A Chance to Dream by Lynne Connolly

Author:Lynne Connolly
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2007-11-06T05:00:00+00:00

In the meantime, Lord Blyth, in full, hot formal attire, was sitting in an elegant salon fending off the attentions of the numerous young ladies who seemed to insist on his opinion about anything. It was a relief to see his brother Corin present, not just for the support of another male, but because he badly needed to discuss the matter of Daniel with him, which had suddenly, given the events of earlier in the day, become urgent.

He managed to convey to Corin his need of a private word and after two of the most tedious hours of his life, obtained his sister’s permission to leave. “I shall be quite comfortable,” she told him loftily. The few gentlemen present all congregated around her chair. Most gratifying, and delightful to see her back at her old flirtations. Or it would have been delightful, had Orlando been in a mood to be delighted.

No longer worried about her re-entry into society, Orlando and Corin took their leave, although the arch comments about their future destination made Orlando grit his teeth in annoyance.

“I’m in no mood for socializing tonight,” Orlando remarked. “Will you walk with me?”

“Willingly. I’m for White’s afterwards. I’ve no mind for female company after tonight.”

Orlando slanted a look at him. Corin’s face was as smooth and untroubled as always, but Orlando felt there was something new about his brother. A restlessness, perhaps. “What made you go there in the first place?”

“Perdita, of course. Mama couldn’t attend, so she sent me.”

Orlando made an exasperated noise between his teeth. “I might have known. I’m quite capable of caring for my own sister.”

Corin stuck his hands in the capacious pockets of his dark green dress coat. “My sister too.”

“Haven’t you enough of your own?”

Corin grinned, his teeth a white flash in the moonlight. “Oh yes, but Perdita is my big sister. I’ve been worried about her. I couldn’t tell you before because Mama insisted we make as little fuss as possible. When we knew she wouldn’t die after the accident, that is.” Orlando remembered the terror of that time, when Perdita was brought into the house lying on a door, used as an impromptu stretcher. She was white, and bleeding, and the extent of her injuries was far from certain. He had been so terrified of losing his only sister that all the blood had drained from him. He never wanted to feel like that again. “A bad time,” Corin said softly, “but she looks well on the road to recovery now.”

Their footsteps echoed up the empty street. They were nearly home. Orlando slowed. “I have to speak to you about Daniel.”

“Daniel?” Corin didn’t hide his surprise. Obviously he expected to discuss Perdita.

“I saw him today with La Perla Perfetta. You know who she is?”

“Aye. La Perla’s daughter.” His eyes narrowed in speculation and Orlando knew his brother well enough to realize he’d recalled the time Daniel connected La Perla Perfetta with Miss Lambert. But he said nothing about that. Not yet, at any rate.

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