Page 10 of Deception and Desire
“Gah! I love you like my own sister.” She patted Fenella’s cheek and sniffed. “And I need to see you settled, so I can think aboutmyfuture. I can’t leave you to the wolves—or Lady Franklin.”
*
Fenella leaned againstone of the tall white pillars of Almack’s and scanned the crowd for her mother. She spotted Lady Franklin under the musicians’ balcony, ingratiating herself to one the establishment’s patronesses. With any luck, Fenella would be able to fend off the last two bachelors in the room who might be persuaded to speak with her. Gems and paste crystals glittered and shimmered under the glow from the gaslit chandeliers. A young baron with sallow skin, dull eyes, and thin lips approached, his diamond pin winking in his foppish, intricate cravat.Here comes one of the said gentlemen now.
“Miss Franklin,” Lord Brooks murmured with a bow, “may I have the next dance?”
When he straightened, his eye level was even with her nose. The thought of standing partner with this poppinjay for the next thirty minutes sent her stomach plummeting. She studied his serious demeanor and stiff frame and judged his displeasure. Her lips twitched as she looked down at him. Oh, this would be fun.
“Oh, sir,” she cried breathlessly, “I would be honored. But I’m afraid I’m parched and waiting on refreshment.” She licked her lips, her tongue circling the entire top of her upper lip and working down to her bottom one. She hitched one shoulder forward and smiled overly bright, her mouth glistening. “Perhaps you could come back after the next set?”
The look of horror on the young man’s face was uproarious. She bit back the laughter bubbling in her throat. Her teeth scraped her bottom lip, as if trying to remove the last of her supper from one corner. It seemed to be the last straw for the baron. She’d judged him correctly. Any intelligent talk might have intrigued him, unlike the earl before him– whose eyes had glazed over at her detailed summary of Homer’sOdyssey.
“I-I may be leaving early,” the baron stammered as he took flight.
Over his retreating shoulder, she saw her mother approach, the slanted deep brown eyes and pinched mouth indicating her extreme displeasure.
Drat!She was in trouble, now. Fenella looked right, then left, hoping for escape. Evie appeared by her side.
“I’ll intercept her for you, but what in petunias were you thinking?” asked her sister, cheeks flushed becomingly. “You looked like Nora the cow when we put honey on her lips.”
Fenella laughed. “I’d forgotten all about that. Well, good. It had the desired effect, then.” She picked up her skirt and made a dash for the refreshment table.
“I’ll find a way for you to settle this debt,” she heard Evie say good-naturedly, blocking Lady Franklin’s path to her oldest daughter. “Mother, why is your face so mottled? Gracious, let’s get you outside for some fresh air. It’s stifling in here!”
Fenella blew out a breath as her mother and sister both moved in the opposite direction. A reprieve until they were all trapped in the coach together. She carefully avoided eye contact, studying the pale red roses embroidered on the hem of her Pomona dress.
“Absolutely divine. In fact, I’d say the most stunning female in the place.”
Fenella’s head jerked up to see the profile of a dark, handsome man next to her.
“Pardon me?” He couldn’t possibly be speaking to her. His eyes were on…
She followed his line of sight. Evie. “Are you speaking of my sister, sir?” Should she be outraged? Who was he?
“If your sister is that exquisite creature in the blossom gown that matches her pink cheeks to perfection, then yes. I’m speaking of your sister.” He turned his attention on Fenella, and she was struck by a devastatingly inviting smile framed by a mustache and well-trimmed beard. She thought of a gentleman pirate.
“That would be quite impertinent, since we haven’t been introduced.” She dragged her gaze to his eyes, a glittering variation of gold, then green.
“Well, that can be amended easily enough.” He looked about and waved at the viscount Fenella had recently chased away. “Brooks! Brooks, my friend, over here.”
With a pained look, the young man made his way to the table. “Good evening, my lord. How may I be of service?”
“I need a formal introduction to this young lady. Would you be so kind?”
For the second time that night, Fenella witnessed the baron’s look of distress. “Are you sure—I mean, of course. It would be my pleasure,” the viscount mumbled. “Miss Franklin, may I introduce the Earl of Brecken? My lord, Miss Franklin, the daughter of Sir Horace and Lady Franklin.”
Brecken bowed, broad shoulders straining his coat as he brushed a kiss over her gloved knuckles. He gave her another dazzling smile. Fenella liked him instantly. “My lord,” she nodded and grinned back. “So, you are interested in my sister, Miss Evelina?”
“A lovely name,” he said distractedly, as mother and daughter turned and moved back into the crowd toward them. “Youwillintroduce us?”
“Of course.” Fenella wondered at the directness of the man. He seemed confident and used to getting what he wanted. A man of influence. And title. Just what their mother had specified.
“Fenella, if you think—” Lady Franklin stopped as the earl bowed to the women. “Do you know this gentleman?”
“Mother, may I introduce Lord Brecken?” She turned to him. “Lady Franklin and my younger sister, Miss Evelina.”
The ladies were both charmed by the new acquaintance, and Fenella drew in a deep breath. Perhaps she could stall the conversation on the way home with questions about Brecken. Knowing Evie, she’d have his life story before Fenella finished her lemonade.
