Page 39 of Ruthless with a Rogue
“Who I really wanted to introduce you to are those two.Lord and Lady Rutledge.”Lord Dunmore indicated the handsome couple on the left.
The man’s clothes were pressed and perfectly styled, not a wrinkle in sight, which was in stark contrast to his curls flopping out of control beneath his hat as he laughed at something his wife said.She had hair as black as Lord Dunmore’s, swept up into a loose coiffure, tendrils cascading around her face.She wore a look of mischief as she conversed with her husband, her jade-green skirts drifting lazily around his fawn breeches.
Livy clenched her hands on her shawl to prevent herself from clapping in delight.Lord and Lady Rutledge were known for having the most exclusive dinner parties, ones she knew the Dowager Duchess of Ironcrest attended.It would do her cause very well if she made an impression on them today.
All right, Livy.Do not make a fool of yourself.
She could totally do this.
23
Livy
LivyandLordDunmoreambled up to the couples.
“Lord Dunmore, a pleasure to see you,” Lord Rutledge said, his tone strained.There was a glint in the man’s eye, something Livy couldn’t quite read, but he appeared relieved by their approach.
Lord Dunmore dipped his chin in greeting.“Fine day or not, I’m a happy man after meeting with my man of business.It is a fortunate day for those invested in steel.”
“Right you are, my lord,” Lord Pennington spoke up, grinning beneath his bushy brown mustache.
“Lord and Lady Pennington and Lord and Lady Rutledge.May I introduce Miss Forester, Lord Forester’s daughter?”
Livy curtsied to the group while the ladies smiled in greeting.Lord Rutledge nodded politely.Lord Pennington swept his gaze over her, then dismissed her without so much as a nod and turned to Lord Dunmore.
“I was just going over the monthly reports of my own investments,” Lord Pennington said.“Shall we all walk?I would love to pick your brain.We men can talk business while the ladies gossip about frivolities.”
Livy double blinked.That was rather insulting.Yes, a woman was supposed to have only modest intelligence, but that didn’t mean they had nothing important to discuss.Lady Pennington’s blue eyes sparked with fire as she glared at her husband’s back.What an odious man.
No matter, the insult couldn’t quash Livy’s excitement for an excuse to speak with just the ladies.It was them she needed to make an impression on.Said gossip getting back to the patronesses of Almack’s could make or break a young lady’s success on the marriage mart.Matches were made and destroyed over small conversations like this.Asfrivolousas that may be.
Lady Rutledge bestowed a warm smile upon Livy as they ambled behind the men.Her green and gold eyes sparkled from under her straw hat that had a cheeky little upturn on one side.“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Forester.I’m not familiar with your family.What brings you to London?”
“I am here for my coming out, though I’m a bit late in doing so.My aunt, Lady Elliot, has accompanied me.”Livy motioned toward where her aunt was chatting amiably with one of her friends.
“Oh, how exciting!”Lady Pennington exclaimed.“I remember my season.It was a whirlwind of balls and suitors.”She sighed, her blue eyes softening.
“And then your father ruined it, and you got stuck with Pennington.”Lady Rutledge wrinkled her nose, her lip curling.
Lady Pennington huffed.“Yes, I played dutiful daughter.”
Livy’s heart squeezed in sympathy for the woman.No marriage at all would be better than a marriage like that.Livy hadn’t realized until this moment how fortunate she was.Even in a world where women had very little choice, Papa would never force her to marry someone she didn’t want to.She bit back a chuckle.He probably wouldn’t even realize if she did marry or not.
A wicked grin split Lady Pennington’s face, eyes flashing.“But not before I got to enjoy the attentions of some of the most handsome rogues of the ton at the time.”
Lady Rutledge snorted.“That is a gross exaggeration.”
Lady Pennington tapped Lady Rutledge playfully with her fan.“It is not!I’ll admit, they weren’t anywhere near in league with the Marquess of Dunmore.Of course, back then, no one would have given him a second glance.Goodness, how has it already been five years?”She eyed Livy curiously.“How is it you came to be acquainted with the Marquess?”
Livy’s gaze drifted over Lord Dunmore, his lean muscles straining against his coat.Those same lean muscles flashed in her mind.Bare skin.Sweat-slicked.She hastily cleared her throat.“We were introduced at the Chesterfield Ball.He is distantly acquainted with my aunt and has offered to show me around.”
“Hmm,” Lady Rutledge said thoughtfully, a few loose black tendrils of hair dancing around her face in the breeze.“I have known Lord Dunmore for quite some time, but I’ve never heard of this…distant acquaintance.”
Livy swallowed nervously.The story was a stretch, but the only other option was to feign a courtship with Lord Dunmore.Which was absolutely not happening.It would only feed into his attempts at seduction, and shewould notgive him the upper hand.
“It’s quite distant.My aunt hasn’t frequented town in quite some time.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him escort a young lady about,” Lady Rutledge said with a hum.“I find thatveryinteresting.Don’t you, Lady Pennington?”
