Page 8 of A Rogue for Christmas
“That would be their failing.”
They stared at one another for several seconds. Finally, she let out a soft huff of air.
“I don’t know who is assigned to which room, so it seems you’ll have to wait a little longer to meet your paramour.”
He knew she meant the words as a set down, but to him it felt like a challenge. If she thought he would be so easily dismissed, then he’d have to show her otherwise.
“There is no paramour in residence here, but”—he took a step closer and lowered his voice—“if you’d like to apply for the position, I’d be willing to consider your application.”
Her eyes widened a fraction, and he waited for her reaction. He should have known that she’d surprise him yet again when she let out a hearty laugh. He couldn’t help but join her, so infectious was her mirth.
Finally, her amusement faded, but her eyes were still twinkling. And she was actually smiling at him. “You are incorrigible. I can see why everyone has rushed to warn me about you.”
He wasn’t surprised at the knowledge. But at least her family hadn’t seen fit to position a footman outside her bedroom door. Thank goodness for small mercies.
He smiled down at her. “But you’re not afraid of me.” It wasn’t a question since it was clear Iris wasn’t afraid for her virtue. Not at the moment.
She shook her head. “You had me alone in a dark garden. If you wanted to ravish me, you would have done it then.”
She turned away and started back down the hallway. He fell into step beside her.
She glanced sideways at him. “Won’t your paramour be disappointed if you abandon your wait so soon? I promise not to tell anyone.”
He leaned closer and murmured, “I’m here for you, Iris Rowland.”
Her steps faltered, but then she straightened and continued to her two companions.
“Allow me to introduce you, my lord, to my sister, Miss Violet Rowland, and to my good friend, Miss Clara Howe. This is Lord Wentworth.”
He bowed his greeting to the two younger women. “It is a pleasure to meet the two of you.”
Iris fell into step next to her two companions, and he trailed just behind them.
She glanced at him over her shoulders, and he could see her surprise that he was still with them. He grinned at her. She’d learn soon enough that he was only here for her.
Her lips tightened into a line before she turned away. She did lean slightly toward the other two and say, her voice clear, “He’s something of a reprobate, so watch yourselves around him.”
He let out a startled laugh. He’d been dreading this visit, thinking that he’d need to put it behind him quickly so that he could continue with his normal life, but after one short conversation with Iris, everything had changed. He’d have to inform his valet that they wouldn’t be leaving tomorrow morning.
CHAPTER5
Iris found it impossible to ignore Wentworth’s presence. After their chance meeting that evening all those months ago, she’d never expected to speak to him again. Given the type of woman with whom he normally associated, she certainly never expected him to seek her out.
Which was why her gaze kept drifting over to him when he wasn’t close by. She expected that a more sophisticated woman wouldn’t be quite so obvious, but Iris wasn’t up to that level of pretense. Wentworth had told her that he was here for her, but she couldn’t allow herself to believe him.
She took note of who he was speaking to and expected him to slip away at some point. When that didn’t happen before dinner, she told herself that he was being discreet for now and would slip away to meet someone after dinner when people had wandered off to experience one of the entertainments during the evening.
She hadn’t expected him to be seated next to her during the meal and suspected that he must have switched out the name cards to achieve that outcome.
She concentrated on speaking to the older gentleman to her right and his wife, who was seated across from them. And she absolutely was not straining to hear what Wentworth was saying to the widow who was to his left. But every time he chuckled, the soft sound had her hackles rising.
Finally, during a lull in the conversation near the end of the main course, he leaned close to her.
“You’ve been uncharacteristically silent toward me. And after all the trouble I undertook to ensure we were seated next to one another.”
Her eyes narrowed on him, and she couldn’t help but wonder what game he was playing. Perhaps he was trying to make the widow jealous. For one moment she considered telling him not to bother trying to charm her, but she’d be lying to both of them. Even if he was using her as a pawn in another game, there was no reason she couldn’t enjoy herself.
She lowered her voice and prayed no one could overhear their conversation. “If you need my assistance in trying to make someone else jealous, I’m willing to play along.” Then she laughed softly and spoke in what she hoped was a normal tone. She’d never tried her hand at acting a role before today. “Pray continue. I’d love to hear the rest of that story.”
