A Rake Never Changes His Spots by Samantha Holt

Author:Samantha Holt [Holt, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Helstone Press
Published: 2019-01-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Seth watched Pru decline another dance. She wasn’t overwhelmed with requests but there had been a few men curious enough about her to try. He hardly knew whether to be relieved that she’d declined or annoyed. The woman was determined to have a miserable time.

He glanced around the room. Not that he was having much of a better one. There were a few interesting ladies in attendance but he found himself searching for Pru whenever he took them out for a whirl on the dance floor.

“Seth,” the lady in his arms scolded.

He tried to mask a grimace. “Forgive me.”

“You are never normally so neglectful.” Marianne twisted away and back again as the country dance continued. “It is frightfully hard to get your attention this evening.”

And Marianne seldom went without attention. With golden hair and a classically beautiful appearance, she could have the pick of suitors. On occasion, the widow chose his company, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. She was witty and intelligent and knew her own needs well.

His attention should be on her.

But it wasn’t.

“Mrs. Hastings, that’s her name is it not?”

Seth gave a stiff nod. Of course Marianne had figured out he was looking at her. He could not make it much more obvious.

But there was something about her tonight. Not just the fact that she was trying to dissolve into the wall. Nor was it the touch of makeup or the dress that clung to a figure he had little idea existed. He could not put his finger on it but he was unable to prevent his gaze from clinging to her.

This whole thing had been a big mistake. He whirled Marianne and came to stand at her side. He’d thought she’d love to see her favorite singer, but he’d forgotten there would be several hours of dancing and chatter before then, and of course Pru would hate all of that. She didn’t belong in this world. She was meant to be surrounded by books and education and intelligent people.

Pru did not belong in his world. And for some reason, that soured his gut.

“She is quite attractive in a sort of prudish way,” Marianne commented.

He doubted she even realized she’d made a joke at the expense of Pru’s name. The fact was, Pru was attractive tonight. He frowned to himself. It didn’t bring him any pleasure to see her that way, though. Especially not when she kept fidgeting as though her stays were too tight and the pins in her hair were causing her a headache.

“What made you bring her, Seth?” Marianne fixed him with an inquisitive look that he could not escape when she came to stand in front of him. “You are not toying with the girl, are you?”

“Marianne, have I ever toyed with anyone?”

“Unknowingly, yes. You toy with many a heart by simply stepping in the room.” She smiled. “However, I do not know you to be deliberately cruel.”

“We are friends, that is all. Mrs. Bella Simmons is her favorite singer, and I thought she might enjoy it.

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