Page 13 of Somewhere I'll Find You
“I would like Mrs. Wentworth to have supper at my estate one evening.”
Scott seemed unperturbed by the statement. Undoubtedly many men had shown such interest in Jessica Wentworth before. “And if she refuses?”
“The money is still yours.”
“That's a relief to hear, Lord Savage. Because Mrs. Wentworth is not a woman who can be bought, nor is she easily wooed. I can tell you about the scores of gentlemen who have failed with her. She doesn't seem to care about wealth or social position, and to my knowledge she has no desire for a man's protection. To be blunt, I would lay very steep odds against her accepting any kind of invitation from you.”
“Perhaps you have some influence with her,” Damon suggested softly. “I trust you will use it on my behalf.”
Their gazes met, blue eyes staring into steely gray. It was impossible for Damon to tell whether Scott was motivated by some fatherly feeling for Jessica Wentworth, or if his feelings crossed the threshold of actual jealousy. Scott spoke tonelessly. “I will not be responsible for urging Mrs. Wentworth into a situation that could be compromising or difficult for her—”
“All I want is to spend a few hours with her,” Damon said smoothly. “I give you my word that she will not be offended in any way. I would like you to persuade her to accept my invitation. If she doesn't, my donation to the Capital will still be given as promised.”
Scott hesitated for a long moment, then took another sip of wine. Being a worldly man, he understood that some concession was expected—necessary, in fact, regardless of Damon's assurances to the contrary. One supper was hardly too much to ask in return for five thousand pounds. “Very well. I'll discuss the matter with her.”
“Thank you.” Damon kept his face blank, but he felt as if he could draw a full breath for the first time since Jessica Wentworth had cast her spell over him. It would be done—Scott would convince her to meet with him, and he would have a few hours alone with her.
He must have gone insane. He wasn't behaving like himself at all. He was never moved by impulse—he calculated and planned his every action. But he would allow himself this temporary lapse, if only because he didn't seem to have a choice.
As he and Logan Scott parted company, Damon caught a glimpse of Jessica, who stood several yards away with her own group of admirers. Her accusing gaze was fixed on him as if she already knew what he had done.
“What did you say to him?” Pauline asked as soon as he returned to her and William. Clearly she was annoyed at having been abandoned even for a few minutes.
Damon shrugged and gave her a bland look. “I've decided to become a sponsor for the Capital.”
“You?” She gave him a skeptical glance.
“You never go to the theater unless you're knocked over the head and dragged there,” William commented. “Why the sudden interest in the Capital?”
“Yes, why?” Pauline asked, her mouth tight with suspicion.
“I want to broaden my interests,” Damon replied, the look in his eyes warning them both not to question him any further.
“What did he say to you?” Julia demanded as soon as she could separate herself from the guests and take Logan Scott aside for a private word.
Logan's eyes were pools of innocent blue. “Who?”
“Lord Savage,” she said between her teeth. “What did the two of you talk about? I saw the expression on your face—the look you always wear when someone offers you money.”
“Well, there you have it.” He smiled and opened his hands in an appealing gesture. “He's going to make a handsome donation to the Capital. Quite a generous fellow. Pleasant, gentlemanly—”
“Stop praising him and tell me what he wanted!”
“We'll discuss it later.”
Driven by fast-rising frustration, Julia caught his sleeve, her fingers digging into the fine, dark amber cloth of his coat. “Did he mention me?”
“Why do you ask that?” Logan's gaze delved into hers. “He did, as a matter of fact. What is going on between you?”
“Nothing,” she said immediately. “And nothing will. I have no interest in him at all.”
“That's unfortunate. Because I made him a promise of sorts.”
“You have no right to make any kind of promise involving me!” she said hotly.
“Quiet,” Logan murmured, mindful of the other guests nearby. “No one is going to force you to do anything. We'll talk later, when you've managed to control your emotions.”
Julia willed herself to stay calm, and released her clutch on his sleeve. “Tell me now, or I'll go mad.”
