“Actually, I very much enjoyed being spared from society’s attention.” Fleur smiled. “In fact, might I suggest you return to the lady, and the both of you can continue on with your performance.”
His performance. His brows lifted. “I bloody walked across the ballroom and danced with the lady.”
Twice and in so doing made a public declaration, which…blast and damn, seemed like a good idea—at some point. At what point that was, he couldn’t say.
“Youstompedoff to find a more agreeable partner right after you gave me your big, nasty glower for everyone to see.”
The bloody gall of her!
“I do not stomp, madam,” he gritted out.
“Maybe not usually, but this time you did, and in front of a crowd, which made it all the more memorable.”
She accused him of making a scene?
Fleur gave him the most bloody infuriating, patronizing smile; he wanted to kiss it clear from her face.
“What of you? As hearty as any ox…”
She sputtered her indignation. “Anox?”
“Collapsing shamefully and wantonly into Markham’s waiting arms…”
Fleur was going to kill him. Her flashing eyes said it. And he deserved it, behaving like a brute. Hart knew these things but couldn’t stop himself.
“…and then running off with my bloody man-of-affairs!”
“Here, I believed Lord Cassian followed me as a service toyou.”
Curse her for catching his inconsistency andhimselffor not knowing why bloody Kilmartin followed her out.
Fleur batted her eyes because, of course, she did. She knew the effect that fluttering had on him and the rest of men everywhere.
“Trying to tempt me now, you little flirt?” he laughed coldly.
Did she hear how she left him half-mad? Did it bring her satisfaction? He was bent on a bloody knock-down bout.
“You couldn’t stand, all to snatch attention from my future bride.”
His petty accusation sucked the air out of the gardens.
Fight with me. Curse me.
Sadness glittered in her eyes.
Hart’s fingers quivered and curled into balls.
“You’re a bastard, H-Henry.”
That slight tremble undid him.
She started to go.
Did she truly think to march off without saying any more than that? Leaving it there, with the last words between them being his reprehensible accusation and his mentioning Lady Angela would be his bride.
At least, she might. He had issued an invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Talbert’s family to attend the dinner party he was being forced to host with the McQuoids. But then, his whole dance with the striking beauty, he had obsessed over Fleur. Had her swoon been pretend or affected for one gentleman, thatsoulmateshe had spoken of? Was Markham the sweetheart? St. James? Who? The bloody list went on.
Whereas Fleur? When he mentioned the courtship of Lady Angela, she invited him to court the lady further, to divert Society’s attention from Fleur.
