Harlequin Historical April 2020--Box Set 1 of 2 by Virginia Heath

Author:Virginia Heath
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Amelia was beginning to think this little adventure of hers was more than she could handle. First an uncomfortable meeting with Jasper’s cousin and now the belligerent young man who would not leave.

When Jasper rose to his feet, looking every inch a duke, at least in Amelia’s eyes, the young man muttered an unpleasant curse and backed away.

She frowned. ‘Jasper, do you know that young man?’

Jasper shook his head. ‘He is no acquaintance of mine? Do you recognise him?’

She watched him retreat around the dance floor. Her stomach sank. ‘Oh, dear. I remember now. He is one of Lord Sherbourn’s set. A Mr Cox. And, if I am not mistaken, the person he is talking to, the one dressed in an artist’s smock and wearing a beret, is Lord Sherbourn. Dash it. They are looking this way. Mr Cox must have recognised one or other of us.’

‘Are you certain it is Sherbourn? He looks quite the card in that get up.’

She stifled a laugh. He did look very foolish, though no doubt he thought himself quite the romantic. ‘I would recognise that cleft in his chin anywhere.’

But being recognised by Lord Sherbourn wasn’t the worst of it. A sylph-like young woman in the costume of a fairy queen hung on his arm. A costume Amelia had heard described more than once. ‘Oh, no! It cannot be.’

‘Cannot be what?’ Jasper said, his gaze narrowing.

‘The young fool.’

‘Who are you talking about?’ Jasper asked. ‘Sherbourn?’

‘No. Charity. She is also here.’

The ducal expression of disapproval settled on his face. ‘I see.’

What did he see? Dash it. How like a man. It was all very well for him to go to Vauxhall with a woman he did not intend to wed, but it was not all right for his intended to follow in his footsteps. On the other hand… ‘If her papa ever finds out—I need to take her home.’

Jasper sighed. ‘Let me handle this, my dear, since you will not wish her to know you are here with me.’

Her stomach dipped. He was right. ‘Oh, dear, this is dreadful.’

He glared at the party on the other side of the dance floor. ‘Not nearly as dreadful as young Sherbourn risking her reputation. Wait here.’

‘No. It will not do. What if someone has already guessed at her identity? We must make it clear to all and sundry that she is here with a proper chaperon and as the guest of the Duke of Stone. There is no other choice.’

He made a sound of impatience. ‘I would far rather teach Sherbourn a lesson. What is he thinking, risking her reputation that way? Not to mention yours.’

‘Mine?’ She laughed and it sounded brittle. ‘How is mine at risk?’

‘You may not have noticed, but several of those present have been wondering who it is who has come on the Duke of Stone’s arm. They know we arrived together and dined alone. Once they put two and two together, the whole evening will be turned into a scandal broth.’

‘My

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