A Taste for Scandal by Brenda Hiatt

Author:Brenda Hiatt
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781947205048
Publisher: Brenda Hiatt

Violet stifled a yawn as one musical piece gave way to another, now by a harpist accompanied by a foppish man on the clarinet. While the performances were no doubt first rate, sitting to listen was by no means her preferred way to enjoy music. She would far rather be dancing.

Seeking any distraction that might prevent her rudely nodding off, she turned her head slightly to observe the other occupants of the first row. Lady Simpson also looked as though she were on the point of dozing, but Mary and Lord Killerby were rapt, both fully caught up in the performance. Lord Rushford, however, looked nigh as bored as she was herself.

Though not yet ready to forgive his high-handed meddling in her affairs, she could not deny that Lord Rushford was exceedingly handsome. He had also proved he could be interesting to talk to…when he was not condemning her. She looked away, telling herself that Julian surely surpassed Lord Rushford on both counts.

When the music finally concluded, the guests repaired to an adjoining room set out with a buffet and small tables to discuss the relative merits of the performances—or, for those less musically inclined, the latest gossip.

“Miss Turpin?” came a voice at Violet’s shoulder as she followed the others to a table. Turning, she saw a young man whose acquaintance she had made last Season regarding her with a hopeful smile. “Dare I hope you remember me?”

“Of course, Sir Lawrence. How nice to see you again.” She smiled back. Though nowhere near so handsome as Julian, or even Lord Rushford, Sir Lawrence had been flatteringly attentive last spring. “I trust you have been well?”

“Far better now I know you are in Town again. I was quite bereft when you left us so suddenly last year. Please tell me you mean to grace us for more than a mere week or two this Season?”

She could not help but smile at his eagerness. “That is certainly my intention. The family emergency that called me away was unavoidable, but it is now happily past.”

As they talked, she stole a glance at Lord Rushford to see whether he was witnessing this proof that not all gentlemen held her in the contempt he did. He was occupied, however, in helping Mary to a chair, after which he immediately went to procure a plate for her.

Somewhat disgruntled, she bade Sir Lawrence a friendly adieu and went to join her party, whereupon Lord Killerby offered to supply her with refreshment.

“Rush is already getting food and drink for Lady Simpson and her daughter and likely felt three plates would be rather too much to carry back,” he explained when she was unable to keep her eyes from straying toward the buffet table, where Lord Rushford had his back to her.

“Thank you, Lord Killerby. I would appreciate that very much,” she said with as much grace as she could manage.

Over supper, Lord Rushford devoted his attention almost exclusively to Mary, seemingly oblivious to all the other debutantes striving to catch his eye.

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.