Romancing the Rogue by Barbara Dawson Smith

Author:Barbara Dawson Smith
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Vurma

Vivien swiveled around on the pew to see a tall, lanky stranger filling the arched stone doorway.

Gasping, Charlotte seized a glove and tugged it on over her scarred hand. "Brand! What are you doing here? I'm sure you weren't invited."

"I live to plague you, Char."

He sauntered into the chapel, a long-limbed man of about thirty who moved with an easy elegance that was almost canine. He had harsh features, thick dark hair, and the alert gray eyes of a wolf. A thin scar shaped like a half-moon quirked up one corner of his mouth.

"If Michael finds you here, he'll kill you." Charlotte's gaze raked him scornfully. "Though of course, that would be no great loss."

He chuckled. "I appreciate the warning," he said, sounding not in the least concerned. "Why don't you introduce me to your lovely friend?"

Charlotte hesitated, then pulled on her other glove. "Miss Vivien Thorne, lately of the Romany tribe. Vivien, this is Brandon Villiers, the dastardly Earl of Faversham."

The force of those penetrating eyes stirred an uneasy feeling in Vivien. He was the grandson to whom Lady Faversham had written to give the news of Vivien's presence in Lady Stokeford's house. He'd promptly told Michael.

Recalling her manners, Vivien rose from the pew and curtsied. "I'm pleased to meet you, my lord. Your grandmother has spoken of you."

He bowed sardonically. "Badly, I fear. She doesn't approve of my choice of companions."

What did that mean? Vivien wondered. "I'm certain she'll be happy to see you, though."

Charlotte remained seated, her arms crossed sulkily. "Don't fawn before him, Vivien. You'll only feed his conceit."

"Pay her no mind, Miss Thorne. She has an appalling lack of breeding." Lord Faversham paused as a hollow ringing sounded in the distance. "There's the dinner gong. Run along, Char, and find the unlucky fellow who's been assigned to you. I'll escort Miss Thorne."

Charlotte made a face at him, looking surprisingly childish for all her sophistication. "I'd sooner leave her with a cobra."

"The choice belongs to Miss Thorne." The earl strolled forward and held out his arm to Vivien. "Do you mind my company? I would consider yours an honor."

Though the scar made him appear sinister in the flickering shadows, he could not have acted in a more gentlemanly fashion. She did feel an intense curiosity to know all of the Rosebuds' grandchildren. Still, she paused, glancing in confusion at Charlotte. She could sense an attraction between her and Lord Faversham, though Charlotte appeared far from ready to admit to it. Had he ever recoiled from her scars? Surely not, for he was scarred himself.

"Why don't you walk with us?" Vivien suggested.

"With that devil?" Charlotte snorted. "You'd do well to come with me. Brand is a notorious rake. He wants to have his way with you."

The earl chuckled. "You're only jealous because I've never showed a depraved interest in you."

"Why, you self-admiring dolt. I'd sooner welcome the attentions of a ... a sewer rat." The brunette sprang to her feet and flounced to the door, where she swiveled to make one parting comment.

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