Page 38 of Rakes & Reticules
One week later
Siobhan could scarcely credit the transformation in her appearance this past week or the treatment by the other employees when she’d entered the salon on Lord Darius Westbrook’s arm.
“You’re doing splendidly,” Lord Darius said as he guided her to Viscount Huxley’s table. Tonight, the viscount wore the most remarkable shade of eye-blistering yellow. He seemed to disdain society’s dictates and wore whatever color he pleased. With his aquiline nose, paunch, and padded chest and shoulders, he resembled an oversized canary.
According to Fletcher, this made five nights in a row Huxley and his lady had attendedDe la Chance. He was certain their frequent presence portended something ominous.
Across the room, Siobhan met Fletcher’s gaze.
The merest dip of his chin indicated it was time to put their plan in motion.
Lady Huxley, wearing a scandalously low turquoise gown accented by a diamond parure set and peacock feathers in her intricately coiffed hair, sent Fletcher a seductress’s invitation with her eyes.
From beneath hooded eyelids, he returned her perusal and answered her bidding with a smoldering upward flare of his firm mouth.
Siobhan’s stomach performed a queer flip at the interaction.
I am not jealous. Absurd. Preposterous.
Fletcher’s doing what needs be done.
That is all.
Lady Huxley’s eyes flared wide as a pleased pout teased her mouth, and she glided forth like the proverbial moth to a flame. She had no idea she wouldn’t emerge uncharred.
Her ladyship took the bait like a fat, brown trout gobbling a wriggling worm.
And thus, the plan to ensnare the Huxleys was launched.
Siobhan prayed silently that the scheme would work because she didn’t know if she could pretend to be a lady night after night. She’d memorized an entire back story—all of which was absolute codswallop—in case Huxley or another guest became inquisitive. None of the details could be verified or dismissed.
That tidbit had been Fletcher’s doing, and she had to admit it was wise.
He advised fawning over Huxley while saying as little as possible.
She couldn’t fawn any better than she could flirt.
“My dear, please enjoy yourself. I’m certain Lord Huxley won’t mind if you sit beside him.” Lord Darius released her elbow at Huxley’s table, and as prearranged, a guest rose—one of his cousin Torrian’s agents—and vacated a chair. “I beg your indulgence. I have an unexpected, urgent matter to attend to. I’ll return when I can.”
“Oh, la. You needn’t fret on my account.” Siobhan fluttered her hand-painted lace fan. “I’m sure these handsome gentlemen won’t mind if I sit at their table, even if I do not play.”
The four other players—all men—gave her a preoccupied glance before returning their attention to the cards they held close to their chests.
Gambler’s obsession.
The cards had the men well in their talons.
Huxley veered his gaze upward, but his attention froze when he focused on Siobhan. “Indeed, young Westbrook. I would be happy to entertain the lady. Mayhap she’ll bring me luck. God knows my wife doesn’t.”
His sarcasm earned a round of droll, masculine chuckles.
“Heard you’d left His Majesty’s service.” Huxley shifted his focus to Lord Darius for a half second. Lord Huxley’s comment seemed casual enough, but something about his tone raised Siobhan’s nape hairs. “Plan on taking on an active role in your brother’s clubs now?”
“Good Lord, no.” Lord Darius shook his head, doing a splendid job of pretending horror. “My interests lie elsewhere. However, I’m not above enjoying myself for a spell.”
Huxley grunted. “So who is this enchanting creature?”
“Forgive my manners.” Contriteness puckering his face, Lord Darius put a hand to his chest. “Mrs. Siobhan McKinney, please allow me to introduce you to Artemus Fogwell, Viscount Huxley. Lord Huxley, Mrs. Siobhan McKinney. I’ll allow you to introduce her to the others, my lord. She’s newly arrived in London after two years of mourning her husband’s passing. Her mother and my mother attended the same finishing school, and I’ve been tasked with introducing her to London’s more respectable establishments.”
