Cocky Baron: Regency Cocky Gents (Book 2) by Annabelle Anders

Author:Annabelle Anders
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Annabelle Anders

Chapter 19

A Reformed Rake?

Chase had told her she was beautiful.

And he’d kept count of the times that he’d kissed her. It was almost as though he… cared.

Bethany was practically unaffected by the ocean of guests watching her and Chase as they descended the cascading stairway to the parquet checkered-patterned floor.

“It used to be larger, but Blackheart closed off part of it and added an indoor pool three years ago,” Chase whispered in her ear.

The ceiling was, at minimum, three stories high. Seven windows along one wall stretched from floor to ceiling, each draped with silver velvet hangings all tied back with black roped tassels.

She’d never seen anything like it.

“A pool?”

“A bathing pool,” he explained. “The other half of what used to be part of the ballroom features a tiled pool instead of a dance floor.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“He likes to swim. Made sure both of his sisters learned as well.”

“Don’t most normal people simply learn to swim in a pond? Or the ocean?”

“Blackheart isn’t most normal people.” Which, of course, was quite true.

They moved into the room and Bethany tilted her head back to study the artwork on the ceilings. Crashing water, fish, and angels, naked female ones, were embellished with intricate vines that created an illusion of modesty for said angels.

“Oh, my.”

Three silver chandeliers weighed down by hundreds of candles illuminated the space brightly and reminded her of the Willoughbys’ ballroom.

A tremor of fear rolled through her at the reminder.

The last time she’d stepped into a ballroom had been just before the scandal. Which had been less than forty-eight hours ago. So much had happened since then!

Surely, in light of such luxury, her own impropriety would be all but forgotten!

Two women caught her eye and then quickly turned to whisper to one another.

Or perhaps not. She vaguely remembered that they had been amongst the crowd who’d caught her and Chase.

Resisting the urge to rub her bottom, Bethany scanned the room and located the section for chaperones and mothers, and adjacent to that, a line of chairs where wallflowers had already made themselves comfortable for the evening. The more experienced wallflowers, however, made it a point not to appear too comfortable. To appear thusly might deter that one gentleman who might be trying to build up the courage to request a set.

Not far off, her mother stood talking with Lady Sheffield and the Duchess of Cortland. Another larger cluster of guests averted their eyes when her gaze landed on them.

She swung her attention back to Chase, who was also studying the room. But whereas she had to forcibly soften her mouth, he looked almost bored.

“I suppose I ought to join my mother.” It’s what she would normally do. “She likes me to watch over her belongings while she socializes. Oh, and there’s Delia.”

Standing in a small group of ladies, Delia held her gaze for an instant but then winced and turned away.

Bethany’s heart dropped and a good deal of her earlier confidence fled.

“Take a turn about the room with me first,” Chase suggested, reminding her that she was not, in fact, alone.

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