A Tangled Web by Amanda McCabe

Author:Amanda McCabe
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2014-10-29T15:20:11+00:00

Chapter 10

Elizabeth Damer nibbled at her poached salmon and nodded at her dinner partner, Lord Edward Sutton, as he nattered on about flying buttresses or some such nonsense. Outwardly, she was all that was attentive and polite. In her mind, though, she pictured the dunning letters that awaited her at home and pondered the possibilities laid before her.

Lord Edward was a duke's son, which was surely very nice. A younger son, maybe, but still with a tidy fortune and an estate of his own. Yet he was quite young, his father would never let him marry an impecunious widow like herself, and he was a crashing bore. Elizabeth would put up with a great deal for money—age, infirmity, dullness in the bedroom—but poor conversation and social skills, never. Her gaze slid past him, along the length of the dining room table.

Mr. Kirk-Bedwin—now there was a man who would surely never be dull, either in or out of the bedroom. Handsome, too, with just that hint of naughtiness she liked so much. He had no great fortune, though, just the possibility of one from an uncle some day. She sighed in regret. Such a shame.

And Mr. Parcival. Another handsome rake, though not as young as Mr. Kirk-Bedwin. Desperation was beginning to show in his eyes—the same desperation she feared would one day appear in her own gaze. He would be good for a laugh, a lark, a wild evening in the gaming hells, but he could not help her.

Then there was Mr. Cole. Ah, yes—Mr. Cole. He was talking with Lady Caroline, a mysterious half-smile on his lips. A lock of glossy black hair fell over his brow, and he impatiently pushed it back. He was good-looking, with that slight aura of adventure and danger, of strength. He was well spoken, well dressed. Most importantly, he was very well moneyed. She knew that from her careful perusal of the financial papers from London. He had made a great fortune in the furs and timbers of the New World. Not in the first rank of Society, yet what did that matter if he could drape her in satins and jewels?

He glanced her way, a mere flickering look that she took advantage of by tossing him her most glittering smile. He paused, head tilted quizzically in her direction. She wasn't quite sure if she saw interest kindle there in his eyes, but at least it was a start.

Yes. Mr. Cole would do very well.

She took her glance away from him, back to Lord Edward, who was still going on about fan vaulting. She paused when she saw Mr. Parcival watching her, a knowing smirk on his face. He raised his wine glass to her in a mock salute.

The rake! A real gentleman would at least pretend not to know what she was about. She gave him a quelling frown and turned her full attention to Lord Edward.

Really. Men.

* * *

Frederick Parcival watched Elizabeth Damer with mounting amusement. Her gaze moved steadily from place to place along the table, and it was as if he could read her very thoughts.

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