Page 22 of To Pleasure a Prince
He murmured something to his half brother, then headed toward her, and she jerked her gaze away. Wonderful. Now he was coming overhereto wreak havoc. Just what she needed to improve her mood—the sour Lady Hungateandthe surly Lord Draker sniping at each other.
“What is wrong with young people today?” Lady Hungate complained. “They pay no attention to the proprieties. Inmyday, girls couldn’t go riding with young gentlemen until their come-out. Yet I heard that Miss Spruce was actually seen in the park with Mr. Jackson last week. She’s not out yet, is she?”
“No,” Regina said absently, only too aware of the viscount’s approach.
Lady Hungate glanced behind Regina, then lifted her lorgnette to study Lord Draker with a moue of disgust. “And in my day, good grooming was a requirement for anyone going into society.”
Before Regina could retort, Lord Draker said, “Inyourday, gossips were horsewhipped in the square. You should be glad we’renotin your day, madam.”
Lady Hungate sniffed. “Well, I never—”
“No, you never were, more’s the pity.”
That finished her off. With a glance at Regina that said, “How dare you inflict this person on us?” the marchioness swept off to find better company.
Regina couldn’t decide whether to be impressed at how effectively he’d silenced the irritating Lady Hungate or annoyed by the rude methods he’d used to do it. “I think you enjoy being a bear.”
“Every bear-baiting needs one. I’m only giving them what they want—somebody for them to sharpen their claws on.” He eyed her closely. “Don’t tell me youlikelistening to the old battle-ax complain.”
“Even if I don’t,” she said primly, “I am not so rude as to—”
“Remind her that it’s equally rude to gossip? No, apparently I’m the only one you lecture. I don’t see you pointing out their rude behavior tothem.”
“They’re only being rude because you are.”
“No, they’re being rude because they’re ignorant and shallow and don’t have a thought in their heads beyond the latest rumors and fancy fashions.”
No doubt he includedherin that assessment, drat him. “Perhaps. But the proper way to deal with ignorant people is to brush off their gossip with witty retorts—not vicious insults. If you’d turn the rumors to your advantage by making jests of them, people would stop baiting you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to manage me, madam?’
She snorted. “You must be joking. You’re the most unmanageable man I’ve ever met. I’m only trying to help.”
His eyes blazed at her. “I don’t need your help, damn it.”
Lady Iversley’s announcement that the concert was beginning prevented her from retorting. Not that he would have listened. Lord Draker was the most pigheaded man she’d ever met. And how was she to improve his standing in society when he fought her every attempt? He’d said he wanted her to smooth the way, and now he rejected all her suggestions. She did not understand him.
Regina took her seat. To her surprise, he took the one next to her. When he dropped heavily into it, however, she could barely keep from pointing out that he didn’t have to throw himself into chairs like a lumbering dragon who couldn’t keep his tail straight. Not that he would listen to that, either. He took direction badly. Sometimes she even admired him for it. A pity that no one else would.
At least he would cause no trouble while Louisa was singing. Clearly, he thought the world of his sister. So why didn’t he try harder to behave at her party?
As soon as the music began, Regina relaxed. Music was her favorite enjoyment. She turned to her harp whenever she needed to be soothed, though she could only play it by ear since she couldn’t read notes. Thankfully, she had a talent for picking out melodies. And she loved hearing any sort of song, especially when the performer sang as beautifully as Louisa.
After the second piece, Regina glanced over to see Lord Draker smiling proudly at his sister. Something clutched at her heart. Just now, he didn’t look the least bit forbidding. He looked surprisingly young.
She did some figuring in her head. Why, he couldn’t be more than thirty-one, only seven years older than she. Did he really mean to molder out at Castlemaine for the rest of his life? What a waste.
He caught her watching him, and something flickered in his eyes—something scorchingly wild, and so raw it sparked an unfamiliar and oddly delicious tingle along her spine. Whoever had said that music soothed the savage breast had never met Lord Draker.
Because the way he looked at her now was decidedly savage. No man had ever dared to rake her with his gaze like that, yet she did not find it offensive. If anything, it made her wonder…
With a blush, she jerked her gaze from his. But her powerful awareness of his presence beside her only heightened as the hour wore on. Every approving murmur in response to his sister’s playing resonated deep in Regina’s belly. Every time he shifted in the flimsy chair, she was reminded of how incredibly massive he was—broad back, impressive shoulders…exceedingly muscular thighs.
Nor did it help that he kept time to the music by tapping his fingers on those very thighs. Or that said thighs strained most impressively against the worn fabric of his outdated evening attire, making her wonder how it might feel to brush up against those thighs when one was dancing. Or perhaps when one was…being embraced. Or…kissed passionately…on the mouth and the throat and—
A hot flush flooded her cheeks. This was absurd—what sort of woman was she to have such flights of fancy about a man she hardly knew? She should be paying better attention to Louisa’s lovely singing.
When they came to the part where Louisa was supposed to play the harp, Louisa stood before the crowd and smiled. “I hope you’ll forgive me if I deviate from the program, but tonight is too special to resist. You see, a very dear member of my family also possesses a fine singing voice. I hope you’ll help me persuade my brother to join me in a duet.”
