The Perks of Being a Beauty by Manda Collins

Author:Manda Collins [Collins, Manda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781466834903
Google: og_TVGhhYtIC
Amazon: B00BCFZM00
Goodreads: 17338876
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The rest of the guests didn’t seem to have noticed the absence of Amelia and Quentin during the game. Quentin had learned long ago that people saw what they expected to see. And since none of them could possibly imagine the son of a duke showing interest in a penniless beauty, none of them noticed it.

Still giddy from their somewhat risqué behavior, the other young people were quite merry during dinner. And even Mr. and Mrs. Smithson were joining in the laughter by the time the last bit of dessert had been consumed.

Though he tried to catch Amelia’s eye to ensure that she was none the worse for their encounter in the greenhouse, Quentin found her resistant to his glances, and when the ladies left the gentlemen to their port, she left the dining room with her arm tucked into Harriet’s and not a backward glance his way.

“You look like a man with something on his mind,” Mr. Wilkes said to Quentin as he clipped the end of his cigar. “Don’t think I didn’t see the way your eyes skimmed over the enticing Miss Snowe, old fellow. Though I hope you won’t box my ears for it.”

Cursing inwardly, Quentin maintained his composure. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Wilkes. I was merely ensuring that the lady was in good spirits.”

“Why should you care about her spirits?” Wilkes asked, his eyes skeptical. “She seems no more in danger of unhappiness than any of the rest of the party. Unless that was the reason you two disappeared during Sardines.”

Something of his annoyance must have shown in Quentin’s face, because Wilkes said smugly, “Aha! I knew there was something afoot. Do tell, Fortescue. I won’t tell anyone. Upon my honor.”

“Nothing is afoot. The lady simply retired to her room to change her slippers during the game. A blister, I believe. Nothing for you to get worked up about. I simply waited downstairs for her return rather than joining the rest of you for the game.”

The other man did not seem convinced, but he changed the subject, much to Quentin’s relief. When the ladies returned, he was not surprised to note that Amelia kept close to Harriet’s side, watching over the girl like a mother hen with her chick.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mrs. Smithson said, taking a place in the center of the room. “Tonight we shall entertain ourselves with a bit of music and dancing.”

A small cheer rang out among the young ladies. Amelia, he was quick to notice, looked quite glum. As well she should, he thought with a flash of good cheer. She might be able to avoid him if they played another game, or simply chatted amongst themselves, but there were a finite number of ladies and gentlemen. The steps of the dance would bring them together at one point even if they didn’t partner one another.

“I shall play, shall I, Mrs. Smithson?” Amelia asked, already heading for the pianoforte as two footmen began rolling up the carpets.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.