Page 120 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

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“Young man, do you usually remain so removed from the conversations around you?”

Evan looked around then down at the diminutive lady who spoke to him.

They hadn’t been introduced, and he had no idea who she was.

In fact, he hadn’t even seen her come in. It seemed as though she’d just – appeared out of thin air beside him.

“I – uh –“ What was he to say?

Whilst he stood there floundering, the lady ran a shockingly green gaze over him, head to toe.

He wasn’t sure by her expression whether she found him wanting or not.

“Forgive me,” he said now, which was a bit silly since he hadn’tdoneanything, but he didn’t really know what else to say. “Evan Belmont, Earl of Stockton at your service ma’am.”

He bowed all the while wondering at this strange little creature.

“Angela,” she answered sharply. No title, no explanation, no curtsy. “Now tell me, why aren’t you talking to anyone?”

Evan felt his jaw drop.

Who on earthwasthis woman?

“I, well I –”

“You couldn’t find anyone worth talking to?” she asked outrageously. “Can’t say I blame you. Nothing but desperate dandies and insipid misses. Not a character among them.”

She sighed and shook her head as though the people here were lacking in character as a personal affront to her.

“If only there were just one young lady who was deserving of your attention, hmm?”

Evan was about to answer, though he hadn’t a clue what he would say, when a movement by the door caught his attention.

Suddenly, his mouth dried and his heart began to race.

“My God.”

He didn’t even know he’d spoken aloud until Angela cackled beside him.

“Indeed,” she said. “They don’t often look like that one. Makes my life a lot easier.”

Evan dragged his eyes away from the arrival of Lady Holly long enough to stare in bewilderment at the tiny, white-haired lady.

“Your life?” he asked.

She blinked rapidly up at him before suddenly giving him a shove.

“Shoo, shoo,” she said, like a madwoman. “Why are you wasting your time with someone my age, when you could be getting to know the lovely Lady Holly better?”

Evan wasn’t usually given to allowing himself to be shooed anywhere by people who clearly belonged in Bedlam.

But he allowed it this time.

He told himself it was because he wanted to get away from the crazy old woman.

But as he ran his gaze over the lady in the doorway, her vibrant hair, her deep brown eyes, her full lips, and slender neck, he knew he was lying.

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