Her Wanton Wager by Grace Callaway

Author:Grace Callaway
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, historical romance, regency romance
Published: 2012-12-08T13:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

Looking at Lord Petersby's flawless countenance in the moonlight, Miss Priscilla Farnham heard herself say the words she never thought she would.

"It's not you, it's me ..."

—from The Perils of Priscilla, an inspired manuscript by P. R. Fines

Beneath the blazing brilliance of hundreds of candles, the quadrille seemed to go on forever. Preoccupied, Percy missed a step and aimed an apologetic smile at her partner. She couldn't stop thinking about Gavin. After giving him the dagger she'd found, she'd pressed him for more information. Someone wants me dead. He'd said it in the off-handed manner one might use to request the passing of a salt cellar. Briefly, he'd told her about the competing gaming houses in Covent Garden and how any one of them could be behind the attacks.

Then he'd chucked her under the chin. Don't worry, buttercup. I can take care of myself.

She didn't doubt it. Yet if he was in danger, she wanted to help him. After all, she had assisted in warding off the villains at Vauxhall, and she had found the dagger in the bookshop, hadn't she? Apparently, the clue pointed to one of the club owners, a man named Robbie Lyon. Gavin had said he'd be looking into the matter.

If only I could see him tomorrow night as planned.

But she'd had to postpone her weekly meeting with Gavin. As luck would have it, Lisbett had returned, and upon learning of Tottie's laissez-faire chaperonage (no doubt from Violet), the housekeeper was keeping an eagle eye on Percy. For the last few days, Percy had made every effort to be on her best behavior so as not to rouse suspicion. She would have to prepare a sterling excuse to be out of the house next Friday night.

At the moment, however, she had another mission to accomplish. 'Twas one she was not looking forward to. As the dance finally came to an end and her beleaguered dancing partner hobbled off, she scanned the sweltering ballroom. She found her target standing by the punch table; as usual, he was surrounded by a gaggle of giggling debutantes. Sighing, she made her way over and entered the fray.

"Good evening, Miss Fines." Bestowing a smile upon her, Lord Portland bowed his pomaded auburn head and made the introductions.

Razor sharp smiles greeted Percy as she curtsied to the titled ladies. She wished she could tell them that she only wanted to borrow the viscount for a few minutes and would bring him right back. After a few minutes of listening to the debs snipe at each other in an attempt to gain Portland's attention, she summoned up her courage and said, "My, it is stuffy in here, isn't it?"

The other women glared at her, their fans beating the air.

Portland made a clearing sound in his throat. "Would you care for a turn in the garden, Miss Fines?"

"If you would be so kind, sir," Percy murmured.

The viscount took his leave of the group, and Percy could feel the daggered glances following them as they exited through the double doors onto the veranda overlooking the dark gardens.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.