The Husband Mission by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Edwards and Williams
Published: 2017-05-10T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Alex was not enjoying the ball in the slightest. He could see Lord Hastings, Trevithan, and Laughton casually circulating and knew exactly what they were about. They were attempting to get to the bottom of this rumor, and they suspected the culprit was at the ball. Instead of flitting about like a blasted gadfly, he should be helping. But after Lord Hastings’ refusal, he wasn’t sure how welcome his assistance might be.

Even worse, however, was the way all the gentlemen were ogling Katherine. He knew one kiss did not tie her to him for life, particularly when he had gone out of his way to pretend the kiss had not affected him. Truth be told, he’d thought of it more than once the last few days. He had thought her beauty underappreciated, but now that the male half of the ton had opened its eyes, he found himself wishing the fellows would find other pastimes. It was one thing to discover a rare beauty; it was quite another to watch the population drool over it. He should be pleased, but he had to stop himself from rushing to her side and beating her admirers off with a stick. She must have noticed him glaring for she found new ways to encourage the fellows and add to his torment.

He was ready to march up to the chit and demand his turn in the dance when he found her stepsister at his side during an intermission. Miss Templeman was lovely in a gown of soft blue that matched her expressive eyes, and he thought again that her cousin would likely lose his fortune soon.

She dropped a graceful curtsey. “Good evening, my lord. I trust you are enjoying the ball.”

“Enjoyment,” he replied, “is the least of my emotions, Miss Templeman.”

She obviously took his statement as a positive one, for she nodded. “I noticed, however, that you do not dance.”

She sounded wistful. He managed a polite smile. “But you do. You haven’t sat out a single set.”

She blushed. “Indeed, I have not. And I find myself a bit overheated. I thought perhaps a walk on the terrace would be refreshing. Might I request your company, my lord?”

His company? Walks along moonlit terraces were reserved for lovers. Was she trying to manipulate him into compromising her?

“Did your stepsister put you up to this?” he demanded.

She paled. “Katherine? Why would you think this has anything to do with her?”

“Your reaction betrays you. You may tell Miss Collins that I have had quite enough of her interference in my life. No, wait. I think it would give me greater satisfaction to tell her myself.”

She caught the arm of his evening black as he started past. “Oh, please, Lord Borin. Do not confront Katherine. This was entirely my idea, I promise you. I am being terribly bold, I know, but I must speak with you alone. I thought this would be the best way to achieve that. But I haven’t Katherine’s flare for subterfuge, worse luck.” Her lower lip trembled, and he could see tears pooling in her eyes.

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