Page 19 of Enchanted By the Lyon
While Valentine’s demeanor appeared completely relaxed, Lucius seemed tense and as if any composure he was holding onto might readily snap. She could only ponder what the cause was for his suddenly foul disposition.
“I must say you gentlemen are extremely lucky to be in the presence of so many fair ladies,” Valentine said, nodding toeach of the women before turning his gaze back to Cassandra. “Perhaps you might favor me with a dance, Mrs. Vaughn?”
She glanced toward Lucius, who turned his attention from her to the room. Since he clearly had no desire to object about her dancing with another man, she smiled and placed her hand in the one Valentine outstretched for her to take.
At the same time she said, “I would be delighted Lord Carrington.” She turned toward her friends. “If you’ll excuse us.”
“Enjoy yourself, Cassandra,” Josephine said, smiling.
Valentine began escorting her through the gambling room toward where the musicians were located and relaxing between tunes. Most of the gambling tables had been taken from the main floor to allow the guests more room to dance. When a chord was struck, Valentine placed one hand around her waist, pulling her close.
“Ah… a waltz. How fortunate that I can claim this particular dance with such a lovely lady,” he said softly, staring down into her mask.
“It’s just a dance, Lord Carrington,” she said, wishing another man was in his place.
“But one that can be very… intimate. With the right partner, that is.”
His confidence was a tad too overbold for someone she had only just met. “I agreed to a dance with you, my lord. Nothing more,” she said tartly.
His head tilted backward with his laugh before his face turned serious again. “She told me you’d not be one to be taken in with my charms.”
Cassandra frowned. “You’ve been speaking with someone about me?”
His smile widened. “Of course.”
“Who?” She did everything she could to keep her composure as they danced, working hard not to falter and step on his feet.
“Why, Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Didn’t she tell you of the deal she and I made to pay off my debt?” It was his turn to frown.
“Why would it be any of my business how you settle your debts to the widow?”
“Because I am to keep you entertained and escort you about town to make Lucius Ford jealous,” he declared. He expertly twirled her through the movements of the dance, but she became dizzy with the possibilities of what this could mean for any future with Lucius.
“I am not one to play games with other people’s emotions, my lord,” she replied when she finally found her wits again.
A low chuckle emitted from the man who held her far too closely. “And yet, you still made a deal with Mrs. Dove-Lyon to pair you with the Earl of Blackthorn. Isn’t that practically the same thing, my dear?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she huffed not wishing to think of herself as some manipulative woman who would resort to such tactics. Even if she was, she realized.
“Very well, but I would at least appreciate it if you would appear as though you are enjoying my company. Elsewise, I may be indebted to Mrs. Dove-Lyon until my last dying breath. You wouldn’t want to be the cause of my demise now, would you?” His eyes sparkled with mirth and mischief in the candlelight of the room.
Her attempts to appear indifferent to his charms failed when she found herself laughing slightly. She couldn’t stop herself; he had that kind of effect, she decided. “I have the distinct feeling, Lord Carrington, that you shall keep me sharp-witted in any foreseeable future that may have our paths crossing.”
“If that means you’ll agree to allow me to escort you about town or to upcoming balls to see my debt settled, then I will be forever grateful,” he murmured softly. “Now, give me a smile so Lucius thinks you are enjoying your dance with me. It’seither that, or the man is going to wring my neck at the first opportunity I’m alone with him for not making you happy.”
A half-snort, half-laugh escaped her lips. “Lucius Ford barely knows I’m alive.”
Valentine remained silent while they continued to dance before he finally voiced his thoughts. “Believe me when I tell you, Mrs. Vaughn… Lucius is very much aware of who you are.”
Her breath caught in her throat at the possibilities that one dance could make the earl jealous. She could only wonder how the rest of the evening, along with the coming weeks, might develop if she joined forces with her newfound friend, Lord Carrington.
Chapter Eleven
Asked to waitin the garden by one of the Lyon’s Den bouncers, Lucius paced an area near a fountain with a marble statue of what he envisioned as a goddess. Otherwise, he was alone with his thoughts with only the bouncer, Puck, standing at the entrance to the area to guard against unwanted visitors. That Lucius was to have this entire area to himself made him wonder what Mrs. Dove-Lyon wanted from his next. There shouldn’t have been any further stipulations to their original agreement.
He was in a foul mood, much to his regret. Seeing Cassandra tonight in that deep green gown that matched her eyes even under her gold mask had stirred something in him that Lucius wished he could easily dismiss. And when she had called herself the Green Fairy… my God, how his heart had thumped in his chest. It was as if his previous words to his brother about catching the Green Fairy had come back to haunt him. He certainly felt as though she had enchanted him. If the Green Fairy truly was a symbol of liberation, then Lucius was on the edge of breaking free from his constraints. He had never even had the opportunity to mention how lovely she looked before his so called “friend” Valentine swooped in to whisk the lady to the dance floor.
Lucius supposed it was for the best, especially if the Black Widow of Whitehall had plans for the two of them to marry, but still… for whatever reason which made absolutely no sense, he was jealous that Val had been the one to waltz with the woman.
