Page 12 of When the Viscount Seduces
That would include him, Lazarus realized, not that they were in danger of falling into an actual courtship. Although, interest wasn’t really his problem. He lacked the ability to support that interest. And as such, he’d never pursued it. He couldn’t say whether he liked books, and reading was a chore, not an enjoyment.
“There are ways to cordially remove yourself from a conversation. It depends on where you are or what you are doing. Obviously, if you are dancing, you can’t just walk away.” He laughed, and she joined him.
“What if we are promenading like this?” she asked.
“Well, again, you can’t just leave without causing a scene. I suggest you find another topic of conversation to see you through until you’re back with your mother.”
“I could also walk faster,” she said with a mischievous smile.
Lazarus laughed again. “You certainly could.”
“Except I’d likely trip and cause an even bigger scene,” she said with a sigh. “As much as we may perfect my conversation skills, I’m afraid my clumsiness and poor dancing ability are unfixable.”
He hated to hear her denigrate herself, but even more he didn’t want her to lose hope that she could change and grow. If she wanted to. “Do you think my reading deficiencies are unfixable?” he asked.
She jerked her gaze to his. “Absolutely not.” Her eyes narrowed. Then she laughed. “You are very clever, my lord.”
Lazarus wasn’t a clumsy person at all, but he nearly tripped. That was the second time she’d commented on his intelligence. And in a favorable way. He couldn’t help smiling. “I’m only saying that we can improve or enhance things about ourselves, if we want to.”
“I do agree with that sentiment, but while I may learn the technicality of dancing, I’m not convinced I’ll master the grace or elegance of it. And perhaps that is acceptable. At least to me.”
He felt her tense suddenly and looked toward her. Her attention was fixed just off the path to her right.
Virgil Eberforce stood with a pair of dandies, their garish costumes screaming for attention. As Lazarus and Miss Price neared, Eberforce turned his back to them and spoke loudly enough for them to hear. “That is the unfortunate chit who ruined my waistcoat at Almack’s. She should be banned from public spaces, just as she has surely been from private ones. I hear her remaining vouchers to Almack’s have been revoked.”
Miss Price sucked in a breath and indeed began to walk faster. Lazarus, on the contrary, wanted to stop and have strong words with Eberforce. No, that wasn’t quite true. He wanted to pummel the man into the ground.
“Why are you stopping?” she whispered urgently.
“Eberforce deserves a bruising setdown.”
“Unless it includes actual bruises, I must insist we be on our way. I don’t want to overhear another word.”
They hadn’t overheard anything. Eberforce had spoken loudly with cruel intent. She was meant to hear every word. Which was why Lazarus wanted to put him in his place. “I’d be happy to plant him a facer,” Lazarus offered.
“I spoke in jest,” she said, pulling at him so that he began to walk at her faster speed. “You can’t hit him. I may be naive about a great many things, but even I know that will not help me. You do recall what happened to Tamsin and Droxford?”
“I do.” Droxford had hit a man who’d grabbed Tamsin and attempted to pull her away. The man had been warned not to do it a second time and had failed to behave accordingly. If Lazarus had been there, he would have defended his cousin in the samemanner. Of course, he would have been applauded for doing so, and no one would have expected him to marry her.
That Droxford had gone to such extremes for her indicated their relationship was close. Rumors would have arisen, and reputations would likely have been damaged. Hence, they had wed. Fortunately for them both, all had turned out well since they were now madly in love.
“I won’t promise not to speak with Eberforce at another time,” Lazarus vowed. “Or ensure that your brother does.” Yes, that would be far more appropriate, and Evan would be eager to keep Eberforce from verbally attacking his sister. “He’s a menace,” he added.
“I don’t disagree,” Miss Price said. “Thank you for your support. It means a great deal to me.”
He cast her a sidelong glance and was arrested by the sincerity in her gaze. “You shall have that support—always.” The same jolt he’d felt earlier when she’d gripped him more tightly shocked him again. The need to protect Miss Price nearly overwhelmed him.
Her gaze shifted forward. “There is my mother. We hardly practiced how I am to talk with a suitor, but I do feel a bit more educated on that front. When I see you next, I will behave entirely as if you are a potential suitor. When will that be?”
“Are you attending the Oxley ball in two days?”
“Yes. So there, then?”
He nodded. “But I hope to see you before then—regarding our other matter.”
“I do too, and I shallnotbe talking to you as if you are a potential suitor.” She gave him a winning smile. “I doubt that would serve your interests.”
He found he could hardly wait. Because he would at last make some progress with reading—or so he hoped.
