Page 5 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
She opened her mouth to respond, when movement from the corner of her eye snagged her attention. Viscount Firthwell approached with a smile, but his gaze quickly skipped over her to land on his wife.
Faith, Alicia thought, as she watched the man’s eyes soften with love. Would a man ever look at her with such emotion?
“Finlay dear, you’ve met Lady Lindsay, I hope,” the viscountess said, sweeping her hand in Alicia’s direction. The woman’s gaze did not leave her husband’s face.
Alicia pressed her lips together to smother her smile. The pair had married more than a year ago, but you wouldn’t know it based on the way they practically vibrated like tuning forks for each other. She wanted to be annoyed, but truthfully, Alicia was glad for their happiness. Finding contentment with one’s spouse was a state she would not ever experience.
A dark figure appeared behind Firthwell then, and Alicia’s thoughts stuttered.
…
Who was she?
The thought ran on a loop through Niall’s mind as he greeted Lady Firthwell, politely asking after her health and welfare, while he studiously ignored the woman sitting on her left. Still he sensed her out of the corner of his vision, like a bright light his eyes yearned to turn toward. But Niall did not want to appear too curious; he was much too jaded about the improbable mix of romance and politics.
Niall had never been more thankful that the viscountess was not a loquacious woman, for she responded succinctly to his greeting, although her pretty eyes sparkled with warmth.
“Have you met the Countess Lindsay, my lord?” Lady Firthwell gestured with her hand to the woman next to her.
He all but sighed to finally have an excuse to let his gaze rest upon her. She was…alluring.
Her face was like a melody played across piano keys—whimsical, perfectly symmetrical, graceful, and quite lovely. Her gown was simple and unadorned, but the deep blue color emphasized the dark gold streaks in her blond hair and the rose tint to her creamy complexion.
A gold chain hung around her neck, an engraved locket dangling on the end and drawing attention to her comely décolletage.
Her pink lips were curled up just slightly, not quite a smile but friendly nonetheless. A ruddy flush spread over his cheeks, fanned hotter by the delighted sparkle that seemed to shine in her dark brown eyes.
Damn, what was he about? He was never one to be flustered or unsettled. Yet the knowledge the Countess Lindsay had caught him critiquing her person left him horribly embarrassed. He would apologize to her when a discreet moment presented itself. He had not meant to offend her or make it appear he was scrutinizing her.
Niall wasn’t sure how convincing his explanation would be…to herorhimself.
So this was the old earl’s widow. Lindsay had been a friend of his father’s, and had worked with Niall on several bills. The older man had been married to a younger woman, and he knew the earl had kept her locked away at one of his country estates.
Now Niall understood why.
“I had the pleasure of making Lady Lindsay’s acquaintance earlier tonight.” Firthwell bowed politely to the other woman, all charismatic grace. “How are you enjoying the evening, my lady? Have you been bored witless during this last half hour?”
“I have more fortitude than that, my lord, I assure you.” The countess waved her fan in an easy manner. “During my years as Lindsay’s wife, I learned there are a great many things to glean from teatime.”
“And what did you learn?” Firthwell asked distractedly, his fingers discreetly stroking the back of his wife’s neck.
“Mrs. Hanover said that her husband is disgusted with the new reform bill and has considered retiring.”
Niall’s head jerked back. He darted his eyes to Firthwell, who was now staring at Lady Lindsay with a slack jaw.
“I am surprised to hear it. Hanover has been vocal in his dissent, but I never would have thought he’d retire over it.”
“Well, he hasn’t retired yet, my lord.” The countess tilted her head to the side, that small smile playing along her lips again. “But then perhaps he could be…encouraged.”
The word tripped along her tongue like a lover said their beloved’s name. Niall found the sound oddly arousing. He gave himself a quick mental shake, but even the return of his equilibrium couldn’t prevent him from asking, “And how would you suggest he be encouraged, your ladyship?”
Turning her dark eyes on him, Lady Lindsay contemplated him for a long moment. “I would pass that labor bill through committee and bring it to the floor for a vote.”
Niall rocked back on his heels. It was a brilliant suggestion. Hanover had made his disgust for the labor bill known, a bill that would improve the working conditions of factory workers throughout the kingdom. Niall wasn’t sure they had the votes to pass the legislation in Commons, but the debate alone might be enough to push the relic from a past era right out the door of Westminster.
The countess watched him silently as he pondered her proposal, her mien placid. But the small lines that fanned out from the corners of her eyes told him she was curious for his response.
“He will be incensed that such a measure would even be called for a vote.” Niall crossed his arms over his chest, amusement stretching his lips wide. “Excellent proposition, your ladyship.”
