Always A Maiden by Madison Katy

Author:Madison, Katy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-07T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

Heat crept across Susanah’s face, and she didn’t know where to look. She couldn’t believe she’d just agreed to an illicit rendezvous while in Almack’s, that bastion of propriety, of all places. In front of Lord Hull. In front of the patronesses, and the cream of society. She hadn’t intended to meet with Evan ever again. What was the point? She risked her reputation being destroyed and being ostracized by the ton.

“My lady, are you all right?” asked Lord Hull.

No doubt her consternation showed on her face. There wasn’t any use in pretending she hadn’t been at the masquerade. Lord Hull had to know it had been her with Evan. “I cannot imagine what you must think of me.”

“I haven’t quite got past wondering what to think about Mr. Cooper, yet.”

What was there to think of him? He was a shameless rakehell, flirting outrageously with his partner, at the same time insisting Susanah meet with him. He’d paid the other woman dozens of compliments and then ordered Susanah to name a night to meet as if she’d jump because he said so. She closed her eyes and fought for composure. She tried to think of a pattern to stitch or exactly what shade Lord Hull’s waistcoat was. Ivory, cream, or a light ecru.

He would think her insane if she asked him to name the exact color. Or he’d just say it was white.

“It isn’t like him to…to…attach himself to a marriageable maiden,” Lord Hull continued as if oblivious to her consternation or perhaps because of it.

“I beg you not to speak of him.” It was no use, she couldn’t think of anything else but Evan. “It is not what you think.”

“What is it that you think I think?” Lord Hull asked.

She realized she was frowning at him. Shaking her head, she measured the thirty feet to her mother’s side. It was too close a distance to risk candid conversation with Lord Hull. But once back at her mother’s side she wouldn’t have to explain at all. “Thank you for the dance, my lord.”

Lord Hull stopped. “I don’t think I can agree to be complicit in the ruination of a young lady.” He paused. “Or any more complicit than I already am.”

“Please,” she whispered. “My mother has the ears of an eagle.” Which wasn’t what she meant to say. “Or rather she has ears like an eagle has eyes.”

“I see,” he said. “Let us take a turn about the room then.”

He turned and began a circuit around the ballroom. The cold angry gazes of Lord Farringate and her mother bit at her back. She resisted the urge to put her hand over her nape as if to protect it.

“We need not…” She bit her lip. Although if her parents thought Lord Hull was interested in her, she might be granted leave to try and fix his attentions. And walking about would give her time to compose herself.

When they were a little space away from everyone, she said. “He isn’t trying to seduce me if that is what you think.

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