The Rogue Debutante: A Novella (Beau Monde Chronicles Book 1) by Dallen Maggie

Author:Dallen, Maggie [Dallen, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
Tags: romance, steampunk, young adult, novella, pirate
Publisher: Maggie Dallen
Published: 2016-01-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Was it possible that Delia looked more beautiful in the cold light of day, surrounded by dirt and filth? Apparently so.

Nicholas watched her glide toward him, a vision of femininity and grace. Good Lord, but life was unfair if a man like Thaddeus Templeton could win a woman like her.

She smiled at Nicholas when she spotted him, but all signs of the prior night’s intimacy were gone. Delia, it seemed, was back to being on her best behavior. Drat.

Father Ambrose seemed surprised when Delia greeted him. “You two know each other?”

“Of course, my family is honored to be hosting Delia during her debut season,” Nicholas explained.

He watched Ambrose’s eyes widen and he appeared to be stifling laughter. “How fortunate for you and your family.”

Delia turned to him expectantly. “Did your mother send you?”

He nodded. Sure, that would work. “She seemed rather nervous about your expedition this morning and asked that I ensure your safety returning home.”

There was some truth in it. His mother hadn’t liked the idea of her young charge spending time in the Shadowlands, but it was Nicholas’s idea to escort her. He’d seized a perfect opportunity not only to spend some more time alone with his delightful new friend, but also to have a private word with Father Ambrose.

It was a good thing he had because the priest filled him in on the latest news from the legendary Blackheart and Nicholas’s latest client, the infamous Madame X. Apparently the stubborn young Frenchwoman was insistent on traveling to the docks alone tonight, an idea that was as stupid as it was naïve. The priest had asked him to keep an eye on her as a special favor to him and Blackheart, who seemed particularly fond of the mysterious woman.

Nicholas was happy to accept. He’d been eager to meet Blackheart since he’d first heard of him while he was still in school.

Nicholas watched Delia say her goodbyes to Father Ambrose and the other ladies. He gestured toward his carriage. “Shall we?”

She tilted her head and looked up at him. “Actually, I was hoping to walk back. It’s such a beautiful day. Would you mind?”

He grinned down at this young woman who was impossible to resist. He had a feeling she’d never heard the word no. “Of course. I’d be delighted to escort you. I’ll just tell the driver to head back on his own.”

Her dimpled grin was the best thanks he could ask for.

“I hadn’t realized you were acquainted with Father Ambrose,” she said as they set off toward Crawford Manor.

“We are old friends from my school days.” At her look of surprise, he continued. “Ambrose was the younger son in a family with an old name but little money. I understand priesthood is a common road for such men.”

She was silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

“I was surprised to learn you’d joined Coraline and her friends this morning,” he said, hoping to pull her back to him.

She glanced over with a teasing smile. “Why, is

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