Page 85 of Thief of the Ton
“And on thenose,” Miss de Grande added, “especially when one is forced to sit next to the Duke of Dunton.”
“Lavinia!” Lady Yates admonished her niece, but mirth flickered in her expression. “His Grace demands your respect.”
“Not after he’s consumed a plate of beef ragout and cabbage, Aunt. You didn’t have to sit next to him at Lady Ross’s dinner. I almost fainted at one point.”
Peregrine stifled a laugh. “Perhaps that’s why the gentlemen and the ladies separate after dinner—to enable the…atmosphereto dissipate among the gentlemen, while the ladies are enclosed in safety in the drawing room. We suffer for the benefit of your sex.”
Miss de Grande gave him another smile. “That’s very gallant of you, sir.”
“Tell me, Lord Marlow,” Lady Yates said, “are you making progress in catching that thief—the Phoenix?”
“I believe I am,” he said. “I must thank you both for your assistance at Lord Hythe’s house party. I doubt the other guests would have been so accommodating had you not taken the lead.”
“H-have you found the painting?” Miss de Grande asked.
“No, but I’m confident that I shall.”
“Oh?” Her voice had risen in pitch.
“I’m close to discovering the pattern that connects the stolen items,” he continued. “Or I should saywe, since there are several of us working on the case.”
“S-several?” Miss de Grande clasped her hands together. There was no doubt about it—something distressed her.
“I trust the punishment will be severe when you catch him,” Lady Yates said. “Were I the magistrate, I’d—”
“Aunt, please!” Miss de Grande interrupted. “I’m sure our guest has no wish to discuss the Phoenix.”
“Anyone in Society could be his next victim, Lavinia. We must all be vigilant, must we not, Lord Marlow?”
“I think, perhaps,youmay be safe from the Phoenix, Lady Yates—and your niece, of course,” Peregrine replied.
“How so?” Miss de Grande asked, her voice tight.
“Because the Phoenix, whom I consider to be an intelligent adversary, would be a fool to attempt to steal something of yours. He may be too clever for most of Society, but I believe thatyouare too clever forhim.”
“You flatter my niece too much, Lord Marlow,” Lady Yates said.
“On the contrary, ma’am, I don’t flatter her enough. But I’ll gladly remedy the situation, if she consents.”
Lady Yates drew in a sharp breath. Peregrine glanced toward Miss de Grande…
Lavinia…
Did she understand his meaning as well as her aunt?
“Or perhaps,” he added, fixing his gaze on her, “if Lord de Grande would consent.”
Her eyes widened, and he caught a spark of hope in her expression.
Hope—and desire…
She was his for the taking. He only need ask.
A door opened and closed in the distance. Then footsteps approached and they heard voices outside the parlor door.
Lady Yates glanced at her niece. “You’re not expecting more visitors, are you, Lavinia?”
Before Miss de Grande replied, the door opened to reveal the footman, accompanied by a man, and a woman clad in a deep purple gown, hair piled elegantly on top of her head.
