Page 83 of Ruthless with a Rogue
“I do.”Livy released a breath.Oh, that felt good.To tell her friends.Her chest warmed, heartbeat fluttering.Friends.“I hold a very strong affection for Lord Dunmore.”She cleared her throat delicately.“But there is the issue of the foundling home’s funding.”
Understanding dawned in Franny’s hazel eyes.
“I see I’ve arrived just in time.”
The three women’s gazes flew to the doorway.Livy jumped to her feet and immediately sank into a curtsy.
Franny, on the other hand, flew across the room.“Dorothea!”The two women clasped hands, and Franny bussed the woman’s cheek.“Oh, what a delightful surprise!What are you doing here?Perty should be home soon.I hope you’ll stay until then.”
The dowager, completely unfazed by the whirlwind of a woman, smiled back fondly.“I have a feeling this will be a long visit.”Her calculating stare fell on Livy, and she arched a brow.“Isn’t that right, Miss Forester?”
Livy met the dowager’s gaze and nodded.“Yes, we have much to discuss.”She glanced between a bewildered Franny and Phi.“I had an idea about how to raise funds.But I haven’t the means to bring it to fruition.I thought, perhaps, if we all put our heads together, we might find a way.”
The dowager settled herself on the settee and patted the spot next to her.“All right, Miss Forester.Let’s hear this idea of yours.”
41
Livy
Livyhurriedtothestairs from her bedchamber, Aunt Mellie somewhere behind her.Her aunt had attempted a more intricate coiffure to celebrate her acceptance into Almack’s, which meant they were a mite behind schedule.She drew to an abrupt halt at the top of the stairs, gaze falling on a set of sharp, lean shoulders.Her heart tripped over itself.Thankfully just her heart, not her feet.
Derek stood, profile to the stairs, fingers drumming a melody on a thin leather-clad box.She let out a slow breath and carefully descended the stairs.Carefully, because she didn’t trust herself not to take a tumble.Not when this man had her all twisted up inside.
He spun, gaze locking on hers.Her lungs froze, and a searing longing filled her belly.Whether it was the memory of what they’d shared the other night or the way he was looking at her right now, his presence struck her more fiercely than it ever had before.All the way to the core of her.Bone-deep.
He met her at the bottom of the stairs, and she hungrily perused him.Silk fawn-colored breeches, indecently tight over his muscular thighs.Navy waistcoat and navy topcoat, so dark they were almost black, adorned with gold buttons.No frills for his shirt, no fancily tied cravat.He wore a…mathematical knot.Her gaze flew back to his, a light blush tinting his prominent cheekbones.
A mathematical knot?Her pulse fluttered in her throat.She took the final step—and tripped.Shallots!
She collided with a very hard, very solid—her eyes sank closed—very lovely chest.She pressed back on her palms, her gaze slowly lifting to be met by a kaleidoscope of green.Oh.
“Are you all right?”he whispered, his brow furrowed in his signature scowl.
He looked so much like his usual unapproachable scoundrel self… Her heart swelled, and she sighed.He was so adorable.
His head cocked.“And did you just yell shallots?”
Right.Get yourself together, Livy.
She brushed off her glittering champagne skirts and lowered into a curtsy.She peeked up at him.“I’m well, my lord.”She cleared her throat.“And apparently I did.”She laughed nervously.Hadn’t meant to, though.“I have avoided cursing for quite some time”—in her attempt to embody the role of a demure young lady—“so I formed my own to scratch that particular itch.Shallotsworks quite nicely.It’s like…”
“Shite.”
She beamed up at him.“Exactly.”
He rolled his lips in, his cheeks dimpling as he tried to fight a smile.“I’d love to know what you say for fu—
“Fractions!”she hurriedly answered him, her cheeks warming.
Something in those green eyes turned soft, pools of swirling jade.“Fractions,” he whispered.“How fitting.”
Her belly squirmed.It was uncomfortable, but even so, she thought she’d like for him to never stop looking at her like that.
“We are most honored to have your escort tonight, Lord Dunmore.”Aunt Mellie’s voice jolted Livy back to the moment.“You have been most gracious in lending your support to my niece.”
Derek’s eyes never left Livy’s.“It has been my pleasure.”
Oh dear.The squirming was getting worse.
