“I say, Rosemount, my sister Caroline is most put out by your behavior.She claims you have been rude to her,” said Francis.
Freddie nodded and thrust the brandy glasses into the hands of the bemused Francis.Freddie quickly took hold of Eve’s hand and led her away.
“I think we are doing well in the point-scoring stakes tonight.Time to up the ante.If I am not mistaken, that is Lord Cullins dancing with his wife.He is a senior member of the prime minister’s cabinet,” said Freddie.
Once on the dance floor, they began to track toward their prey.A member of the parliamentary cabinet would help garner a handsome tally of points in the game.
Eve relaxed into the dance, enjoying the pleasurable sensation of being held close by Freddie.He was a skilled dancer, and her body fitted well against his as they moved through the dance steps.The warmth of his arms holding her radiated throughout her body.
They slowly worked their way around the dance floor, their target in their sights.As they reached the minister, Freddie cleared his throat.“That is a particularly lovely gown you have on this evening, my dear.If I dance close enough I can see right down the front of it.If you lean over a little more, I am certain I shall be rewarded with a glimpse of your nipples,” he said.
Eve bit down on her bottom lip in an attempt to stifle a snigger.Out of the corner of her eye she caught the look of horrified disgust on Lady Cullins’s face.
“Really?Can you?I don’t believe it,” she replied.
Freddie chuckled.“Well, lean forward and I shall tell you exactly the color of your nipples.Do you have any hair on them, by chance?”
The minister’s wife cleared her throat as Eve leant forward.Freddie closed the distance and very obviously looked down.
“Young man.That is entirely unsuitable behavior for the dance floor.And as for you, young lady, I shall discover who you are and have a word with your mama.You should not have been allowed to come out if you were not properly finished,” scolded Lady Cullins.
Eve watched as Freddie fixed an idiotic look to his countenance and turned to the minister’s wife.“Scientific research must be conducted in all manner of places.I am more than happy to do the same research with you if you feel the statistics will be skewed by such a small sample.”
The ugliest of scenes was only avoided by the fortuitous ending of the music, which signaled the end of the dance.The minister and his equally outraged wife marched from the dance floor.They approached a footman who quickly escorted them out into the foyer.
“I say.Are they leaving?Was it something we said?”asked Eve.
Freddie turned to her.His lips were held tightly together.His eyes shone brightly with suppressed mirth.“A British cabinet minister—this calls for another drink.Then we need to decide who to target next.”
“I could do with a spot of night air before we get another brandy,” replied Eve.
They found a door and headed out onto the garden terrace.The cold night air immediately had Eve’s brandy-affected brain spinning.She reached out and took hold of Freddie’s arm to steady herself.
“Are you alright?”he asked.
She sucked in a deep breath.Then began to laugh.“I cannot believe we just did that!My mother will skin me alive if Lady Cullins ever discovers my identity.”
Freddie gave her a worried look, which she laughed off.The thrill of danger coursed through her veins.If this was devilish behavior, it was a heady drug she wanted to experience over and over again.
Eve’s evening of mirth and dangerous delight eventually ended on a sober note.Caroline sat silent in the carriage on the journey home.Eve didn’t bother to look at her sister.She could feel the imaginary daggers being plunged into her heart, but after an evening spent with Freddie Rosemount, she refused to let it get to her.Once inside their family home, they both headed upstairs.
Eve entered her room and was about to close the door when an angry Caroline barged into the room behind her.
“How dare you treat me like that?”
Eve gave her a weary look.She was tired from too much dancing and far too much brandy to conduct a full-scale row with Caroline.Her evening with Freddie had been a triumph.Her long game of baiting Caroline was beginning to lose its luster in comparison to the sharp, shiny newness of the Rude Rules.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she replied, with a tired wave of her fingers.
Enraged, Caroline reached out and grabbed a hold of her hand.
Eve winced in pain.“Let go of me, you self-important bore.”
The look on Caroline’s face immediately changed.Eve took deep satisfaction in knowing the spiteful remark had stung liked a slap to the face.
“Oh, don’t go looking all offended and upset, Caroline, just because someone doesn’t fall on their knees in front of you.We can’t all be fawning members of your royal court.”
Caroline pointed a finger at Eve.“You take that back.You take it all back now.”
