Page 21 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
“Elspeth,” Charlotte said, her voice not overly loud but her tone commanding. Even Finlay straightened his spine at the sound. “We do not discuss such things at the table…or ever.” She leveled a fierce glare at the group, including him in her censure. “You know this.”
Rather than feeling shame, his eyes tracked how a becoming flush spread over her cheeks and down her neck to disappear into her bodice. He ached to see where else her skin grew rosy, and flashing memories of how he’d trailed kisses down the valley between her breasts tormented him. Her magnificent eyes glinted like a sunbeam on a lake, as if she knew his thoughts. The sight of her in a fit made him want her. Fiercely.
He was in a bad way.
“I’m sorry, Missus Taylor.” The miserable edge to Elspeth’s words aided Finlay in dragging his attention from Charlotte. With her downcast eyes and her cheeks tinged with a color that almost matched her hair, the girl looked distraught.
Charlotte regarded her for a long moment before she delivered a curt nod. “Please do better to remember your manners in the future.”
She never raised her voice, and yet the little redhead nodded eagerly. “Yes, ma’am.” Disappointing Mrs. Taylor was obviously punishment in itself.
Returning her gaze to Polly, Charlotte dipped her chin. “Do continue, please.”
Polly bit her lip and glanced around the table. She appeared uncertain of continuing in light of Elspeth’s reprimand. Or perhaps, she was merely waiting for everyone to grace her with their attention. “Well, I’d like to get ices at Gunter’s.”
“Which flavor do you fancy?” The thought of a tart ice made Finlay’s mouth water. “I prefer the lemon myself.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been.” Polly raised a shoulder. “None of us have.”
Finlay’s mouth dropped open, and he hastened to snap it shut. “None of you?” He glanced atCharlotte, who shook her head once in answer.
He smacked his hand on the table, determined to right such an egregious wrong. “Well, we’ll just have to pay a visit there, won’t we?”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible.” Charlotte reached for another biscuit, glancing anywhere but at him.
“And why is that?”
“Because we do not have funds set aside for such an excursion.” When the girls groaned, Charlotte flashed them a sympathetic smile. “No matter how diverting and delicious such a trip would be.”
Finlay frowned. “But it would be my treat.”
He observed her inhale deeply before finally meeting his gaze. “That is exceptionally kind of you, my lord, but what of the other children? When they learn of the special treat these girls will enjoy, they’ll wonder why they don’t get to enjoy it as well.”
He hadn’t considered that possibility, and the consequences of excluding any of the children made his chest constrict in ways he didn’t want to examine.
Taking a sip of tea, he considered his options. Seeing nothing else for it, he set his cup down and spread his arms out. “Then I suppose we’ll have to take everyone.”
While the girls cheered, Finlay watched in satisfaction as the rigid set toCharlotte’s frame relaxed. She didn’t smile, but he swore he saw one lurking in her eyes.
“Ladies, please calm down.” She patted the air in front of her with her hands. “The Gunter’s trip will have to be planned for a day that’s convenient for Lord Firthwell, Mrs. Stevens, and the other teachers. Until that can be done, I ask you to keep this between us.” She paused and held each of their gazes in turn. “Let’s make it a surprise for everyone. What do you say?”
Five heads nodded eagerly in agreement.
“And after the ices?” She angled her chin at Polly. The other girls immediately quieted.
“Ummm…” Polly’s gaze grew unfocused. “I would love to ride through Hyde Park at the fashionable hour. Wearing a new bonnet with white roses,” she quickly added with a finger raised for emphasis.
Finlay suppressed a smile at her enthusiasm to visit all the popular spots thetonfrequented. “Tell me, Miss Polly, are you a great reader of the gossip pages?”
Her eyes dropped to her plate as the tips of her ears turned pink, which seemed answer enough.
“Is that how you would end the day?” Charlotte regarded the young girl with an amused smirk.
Polly tapped her finger against her mouth for a long moment before her eyes went wide. “I’d want to spend an evening waltzing at Almack’s.”
“Almack’s?” Finlay failed to keep the disgust from his voice. Ignoring Charlotte’s glare, he asked, “Why do you want to spend a perfectly good evening in a den of vipers?”
“Den of vipers, indeed.” Charlotte scowled.
