve was considered some of the best people of theton, Anna herself refused to be a part of that group. But she knew better than to say any of that out loud. Instead, she gracefully composed herself, maintaining the poise expected of a woman of her standing.
“Now, do tell me, my dear, will you be attending Lord and Lady Livingstone’s ball next week?” Lady Pentor asked, in an obvious effort to fill the time while they were waiting.
“Oh, but Lady Pentor,” Lady Genevieve said with false hesitation, “the number of invitations this year has been rather scarce. Perhaps… she has not been invited?” Her eyes flew toward Anna, who knew this was purposeful antagonization.
Anna smiled. “I have not decided yet, to be quite honest.”
“Oh, but you must, my dear,” Lady Pentor sounded outraged. “Everyone will be there, even the Duke of Blackthorn. He never misses their annual ball.”
Upon hearing the duke’s name, both Anna and Lady Genevieve’s eyes widened. They locked gazes, a battle for silent supremacy over a man they obviously both fancied. Lady Genevieve’s lips parted in an effort to say something, but a knock on the door prevented her from doing so.
“Oh, that must be him!” Lady Pentor jumped up once again, rushing to the door, which opened to reveal a gentleman Anna had never seen before.
“Ah, Sir Rupert!” Lady Pentor gushed, offering him her hand.
Chapter 15
After the usual greetings and introductions, the small group settled into the lavish parlor for tea. Sir Rupert had been assigned a seat right next to Anna, with Lady Genevieve poised across from them, and finally, Lady Pentor alone in an armchair, supervising the gathering.
“How has London been treating you so far, Sir Rupert?” Lady Pentor inquired curiously.
The man was more than happy to respond. “I must admit I have not visited it in quite a number of years, my dear lady. And I regret this immensely, for London is such a wonderful city.”
“Indeed it is,” Lady Pentor agreed. “Oh, you must attend Lord and Lady Livingstone’s ball next week, if you are here.”
The man nodded. “I plan to stay for a while. I have some… business I must tend to while here.”
The conversation continued along the same lines, with Lady Genevieve interjecting with her own questions. Only Anna was silent. She couldn’t help but observe the unknown gentleman who had just joined them. His tall and lean frame commanded attention, but there was something sinister about him, a malice one could not deny.
Anna wondered how Lady Pentor did not see it herself. Perhaps reintroducing this man into the London society was a favor she had undertaken on part of a friend? It was a possible explanation. Then again, Lady Pentor was kind and benevolent, which did not constitute a good judge of character.
“…during my travels to India…” Sir Rupert’s words reached Anna, but she paid very little attention to them.
All her keen eyes could notice was the man’s pointy nose, giving his countenance an almost predatory quality. His salt-and-pepper hair was impeccably groomed, which only seemed to add to the aura of sophistication that hung about him. However, his eyes would not let her be.
They were of a piercing shade of steel gray, darting from every lady in the room back and forth as he spoke. Anna couldn’t help but find calculation and secrecy in them. He was certainly not the sort of a man she would accept a dance from at a ball, despite having no tangible reason for it. Sometimes, a feeling was all one had to rely on. And sometimes, that was more than enough.
“And you are here on business, you say?” Lady Genevieve’s words pierced through Anna’s concentration.
“Yes.” The man nodded. “There are a few gentlemen here I would like to speak to, regarding certain business endeavors. That is why I plan on staying a bit longer.”
Anna was not certain how the conversation had taken that turn, but the present people seemed to form two couples, with Lady Pentor focused on something Lady Genevieve was sharing with her, and Anna was forced to turn to the man seated next to her.
“You know, I do believe I had the pleasure of meeting your husband on a few occasions, Lady Ravenscroft,” Sir Rupert announced importantly, as if it was something crucial that he had to share with her.
“You did?” she wondered with little interest. “My late husband did have many business connections, so it is quite possible.”
He leaned in, his steely gaze fixed on her as he continued. “From what I remember, the Ravenscroft estate is quite vast.”
“I… suppose so,” she replied, not certain what she was expected to say.
