Page 14 of An Earl by Any Other Name
It was the sort of attitude Ivy never had cultivated. Whether that was because her mother had been in service, or her father was a Gypsy, a foreigner, she wasn’t sure. The idea of holding herself above others was simply not possible. The silence at their part of the table was starting to draw attention. The two women were focused far too much on consuming the beef Wellington and roasted parsnips.
The food was sumptuous and seemingly endless. Ivy placed a hand on her stomach, all too aware that dessert hadn’t yet been served. Her father ran a tight household, not out of a desire to deny them both of fine dinners, but merely because he didn’t believe in living to excess. Fine clothes were a must, but wasting food was unheard of. As a Romani, he was raised to respect what he had and never to indulge beyond what was necessary. She respected her father all the more for clinging to the values of the life he’d left behind.
When he had first seen her the day he had picked her up from Hampton House, he had treated her like a young lady, not a child, and told her the truth. He’d never known she’d existed. After a secret and wildly passionate affair with her mother, he realized he had to make his way in the world of the Gadjie in order to be able to have a wife. By the time he’d made his fortune, he’d just learned of her mother’s death but hadn’t heard about the child until a month later when Leo’s mother had sent him a letter. Ivy shook off the dark memories of a time that still made her heart ache and tried to focus on conversation with Mildred.
“I hear you were educated in Paris, Miss Pepperwirth. That must have been quite an enjoyable experience,” she said as she nibbled on a dark chocolate truffle.
Mildred turned a caustic eye on her. “Of course.” The barest hint of a cruel smile appeared. “You were not educated there?”
Ivy prayed the heat in her cheeks did not become a full blush.
“No, I was privately educated in London.”
“Oh, that’s a pity. Everyone can benefit from proper schooling.” The way Mildred emphasized everyone came out too patronizing for Ivy to stand. She had inherited more than looks from her father. She had his quick temper and could not suffer fools.
“I agree. Everyone should have such opportunities. I have spent the last three years attending lectures at Oxford University and have sat for several examinations. I hope someday soon I will be able to obtain a degree.”
Conversation at the table died and Ivy inwardly cursed herself for having made such a foolish comment. A soft, stifled chuckle to her left revealed Mr. Hadley laughing into his glass of wine.
The dowager countess came to her rescue. “Miss Leighton is quite the star pupil, or so I’ve heard. I’m always most excited to hear about her academic progress.” And just like that, the guests were forced to murmur their agreements lest they incur her displeasure. It was expected that no one would quarrel on a subject their hostess was eagerly ready to champion. Leo leaned close, his breath stirring the fine wisps of hairs close to her ear as he spoke.
“You truly are the center of trouble, Miss Leighton. I shall have to dine with an educated suffragette like you more often.”
She shivered as his hand accidentally, or so it seemed, ran the length of her right thigh.
She leaned ever so slightly toward him so she could whisper a reply. “Why would you subject yourself to such a problematic dining arrangement? Would it not be better to enjoy a cold and boring evening with a companion like Miss Pepperwirth?” She shouldn’t provoke him, but damned if he didn’t rile her spirits.
Leo moved back enough that she could see his face clearly as she studied him from beneath her lashes.
“Are you jealous, Miss Leighton? We are but new acquaintances.” There was a thread of insight in his gaze. She certainly didn’t like the idea of her charming prince from childhood settling down with someone like Mildred, but it was not because she was jealous.
“You are!” he accused playfully. “There’s a hint of emerald in your lovely brown eyes.”
She bristled. “I am not jealous, merely confused that you would so quickly turn from distaste to interest where I am concerned. Surely you would have to agree, such an abrupt alteration in your behavior is a little unsettling. Furthermore,” she hissed, with a quick glance about to see if she was being watched, “I believe we have moved beyond new acquaintances; otherwise, I might wonder whether you go about kissing all women you’ve just met.”
He had the nerve to grin, and she was torn between slapping him and…kissing him.
“Distaste? Never. I am merely unaccustomed to such honest discussions by ladies, especially regarding matters of a political nature.” He slid closer, just a threat of invasion of her space, and her skin heated and her breath quickened. “And as for the kisses…you, my dear, were made for kissing. I simply couldn’t resist the temptation.”
Made for kissing? She wasn’t sure if she was furious with him or delighted by the idea. He was made for sin too; that was certain. Just the gleam of more secret meetings when their lips and hands might explore each other again had her heart racing. But she couldn’t let him do that to her again. She had to stay on course and not let Leo distract her from her goals. Letting him seduce her was not something a strong, intelligent young woman would do. Her friends in the Women’s Social and Political Union would be mortified to know she’d let her body succumb to a man’s sensual influence.
“Ahem,” Mr. Hadley interrupted from the seat on the other side of her. They both looked over at him. “You’re drawing attention,” he hummed in a low murmur before smiling at another guest and taking a bite of chocolate truffle. “Best to talk to someone else or Miss Pepperwirth will have your guts for garters.” Mr. Hadley gave the barest hint of a nod in Mildred’s direction. Her scowl was fierce enough to drop a wolf dead in its tracks.
Ivy quickly turned her attentions to Mr. Hadley and allowed him to distract her from thoughts of Leo, until she felt Leo touch her beneath the table. A single fingertip tracing the length of her hand, the whisper of his skin upon her black gloves. The heat of his palm burned deliciously through the silk, and her eyes fell shut for a moment as he lulled her deeper into his subtle enchantment.
“Miss Leighton?” Mr. Hadley’s deep voice broke through and her eyes snapped open. The others at the table were getting up and leaving.
“Excuse me, what were you saying?” she asked. The touch of Leo’s hand vanished and she sensed rather than heard his laugh.
“Would you care to dance?”
Ivy blinked in shock. Footmen were clearing the table. The other guests’ voices echoed down the hall as they headed toward the ballroom. Only she, Leo, and Mr. Hadley remained in their seats.
“She’s dancing with me,” Leo announced. His sharp tone made her look over her shoulder at him.
I am, am I? She huffed and turned back to Mr. Hadley. “Actually, I am not dancing with you, my lord, at least not for the first dance, since you have not officially asked me.” She angled her body away from Leo and toward Owen. “I would be delighted to dance with you, Mr. Hadley.”
She placed her hand in his as they rose and started toward the ballroom. She didn’t have to look back to know that Leo was furious. One kiss didn’t give him any right to her, however she might have wished differently.
