Page 31 of When the Viscount Seduces
Lazarus noted the door opening and saw Evan Price walk in. Becky immediately engaged him in conversation.
“Is Miss Price the reason for your moodiness?” Jo asked.
Having picked up the tankard for a drink, Lazarus now returned it—heavily—to the table. He frowned at Jo.
“Why are you looking at me like that? I’ve heard the two of you are practically courting, that you were king and queen of the Phoenix Club ball last night. You made quite a stir. Some say you are completely gone for her.”
Damn.That was not going to help Miss Price’s cause. He needed to put distance between them—at least publicly. In fact, it might be time that she made it publicly known that she was not interested in courtship because he was too much of a rogue. Everyone would believe that story.
“You know a great deal,” Lazarus said evenly. “Were you at the ball last night?” He knew her mother was a member of the Phoenix Club. Jo was not since she was unwed. However, she could attend the balls with a family member who was.
“No, but you must be aware that people come in here and talk. I know things that would make your eyes pop out of your head and roll across the floor.”
The image was absolutely ghastly, but also rather amusing. Lazarus’s mouth ticked up in a smile. “You are frighteningly easy to talk to.” A thought struck him. “Do you collect information on purpose?”
“What a horrid thing to suspect,” she said. “As you said, I’m simply easy to talk to. Just because I know some people’s secrets doesn’t mean I would ever share them. I am nothing if not discreet. To be honest, I hear a great many things at the literarysalon I attend most weeks. There are several members of Society who attend.”
Lazarus’s interest was piqued. He shot his gaze to hers. “What literary salon is this?”
“You’re interested in books?” She gaped at him. “I’m shocked.”
It should not have insulted him since he generally disdained reading. He had to in order to hide his own secret. For some reason, he considered telling Jo about it, in part because he was feeling defensive. But also because she did have an uncanny ability to put one at ease and make one want to share.
However, he could not bring himself to disclose his shameful secret. Sharing it with Miss Price had been hard enough, and it had gone so well that he dare not tempt fate again. “I am interested in attending a literary salon. Could you garner me an invitation? Or two?” This wasn’t just for him. He wanted to take Miss Price. She would be delighted.
“For you and your mysterious lady friend?” Jo teased. “I’m sure I could get you an invitation—and you could bring a guest. There are two ladies who host. Mrs. Fletcher-Peabody on the first and third Mondays and Mrs. Davenport on the second and fourth. If there is a fifth Monday, there is no meeting.”
“Could I go on Monday?” That was in just two days, so perhaps Jo wouldn’t be able to coordinate that.
“I don’t see why not. I’ll send confirmation by Monday afternoon. You’ll understand why it may not be sooner as this is rather late notice.”
“Of course. I appreciate your assistance.” His mind began working as to how he could get Miss Price there. She would need to be disguised. Perhaps she could be heavily veiled and take on the role of his great-aunt who lived near Bath. But she would want to speak, which meant she’d have to make herself sound like an older person. Would she even want to do all this?
Of course she would. Miss Price was a deep lover of books, and she was most intrepid.
“Here comes Price,” Jo said. “I won’t tell anyone that you’re harboring a tendre for his sister.”
“I’m not,” Lazarus protested, unsure if she was teasing him again or not. Because it was true. If not a tendre, he was harboringsomethingfor his sweet tutor. If he hadn’t already been thinking he needed to end his public association with her, this realization made it necessary.
Jo gave him an enigmatic smile. “I’ll send a note by Monday.” Then she left as Evan bore down on Lazarus’s table.
Yes, it was time for Miss Price to put an end to speculation that she and Lazarus might engage in a courtship. He would discuss that with her at their next meeting.
And he would ignore the pang of sadness that accompanied the end of their ruse.
CHAPTER 7
“Gwen, I’ve wonderful news!” Gwen’s mother swept into the drawing room with a broad grin and excitement dancing in her eyes. “I’ve hired a dancing master at last. He will be here shortly.”
Setting her book in her lap, Gwen blinked at her mother. “You’ve hired a dancing master since this morning, and he’s due any time?” How was that possible?
“I offered him the position and asked if he could start immediately. He just sent a note saying he could be here at two.”
But Gwen had an appointment with Somerton at three!
Gwen’s mother regarded her with concern. “Is something amiss?”
“I was going to call on Tamsin this afternoon, but I can do that after.” She closed her book and stood. “I suppose I should ready myself for the dancing master.”
