Page 56 of Three Weeks with a Princess
“According to my family, I’ve engaged in quite enough bad behavior,” Lia said. “I’m to be a pattern card of rectitude from now on.”
“That would be a nice change,” Dominic said with a wry smile.
“Miss Kincaid’s stage appearance didn’t sound all that scandalous,” Sinclair said. “But rather more like a fun adventure. And it was your stepfather’s company, was it not? Truly, it sounds quite tame when one knows the details.”
Lia wrinkled her nose. “I suppose you didn’t hear about my breeches role.”
He shook his head, looking slightly mystified.
“We don’t need to discuss that now,” Dominic said in a firm tone. “Or ever, in fact.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she said. “Mr. Sinclair, forget I even mentioned it.”
“Well, that’s no fun,” he said with mock complaint. “Because I am a gentleman, however, I will manfully wrestle my curiosity under control—but only if you agree to allow me to call on you one day soon, Miss Kincaid. And Lady Hunter, of course.”
Lia caught the quick glance her aunt flicked at Dominic, who gave an almost imperceptible nod back. Apparently, Mr. Sinclair had passed muster.
“I am sure both Lia and I would be delighted to see you, sir,” Chloe said. She gave Lia an encouraging smile.
“Yes, that would be very nice,” added Lia politely.
Because Sinclair seemed like a genuinely nice man, she couldn’t imagine why he’d waste his time on her. With his looks, background, and wealth, he would be considered a prime catch on the marriage mart. She suspected he was simply being polite, likely because his father was friendly with Dominic.
His eyes glittered with emerald sparks of amusement. “You are too kind, Miss Kincaid. I will do my best to entertain you and Lady Hunter with appropriately thrilling stories of my travels through India.”
Many of the gentlemen Lia had met tonight had struck her as little better than strutting peacocks, preening in front of the females, waiting for—and expecting—their full approval. Sinclair, while obviously a confident man, didn’t appear to take himself too seriously.
Perhaps she wouldn’t mind spending time with him, after all. If nothing else, he might take her mind off Jack. She’d had yet another fight with him only a few days before and it had left her feeling gloomy and hollowed out. They’d once been the best of friends, but now they’d somehow lost the ability to talk to each other, much less understand how the other felt.
If Jack truly was in love with her, as Chloe had suggested, that shouldn’t be the case, as far as Lia was concerned. If anything, their relationship seemed to be fracturing under the weight of disagreements and misunderstandings, driving them further apart every day.
She was afraid it was feeling rather hopeless.
Then stop moping and do something else instead.
“That would be simply splendid,” she said, giving Sinclair a bright smile. “I will look forward to your call.”
His eyebrows ticked up at her marked increase in enthusiasm. Socially adept she was not, as she’d tried to tell Aunt Chloe and Gillian a thousand times. Jack had agreed with her on that point, which, while honest, wasn’t very flattering.
Sinclair briefly bowed over her gloved hand. “Thank you, Miss Kincaid. I will be sure to—”
Suddenly appearing out of the crowd, Gillian ruthlessly elbowed Sinclair in the ribs to move him aside. “Lia, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you, but this bloody ballroom—er, this ridiculous ballroom is so crowded that one can barely find one’s hand.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace,” Sinclair said in a dry tone. “I didn’t realize I was in your way.”
Gillian gave an exaggerated start as she met his gaze. “Mr. Sinclair, is that you? I do apologize. I didn’t notice you.”
He was well over six feet tall and Gillian was an exceedingly observant person, so that didn’t seem likely. “I hope I didn’t step on your foot and injure you,” the duchess added, almost as an afterthought.
“No indeed, madam, myfootwas not injured in the least.”
Gillian gave him a reluctant smile. “You’re very nice. Under other circumstances, I would quite like you.”
That threw him for a few seconds, but he recovered with a quick smile. “Thank you—I think.”
“Your Grace, is there something you need from Lia?” Dominic prompted, sounding a bit long-suffering. Gillian tended to elicit that response in her family and friends. The duchess was even more unconventional than she was and had immediately taken Lia under her wing with a fierce and unquestioning loyalty. Lia had already come to adore her.
“Yes. It’s very important that I speak with Lia, you, and Aunt Chloe.” Gillian slid an impatient glance at Sinclair. “Now.”
