A Man without a Mistress (The Penningtons Book 2) by Bliss Bennet

Author:Bliss Bennet [Bennet, Bliss]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bliss Bennet
Published: 2015-12-14T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Am I correct in assuming, Sir Peregrine,” Miss Pennington said as they bowed and curtsied at the start of the dance, “that the papers that Lord Dulcie handed to you just now are a copy of those that we procured during our . . . our outing last Wednesday?”

“Yes, your assumption is correct, ma’am,” he assented, taken aback by the studied sweetness of her tone when he had been expecting vitriol and spleen. How she continued to surprise him!

“Well then,” she answered, an overly bright smile lighting her face. “If you would be so good as to give them to me, I would be happy to make another copy. In case of accident or mischief, such as previously occurred with the cutpurse in Westminster, it would be wise to have a second at your disposal.”

Ah! Dulcie, the skitterbrain, must have revealed that Per had forbidden him to share the list with her. But instead of confronting him directly, she’d chosen a wilier course, scheming to cozen him with a seemingly benign offer of help.

Well, two could play at that game, he thought, pasting on his own version of a socially civil smile as the dance brought them together again. “You are too kind, Miss Pennington. I would not wish you to go to the trouble.”

“Oh, it will be no trouble, I assure you, Sir Peregrine,” she said with a civility equal to his own. “And I will not be as dilatory as Dulcie at the task, I assure you; if you hand me the list tonight, I will have both copies back to you by tomorrow afternoon.”

Per smiled. “But your aunt, or your brothers, might be dismayed if they found you in possession of such a list.”

“Oh, every girl has her secret places to tuck away billets doux she wishes to keep from overly inquisitive relations.”

Who had been sending her billets doux? Surely not Dulcie. “But there is no need to become involved in this distasteful task yet again.”

“I do not find it distasteful, I assure you. Will you be so unkind as to refuse my offer of aid? I am certain that Lord Dulcie would not so callously turn me away . . .”

Her fluttering eyelashes, wielded with as much skill as other ladies used their fans, nearly drove Per to distraction.

“Miss Pennington,” he whispered, “pray do not play the coquette with me. I see what you are about. You only wish to make me a copy so you might look for the address of that . . . That . . .” He struggled to find a word appropriate to speak aloud in a ballroom. “That woman.”

“And if I do?”

“Think of your reputation, Miss Pennington.”

“I do think of it. And of my brother’s.”

“But not of the danger. Would any gentleman allow you to place yourself at such risk again?”

“What do I care for the danger if I can help my brother? But I suppose you’ve never cared for someone enough to place yourself in danger for her, have you?” With a toss of her head, she spun away to take up with another partner.

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