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"The three of us will have to do the watching then," Daniel said with a shrug.
"How the hell are we supposed to - " Robert began with frustration.
"You don't mind house guests for a bit, do you, Richard?" Daniel interrupted him.
"House guests?" Richard asked with surprise.
"Robert, Suzette and I," he explained. "You can say Robert is having renovations done to his London home and you offered him a room while it's under way, and . . . Well, actually, I suppose there's really no good excuse for Suzette and I to stay there," he said with a frown. "But if you and Robert are there to watch Lisa at night, we don't need to sleep there too. We shall just visit a lot during the day. That won't be considered unusual at all since Lisa is newly up from the country. The girls spent the first day doing nothing but natter and catch-up and would have done the same today had Christiana and Suzette not already been roped into that tea. "
"Aren't you clever," Richard said slowly, and then added, "Of course, Robert is welcome to stay at Radnor and spend all his time looking out for Lisa. "
The two men exchanged a strange smile, but Robert hardly noticed; he was more concerned with the logistics of keeping Lisa safe. Nodding, he muttered, "That would work. I can help keep an eye on her and between the three of us we can assure she isn't left alone until this is all done and dusted. "
"It's settled then," Daniel said beaming brightly as he slapped Robert on the back. "You can move into Radnor tonight after the ball. "
Robert nodded and then frowned. "Speaking of which, we've been in here a while. I'd better go out and check on Lisa. It's not likely someone would try to snatch her away from the ball with so many people around, but it's better to be safe than sorry. "
"Yes. It's probably best to stick close to her for the next little while," Daniel said solemnly. "None of us would forgive ourselves if anything happened to her. Not to mention Christiana and Suzette would never forgive us either. "
"Hmm. " Robert headed for the door with a nod, leaving the men to chatter quietly.
"It's a beautiful night," Lisa said on a sigh, leaning on the terrace rail and peering up at the star-studded sky. The stars somehow didn't seem as bright here as they were in the country, but it was still lovely.
"Is it?" Lord Findlay asked with disinterest.
Lisa glanced sideways with surprise to find him peering down at her with hooded eyes. Suzette and Christiana hadn't been interested in a walk on the terrace. They were alone. Or as alone as one could get at the busiest ball of the season, where even the terrace tended to be crowded. It wasn't too bad right now though, she noted.
There were only two other couples on the terrace besides themselves, and they had spaced themselves out, seeking the shadows and privacy.
"I shall have to take your word for it that it's beautiful. I'm afraid I cannot be bothered to check for myself with you here to look at. "
Turning back to Lord Findlay, Lisa grinned at the compliment and shook her head. "Then you're missing out, my lord. The sky really is lovely. "
"As are you," he assured her solemnly. "Your beauty challenges the stars. "
"Oh. " She widened her eyes, fighting an irresistible urge to giggle at his flattery. The drink Mrs. Morgan had given her was obviously still affecting her, she decided, but said, "I suspect you are a dangerous man to innocent young debutantes, Lord Findlay. "
"Call me Charles," he suggested, his voice seductive.
"Charles then," she said on a laugh, and then asked, "How many girls have you charmed with such flowery words?"
Even as the words left her lips, Lisa wondered where they had come from. It was just so unlikely a thing for her to say. She simply wasn't this laissez faire about men and their attentions. On the other hand, she suspected if Robert had said those words to her, she wouldn't be nearly so relaxed and amused.
"I assure you I don't make a habit of saying such things to debutantes," Charles said solemnly, moving closer to take the drink from her hand. He set it carefully on the rail and then caught her by the arms, drawing her forward as he murmured, "In fact, I generally bypass these gatherings to avoid being hunted down and leg shackled. "
"Do you?" Lisa asked with mild interest as she watched his head lower toward hers. "Then why are you here tonight?"
"I had heard you were back in town and was hoping to see you again," he whispered,
his lips a hair's breadth from hers.
"Why?" she asked. Her eyes sliding from his eyes to his lips and back, her mind wondering what it would be like when he kissed her.
"Because I have been endlessly fascinated by you since this same ball two years ago. Your smile and beauty have haunted me ever since, and all I've thought about since then was taking you in my arms and kissing - "
"There you are!"
Lisa pulled back with a start, her head swiveling to find Robert bearing down on them like an annoyed parent. Vaguely aware that Charles was releasing her and stepping back, Lisa frowned with annoyance at Robert for interrupting what would have been her first kiss. Not that he noticed, he was too busy giving her a disapproving scowl.
"What are you doing out here alone?" Robert asked, catching her arm and dragging her toward the terrace doors.
"I'm not alone, Robert," Lisa snapped, tugging at her arm. "I am with Lord Findlay. "
"But without Christiana or Suzette," Robert countered, not releasing her arm. "Proper young ladies do not step out with strange men to - "
"He is not strange," Lisa hissed, lowering her voice to avoid drawing attention their way as he dragged her through the terrace doors and back inside. "And do stop pulling me about like a recalcitrant child. You are acting like a jealous ass and causing a scene. "
Robert eased his hold and slowed so that it looked less like he was dragging her and more like he was walking her. He then paused and turned to eye her solemnly. "I am not jealous, Lisa. But after what happened today, you should not be wandering outside with anyone. For all we know, Lord Findlay is the suitor Mrs. Morgan was procuring you for. Any one of the men here tonight could be. You must be careful. "
Lisa blinked in surprise at the reminder of her narrow escape that day. Not that she'd forgotten it, but it hadn't occurred to her that she might still be in danger. She'd just assumed that with that day's plot foiled, it was done. Perhaps that had been naive, but . . . Grimacing, she nodded reluctantly in understanding. "Very well. I shall be more cautious, Robert. "
"Yes, you will. Because I shall ensure it," he said firmly, starting to walk again.
"What do you mean, you shall ensure it?" she asked warily, keeping her voice low as he led her through the ball attendees.
"I had a talk with Richard and Daniel and we have made arrangements to keep you safe until we find this so-called suitor. "
"You told Richard and Daniel about today?" Lisa asked in almost a squeal of horror.
"They had to be made aware of the situation to help keep you safe," he said firmly.
"Christ," she muttered with disgust and thought that the last of the drugged drink must be finally wearing off. She was definitely feeling her emotions again, mostly mortification at her sisters' husbands knowing about her ordeal that day.
"Did you just cuss?"
Lisa blinked and noted that Robert had stopped walking and was now staring down at her with shock. Lifting her chin, she glared back at him defiantly. "And what if I did? I am not a child, Robert. I may cuss if I wish. And I will go out on the terrace with who I wish, and - what arrangements?" she interrupted herself to ask suddenly as those words sank through her brain.
"I shall be staying at the Radnor townhouse and watching over you day and night to help keep you safe until this situation is resolved," he announced calmly.
Lisa simply stared at him. It occurred to her that right up until that afternoon in his carriage, this news would have put her over the moon. The very idea of his being so close would have been like a Christmas and birthday gift all rolled into one and would have had her beaming and dancing with excitement. Right now though, after his breaking of her heart in the carriage, it seemed like a nightmare. Robert's presence day and night. Having to be in his presence at all times when he felt nothing for her but filial emotions. She wasn't having that!
"Miss Madison?"
Relieved to have the excuse to do so, Lisa turned away from Robert to face Lord Findlay with a smile that was wider and warmer than it would have normally been. "Aye, my lord?"
"You left your drink behind," he said with a smile, offering her the glass and completely ignoring Robert, who was scowling again.
"Oh, thank you. " Lisa beamed and accepted the drink, saying a bit archly, "I do apologize for Lord Langley's rudeness in dragging me off like that. "
"Not at all. 'Tis hardly your fault," Lord Findlay said easily, still not acknowledging the other man's presence with even a glance.
Smiling, he asked, "Are you attending the Hammonds' ball tomorrow night?"
"No," Robert answered for her, moving closer.
"Yes, I am," Lisa countered, ignoring him just as Lord Findlay was. "My sisters and I spoke about it when I arrived yesterday. We plan to attend and have already sent a reply that we would. "
"Then I hope you will agree to another waltz with me there, Miss Madison," Lord Findlay said with a grin.
"I shall save you one," she promised. "And keep another quadrille free as well. "
"You are too kind," he murmured taking her hand and bowing to place a kiss on it. His lips never made contact, however, because Robert's patience had apparently run out and Lisa suddenly found herself tugged away and hurried through the crowd once more. "Really, Robert," Lisa said with exasperation, struggling not to spill her drink. "You are being incredibly rude. "
"And you are behaving like an idiot," he growled. "Smiling and fawning all over Findlay like some loose - "
His voice died as she jerked her arm from his hold. He stopped at once and whirled on her with surprise, but that turned to shock when the contents of her glass splashed into his face.
"You - " he began furiously.
"Miss Madison?"
Lisa turned from Robert and glanced in question to the man now at her side. Lord Tibald, she thought was his name. She raised her eyebrows in question. "Yes?"
"I believe this is our dance," he explained and Lisa nodded grimly.
"Oh, yes, Lord Tibald. I believe you're right. This is your dance. " She forced a smile for him that withered as she faced Robert and silently slapped her empty glass into his hand. Without another word, she turned back to Lord Tibald and offered her hand.
Smiling, he took it and laid it over his arm to lead her away from Robert and onto the dance floor.
"Are you all right?"
Lisa stopped glaring at Robert, who had moved to the refreshment table to find a napkin to dry himself off with and glanced to Lord Tibald in question. "What?"
"You appear a bit upset," he offered quietly. "Would you prefer to step out for some air rather than dance?"
"Oh, no," she said on a sigh, and then lips quirking, added wryly, "Langley would just drag me back inside anyway. "
"Ah. " Lord Tibald was briefly silent, and then asked tentatively. "Has Lord Langley a prior claim on your attentions? Should I be - " "No," Lisa assured him grimly. "He has no claim at all. Robert is . . . Well, he is an old friend of the family, like an annoying older brother. And tonight he's being particularly annoying," she added with displeasure.
"Ahh," Lord Tibald repeated and something of the sound made her glance to him. This time she really looked at him, noting that he was as handsome as Lord Findlay, though in a dark, dashing way rather than the icy beauty of the other man. He also had deep dark eyes and a charming smile.
"I apologize, my lord," she said, forcing herself to relax and allowing a smile to claim her lips. "It's not well done of me to take out my annoyance with Robert on you. "
"Oh, you weren't taking it out on me," he assured her gallantly. "You just seemed distracted and distressed.
She smiled slightly and shrugged. "Well, if I was, I am no more. You have managed to distract me from my distraction. "
He chuckled at the claim. "You're really quite lovely when you smile, Miss Madison. "
"And you're very handsome, Lord Tibald, so we are a match," she said with a
grin.
Lord Tibald chuckled at her boldness and drew her a little closer.
"I see she's well and hasn't been snatched away," Richard commented, drawing Robert's scowling attention as he and Daniel approached. Raising one eyebrow, he added, "You, on the other hand, appear a bit vexed . . . and damp. "
"She is - " Robert cut himself off and turned to glower at Lisa as her gay laughter sounded. She and Lord Tibald were apparently having a grand time . . . and were dancing entirely too closely. Finally, he muttered, "She is going to be difficult. "
"Lisa?" Richard asked with surprise, his gaze going to the couple. "No. She is never difficult. She matches Christiana for sweetness. "
"Lisa may even surpass Christiana in sweetness," Daniel suggested, and then added, "Suzette is the difficult one. "
Robert noted the man's grin. It seemed to suggest he liked that "difficulty" in his wife. Shaking his head, he glanced back to the woman under discussion and grimaced. "Well, Lisa is being difficult tonight. I found her on the terrace with Findlay. The man was moving in for a kiss as I arrived. And she was letting him," he added with disbelief.
"Well, that is hardly being difficult. Perhaps she likes him," Daniel said.
Robert frowned at the suggestion, not at all pleased by it for some reason. Shifting uncomfortably, he muttered, "Yes, well when I dragged her away and explained that she had to be more careful until we found out who the suitor was, she threw her drink in my face. "
There was silence for a moment, and then Daniel cleared his throat and said, "You are sure it was your explanation that had her tossing her drink in your face?"
"Well, it was after that really," he admitted unhappily. "I may have said something that she didn't appreciate. "
"Ah," Richard murmured. "And what would that be, pray tell?"
Robert shifted again, and then grimaced and admitted, "She was behaving a bit . . . Well, she was laughing and smiling and flirting with Findlay and I may have said that her behavior was a bit loose. " "Ahhh. " It was Daniel who spoke this time, amusement underlining the sound. "And then she threw her drink in your face?"
Robert nodded.
"Well, I think you got off lucky," Daniel said dryly. "Suzette would probably punch me if I suggested her behavior was . . . er . . . loose. In fact, I am surprised you said it. If she was just talking and smiling - "
"As I said, he was about to kiss her when I arrived. And she was going to let him," he protested.
"What do you care?" Richard asked patiently. "You don't want her. "
"Or do you?" Daniel added.
"No, of course not," Robert muttered, his gaze turning to Lisa again. At least he didn't want her in the way they were speaking of. He didn't want a wife, didn't want his life to turn into the misery of an unhappy marriage. He did, however, want Lisa for other purposes, ones he couldn't possibly carry out or even consider. It was that damned see-through dress, Robert thought grimly.
He couldn't get the vision of her naked body beneath the filmy cloth out of his mind. The luscious curves, the dusky rose of her nipples . . . Damn. He could have happily lived a lifetime never having seen that. Now it had raised a whole passel of completely unbrotherly feelings in him for the girl that he just didn't know what to do with.
He needed to hire that runner and get this whole situation resolved as quickly as possible, Robert decided. He also needed a night with his mistress soon. Hopefully a romp with Giselle would help wipe the vision of Lisa in the brothel from his mind. Perhaps then he could return to seeing her as sweet, young, dreamy-eyed, silly little Lisa Madison.
