Page 26 of When the Viscount Seduces
Lazarus moved into the ballroom, but stayed on the periphery. If they’d called her name even a moment sooner, they might not have heard it. Someone would have gone looking forher, and calamity would have struck, for she had been tucked away with him.
She moved toward the dais where Lord Lucien stood. He helped her onto the stage, then looked out at the ballroom once more. “And our king is the Viscount Somerton!”
Bloody hell.It wasn’t supposed to behim. Why was it him?
“Aren’t you going to the dais?” someone to his left said.
Lazarus made his way across the ballroom and joined them on the small stage. “Evening, Lord Lucien,” he muttered.
“Try not to look as if you’re heading to the gallows,” Lord Lucien said while smiling.
Lifting his lips, Lazarus faced the ballroom.
“Much better,” Lord Lucien whispered. “Time for the coronation!” he announced. “Look at how well they match. It appears as if they planned this with their coordinated costumes.”
They did indeed. This wasn’t going to help Miss Price with potential suitors, not if they saw her as already taken.
As Lord Lucien stepped to the back of the dais, Lazarus joined Miss Price. She was smiling broadly.
“This is a surprise,” she said, her cheeks flushed with pleasure.
“Quite.” Lazarus continued to worry at how this looked. He didn’t want them to be seen as a couple or for people to assume their betrothal was a fait accompli. He needed those gentlemen who said they would call on Miss Price tomorrow to actually call on her.
But what was he to do? Announce that he had decided not to pursue a courtship with her?
If only he hadn’t reentered the ballroom after her. As soon as he heard his name being called, he could have fled the club and avoided this entire situation.
In hindsight, he should have retreated as soon as Lord Lucien said his name. However, the people around him had beenaware of his presence. His flight would have raised questions. And perhaps not reflected well on Miss Price.
“Take your thrones, if you would, please,” Lord Lucien instructed.
“Does it matter which?” Miss Price asked, surveying both seats.
One was slightly taller and wider. “I suppose the larger one is for the king,” Lazarus said.
“Indeed,” Lord Lucien responded in a low voice. He held a painted wooden crown. “Please sit so I can put this on your head.”
Lazarus waited until Miss Price took her throne then he sat down beside her. This was ridiculous.
“I crown thee King Somerton of the Realm,” Lord Lucien said loudly as he put the crown atop Lazarus’s head. He looked over at Lord Lucien, now holding the queen’s crown. It was much daintier. Still, how were they supposed to move about with these on their heads? They would surely fall.
Lord Lucien placed the crown on Miss Price’s head. “I crown thee Queen Gwendolen of the Realm.”
“Does that fit atop the circlet?” Miss Price asked with a laugh. She tipped her head, as if she could possibly see the crown, and everything tilted.
“Careful,” Lazarus warned.
She reached up and touched the crown. “I hope this doesn’t fall. I’m liable to hurt someone.” Based on her smile and the sparkle in her eyes, she was joking. But Lazarus didn’t want her to think of herself as a walking hazard.
“You won’t,” he said. “Just keep your head up. Look down at everyone as if they are your subjects. Which they are for the remainder of the night.” He grinned at her.
Adopting a haughty expression, she surveyed the crowd gathered before the dais and looked down her nose at them. Then she giggled, and the effect was ruined.
Lazarus laughed too. “You had it until you couldn’t hold your humor.”
“This is all so silly. But also rather…wonderful.” She looked sideways at him. “I’m glad to be sharing it with you.”
They were on dangerous ground. Lazarus needed to flee, but as king, he’d likely be expected to stay. Dammit, this wasn’t how things were supposed to go.
