Page 24 of The Hellion and the Hero

There. That would get them back to their more familiar territory of mutual loathing.

A slight frown marred his brow before it vanished behind a blank expression. “No, I haven’t. Which, may I remind you, is a good thing.”

Georgiana managed not to scoff. “I suppose you expect me to be grateful, then.”

“I harbor no expectations at all.”

His even tone grated like nails against her skin.

That’s certainly a change.

But before she could speak the words, someone came beside her. Through her haze of anger, she recognized Lord Pettigrew.

“I’ve come for a waltz,” he said cheerily, while his eyes darted nervously between them.

Georgiana felt a twinge of guilt. Though she wasn’t prepared to give Lord Pettigrew her heart, she could at least treat him with kindness. She knew how this must look to him, her standing here deep in conversation with another man. Her earlier reluctance to dance dissipated as she gladly took his arm.

“And a waltz you shall have.” She gave him her most brilliant smile and pointedly ignored the captain entirely as they moved to the dance floor.

But though every step took her farther away, she still felt his gaze on her, dark and heavy.

“It’s nice of you to keep the captain company,” Lord Pettigrew began, giving her the perfect opportunity to dismiss his concerns.

She took it. Enthusiastically. “Yes. He is terribly uncomfortable at these things.”

Lord Pettigrew nodded. “I understand you’ve known each other for quite some time?”

Georgiana made sure to smile even wider, to mask her surprise. “We first met years ago, but we haven’t seen each other again until recently. He is nothing more than an old acquaintance. Practically a stranger.”

Lord Pettigrew visibly relaxed. “Ah. I confess I had imagined something quite different. Especially with some of the insinuations the papers have been making. Been driving myself a little mad, actually.” He then blushed and ducked his head. It was charming, how little he hid from her. “Star-crossed lovers reunited. That sort of thing.”

Georgiana blanched. She hadn’t seen anything like that. But then, she had been busier than usual recently. “No,” she said just a tad forcefully. “It’s nothing like that.” She then patted his arm and looked ahead. “Nothing at all.”

Chapter Seven

Henry watched that damnable boy lead Lady Arlington through a waltz, but after a few moments, even he had to grudgingly admit that they fit well together. Pettigrew’s dark hair contrasted pleasingly with her golden locks, and as they moved confidently around the dance floor, they drew the attention of a number of guests. Heads turned, knowing looks were exchanged, and bits of gossip were passed along in their wake.

As Lady Arlington smiled up at Lord Pettigrew, Henry couldn’t ignore the sharp jab radiating in his chest.

So then, have you uncovered a bloodthirsty plot to ensure my demise yet, or is my brother still wasting his money?

He couldn’t decide which he wanted more: to pull out that sharp tongue of hers or to demand she stick it down his throat.

The raw desire behind the thought jolted straight to his cock. Damn Reggie for insisting he come this evening. Henry had been honest with Lady Arlington. He hadn’t uncovered anything of substance yet. But it was still early days, and, unlike some of his other wealthy clients, Reggie wasn’t making any unreasonable demands of him.

I know it’s probably silly, but I’d feel better if you were there, Reggie had admitted.And, if nothing else, you can bask in the admiration of all the pretty young things who will be in attendance.

Henry chose not to explain that he had absolutely no interest in attractinganykind of admiration, or that being in the same room as Lady Arlington was becoming its own unique form of torture. Instead, he had given his client a tight smile and asked what time he should arrive.

He almost hadn’t recognized Lady Arlington at first when he found her slouching behind the pillar. Gone was the serene expression she usually wore. Instead, she had looked young and vulnerable and so much like the innocent debutante he had first fallen for that he had nearly lost his breath for a moment. Back then it had been all too easy to play the part of her rescuer, the knight in shining armor he had once imagined himself to be, saving her from a joyless future with a much older man for a quiet life built on love. With him.

Then she had gone and married the man without even bothering to say a word to Henry.

He had barely noticed the two older women tittering beside him until Lord Pettigrew swept Lady Arlington into a perfectly executed turn right in front of them.

“Oh, what a handsome pair they make,” one sighed. “You know, I’ve heard Lord Pettigrew has proposedthree timesalready, but she insists on waiting out of respect to the late viscount. She must have been absolutely devastated to turn down a perfectly good match so many times. And atherage.”

Henry had to hold back his snort, given that Lady Arlington couldn’t be more than twenty-six.

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