Never Trust a Scoundrel by Gayle Callen

Author:Gayle Callen
Format: mobi, azw3, epub, pdf
Published: 2010-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 14

Daniel knew she'd been making plans, unlike other women who might have the vapors over the thought of a precarious future. He knew something of what Louisa Shelby had gone through as a companion before she'd come to the Wade household. He didn't want to think about Grace facing the same thing—young men who thought they owned their servants and could do as they pleased.

"Or perhaps I don't need plans," she said conversationally. "Because of course I will win the violin."

And then, while he was still trying to sort through his own confusion, she blindsided him.

"Did you not say the first night we met that you only wanted the violin?" she asked. "For a man who has given up music, the possession of a violin seems strange."

"It's not. I told you that my father once owned the same instrument."

But he didn't think she believed that as his motive.

"We have covered two subjects that neither of us is comfortable with," she said, swinging her arms briskly as she walked. "Let's agree to avoid them and discuss Lord Wade."

"I'm surprised you didn't hear about his injury," Daniel said mildly. "It was the talk of the ton, especially since Simon cut a swath with the ladies before that."

"You forget that I seldom left Hertingfordbury."

"He was thrown from his horse and hit his head. Within a couple of days, his sight was gone."

"He is a very brave man," she said. "And he was here, staying with his grandmother, when he courted Miss Shelby?"

He nodded, narrowing his eyes as he wondered about her purpose.

"Then perhaps I shall be just as lucky."

Though he hadn't noticed, the house was before them, and she was able to quicken her pace to reach the stairs before him. Though he watched the sway of her hips as she ascended, even that could not distract him from his thoughts.

She could not possibly believe that Louisa's luck wasn't rare.

He didn't want her thinking about making a living. He felt foolish, but he found himself wanting to distract her, so when they both reached the empty terrace, he caught her arm and leaned near.

"Don't forget about the private dance you owe me for my charitable dances last night."

She caught her breath. He was so in communion with her body that he felt the fine trembling in her arm.

"Certainly Enfield Manor is not the place—"

"I'll decide the place." And then he moved ahead of her. "I'll see you at dinner."

That evening, Grace was no longer surprised to see how easily Lord Wade had overcome his disability as he ate freely with them. He and Daniel and Miss Shelby discussed the people they knew in London, and it was obvious they had all moved smoothly through the circles of Society. They always made her feel included, as if they told their stories for her amusement and not just for their own reminiscing.

"And how is Martindale since his father's death?" Lord Wade asked.

Grace remembered immediately that Martin-dale was the young earl who'd sold his family's ancestral land to Daniel.

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