Page 78 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“I won’t as long as you open it for me.”
Inside the ballroom, the heat hit them like a wave. The music crashed, people laughed and talked.
“Do you see him?” Simon asked.
“Give me a moment. Itisa ball.”
“But a country one. There aren’t that many people.”
“I see him,” Leo finally said.
“You sound grim. Is he with Georgie?”
“No, but—”
“Just take me to him, and let me know when we’re near.”
Leo made their excuses as they pushed their way through throngs of guests.
“All right,” Leo said, “we’re about five feet away, and he’s talking to a girl I’ve seen with Georgie, but I can’t remember her name.”
“Then let’s go.”
A minute later, Leo cleared his throat. “Good evening, Miss Perry.”
“Good evening, Mr. Wade.” Then she raised her voice. “Good evening, Lord Wade!”
Simon sighed, but he managed to greet her civilly. When he said nothing else, she excused herself.
Keane laughed. “Well, the Wade brothers certainly know how to send the ladies fleeing.”
Simon focused on where his voice was coming from. “Keane, I ask that you not dance with my sister anymore. She’s a young girl who doesn’t understand that you’re not looking to marry right now.”
“Very well, Wade,” Keane said genially. “I find your grandmother’s companion more intriguing anyway.”
Simon gritted his teeth, but managed to smile.
Before he could warn the man away from Louisa, Keane said, “But she is quite good at making her true feelings known. Young Wade, did she send you packing, as she did to me?”
Confused, Simon wanted to frown at his brother. What was going on?
Instead he listened as Leo said, “I was fetching her for my grandmother, Keane.”
“Oh, I understand too well. Have a pleasant evening, gentlemen.”
Simon heard the man’s laugh fade as he walked away. He turned to his brother. “What was that all about?”
“I saw him alone with Louisa on the terrace,” Leo said in a low voice. “He had his hand on her arm, as if he meant to prevent her from leaving.”
Fury coursed through him, thick and hot.
“Now, Simon, don’t look like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re going to challenge him. Nothing happened.”
“Damn those rumors,” Simon said. “She’s a target for every man who knows.”
