Harlequin Historical January 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Secrets of a Gentleman Escort\A Marriage of Notoriety\Protected by the Major by Bronwyn Scott

Author:Bronwyn Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Xavier was glad for the walk to the Masquerade Club. He needed the physical exertion and cool night air.

Those cursed Westleighs. He was angry with the lot of them.

Except for Phillipa. How could they treat her so shabbily? Had they given any care to what she did before this? Perhaps if they had shown some interest in her, some support of her music, she would not have had to venture out on her own and put herself in peril.

Xavier knew he’d done what he must. She would have braved the streets alone had he not escorted her. He certainly did not regret allowing her the chance to perform. Not when it brought her such joy.

Honour might dictate that he marry her, but honour be damned. It must be what Phillipa wanted, not what suited the rest of them.

He’d speak to her alone. She alone must decide. By God, he’d marry her if that was what she wished, but only if it was her wish. Not her mother’s. Not her brothers’.

Not even his.

Xavier knew what he wanted. He wanted to whisk Phillipa away from them. All of them. He wanted to find a myriad of ways to give her the joy she’d found performing her music. Because it was not only she who had found joy in this interlude. He had, as well.

But she must want it. She must choose.

He reached the town house and sounded the knocker. Cummings opened the door to him. Xavier left him his hat and gloves and went straight to MacEvoy, who informed him that nothing eventful had come to his attention.

He left MacEvoy and went next to the gaming room.

As soon as he walked in the room, Daphne was beside him.

‘Did you get our lovely Miss Songstress back to Covent Garden?’ she asked in her dulcet-toned voice.

He faced her directly. ‘Daphne, I have no patience for your nonsense tonight. Tell Mr Everard to take you home.’

For an instant she looked as if he’d slapped her and he was sorry he’d taken out his ill temper on her.

‘That was unkindly said,’ he spoke more softly. ‘I apologise for that, but you should spend your time elsewhere.’

A determined gleam appeared in her eyes. ‘I know what I want, Xavier.’

‘No, Daphne. Your happiness is not with me.’

Ned and Hugh walked in and Xavier left Daphne without another word.

‘What now, gentlemen?’ He braced for more insults to their sister.

Ned’s expression was conciliatory. ‘We simply came to see how the place is faring.’

‘I have not managed to burn the place down yet,’ Xavier answered. ‘Do you want to see the books?’

‘It seems a good place to start,’ Ned replied agreeably.

They had started back for the door when Hugh leaned over to Xavier. ‘Who is that beautiful creature?’

Xavier did not need to look to know of whom Hugh was speaking. ‘Lady Faville. She’s taken a fancy to gambling.’

‘Lady Faville,’ Hugh repeated quietly. ‘I’ve never seen her before.’

Xavier took them to MacEvoy, where they glanced through the ledgers. Did

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