Page 7 of A Rogue for Christmas
“No, I’m just trying to point out that you married a rake, and he changed his ways. It’s possible that Lord Wentworth might be trying to do the same.”
“Simon courted me for months, and he was a perfect gentleman during that period. He only…” She waved her hand, unwilling to repeat Iris’s words lest they be overheard. “I’d turned down his proposal of marriage because I thought he only wanted me because I would make a convenient bride.”
“Yes, yes, but instead, he’s wildly passionate about you.” Honestly, was it necessary for her sister to rub in the fact that she’d found happiness when Iris’s own season had ended in disappointment?
Celia covered her mouth to hide her snort of laughter.
Lily rolled her eyes. “You don’t have room to criticize me. Thornton is equally devoted to you.”
The two smiled at one another, and Iris rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go check on Violet and try to coax her to join us. The two of you can continue to congratulate yourselves on having secured love matches while I’m gone.”
She began to turn, but Lily stopped her and whispered into her ear, “Promise me you’ll act with caution.”
“Of course,” Iris said with a nod. It was an easy promise to make since she knew she was in no danger from Wentworth.
CHAPTER4
The afternoon had passed by pleasantly enough, filled mainly with several rounds of billiards and various card games. They’d played only for bragging rights, something he hadn’t done since he was a youth. But it seemed that it was equally enjoyable to win even if there wasn’t money involved… and he’d won far more than he’d lost.
It got tiring after a while having to play off the curious glances and outright questions from everyone about why he was there. If these people could accept a rake like Seaford into their midst, then he couldn’t understand why they were so surprised that he’d be in attendance.
It was an effort not to dwell on his all-too-brief interaction with Iris Rowland several hours earlier. A sense of unease had settled over him after being unceremoniously led away from the drawing room by Thornton’s mother.
She’d said all the right things, of course, but it was clear that something had changed with respect to how she viewed him. He’d had to call in several favors among friends of the family to get this invitation, but the woman’s welcome when he first arrived was a far cry from her demeanor when she’d come across him performing the unspeakable act of trying to enter the drawing room.
Iris had been right there, but it was now clear that the world was conspiring against him.
He rolled his shoulders as he waited for Iris to leave her bedchamber. His valet had learned where Iris was sleeping, but he wasn’t such a brute as to storm into her room. Instead, he’d found a discrete alcove to lurk in near the end of the hallway and lay in wait, very much like a villain in a horrid novel.
It was humbling to be the one doing the chasing. Not that he was chasing after Iris, of course. He just needed to speak to her so he could finally set aside the curiosity that had him obsessing about their meeting in the garden months ago.
He wasn’t quite sure how he would accomplish that during the evening’s entertainments. The sanctioned mingling period between the sexes before dinner.
Fortunately, the wait wasn’t a long one, so he wouldn’t have to try to convince someone that he’d lost his way. The manor house was large, yes, but it was laid out in much the same manner as countless other houses he’d visited.
Iris exited her bedroom, and he was just about to approach her when she was followed by her younger sister as well as Seaford’s sister.
He let out an amused huff at his own presumption that this would be easy. Nothing thus far had been. This was yet another roadblock he’d have to overcome.
They would have to pass by him before heading downstairs, so he waited for her to approach. He watched her smile at something her sister said. Then, sensing his presence, she turned her head toward him, her smile freezing in place.
She said something to her two companions and then headed toward him. The younger women waited, clearly curious about what was happening.
Iris stopped when she reached him and shook her head. Her expression was very much one of bemusement, as though she’d found him sneaking a treat before dinner.
“Why am I not surprised to find you lurking outside the bedrooms assigned to the female guests?”
He chuckled. “I see you haven’t lost your wit.”
She raised one shoulder. “If a man is scared away by a woman’s intelligence, then he isn’t worth knowing.”
She folded her arms across her chest and waited for his response. He could tell that she was assessing his reaction to her statement. There was a resignation within that told him he’d already been judged and found wanting.
“I’m not afraid of a woman’s intelligence.”
She searched his face, no doubt looking for any clue that would tell her he was lying. He knew she’d find none. Others might prefer a woman who was simply a decorative accessory, but he liked his women with a little more substance.
“There are few men who would agree with you.”
