Ready Set Rogue by Manda Collins

Author:Manda Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Chapter 18

Quill bit back a sigh as yet another peal of laughter rang out at some quip from his cousin. He was fond of Maitland—indeed counted the duke as one of his best friends in the world—but his easy way with the ladies was something he’d always envied. And while he waited for Ivy to make up her mind about his proposal, he was hardly eager to have Maitland, with his good looks and charm, lure her away. Though Ivy was showing no signs of attraction for the other man now, he hadn’t known her long enough to assess whether she could be persuaded if Maitland got it in his head to woo her.

He’d simply have to warn his cousin away after dinner. That was all there was to it.

“Stop scowling,” Serena said from his other side in a low voice only he could hear. “You look like you’re going to leap across the table and strangle him. And while I sympathize with your fondness for Miss Wareham, I hardly think he will seduce her in front of a room full of people. Not to mention the fact that Ivy does not strike me as the sort of lady to give herself to one man in the morning and another in the evening.”

Serena’s words made Quill feel like an ass. It hadn’t occurred to him how unfair to Ivy his jealousy was until she put it that way.

Taking a healthy drink of wine, he turned to her with a rueful smile. “I suppose I am being a boor, but I was hoping for a swift decision from her. And didn’t count on Maitland and his charms to distract her.” Before she could speak again, he raised a hand to ward off her scold. “I know it’s asinine. Believe me, you can’t chastise me more than I do myself.”

Serena’s gaze softened a little. “Have faith, Quill. If the way he and Lady Daphne are looking at each other is any indication, you have nothing to worry about. And aside from that, Ivy keeps looking at you when you aren’t watching her. I don’t think you have anything to worry about from my brother.”

Frowning, Quill turned and caught Ivy watching him. As their eyes met, her cheeks colored and she turned her gaze back to her plate.

The reminder of what lay between them was enough to dispel any doubts he had, and Quill vowed to do as Serena asked and have more faith. Having grown up with a mother who often flouted her own lovers before his father’s eyes, however, it was difficult to acknowledge that not all women were like that.

“Is the fish to your liking?” he asked, wishing for an iota of whatever it was that made Maitland so easy at conversation. “I must admit Mrs. Mason’s Trout Almondine is one of my favorites.”

“It’s quite good,” Ivy agreed, then proceeded to take another bite. “I was looking forward to it as soon as I smelled it downstairs.”

At that he frowned.

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