Page 40 of Passions of a Wicked Earl
“Actually, I’m acquainted with very few of the nobility—only those I met when we visited your estate and a few on my wedding day.”
“Old men, then.”
She smiled. “For the most part, yes.”
“Lynnie’s friends mostly.”
Lynnie. The Earl of Lynnford. Their guardian.
“Should you refer to him so informally?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve taken my place in the House of Lords. He would expect it.”
“What of Westcliffe? I suppose he’s sitting there now.” She’d never given it any thought before.
“He’s been there for some time. Takes his duties very seriously. It’s the reason he married you, isn’t it?”
She lifted a shoulder.
“Do you ever wonder if perhaps there was another reason?” he asked.
“Such as?”
“Perhaps he liked you.”
“He had a funny way of showing it. He never spoke to me.”
“He’s really quite timid, you know.”
Nearly bursting out with laughter, she caught the glimmer of teasing in his eyes. “Oh, yes, I’m sure at this very moment he’s hiding beyond a potted frond.”
“On the contrary, he’s in the corner, quite visible, glaring.”
She nearly lost her footing and stumbled over her feet.
“Don’t look,” he ordered, just as she began to turn her head.
“We should end the dance now,” she said.
“Don’t be silly. I’m enjoying it far too much.”
“You’re enjoying antagonizing him.”
“That, too.”
“Please.”
He gave her an indulgent smile. “I don’t need you to protect me. I’m quite capable of looking out for myself.”
“He has a rather nasty punch.”
“Which he’d never use on you.”
“But he would on you.”
“Not if I stand up to him. That’s the thing about Westcliffe. Never takes his anger out on those who stand up to him. You should give it a try sometime.”
Thankfully, two beats later, the music ceased. With a great deal of relief, she allowed Ainsley to escort her back to the area where she would meet with Beth. Surreptitiously, she searched for Westcliffe, but she wasn’t as tall as Ainsley, and so many people were in attendance that it was difficult to see around them.
