Page 28 of Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi
“I was. I do not do well when the weather changes quickly from warm to cold and back again. I had to rest.”
“You recuperated at your aunt’s country house,oui?”
“In Compiègne, I did.” Alarm that he knew this shot through her veins. Why would he bother to learn this? If he thought this endeared him to her, he was wrong. She would not ever succumb to his charms. “When my chest is full, I am laid low. I must rest without distractions.”
Curse it.His gaze followed her hand to her bosom.
“But when in Compiègne, I understand you attended a soiree of the Ladies of Joan of Arc.”
A footman responded to Vaillancourt’s summons, and with one hand he took the crystal, and with the other he took her gloved one. With a flash of damnably beautiful dark blue eyes, he placed the glass in her hand.
She steeled herself against his arrogance. “Merci.Yes, when I was well enough, I met with them. I like stories of Joan of Arc. She was there before the British took her to Rouen and burned her at the stake. I approve of the ladies in Compiègne who do such good charity work for the orphans of that city. Far too many children pay for the greed of officials. The new government changes nothing for starving children.”
“Careful,ma cherie.What you say can be overheard.”
“I am English,monsieur.Under the new treaty it would be a sad strategy of the consulate to take me away and intimidate me.” Her chin went up with her dislike of him and all he represented. “Don’t you agree?”
“There is such a thing as teasing the lion, Augustine.”
She sucked in air, surprised that he would be so bold as to use her given name—and ignore her jab at the inequalities and inefficiencies of the new consulate. “Do I pull your tail,monsieur?”
His dark sapphire eyes flashed with sexual overtones. “You interest me—and you know it, Augustine.”
No, you play at it. It is Amber you want.“Monsieur, surely a man of your skills and friends knows that I have no interests in attachments.”
“So I have heard. But then, you are much too lovely to remain alone. A lady of your beauty and education is a lure to many men. Including me.”
“I thank you for the compliment,monsieur. But I am not in the market for a husband. Not yet.”
“Then it is a good time to have experience before one claims a husband.” He raised his dark brows.
“I find the concept of a husband useful. One need worry only about one person’s whereabouts, one person’s liaisons, one person’s diseases.”
“You are too direct,mademoiselle.”
Suddenly she was no longer Augustine?Well and good. “I will have no lovers,monsieur. Only a husband. When I am ready.”
He leaned close, much too intimate for the hour and her tolerance. Indeed, he even grasped her upper arm. This was very uncouth of him. Desperation was not a good plan.
She glared at him. “Please, sir, remove your hand.”
“I think the lady has a very good suggestion, Monsieur Vaillancourt.”
Gus breathed in relief and moved in such a way that the point of her shoulder fell against Ashley’s broad chest.
“The lady and I were talking,” Vaillancourt said, tilting his head up to confront her champion.
“It appeared that you were harassing her,monsieur. She is not to be abused.” Ashley arched both brows. “I suggest you take your hand from her arm, before I must do it for you.”
The deputy complied.
Others noticed.
The comfort of Ashley’s chest beneath her shoulder was all that kept her from shuddering.
“Come with me,” Ashley urged her in that smooth way that sank beneath her skin. His hand on her forearm led her to twine her arm in his. “Head high. Smile. They look,” he said, and all the while he led her away toward the hall and privacy.
Her knees threatened to buckle, but she kept pace with him and plastered what she hoped was a normal expression on her face. She smiled and gazed up at him, chattering about whatever in hell it was he decided was the topic to amuse them.
