Perfection by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, love story, historical romance, regency romance, clean romance, sweet romance, tender, romance novels, traditional regency, romance books, historical romance books
Publisher: Regina Scott

Chapter Fifteen

Celia told herself not to panic. She truly wasn’t alone in this mass of debauchery. Somewhere among the nymphs, satyrs, and rutabagas were Patrice and Stanley. She wasn’t sure Patrice would be much help, but surely Stanley’s size alone would deter the more ardent lechers. All she had to do was find him.

A strapping squire’s son in a silver domino should have been easy to spot, but as she made her way through the crowds she could not catch sight of him. Perhaps he hadn’t arrived yet. Patrice said fashionable gentlemen often attended several balls each evening. Stanley certainly didn’t qualify as a fashionable gentleman, but she wouldn’t have been surprised if he aped one. After all, he had recently begun dressing in black like Lord Hartley. So, had he yet to arrive at the party, or had he come and gone? Was she truly alone?

Her steps faltered, and her breath quickened. She shook her head. She could count on Stanley. Theirs might not be a love match, and he often forgot her needs in preference to his own, but he was loyal. Patrice had said he would meet them here. Surely he would not depart without doing so. She had to continue her search.

Of course, Patrice also said Lord Hartley would be in attendance, and that had been a lie. Celia could not see him at such an event. Just imagining him, eyes alight with passion, hands reaching to caress her, set her face to flaming.

A Roman senator, laurel wreath crowning a balding head, put himself in her path.

“Ah, a lady in gray.” He squinted as if he could not quite focus and waved at her domino with the wine goblet in his plump hand. “Allow me to put more color in your cheeks.”

He leaned forward, mouth pursed. She tried to sidestep him but an arm snaked out to encircle her waist. There was more hair on it than on his head. Shuddering, she twisted out of his grip. The wine splashed upward into his face and down the front of his toga. She heard him curse her as she sped away.

Her feeling of satisfaction lasted only a moment. There were far too many of his ilk here. She and Patrice were both in danger. She needed to find Stanley, and quickly. Schemes tumbled through her mind, but none of them seemed suitable for polite society.

She stopped with a grin. No one else here was bothered by propriety. Why should she be? She glanced around and located a small stone fountain with a bench before it. Making her way over, she climbed up on the bench and surveyed the garden.

Lady Brompton’s guests were no less salacious viewed from her vantage point. Many were already weaving with drink. Others either pursued or were being pursued. Color and shape blended and parted. It was difficult to make out any single individual. Suddenly, she spotted a tall fellow in a silver domino.

She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Stanley! Stanley Arlington! Over here!”

He glanced about wildly.

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