Page 7 of Betting on a Baron
She pointed at his tumbler. “You’re drinking to mask your embarrassment.” Her steady gaze returned to him and she added, “You cannot fool me, Ambrose. Your cheeks are flushed not because of the alcohol but because they always turn a shade red when you are lying. Out with the truth. What really occurred in the park?”
Having an all too smart and observant sister was a nuisance. “I may have kissed Lady Daphne.”
“What in the blazes!” Alice leapt to her feet but then quickly regained her composure and sank back down in her seat. “May have? You either did or did you not kiss my best friend. Which is it?”
“I did. I kissed your friend.” His chest seemed less constricted after confessing. He rose to refill his glass, giving Alice time to mull over the news.
Her gaze tracked him to the sideboard and back. Once he was reseated, Alice frowned and said, “You. You kissed Daphne.”
He simply nodded. There was absolutely no reason to share with Alice that the memory of his kiss still shook him to his core.
Alice closed her eyes for a moment and lifted her face to the ceiling. Ambrose counted to ten and was surprised Alice didn’t reopen her eyes and glare at him.
It was only after he’d counted up to thirty did Alice return her still slightly confused gaze upon him. “Just so that I’m clear on the matter, it wasyouwho initiated the kiss, correct?”
While he didn’t make a habit of going about kissing women, his confession wasn’t so shocking as to warrant Alice’s confusion. He looked directly at Alice and nodded. “Yes, it was I who initiated the kiss.”
“Oh blimey, and here I’d hoped Daphne’s first kiss would be with a rake, with someone who knew how to go about things.”
He picked up his tumbler and took a healthy sip of the amber liquid. He did not care for the direction of the conversation, but brotherly concern had him asking, “Is that what you are hoping for? To share your first kiss with a rake?”
“Ambrose! There are some things you simply should never ask.”
He heartily agreed. Upon reflection, this was not a conversation you had with your younger sister. It was all too embarrassing. He needed Alice to leave before the conversation went down a path where he might find himself confessing that he’d never lain with a woman before. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for tonight’s ball or something?”
The scratch at the study door saved his sister from responding.
Higgins, their aging butler, entered with a note upon the salver. “Miss Alice.”
“Thank you, Higgins.” Alice took the note and gave the old man a smile. “Is there a footman awaiting a response?”
“No, miss. However, I’ve sent the package that accompanied the note up to your rooms.” Higgins bowed and left the room.
Ambrose handed her a letter opener and watched his sister slice through the paper and read the missive.
“Who is it from?”
With a broad smile, Alice answered, “Daphne. She says she’s looking forward to seeing me this eve in my new gown.”
“New gown? Didn’t we agree you were to repurpose last Season’s ensembles for the first few balls, to allow the gossip mongers time to spread the news of our dire financial position?”
“We did.” Alice stood and grinned. “However, it appears you successfully convinced Daphne to help you findmea husband.” Alice placed her hands on the arms of her chair, pushed herself up to stand, and sighed. “I’ll have to be on alert this Season, for there is no telling to what lengths Daphne will go to makeyourwish come true.” His sister's gaze flickered from the parchment to him and then back. “Daphne may appear docile to most, but I know her best, and it will be a challenge to deviate her from the course she’s set herself on. A challenge for certain.”
Docile was not an adjective that came to his mind when he thought of Daphne. Tenacious, or mayhap daring, especially after her bold proposal. Alice’s remarks regarding Daphne’s disposition piqued his interest.
Alice folded the parchment and waved it in air. “Will you be making an appearance at the Hadfield soiree tonight?”
“I hadn’t planned on attending because Aunt Olive will be accompanying you this eve.”
His sister gave him her devilish,I’m up to no goodsmile. “You won’t find a wife hiding in your study.”
He stopped himself from rolling his eyes at his sister and said, “Point noted.”
Alice nodded and skipped out of the study.
Ambrose smiled—finally he had a glimpse of his younger sister.
CHAPTERFOUR
