Page 99 of Wild Lily
How forward can this woman be?“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, I beg your pardon. I mean, does she please you?”
His eyes sought the vision in jade-green organza who laughed as she swayed in Pinkhurst’s arms.Does she please me?More than. She was, always had been, effervescent, irresistible.
“I hope she does. She’s beautiful,” Priscilla rattled on. “And you deserve a woman you like. Love. I would have married you, you realize.”
“I do,” he managed to say amid his shock at this girl’s outrageous conversation.
“But you were caught with her.”
“What?” Would she dare to cite a dastardly tidbit? One that few knew. How could she know?
“Caught. In your stables, wasn’t it?”
No.“How did you learn that?” He was tempted to stop, call her out over this. But if he did, he’d make a scene. That was the last thing he needed.
“It’s in the London broadsheets.” Priscilla looked surprised. “Didn’t you know?”
Why would he? He didn’t take them.
“When?” He diminished their progress in the orderly procession of couples round the floor.
She glanced from one set of dancers to another. “We’re not in step, my lord.”
“No, we’re not. And won’t be. Tell me.”
“A few times. I don’t know. The past few weeks. They’ve put in cartoons too.”
Anger roared through him. His Lily, attacked. Again. “What do they say?”
“Well, I…“
“Priscilla, you initiated this. Don’t stop now.”
“They say that you married her out of obligation. Did you?”
“No.” He led her off the floor.
“You’re hurting my wrist, my lord.”
“I am sorry.” He loosened his grip on her. She was frightened of him. Shame tempered his ire. He was not a brute. “What else?”
“That her father paid you to marry her. That you—um—well—”
“What, for godssakes?”
“Ruined her.”
He set his jaw. A thousand curses on whoever printed this—and millions more on whoever gave the rags these hideous distortions of the truth. “That is not true. I count on you to say that to any and all whom you meet.”
“Yes, yes. Of course, I will.” She rubbed her wrist. “I apologize, my lord.”
“Accepted. Naturally.”
“I think I’d like to adjourn to the ladies retiring room, if you don’t mind.” She looked hopeful and nervous.
“I can escort you.” He offered his arm and led her to the far side of the ballroom. And once there, she gave him a small curtsy and escaped him, scurrying away.
