Loretta Chase Don t Tempt Me by Loretta Chase

Author:Loretta Chase
Language: eng
Format: epub

you’re so constantly besieged by beauties that you’re immune.”

“A good thing, yes.”

“I am not, however. Had I undertaken the task of launching her into Society, I couldn’t possibly have remained aloof. I should have offered for her instantly, to make sure no one else got a chance.”

Marchmont looked back longingly at the door leading out of the drawing room. “Why did we leave the dining room so quickly?” he said. “I wasn’t done drinking.”

“You’re bored, I know,” said Adderwood. “Bored with us. We’re all so proper, trying to make a good impression on Miss Lexham.”

“A good impression—on Zoe?”

“I know. Everyone supposed it was to be the other way about: Could the exotic creature meet the standards of English Society? There are bets on at White’s. But that’s no surprise to you.”

“Everyone is so predictable,” said Marchmont.

“Indeed we are. And now she’s turned the tables, and we’re all falling all over ourselves trying to meet her standards.”

That would be me, Marchmont thought. I’m the standard. Because she hadn’t met other men.

He had the unpleasant suspicion that he’d set the standard too low.

“It’s a great bore for you, I know,” said Adderwood. “As silly as watching everyone chase after Harriette Wilson a few years ago. No, sillier, because this time it’s a lady and we must be on our good behavior. Poor Marchmont, what a martyr you are. I don’t blame you for wanting another bottle—or another dozen. But I know you well, and I can see you’re rapidly approaching the point where you start quoting Shakespeare and falling into the fire. Either you must begin drinking tea or we must make our excuses.”

“Tea?” Marchmont said. “I’d rather hang. I do not spout Shakespeare when I’m in my cups.”

“Always,” said Adderwood. “Henry IV, usually.”

“Oh, that. ‘I know you all, and will awhile uphold the unyoked humor—’”

“Uphold yourself for a bit, there’s a good fellow,” said Adderwood. “It’ll be over soon. She’ll be off your hands in no time, and wed before the Season ends.”

Marchmont’s gaze went across the room, to where Zoe sat with Amelia Adderwood and the indigent cousin, the three of them giggling.

“If she takes—as it appears she’ll do—I wager she’ll have her pick of suitors,” Adderwood said.

“Suitors, undoubtedly,” said Marchmont. “Whether any succeed is another matter entirely.”

She wouldn’t. Not so soon.

I was married from the time I was twelve years old, and it seemed a very long time, and I would rather not be married again straightaway.

“She’s a woman,” said Adderwood. “They all want to rule their own households.”

“I shouldn’t count on that in her case, if I were you,” Marchmont said. “Certainly I shouldn’t be so foolish as to wager on it.”

Adderwood’s eyebrows went up. “Marchmont advising a fellow against a wager. Now I’ve heard everything.”

“I tell you because you’re my friend and I deem it unfair to let you throw money away in that cause,” Marchmont said. “Miss Lexham has told me she doesn’t want to be married straightaway. This shouldn’t surprise you. Having read her story, you must understand her wishing to enjoy her freedom for a time.

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