Page 24 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Cassia inclined her head.“Imogene, is that not Lord Asher?”
To her left, she noticed the gentleman who was partially responsible for her colliding into the Duke of Blackbern.The gentleman raised his hand in greeting.She acknowledged him with a soft smile.
“It is.”
“Oh look, he is leaving his box.I wonder which box he is planning to visit?”Cassia teased.
Lady Golding touched her daughter lightly on the arm with her shut fan.“Even if you know the answer, you and Imogene will display your surprise at his appearance.It is to your advantage not to seem too eager, ladies.”
She turned her attention back to the duchess when Cassia and Imogene nodded.
“I pray Lord Asher will keep his heel off my hem,” Imogene whispered to her friend.“If I go over the balcony, I will do more than tear the hem.”
They giggled, earning a silent warning from the duchess.
Imogene sighed.In London there were so many rules to follow.
***
Tristan would have preferred to pass the evening at one of his clubs, but his concerns over Norgrave’s next move with Lady Imogene left him edgy and in pursuit of his unpredictable friend.A brief stop at the marquess’s residence and a chat with the butler revealed that the man had planned to enjoy the theater this evening.Norgrave rarely secured his own private theater box for such occasions because he preferred to circulate from box to box.In the past, Tristan often joined him on these outings, but the wager had turned them into friendly rivals.
The first private box he visited was Jewel Tierney’s, since she and Norgrave still managed to have an amiable arrangement even though she was no longer his mistress.The dark-haired courtesan was seated with four female companions.He immediately recognized Eunice, but he was not acquainted with the others.Any man who hoped to have a private introduction to one of Jewel’s protégées would not approach the box until he was invited.
“Good evening, Jewel,” Tristan said, inclining his head.“Ladies.My apologies for intruding, but I am looking for Norgrave.Have you seen him?”
“Your Grace,” Jewel said, extending her hand to establish that they were old friends.She had deliberately used his title to alert her companions that they had captured the attention of a gentleman who was worthy of their interest.“This is a delightful surprise.I have not seen you in months.You have neglected your good friends.”
Eunice was shyly glancing down at her shoes as if she was a young innocent who was too overcome with excitement to gaze into the eyes of a potential suitor.She played the role quite well.Tristan might have been fooled if the young courtesan had not proven she was quite skilled with her mouth.
“Alas, I have had little time for amusements,” he said apologetically, his voice laced with feigned regret.There were other gentlemen who would claim these women for the evening, and he had no intention of ruining their prospects by rudely dismissing them.
Jewel frowned as she studied his face.“You work too hard, Blackbern.Perhaps you would like to sit with us.The five of us could undoubtedly help you forget your burdens.”
Tristan laughed.“Of that, I have no doubt,” he said, recalling past evenings that he had enjoyed with Jewel and her friends.The woman knew how to cloud a man’s head with lust and leave him pleasantly exhausted.“Unfortunately, I must regretfully decline since I must find Norgrave.”
Jewel arched her right brow.“What if I could direct you to Norgrave?Once your business with him has concluded, you and the marquess would be most welcome in my private box.”
Her catlike grin let him know that the courtesan was not referring to the theater.
“You are very generous, Jewel.”If he gave her any encouragement, he could spend a very invigorating evening in her bed.“Once I find our friend, I will mention your invitation.”
She pouted at his polite rejection.Jewel had made several attempts to coax him back into her bed, but he had lost interest years ago when they had parted ways.“Very well.If you direct your gaze up one tier and to the right, you will see him.”
Tristan nodded, his gaze already searching the dimly lit theater boxes.
However, it wasn’t Norgrave who caught and held his gaze, it was Lady Imogene.Delight washed through him like a tropical breeze.It cooled when he recognized one of the women as the Duchess of Trevett.He was unfamiliar with the other ladies seated on either side of her.
The ladies were not alone.
Four male admirers had charmed their way into the private box.Although they were being respectful and engaging of the women, Tristan suspected that all of them were there for Imogene.He recognized them, but it was one gentleman in particular that had him gnashing his teeth.
Norgrave.
That lying bastard!
What was the point of setting ground rules if the man intended to ignore them?
“Is something amiss, Your Grace?”Jewel asked, using her gilt scissors-glasses to peer at the private theater box that he was glowering at.“Who is the owner of the box?”
