Page 32 of To Catch A Rogue
Red.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Charlie was momentarily struck dumb as she turned.
"What's wrong, Charlie?" she asked, with the utmost innocence.
There was a sound in his throat but it wasn't intelligible. He thrust the cloak at the footman before he managed to regain his composure. "You look lovely."
"Lark? In a dress?" she mocked him. "'She'll never be able to pull this off.' Who's laughing now, Charlie?"
"I deserved that."
"You did."
He shut his mouth before he could say something really stupid and escorted her toward the sounds of music. The swish of her skirts set his teeth on edge and he couldn't stop glancing at her.
"What's wrong?" she demanded.
"Nothing," he growled. "You have breasts. I'm not used to it."
Lark laughed. "I've been waiting years for this moment.Years."
Charlie had the sudden suspicion he'd be seeing a lot more of those breasts, now that she'd realized they could render him dumb. What had he done?
"Any chance we can focus on why we're here?"
She was still snickering in an unladylike fashion as he escorted her down the stairs.
"Ah, there you are." Gemma intercepted them at the base. "What's so funny?"
"Apparently I have breasts," Lark replied.
She and Gemma shared one of those distinctively female looks that made his skin itch.
"You don't say?" Gemma's eyes sparkled. "Are they lovely, Charlie? Are you blushing?"
"Sometimes I wonder why I put up with the pair of you," he said, turning and intercepting a servant carrying a tray of champagne. "Here. Drink."
"Oh, he's so eloquent," Gemma noted.
"Do you think he's going to fit in?" Lark asked. "His manners have been appalling. Hardly up to snuff. I'm not sure if he's going to pull this off."
"I can't remember what made me think introducing you two was a good idea," he muttered into his champagne.
"See that gentleman there?" Gemma mused, fiddling with Lark's earring. "The blond one in the red coat with the military medals?"
Lark sipped her champagne and glanced in the direction Gemma tipped her chin. "Yes."
"He's the Captain of the Imperial Ravens, and no friend of Sergey's. Can you lure him into the gardens for me? I want to have a little chat with him, but I can't be seen doing it. Catch his attention and try and make him approach you instead."
"How the hell is she supposed to lure him into the gardens?" Charlie growled.
Both women looked at him.
"Consider it done," Lark replied, handing Gemma her empty glass.
