The Hellion (Wicked Wallflowers Book 1) by Christi Caldwell

Author:Christi Caldwell [Caldwell, Christi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503935228
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2018-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Adair had found himself with a fist to the solar plexus too many times. A man never forgot the feel of having the breath sucked from his body.

The moment Cleopatra Killoran had appeared at the top of the stairs would forever be a like moment in his life.

It was a horrifying truth he’d fought back the moment it slid forward. But nearly an hour into the ball, hovering on the side of the floor, a guard watching over the young woman, he accepted the truth of it.

From where he stood in the corner, Adair used his cover and overall invisibility to the crowd to study her.

Be it the ton, or the underworld, Cleopatra Killoran would never be a beauty by any standards, and the silly yellow gown she donned could never be considered anything but hideous. But as she’d come toward him, her expressive eyes glittering through her always smudged lenses, her effervescent spirit had shone brighter than her dress, and he’d been trying to muddle through ever since. She was . . . she was . . .

He silently cursed.

Where in blazes was she? Springing forward on the balls of his feet, he did a quick sweep over the heads of the shorter guests, searching for a glittering tiara he would have mocked a week ago. Where was she . . . ? Where was she . . . ?

A small figure stepped into his direct line of vision.

“She’s being introduced to Diana’s family,” Penelope drawled, taking up a place beside him.

Adair searched and at last found Cleopatra, conversing with the duke. Shoulders back, her delicate features an expressionless mask, she’d a bearing the queen herself would admire. Then Penelope’s earlier words registered . . .

Had he been that obvious? He shifted his attention back from the minx who commanded his notice, over to his sister-in-law.

“Yes, you were,” Penelope answered his silent question. “That obvious,” she elucidated on a whisper. “Here.” She proffered one of the two glasses in her hand.

Reluctantly, he accepted the fragile cup. He eyed it dubiously and then took a sip. Adair immediately choked on his swallow. “What is that?”

“Lemonade. My mother would argue that tepid lemonade makes any ball complete.”

The ton would all be better off sipping from flasks of whiskey and snifters of brandy before drinking this rotted stuff. With a grimace, he downed the contents in a long swallow. “And you’re suddenly one who does as Society expects,” he drawled. That certainly went against everything he knew of the lady who’d maneuvered Ryker into marriage and then single-handedly converted the rooms and roles inside the Hell and Sin. The only woman he knew to rival her in spirit and spunk was Cleopatra.

“Hardly,” she assured.

Unbidden, Adair’s gaze went back to the ballroom floor where Cleopatra remained conversing with the sad-eyed duke.

“You don’t have to watch her as though she intends to make off with the silver,” Penelope said in a hushed whisper.

He whipped his head sideways.

“Despite her rough exterior, Cleopatra really is quite lovely and I’m certain incapable of cruelty.

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