Page 9 of A Duke But No Gentleman
“Liar.What’s truly transpiring between the two of you?”
“Nothing,” Tristan protested with a breathy chuckle.Numerous gentlemen had offered for that horse, including Norgrave.
“I do not believe you.Jasper treats his animals as if he had a hand in siring them.”
“An improbable and disgusting notion.”Not to mention one that could get you executed for consorting with beasts.“You are envious because he accepted my offer over yours.”
“Naturally,” Norgrave replied easily.“Have I mentioned how much I resent your damnable good fortune?”
“Too often.However, I doubt you will ruin our friendship over a horse.”
Norgrave inclined his head.“Or women.Both are too plentiful for us to squabble over.”
“I heartily agree.”In spite of their differences, Norgrave was a man who could be counted on when problems arose.“I will seek you out when I have concluded my business with Jasper.”
“Are you going to tell me how you bribed Jasper into accepting what I assume was a very generous offer?”
“Not a chance,” Tristen said, already walking away from his friend.“I’m not giving you a chance to steal a prime piece of horseflesh right from under my nose.”
Norgrave’s laughter could be heard above the music as Tristan made his way toward the door Jasper had used to exit the ballroom.
***
This was not an auspicious beginning to her evening.Imogene stood still, but she couldn’t resist glancing behind her as the servant applied needle and thread to the torn lace on her skirt.
“How bad is the damage?If I tarry much longer, I will never hear the end of it from my mother,” she fretted.There had been a minor mishap when she had been dancing with Lord Asher.The earl had stepped on the hem of her dress and accidentally ripped a sizable section of the lace trimming.
“It’s not too bad, my lady,” the maid said, only the top of her white cap visible as she focused on her task.“When I am finished, no one will even be aware that any damage was done to your beautiful dress.”
“That is a relief,” Imogene muttered under her breath.“Lord Asher offered to pay for the damage, but it is humiliating enough to contemplate that he views me as a pretty, albeit clumsy chit.”
She was in London to make a good impression, as her mother often reminded her.
The maidservant giggled.“Most gentlemen don’t see more than a fair face.Stepping on your skirt gives him an advantage over your other suitors.”
Imogene had yet to acquire any suitors, but she saw no reason to mention it.“I do not see how.”
The maid glanced up, her brown eyes twinkling with amusement.“That’s ’cause you aren’t thinking like a man.Your lordship is downstairs, likely pacing and plotting… wondering how he can catch you alone.Maybe even steal a kiss.”
“That would be awfully wicked of him.”Her cheeks heated at the thought of the handsome earl boldly kissing her.
“Every lady should be so lucky as to dally with such a man,” the maid said with a wink.She bent down and snipped the thread with her scissors.“There… we’re finished.The work as good as any Bond Street seamstress, I say.”
Imogene glanced over her shoulder and slowly pivoted in a tight circle as she inspected the maidservant’s efforts.“Excellent work.No one will ever suspect the hem had been damaged.Thank you.”She retrieved her reticule from a small table with the intent of paying the young woman for her service.
The maidservant’s expression brightened when Imogene offered her a coin.“You are very generous, my lady.Thank you,” she said, the coin was tucked away within the folds of her dress.“I wish you luck with your wicked gentleman.”
“Lord Asher is not my—”
The maidservant gathered up her sewing basket and walked over to another female guest who required assistance with one of her sleeves.
“Oh, bother… it is not important,” Imogene said more to herself since no one was paying attention to her.Her hem had been repaired, and she was grateful to the kind maidservant.
Imogene was halfway down the corridor when she came across one of her childhood friends, Miss Cassia Mead.Her smile was genuine as the nineteen-year-old and her female companion drew closer.
“Cassia!”
The two women embraced.
