Encounters With a Rogue by Deb Marlowe

Author:Deb Marlowe [Marlowe, Deb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deb Marlowe

A Waltz in the Park

For Ava Stone, who won’t turn her cell phone off on the plane, but who will listen, laugh, share stories, share burdens, share Bailey’s and drop everything for an emergency Burlesque show.

Chapter One

London, England

* * *

“I see that you are still keeping company with that whore.”

Mr. James Vickers stiffened, his fists and shoulders going tight at the sound of the familiar, heavy rasp. He turned slightly. “Good evening, Father.”

Lord Vickers sneered and gestured toward the glass he held. “And still getting soused in public, too, I see.”

Vickers promptly tossed back the rest of his no-longer-chilled champagne. In truth, he hadn’t been foxed in a good long time—but he was fiendishly glad that his father hadn’t noticed. He raised the empty glass in a mock salute once he’d finished. “I’m very well, thank you. And I see that you are still masquerading as a gentleman.”

He had to speak up to be heard over the din in Lady Dalton’s ballroom. He took spiteful pleasure in delivering the barb in a tone louder than strictly necessary.

Beside him, Hestia Wright smiled brightly, causing at least one of the men on the nearby dance floor to stumble. “Good evening to you, Lord Vickers.” Her volume nearly matched his own. “Thank you! Of course we at Half Moon House will be happy to accept your donation.” She winked as she began to sidle away. “I’ll send ‘round a note to your man of business tomorrow to make arrangements.”

With a commiserating glance, she faded into the crowd. Vickers watched her go with resignation. Hestia Wright didn’t get invited to every Society ball, but she greatly improved each one she attended. Lady Dalton had apparently invited everyone in London to her crush of a ball. Clearly they all had accepted too. Hundreds, from Society’s elite to the hangers-on at the fringe of the beau monde, had come to see and be seen, to dance and gossip, to fight for a bit of heavily perfumed air and a spot to breathe it. Rumor had it even the reclusive Duke of Aldmere was in attendance.

His father glared after Hestia. “I should have thought you would have tired of her long ago.”

Vickers sighed. “Father, you know Hestia Wright is a philanthropist now. Everyone knows it. She is a dear friend to me. And in any case, she was never a mere whore. She was, simply put, the most beautiful, accomplished and charming courtesan to ever grace England or the Continent.” He shook his head. “And I would be careful how you speak of her, were I you. There are statesmen, royal princes, and wealthy and powerful men aplenty who are most displeased to hear her spoken ill of.”

The viscount harrumphed. “Once a whore, always a whore.”

“Well, if anyone was in a position to know, it would be you, sir. You’ve kept company with enough of them.” Vickers perked up suddenly and allowed the corner of his mouth to quirk in sudden mockery. “In fact, I danced earlier with one of your old amours—the widowed Lady Athbert.

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