A Proper Scandal by Paula Rebecca

Author:Paula, Rebecca
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2016-04-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Peprin’s private train car was a royal blue palace of deep sapphire velvet against mahogany paneling and intricate Persian carpeting. It was like the first touch of silk after wearing cotton for years. So rich and luxurious.

Minnie chatted with the rest of the women of their party, half-listening to their idle foolishness about the latest fashions and gossip. Her attention was pinned to the swaying gold tassels of the lamp above Alex’s head. He peeked around his newspaper and winked. A girlish blush instantly rose to her cheeks. He hid behind the paper then while Minnie continued her conversation, mindful that he had now folded the paper and made a joke to the gentleman beside him. He exited the train car and left Minnie waiting.

Monsieur D’Ambreious sat opposite Minnie, eyeing her as he drank his brandy alongside Peprin. Both men sat there, wolves on their heels, waiting for her. When she’d first started dancing as a chorus girl, her flirtations with patrons meant dinners and furs, even marriage proposals. But as she earned a name for herself in le demimonde, men circled, waiting for one to leave, trying to outbid one patron with ridiculous gifts.

She made her excuses and slipped out into the crowded hallway. She adjusted the netting on her hat and walked right, feeling that if he were to go somewhere, it would be near the refreshment car. At least they could talk there without much suspicion.

She averted her eyes away from the other passersby as she made her way down the narrow hallway, the fields of southern France passing by outside. A door opened and she was pulled inside, a hand stifling her gasp of surprise.

“Mademoiselle,” a voice whispered in her ear. “It won’t do to have you scream.”

Minnie pushed her elbow into Alex’s chest and spun around to face him, dragging his face to hers for a hungry kiss. There was no point in wasting time.

“Unhand me, you scoundrel,” she whispered, feathering kisses upon his face.

He didn’t listen, only gathered her closer to avoid anyone discovering them. “I don’t know if I can do this, Min.”

“Of course you can. Pretend you hate me and we will survive Peprin’s party swimmingly.”

“But I don’t hate you,” he said, taking her earlobe between his teeth. “Quite the opposite, in fact.” He licked the curve of her ear. “I might even like you, troublemaker.”

She looked out in the hallway, fighting the way his husky voice shook its way into her body and demanded attention. “Behave yourself, Marwick.”

The low rumble of his laugh echoed around the carriage, drawing her own laugh. “You’ve never called me that before.”

“I’ve called you a great many things.”

“I’ve called you more.”

She kissed him again to silence their silly argument. There wasn’t time to waste on idle chatter when passengers walked by, just beyond the door.

“And if we endure and survive this party, what shall we do after?” he asked.

“Return to Paris, of course.” She pulled away, confused by the question.

“You wouldn’t return to London with me?” His teasing tone turned serious.

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