Disorderly Lady by Claudy Conn

Author:Claudy Conn
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance, sexy, historical romance, regency, comedy of manners

~ Fourteen ~

INTERMISSION ARRIVED JUST in time, for in spite of Kean’s wondrous performance and the fact that Bella was quite fond of Shakespeare, her mind simply kept wandering to Maria’s remark about Brent. She did, in fact, see her brother gazing raptly not at the stage but at the girl in the next box directly opposite theirs.

Violet waited only for the applause to subside before she advised them all that she was going back over to Jersey’s box for a chat with her friends. James went in search of refreshments, and Bella continued to stare with wonder at her brother. She was absolutely astonished to find some truth to Maria’s spiteful words. Her brother was enraptured with a girl who, when she glanced his way, made a face. The girl actually grimaced at Brent! Why?

Doyle also left them, mumbling something about food, and when her brother whispered to her that he thought he would go off for a stroll, she jumped up, linked her arm through his, and said, “Indeed. I should so love a private word with you, Brent.” She turned to Rose. “Do come, Rose.”

Rose, ever polite, said, “You go on. I don’t think I will leave Maria alone.”

Jimmy returned at that moment, for he had been chatting with friends just outside their box. When he took a seat, Bella noted with a secret smile he did not sit beside Maria but took up a chair near Rose. Bella saw her friend blush and smiled happily to herself.

Maria did not seem to notice or care as she got to her feet and said, “I think I will join Lady Cullingham, and perhaps she will introduce me to Lady Jersey.”

Bella turned back to her brother. “Come on then, Brent, off we go.” She waited impatiently as they wandered down the busy hall full of people intent on making their rounds and catching the latest gossip. Finally she spied a quiet corner away from the general hubbub where she might be able to grill him. She tugged on his arm as she raised her brow and said, “What is this I hear about you?”

His eyes opened wide. “About me? What do you mean?”

“Yes, of course about you, and do not play the fool with me, Brent. I know better,” she answered, glowering at him.

“Well, as to that, I don’t know how you can have heard anything about me, after all, so I am not playing the fool—” he started.

He was her older brother, but somehow there were times she felt more mother than younger sister. He did, however, look puzzled, so she added briskly, “Don’t try and fob me off—it won’t do. So answer me this, are you mad for some wretched girl who won’t have you?” Bella always got to the point. Hemming and hawing had never been her style, and this was even more so with her brother.

His face took on a grim expression, and he answered her coldly, his chin up. “I thought my sister would not listen to gossip, let alone repeat it.

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