Never Admire an Adventurer by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott [Scott, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fake engagement, historical romance, humor, mystery, pretend engagement, Regency romance, romance clean and wholesome
Publisher: Edwards and Williams
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

{♥}

What had possessed him to prattle on about courtship? Yes, it was a topic often debated among men forced to watch from the wall. Yes, he had once instructed Lord Ashforde on the topic when his lordship had been courting Petunia Bateman, Lady Moselle, and doing it badly for all the lady favored him. Tanner had no right to state an opinion on courtship to Julia when he had no right to court her or any woman at the moment.

So, he focused on his duty. He had attended the assembly in October with Lady Belfort; her companion at the time, Abigail Winchester; and the other guards, so he was familiar with the arrangement. A wide corridor with coat and retiring rooms on either side led to the octagon-shaped ballroom with its butter-colored walls, white molding cast in leafy swirls, and musicians’ alcove over the entry door. One of the doors off the ballroom gave onto a long, narrow supper room, and another opened to a card room. Voices rose and fell like waves, and the air was a mixture of ladies’ perfume, gentlemen’s cologne, and candle wax.

Given the number of attendees and their constant movement, the line of sight was challenging at best. And given Julia’s tendency to dart off on a tangent, he foresaw a long night.

Then he spotted Keller moving toward him, escorting Lady Belfort. Like Tanner, his friend had worn the black evening coat and knee breeches expected of a gentleman. Lady Belfort was in her usual lavender, this frock with a profusion of lace down the front.

“Meredith!” Julia hailed, taking her hand. “I thought we’d never find you. Excellent attendance. Unfortunately, as I feared, we have more ladies than gentlemen.”

“Mr. Tanner and Mr. Keller will be much sought after,” Lady Belfort predicted.

Tanner put a hand to Julia’s elbow. “No need for concern. Either Keller or I will attend you.”

“If you can keep up,” she teased with a grin. “I intend to dance every dance.”

Tanner bent closer and caught the scent of lilacs. “Then I will break your English rule about no more than two dances for a partner.”

She regarded him from under her lashes. “Why, Tanner, how bold.”

Those lips were only inches away. If he just dipped his head a little more…

“I do believe the first dance is about to start, dear,” Mrs. Daring said.

Tanner jerked upright. What, had he been about to kiss Julia in public? Even betrothed couples were seldom so obvious in their affections here in England. And everyone around him knew that they were not really betrothed.

Julia didn’t seem affected. She seized his hand and pulled him out onto the floor.

Her quicksilver nature meant that on the dancefloor she had no equal. It was as if the sun had returned to Surrey in all its summer glory. She swished her skirts in time with the tune, smiling at him from across the line as if encouraging him closer. When it was their turn, she skipped down the line like a lamb crossing a spring meadow.

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