The Charming Jezebel by Farmer Merry

Author:Farmer, Merry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

His plan had to work. Saif entered the ballroom the day after his encounter with Ophelia and the Marlowe sisters just as the orchestra began the first dance of the night. His plan to retrieve Ophelia’s key from Lady Malvis and to foil Marlowe’s plans for Lady Lettuce and Lady Imogen was complex, but he was determined to make every moving part of the grand contraption flow like clockwork. He couldn’t say why exactly it was so important to help the Marlowe sisters flee, except that doing so would win Ophelia’s heart forever. And he would need her undying devotion if the two of them were to face the challenges to any potential marriage that he saw coming.

“Is everything prepared?” Ophelia asked as he moved to stand beside her without actually facing her. Lady Millicent was only yards away and keeping a sharp eye on her niece.

“It’s as prepared as possible,” Saif murmured over his shoulder. “All we need to do now is spring the trap, cause the distraction, and let our little birds free.”

“Mr. Khan,” Lady Millicent snapped. “Are you conversing with my niece when I have expressly forbid you to?”

Inwardly, Saif winced. Outwardly, he put on an expression of startled innocence and turned to face Ophelia, her aunt, and the small circle of older women with them.

“Please forgive me, my lady.” He bowed to Lady Millicent. “I did not see you or your niece standing there.”

“A likely story,” Lady Millicent grumbled.

“Forgive me,” Saif repeated, adding a second bow for good measure. “I shall prove my trustworthiness by departing this instant.”

He followed his words with actions, leaving before Lady Millicent could beat him around the head. He sent Ophelia a final, reassuring look before striding deeper into the room.

His target for the first phase of his plan was waiting near one of the room’s fireplaces, wearing Ophelia’s key around her neck, and posing as though she were a fashion plate, though the truth couldn’t have been further from that.

“Lady Malvis,” Saif said, approaching with an ingratiating smile. “I do believe you are the most beautiful woman at tonight’s ball. You are, as the English saying goes, a diamond of the first water.”

“Oh?” Lady Malvis’s stunned look did nothing to approve her sour appearance. She narrowed her eyes, studying Saif sharply. Perhaps it was a change of heart on her part, or perhaps it was the enormous diamond pin surrounded by rubies that he wore in his cravat, but her pinched look softened into a cautious smile.

Saif’s smile widened. He had her off-balance, which was the perfect start. He sketched a gentlemanly bow and extended his hand. “Would you care to join this dance?”

Lady Malvis managed to pry her eyes away from his diamond long enough to look over her shoulder at the set that was forming for the next dance. “I…oh….” She turned back to him, studying his diamond more intently. “I do not know if I should, Mr. Khan.”

“Please,” Saif said, inching closer to her. “Though I do not bandy it about much, my correct title is Prince.

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